Sibob

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1463579467' post='3052504'] Either that is a flattering or classy pic or the bass just looks great. I haven't had a real close look at them but that looks very pretty. The dark 'RW' board really sets it off. I was looking for a Fender Bridge swap out and need to to be top-loaded and option of string through the body, plus 4 retaining screws... i,e a direct drop in for am Am Dlx 5st bridge. I'm not a fan of the basic plate bridges in general that Fender tend to favour, but the deal breaker forcing the change is lack of top load ability. I'll check out Hipshot bridges. [/quote] The dark rosewood is definitely a feature that added to be looking to purchase it, i really dislike washed out looked rosewood, to the point of when ordering my Maruszczyk Jake bass, I specified the rosewood to be as dark as possible . Dave Swift was at Bass Direct when I purchased the bass, and he also commented on the darkness of the board. Yeah, I think Hipshot are probably making the best bridges around at the moment, wish I'd specced one on my Maruszczyk build lol Si

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1463573229' post='3052421'] How do these compare with the Fodera basses? [/quote] In what way specifically? It's a little like asking for a comparison between a Mike Lull bass and Adamovic basses......there's some similarities and there are some differences lol. I feel that it's going to fairly closely compare with Foderas older 'NYC' models, which were built in Japan (same as Xotic), basically really really good 'Super Jazzes'. That said, one of the big reasons I went for the Xotic was how good the the preamp is, and how similar it is in layout and vibe to the Fodera/Pope circuit I had in my Matt Garrison Standard. Useable 3-band EQ, tone control that works across active & passive, pan control and a volume. I come from largely playing a passive Precision bass, so any active circuit needs to sound musical, be intuitive and simply put, not get in the way of playing. Si

I believe the frequency select switches are removed on the Lightweight models only, believe they're internal dip switches. This is a 2016 model. The bridge is a Hipshot I believe. Yeah the burgundy mist model is cool, it's an older model I think (before the script headstock decal). It's also the 24 fret model, whereas the standard XJ-1T is 22 frets. I went for the lightweight because a lot of my gigs are 2+ hours, no time for a 10lbs bass anymore Si

In my quest to get down to 3 basses that all get used a lot, I wanted to add a Jazz 5 to my arsenal, after selling my medium scale Japanese jazz. I tried a few, but kept coming back to the Xotic range, fairly rarely seen over here, they're getting a decent following now, and for good reason I think. I was drawn to them primarily for the preamp, a musical 3 band with a tone control that works in both active and passive mode. To my ears the active sound is simply an augmented version of the passive sound, as opposed to a totally different animal, a feature I really appreciated on the Fodera MGS I had. This is the 'Lightweight' version of the XJ-1T5, a very slightly slimmer body, a slimmer neck profile, 18mm spacing, hipshot ultralite tuners (which come on the standard model actually), and a lighter Hipshot bridge. Currently, I believe this is the only bass that has this spec, the combination of the 'lightweight' model, the Electrum Magnetic finish (kinda a vintage Shoreline gold vibe), and a rosewood fingerboard. Another reason for pushing me towards the Xotic was how easy it was to deal with Toshio at Xotic, as well as Mark et al at Bass Direct. So after the Shuker sells (please buy it), I'll be down to my '71 Precision, Maruszczyk custom Jake & the Xotic......what a trio! Si

There really is nothing better than a passive Precision with flats for a LOT of situations. Look at what Michael League & Pino can do with it, and agreed, sits perfectly in a mix every time. I've just finished tracking an album remotely with my Precision with flats, the mix engineer has commented that he has had to do very very little to my parts after importing them, a little bit of compression and that's it. Si

Why is it surprising that some of the biggest and most bank-rolled pop acts hire the best players? Lol Also, Justin Timberlakes band is also redonk! Si

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1463161254' post='3049208'] I think this is what Wateroftyne has found also. I'm sure he'll be along to add his take on this as soon as he stops playing with his new toy [/quote] I have the Hauessel humbucker in my Jake, that is really pokey, if the Maruszczyk is louder, in my humble opinion, could be too much?! Si

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1463151953' post='3049118'] Very nice. I think Parchment would be a good guard colour. 100% white may be a bit too bright. [/quote] Totally on board with this! Si

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1463128764' post='3048778'] I was going to ask, but then I realised: it's probably because of the flame. I'm not sure how it would work visually on a swept-back headstock. Almost like being sliced across the pattern, if you know what I mean. [/quote] Yeah that makes perfect sense with regards to the cut of the grain. Si

Out of interest, did Adrian indicate the reason for the change in headstock? Si

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1463070315' post='3048341'] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/284861-nbd-maruszczyk-jake-pj-old-lpb/"]NBD thread[/url] By the way, can anyone spot what makes this unique amongst Jakes (in my experience)? I didn't notice myself until just now... [/quote] Oooo, the string tree!? Si

I do love dots with binding! Great choice! Si

Very cool, good find Si

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1462366878' post='3042414'] Plus shipping & tax. But in the context of living and working in NYC (or London for that matter), I understand the price. [/quote] My friend did some research and it's circa £9600 imported/shipped to the EU. And Brooklyn is pretty bloody expensive nowadays, think East London vibes Si

Love it, really fantastic spec and colour/wood choices! Si

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1462351824' post='3042236'] I agree that the headstock is 100% hideous. I think it was a size consideration, because they wanted it to fit new regulations for travelling with instruments. But I'm not sure if designing an instrument, and then just slicing a bit of it off counts as a particularly elegant design solution. Still - a short scale 5 string headless single cut which sounds this good is a pretty amazing thing. Anyone seen the price tag? $11,650 means waiting until someone with a less 'New York' sense of what money means rips the idea off and makes their own version of it. [/quote] I don't think so. It's basically a £9k bass delivered. I would wager that a LOT of us have multiple basses that total that worth, so it just takes someone who wants one bass for everything they do, who flies a lot for this to be more than worth it. Yes it's niche, but Fodera are hardly bothered with critical mass. Si

Similar sentiments here, yucky headstock, but presumably there to cater for the detuner only. If they're savvy, they'll offer a version with no detuner and a reduced headstock size. But overall I like it, the clincher for me is the painted neck through carve, beautiful work. Apparently it comes in Olympic white too, which will be fantastic I expect! If I played Fodera and flew....a LOT, this would be a tempting prospect, but neither is true fortunately haha. Si

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1462102708' post='3040241'] My 10-week alarm clock has just started to ring. :-) [/quote] Going to hint at any spec yet? Si

[quote name='Wolverinebass' timestamp='1462094082' post='3040139'] Some absolutely stunning basses here. For those of you that have bought one, how much is customisable? There doesn't seem to be a list of options unless I'm being stupid. Can the nut width or fingerboard radius be changed? As an example. [/quote] You can specify almost anything Si