Xotic Provintage revue

[asbs]

Hi,
I received a Xotic Provintage last week and wanted to share this with you.

First, my bass#1 is a MG Fodera, so I juge all other basses with this reference in mind.
I owned or still own many other boutique basses as Smith, Dingwall, RA, Fbass, Sadowsky.....
This is my second Xotic bass and was a bit perplex about a made in Indonesia when I ordered it.



I have to say that I am very impressed by the finish quality.
Almost perfect, except if I want to be extremely focus on details :
- Pups wood cover are a bit dry, need some oil or finish,
the 3 buttons in plastic looks a bit cheap, but work perfectly.
- The space between the bridge pickup and wood is a bit big, I get that on my Ken Smith also, not a big deal.
- the space for the truss road could have get a darker finish


Now the building on himself is very good, the neck pocket is well done, the neck is crazy flat and allow a very low action, and that is perfect as it is an important point for me.

Bridge, tuner from hipshot, so all good.



About the sound, well it is as the video you can find on youtube, the great Ash-Mapple combo, punchy low and hight.




The B string is natural, full and tight, and sounds nicely with all other strings
Im conclusion, I am very happy to get this bass, sounds very great, so easy to play and the weight is light, perfect for long gig or rehersal.
I will complet this revue when I will have played it in gig.

The important point is the price tag, around 15oo USD, a real deal compare to other brands.

 

[onda'bass]

I have the real deal Xotic, but was curious about these. Nice review and bass!

 

[Tewest86]

I have one too. I had the the other “real” Xotic also.

 

[CameronJohnson]

I’m very interested in these basses. How would you compare the ProVintage to your XJ?

 

[LowKayString]

I have been playing this bass for 3 months and can't get enough. I bought it because I love my teachers XJ. I find it has a more vintage full tone, maybe sacrificing a hair of clarity but makes up for it in warmth. By far the best neck pickup on a J I have ever heard let alone played. Absolutley love this bass

 

[asbs]

I’m very interested in these basses. How would you compare the ProVintage to your XJ?

sorry for slow reply. The Provintage is a lightweight bass to compare with the XJ. That would be the first point coming out. Then as the XJ is alder and Rosewood, clearly it is hard to compare in a sonic way as both bass play in different field.
I feel the XJ is more on the Boutique flavor but the gap is small and I enjoy playing both.

 

[phillipkregg]

sorry for slow reply. The Provintage is a lightweight bass to compare with the XJ. That would be the first point coming out. Then as the XJ is alder and Rosewood, clearly it is hard to compare in a sonic way as both bass play in different field.
I feel the XJ is more on the Boutique flavor but the gap is small and I enjoy playing both.

I used to own one of the Japanese made Xotic XJs and I miss it. One of the best instruments I ever had.

Seriously tempted to get one of these Indonesian models. The seem to be the best deal in a budget jazz bass right now.

 

[asbs]

I hope to see one day a 4 strings XJ pro in Alder/Rw coming to the market

 

[gimmeagig]

I have a Provintage too.I didn't like the pickups. Single coils but they are pretty dark sounding. T replaced them with Aguilar J5 HC/CL (18 mm spacing) pickups. I had to drill out the pickup covers for the pole pieces so I could get them closer to the strings. That totally brought the bass to life. I also installed a Hipshot brass A style bridge and True Oiled the fretboard. The bass is so good that I am parting with three of my basses that I thought I would never sell in a million years.. Atelier Z, Moon and a 74 Fender jazz. The Xotic just sounds and feels better.