funkle Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hi all As time goes on I'm getting more specific in what I want out of an instrument. Nonetheless I have never gone custom as I have always found that if my tastes change, would likely involve too great a loss of ££/value. I therefore have limited myself to buying secondhand instruments or production instruments. It's hard to find what I want even after scouring Talkbass and Basschat/the internet, so I'll ask the fine minds on here: Does anyone know of a production Jazz bass with a medium (32") scale and 5 strings? I'm not interested in a low B, I intend to string the instrument E - C. My current gold standard for tone is an alder body/rosewood board MIJ Fender Jazz, 32" scale with an East J-Retro preamp and nickel strings. Sounds great as far as I'm concerned and has served me well on many gigs. Are my needs too esoteric, or does anyone know of such an instrument (as a production model, not a custom bass)? Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankai Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Dare I say have a look at sadowsky? Might be something suitable in their range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Fanned frets could be a possibility, especially given how you like to string. Check out some Dingwalls would be the obvious answer, though there are other luthiers out there that may better suit your scale length desires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkle Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='Bankai' post='1364869' date='Sep 7 2011, 03:02 AM']Dare I say have a look at sadowsky? Might be something suitable in their range.[/quote] Nothing that is 32" scale, I'm sorry to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkle Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='dc2009' post='1364870' date='Sep 7 2011, 03:06 AM']Fanned frets could be a possibility, especially given how you like to string. Check out some Dingwalls would be the obvious answer, though there are other luthiers out there that may better suit your scale length desires[/quote] Hadn't thought of that. Could I take a 5 string SJ5 and restring it E-C and have it sound good? I'll need to check their literature on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Hey Pete, not sure if this will be a goer, but you should maybe check these guys out >> [url="http://www.public-peace.de/"]http://www.public-peace.de/[/url] They do Short and Medium scale Jazz basses >> [url="http://www.public-peace.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=316&Itemid=308"]http://www.public-peace.de/index.php?optio...&Itemid=308[/url] No 5 String Medium Scale Jazz Basses as yet, but they might be working on one, as they've done a 5 String Short Scale P Bass! >> [url="http://www.public-peace.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=318&Itemid=310"]http://www.public-peace.de/index.php?optio...&Itemid=310[/url] Their take on a P Bass ain't so nice, but the J Bass is nicely tweaked yet retains it's classic look. The YouTube videos of their instruments sound very nice too. You should drop them an email and see what they're up to... Hope that helps matey, Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 If you're prepared to lose an inch the 31" Birdsong Hy5 string is to all intents and purposes a production bass. Otherwise, have you thought about getting yourself a standard Jazz 5 and getting a custom made, medium-scale neck for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='eude' post='1364944' date='Sep 7 2011, 09:07 AM']Hey Pete, not sure if this will be a goer, but you should maybe check these guys out >> [url="http://www.public-peace.de/"]http://www.public-peace.de/[/url][/quote] Wow, that 30" sunburst jazz looks amazing. Price seems very good too. Thanks a lot for this. Bookmarked for further drooling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='henry norton' post='1364949' date='Sep 7 2011, 09:11 AM']If you're prepared to lose an inch the 31" Birdsong Hy5 string is to all intents and purposes a production bass. Otherwise, have you thought about getting yourself a standard Jazz 5 and getting a custom made, medium-scale neck for it?[/quote] +1 for the custom neck! Lots of "donor" basses from Squier >> [url="http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0301575532"]http://www.squierguitars.com/products/sear...rtno=0301575532[/url] [url="http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0326760521"]http://www.squierguitars.com/products/sear...rtno=0326760521[/url] [url="http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0300575500"]http://www.squierguitars.com/products/sear...rtno=0300575500[/url] I reckon the Birdsong might be too much of a departure from your "norm", plus it's going down the custom route and ain't exactly cheap either... Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='derrenleepoole' post='1364953' date='Sep 7 2011, 09:19 AM']Wow, that 30" sunburst jazz looks amazing. Price seems very good too. Thanks a lot for this. Bookmarked for further drooling [/quote] I know, I've been drooling over them for a while now. All their stuff looks pretty slick too. Not many peeps out there investing in decent quality short scale basses, but these guys seem to be in to it Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='eude' post='1364960' date='Sep 7 2011, 09:26 AM']I know, I've been drooling over them for a while now. All their stuff looks pretty slick too. Not many peeps out there investing in decent quality short scale basses, but these guys seem to be in to it Eude[/quote] The range is very impressive, and the price is good too. There's another 30" jazz near the bottom of the page that is all black and looks sick man! Even the bass amps look amazing! I now have major GAS for these too beauties: Just when you think the dust has settled...