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Post by Auf Kiltre on Nov 28, 2022 13:10:23 GMT -5
...right after discussing downsizing. Yeah, flake. I have no expectations on this fiesta red 50's P-bass thingy, but for $175 shipped I rolled the dice. I have one bass in my recording studio, a majorly modified Jazz Bass with flats. I figured a bass with roundwounds would be nice. If it sucks it can always be used for firewood or I can give it to my retiring brother who hasn't played bass in over 40 years. It seems to get favorable reviews. Why not |
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Post by Leftee on Nov 28, 2022 17:48:53 GMT -5
Groovy! I recently took a similar path. I bought a CNZ Audio J to fill that void. For $219 I’m quite happy.  |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Nov 28, 2022 18:18:46 GMT -5
Everything I've read about the HB has been relatively positive. Considering the cost is slightly more than some Thomastik-Infeld string sets I figure I'll be good if I can set it up reasonably well and it makes a boomboom when I plug it in.
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Post by Leftee on Nov 29, 2022 6:45:58 GMT -5
That was my thought when I bought this bass. I was even prepared to swap pickups. Those turned out to be fine. I restrung it with flats and, while the strings were off, I took care of a couple high frets.
It’s all I need. 😎
I’m done buying cheapie guitars. But a bass? Sure!
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Post by hushnel on Nov 30, 2022 10:49:33 GMT -5
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Post by hushnel on Nov 30, 2022 11:01:40 GMT -5
That’s insane, that would be like $6.50 when I got my first bass, the old Framus Atlantik in 1967 was around $68.00. Which I still have and occasionally use. 1967 FramusExcept for some clear coat crazing it looks exactly the same. |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Nov 30, 2022 12:29:00 GMT -5
Yeah, that is pretty wild. I'm not holding my breath that it'll be an exceptional instrument despite all the glowing reviews. Supposed to be delivered today (3 day shipping from Germany??) The fact that shipping is practically 75% of the cost lessens some of the wow factor, but still. Been looking at some of their other basses, quite the array. Not that I'd ever need a 5 string but this looks interesting. www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_pj_5_sbk_deluxe_series.htm |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Nov 30, 2022 16:38:45 GMT -5
Arrived. The good: finish pretty much flawless. Lighter than expected. The pickup actually sounds really good and the pots are smooth and quiet. The neck profile is substantial (I like it). The manageable: some fret sprout and higher action. Gonna let it acclimate for a few days and address. I only had to intonate the D string a bit. The iffy: the nut work and string alignment a bit wonky. There are a few imperfections in the lumber used on the neck. There is a curious amount of neck overhang on the treble side (other side of pocket is tight and square). I'm not going to pick nits for the price. I think this'll do for my purposes.       |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Dec 1, 2022 13:08:49 GMT -5
Furthermore and in conclusion; anyone reporting these guitars are plug and play out of the box is either lying, complacent about setup or extremely fortunate. I dove in today and set relief (it was way off), intonation (minor tweaks after trussrod adjustments) and action, which was pretty close to where I like it. I also micromeshed the back of the neck to put a little sheen in the unextraordinary lumber. The nut wasn't glued in, I repositioned it, glued and put some shine to the top. Also cleaned up the frets.
I think the most surprising part of it all is the pickup. It has substantially more output than my Duncan Apollos on my Jazz, good clarity and nominal single coil buzz. Not seeing an upside to swapping it out.
Honestly, unless someone has the basic skills to tweak and rub-a-dub-dub or access to someone who can do it, I think as a first time bass it'd be a crapshoot.
Now, time to work on technique. I've been playing flats for a long time and I be a squeakin' fool with these roundwounds 😄
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Post by morrow on Dec 2, 2022 17:33:33 GMT -5
It’s hard to believe that you can buy a playable instrument for $175. !
