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Xotic XJ-1 & XJ-1T 5 String Jazz Bass

Urian

Urian

Mar 28, 2006
207
9
Plano, TX
#1
I was introduced to Xotic basses today and more specifically, to their take on the classic Jazz bass: the Xotic XJ-1 5 and their simpler/more affordable version, Xotic XJ-1T 5. I did some searching on TB, but found nothing but bits and pieces of useless information.

The specs are (for the base model XJ-1T):

BODY: Alder
COLOR: Candy Orange, Black Cherry or Vintage White
NECK: 22F Maple/Madagascar Rosewood
NECK FINISH: Matching Head - Oil Finish
NUT: Pure Bone
FRET: Jescar Silver Nickel (#6150 type)
PICKUP: Lindy Fralin JB 5-st
TUNER: HipShot Ultra Light
BRIDGE: HipShot 5 string A Brass Chrome
CONTROL: 2 Vol, 1 Tone, 3-Band EQ Xotic Bass Preamp
(4-mid frequency Switch, Output Gain Control)
SWITCH: Pull 1st Vol for Passive/Active, 2nd Vol for
Single/Humbucking
HARDWARE: Chrome
STRAP BUTTON: Gotoh
STRINGS: D'Addario
MSRP: $2,900


Here are some clips:


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_W8wz-TiaE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWJjYKCj7NU



Before we get the influx of "just another Jazz clone" in a "flooded market" comments... Let's be objective. :smug:

The tone is definitely in the "updated Jazz" tone universe. The aesthetics are definitely reminiscent of the Alleva-Copollo control scheme, Sadowsky headstock, but with wooden pickups? :hiding:


Your thoughts TalkBass? Worthy adversary (to Sadowsky, Nordstrand, FClef, etc) with a price tag of $2,900.00(XJ-1T) ranging to $3,400.00 (XJ-1) ??

Anyone have first hand experience with one of these basses?

C'mon Jazz connoisseurs, have at it!

U
 

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#2
I have been trying to get my hands on one for awhile now but can't seem to find any at all the usual suspects. Did see the John Pena youtube video and it sounded good but he could play an old tractor and it would sound good. :)
 
#12
cnltb said:
It sure looks nice.
The shape of the pickups is interesting too.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. The pickups actually have a "thumb" rest built into the top of the pickup.

I also like how the pickups match the fingerboard without being overly guady (dual coil, flamed maple, exposed pole pieces, etc) and they also seem longer than a typical SC pickup, more a la Alleva/Nordstrand (new 70's model).

Cool look!
 
#14
I have been using and XJ-1T 5 since June. It's definitely holds up to any other high-end jazz on the market. I also have a Sadowsky NYC 4, Alleva-Coppolo fretless 5, Suhr 4 and a couple Foderas..
I usually use it in passive mode because it sounds good. The neck feels great and the B string is amazingly clear. I mean really, the B is better than my Fodera 35" 5.
I have used it on Broadway shows and jazz gigs. The only time I used the preamp was during a rehearsal when I had to plug into a 25 watt practice amp with a 6" speaker..terrible, but I could find a usable sound on the bass.
Btw - I also have been using one of their new cables, it replaced a Monster cable becuase it was much clearer without the added false low end the Monster adds.
 
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#17
smillhouse said:
I have been using and XJ-1T 5 since June. It's definitely holds up to any other high-end jazz on the market. I also have a Sadowsky NYC 4, Alleva-Coppolo fretless 5, Suhr 4 and a couple Foderas..
I usually use it in passive mode because it sounds good. The neck feels great and the B string is amazingly clear. I mean really, the B is better than my Fodera 35" 5.
I have used it on Broadway shows and jazz gigs. The only time I used the preamp was during a rehearsal when I had to plug into a 25 watt practice amp with a 6" speaker..terrible, but I could find a usable sound on the bass.
Btw - I also have been using one of their new cables, it replaced a Monster cable becuase it was much clearer without the added false low end the Monster adds.
Click to expand...

Awesome intel!!!

Great to hear from an actual owner, and great to hear that the low "B" is on the level of a 35" scale bass, and a Fodera at that. :bassist:

How does the radius of the neck feel?? Spacing?

How do you compare these “tonally” to your Sadowsky? Alleva-Copollo?

Would love to see some pics!

U

P.S.

Great tracks on your site!
 
#19
Thanks U, glad you liked the tracks..

Honestly, I don't know the radius or the spacing..I could probably measure the spacing, but it's the normal Hipshot bridge. I only know whether it feels comfortable or not..and it definitely does to me.

I'm sure you could email them to find out the radius and the spacing. They don't list it, but probably wouldn't mind telling you...
They didn't list the scale in the specs either, so I emailed them and heard back in just a a few minutes. Every reply probably wouldn't be that fast, but a great company to deal with!!

The sound difference between the Xotic, Sadowsky, AC and Suhr to me is this: all 4 have different wood combinations and the tonal differences are only the ones I would associate with the different characteristics of the type of wood. As far as clarity of sound, build quality, feel, sustain, even-ness etc., they're all very equal. They all feel a little different in regards to the neck shapes, and the body shape in the case of the Sadowsky.

I think I use the Xotic the most of the bunch. I ordered it just from the picture, description and videos of John Pena because it seemed to be exactly what I was looking for.
My criteria:
fretted 5st jazz
34" scale
full size body
alder/rosewood
fralin pickups
great preamp
active AND passive mode w/tone control

After I played it, I said "there it is" and strung my Fodera Emperor Elite 5 E-C to use for chord melody stuff..

The Xotic has a similar characteristic in sound to the other basses I've owned with this wood combo...Lakland US JO, '72 Jazz, '73 Jazz etc..
It's exactly what I was looking for in the alder, rosewood sound.
It's actually much better than the JO was in terms of sound...very much like the '72 Jazz that I shouldn't have sold..oh well I need a 5 anyway..
The Sadowsky 4 is brighter, but it's ash/maple.
The Suhr 4 is in the middle..warm but harder attack than the Xotic.. ash/rosewood
The AC 5 is alder/ebony fretless..sounds pretty similar to the Xotic but a little brighter because of the ebony and it's fretless so hard to compare really..

I'll try to get some pics posted when I have the time. I have the white version like the pic at the top of the thread.

If anyone in the NYC area would like to check it out, feel free to get in touch.

More later...
 

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