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Post by rickyv on Mar 23, 2015 21:17:18 GMT
I managed to buy my JB-20 standard series jazz bass 'deko' a couple of weeks ago for the princely sum of £27 plus shipping. Quite lucky that I got it at all as it seems that the 'deko' items are now only appearing on the site for literally a minute or two before they are sold. Firstly, for the money I paid I have a great looking jazz, sunburst/white 3-ply pick guard,which is really well put together and nicely finished. Lovely straight neck, no sharp or raised frets. Very, very impressed with the quality. Unfortunately the electrics are completely dead (the risk of buying a deko) and no sound is forthcoming. Have tried re-soldering connections and no joy. No worries tho as I am in the process of swapping out the pickups for some Entwistles and replacing all the wiring/pots etc with a well-regarded (on Basschat at least) KiOgon wiring harness. I will report back on how it sounds when the job is done. One question though. Does anyone have any experience of the standard HB strings that they supply with these? I have to say they sound pretty horrid unplugged but has anyone kept them on and are happy with the sound/tone/feel etc? Cheers
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Post by kodiakblair on Mar 23, 2015 21:33:17 GMT
Thomann use D'Addarios on some models like the JB-75 rickyv. My PB-20 came with the standard HB strings but I'd bought it to Drop Tune to F# (idea) so never used the strings,never even plugged it in before changing them. Great choice though swapping the pickups for Entwistles,I put PXBN & JXBN in my Peavey Zodiac DE and found them stronger than the Seymour Duncan Basslines.Half the price too
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Post by rickyv on Mar 23, 2015 21:39:40 GMT
Thomann use D'Addarios on some models like the JB-75 rickyv. My PB-20 came with the standard HB strings but I'd bought it to Drop Tune to F# (idea) so never used the strings,never even plugged it in before changing them. Great choice though swapping the pickups for Entwistles,I put PXBN & JXBN in my Peavey Zodiac DE and found them stronger than the Seymour Duncan Basslines.Half the price too I've only gone for the standard Entwistle JBX's rather than the neodymium's but have heard good things about those as well.
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Post by kodiakblair on Mar 23, 2015 21:47:25 GMT
I've heard good things about the standards myself. I just think it's great that £27 got you the important bits of a playable bass.
Over the years I've read loads of posts along the lines of " I have this great bass, I changed the neck,tuners,bridge,pickups, pots and strings.Oh and strap locks." I always think " So you spent X for a body "
Let's hope it's not too long before the JB-20 is up and running.
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Post by rickyv on Mar 23, 2015 21:57:10 GMT
I've heard good things about the standards myself. I just think it's great that £27 got you the important bits of a playable bass. Over the years I've read loads of posts along the lines of " I have this great bass, I changed the neck,tuners,bridge,pickups, pots and strings.Oh and strap locks." I always think " So you spent X for a body " Let's hope it's not too long before the JB-20 is up and running. Yep, on a bass like this I see no point in upgrading the hardware. The bridge and tuners are perfectly fine. The way I see it, with new pups and electrics, I will have spent about the same all in as I would have to buy the JB-20 new as a non-deko but I will have arguably a better sounding one with better quality pups and pots. Ok, the strings will be changed as well but that doesnt count.
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60 posts
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Post by annoyingtwit on Mar 28, 2015 10:20:57 GMT
From what I've heard in terms of sound samples, I think the JB standards sound great. I did find one youtube video that sounded really poor, but it might have been the particular setup for that video. Listening to the samples on Thomann's site, I find that the standard JB sounds different from, but no worse than, the Wilkinson equipped 1975 JB basses. IMHO.
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Post by rickyv on Mar 29, 2015 15:07:32 GMT
At last, the JB-20 lives. Wired in all the new components today (not difficult with the Ki-Ogon harness as no soldering required)and I think its sounds sweet even with the basic HB steels on. Will have to change those strings though as they are just too 'jangly' for me. Not sure whether to go for nickel rounds or some flats. Anyhow, couldnt be happier with it. Will try and get a photo or two up in due course.
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60 posts
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Post by annoyingtwit on Mar 31, 2015 12:59:03 GMT
Your instrument .. IT LIVES!
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Post by rickyv on Apr 4, 2015 14:19:37 GMT
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Post by rickyv on Apr 4, 2015 14:22:11 GMT
Oh. Thought that would show the images. Obviously not. Just click on the links!
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60 posts
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Post by annoyingtwit on Apr 4, 2015 16:21:27 GMT
Looks very nice indeed.
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Post by JAC on Apr 6, 2015 13:09:19 GMT
Nice bass rickyv, I can't fix the images for you at the moment (I am still travelling and on my phone) but I will fix them when I get chance to sit at a computer.
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