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Post by LTB on Dec 2, 2022 19:15:08 GMT -5
It’s hard to believe that you can buy a playable instrument for $175. ! Yep wasn’t that way back in the 60’s for sure (on low cost instruments). They make them better now because Asian labor costs are much lower than the USA. |
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Post by LTB on Dec 2, 2022 19:24:01 GMT -5
Furthermore and in conclusion; anyone reporting these guitars are plug and play out of the box is either lying, complacent about setup or extremely fortunate. I dove in today and set relief (it was way off), intonation (minor tweaks after trussrod adjustments) and action, which was pretty close to where I like it. I also micromeshed the back of the neck to put a little sheen in the unextraordinary lumber. The nut wasn't glued in, I repositioned it, glued and put some shine to the top. Also cleaned up the frets. I think the most surprising part of it all is the pickup. It has substantially more output than my Duncan Apollos on my Jazz, good clarity and nominal single coil buzz. Not seeing an upside to swapping it out. Honestly, unless someone has the basic skills to tweak and rub-a-dub-dub or access to someone who can do it, I think as a first time bass it'd be a crapshoot. Now, time to work on technique. I've been playing flats for a long time and I be a squeakin' fool with these roundwounds 😄 That is what I have found on Squiers and even some Fender MIM’s. That is my issue is I am a squeakin fool too with Rounds. If I do have rounds I use GHS Pressurewounds (not as much squeak while retaining 80-90% round wound sound). (These are not like Ground Wounds. They are roller pressed). They are not totally squeakless but much less when you can turn tone down slightly and much of it is gone. Doesn’t take much |
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Post by hushnel on Dec 3, 2022 15:41:57 GMT -5
That upside down nut would drive me nuts.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Dec 3, 2022 18:41:59 GMT -5
That upside down nut would drive me nuts. Not sure what you mean by upside down, but this nut sure was ugly. Square and way high at first fret. I tapered it back some, rounded the edges, brought 1st fret height down to about .023". I don't have any bass nut files but a variety of diamond needle files. The G string I slotted too wide but doesn't buzz or rattle, so good enough for now. I do believe its bone though. |
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Post by LTB on Dec 3, 2022 18:51:14 GMT -5
I love the color! The overhang while not the norm is nothing that should affect it’s playibility. More instruments I have bought in the mid and low price point (i .e. Fender Player Series P, Squiers, Rondo SX and even my Fender American’s developed some) I had to deal with fret sprout. I don’t know if Texas Weather has something to do with it or not but noticeds ones that didn’t come that way did develope sprout over time) The new one I just got does not have it but we’ll see if it developes. Only exception in the mid/low price point that doesn’t have it is the 40th Anniversary Squier Jazz with binding on the fretboard and my Gibson SG Standard with Binding.
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Post by hushnel on Dec 4, 2022 10:45:48 GMT -5
That upside down nut would drive me nuts. Not sure what you mean by upside down, In the close up photo of the nut you posted, the square 90 degree angled is shown on top of the nut slot with the strings installed, if you look at the bottom of the nut slot you can see the taper of the nut the strings are supposed to go over. |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Dec 4, 2022 11:04:11 GMT -5
Not sure how much of that is optical illusion prompted by the carve of the neck plus the fact that the nut was loose and slid over. When I glued it in place the whole thing seemed pretty square as I recall. Some serious sloppy work there for the maker to commit to a bone nut and ship it in that condition. Gotta keep reminding myself...$100 guitar. Anyway, its functional now.
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Post by hushnel on Dec 4, 2022 11:55:43 GMT -5
Yeah, I zoomed in and could see what you’re describing.
I’m going to send the link to my brother, he has three sons and a few grand kids that are about ready to learn to play. I’ve pretty much coved my nephews that live in Florida. Both have come along very well. Jake is a fireman and has a studio in his home, Nick is an aviation wrench, plays well, I gave him a bass a few years back.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Dec 5, 2022 12:04:47 GMT -5
As much as I like new strings on an electric I much prefer old worn-in strings on a bass. I just dug up a used set of Rotosound Swing 66's from 10 or more years ago and put them on. Feel better, sound better to me. This bass came with D'Addarios so I'm sure quality isn't that much an issue. Maybe I'll put these away for 10 years, lol.
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Post by LTB on Dec 5, 2022 15:17:22 GMT -5
As much as I like new strings on an electric I much prefer old worn-in strings on a bass. I just dug up a used set of Rotosound Swing 66's from 10 or more years ago and put them on. Feel better, sound better to me. This bass came with D'Addarios so I'm sure quality isn't that much an issue. Maybe I'll put these away for 10 years, lol. D’Addario EXL-170’s seem to be the string of choice manufacturers choose for new basses. They are a bit over the top with finger noise at least for me. |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Dec 5, 2022 15:37:34 GMT -5
It really is amazing how different of an instrument a bass can be depending on the strings. Moreso than an electric, IMO. I mean, I've tried flats on a Tele before and yeah it's different, but not like flats vs rounds on a bass. For me rounds make me approach the things differently. The deliberate dig-ins to make things pop, rattle and sizzle...I just don't do that with flats.
Glad to have both. I may just give this bass to my brother and build a more "quality" P bass, haha...
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Post by LTB on Dec 5, 2022 18:23:20 GMT -5
It really is amazing how different of an instrument a bass can be depending on the strings. Moreso than an electric, IMO. I mean, I've tried flats on a Tele before and yeah it's different, but not like flats vs rounds on a bass. For me rounds make me approach the things differently. The deliberate dig-ins to make things pop, rattle and sizzle...I just don't do that with flats. Glad to have both. I may just give this bass to my brother and build a more "quality" P bass, haha... GHS Pressure Wounds might be a good option in the future. Less finger noise and still retain some of that round wound sound. That’s because they are round wounds that have been roller pressed ( not like half rounds which are ground down- I hate these with a passion just dull sounding to me) |
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Post by LTB on Dec 7, 2022 15:00:20 GMT -5
My favorite Flat’s are TI Jazz Flats. I have a shortscale set that were on the Shortscale fallout bass that I sold. Only played for about an hour before I decided the short scale was not my thing. Auf Kiltre, If you would like them for your bass PM me and I will send them to you at NO Charge as I have no need for them.
I am assuming this is a short scale. If not then my apologies!
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Dec 7, 2022 16:13:52 GMT -5
Messages sent! I don't think they'll fit because this is a 34" scale bass.😕
But what a gracious offer!
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