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='derrenleepoole' post='1364970' date='Sep 7 2011, 09:35 AM']The range is very impressive, and the price is good too. There's another 30" jazz near the bottom of the page that is all black and looks sick man! Even the bass amps look amazing! I now have major GAS for these too beauties: Just when you think the dust has settled...... [/quote] Ha ha, yeah that black one in particular is very very nice! They've been making these basses for a good year or so now too and they seem to be selling in their online store. I love the look of their amps too, but man they are expensive... Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='funkle' post='1364890' date='Sep 7 2011, 07:19 AM']Hadn't thought of that. Could I take a 5 string SJ5 and restring it E-C and have it sound good? I'll need to check their literature on that.[/quote] I think it would most likely sound immense, but check the literature, as there is definitely the right combination out there for you. Also, if I had the money, I'd own a fanned fret bass today, I was thoroughly impressed with the Canadian Dingwall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Pete, took the liberty of emailing Public Peace about this. Here's their response... "hello, thanks. Yes, we can build one, no problem. a standard elwood 5 passive medium would be cost about 900,-€ and we need 6 weeks for build this instrument greetings adrian" Tempted?... Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstrike Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 I'd go with Public Peace just because they call their P & J's Elwood & Jake. Yup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='eude' post='1364973' date='Sep 7 2011, 09:38 AM']Ha ha, yeah that black one in particular is very very nice! They've been making these basses for a good year or so now too and they seem to be selling in their online store. I love the look of their amps too, but man they are expensive... Eude[/quote] The basses seem to be really well priced though, has anyone played on of these? I could be tempted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='lobematt' post='1365359' date='Sep 7 2011, 03:15 PM']The basses seem to be really well priced though, has anyone played on of these? I could be tempted...[/quote] I've never played one, but I've been watching the range expand and the whole operation become a lot slicker over the last couple of years. There's a load of video content on the site and all the kit looks and sounds top notch! I'd be seriously tempted if I had any spare cash kicking about. Perhaps once my terrific honeymoon credit card mauling has been paid off. Would love a little Jazz Bass Shorty... Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkle Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 Wow, I leave the house for while and a ton of replies! Thanks Eude for your suggestions. This 'Pubic Peace' company looks really interesting and are 'production' enough that getting a 5 string medium scale wouldn't cost the earth. I'll definitely be looking at them further! Thanks for all the help everybody, I've got loads to investigate now. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 I'm really loving that Public gear stuff too. It's great to see a company that has such a clear vision, with a good consistent range of products. The whole, look, vibe and attention to detail are really nice. I now have major gas for a shortie jazz, and I'm very serious about getting one. It would be nice to own some decent gear for a change, instead of budget ones all the time, and these are well priced to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkle Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 [quote name='henry norton' post='1364949' date='Sep 7 2011, 09:11 AM']If you're prepared to lose an inch the 31" Birdsong Hy5 string is to all intents and purposes a production bass. Otherwise, have you thought about getting yourself a standard Jazz 5 and getting a custom made, medium-scale neck for it?[/quote] The Birdsongs are great looking basses but defo not for me. A jazz bass works fine. I have thought about getting a standard Jazz 5 and getting a neck done. However, unless the bridge is also moved, then you end up in a situation where the pickups may be sensing in a different area of the string to what normally occurs on a jazz bass, thus altering the classic 'jazz bass tone'. Also, by the time you plow money into a new neck and bought a bass to do that on, you are a good chunk of the way towards a custom bass anyway. Hence my hesitance to look for 'non-production' instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 [quote name='funkle' post='1365619' date='Sep 7 2011, 07:13 PM']Wow, I leave the house for while and a ton of replies! Thanks Eude for your suggestions. This 'Pubic Peace' company looks really interesting and are 'production' enough that getting a 5 string medium scale wouldn't cost the earth. I'll definitely be looking at them further! Thanks for all the help everybody, I've got loads to investigate now. Pete[/quote] No bother at all mate, happy to help. Being a fan of "shorter" scales myself, I genuinely hope you find the right instrument, those Public Peace guys seem to be on the money though, in more ways than one! [quote name='derrenleepoole' post='1365660' date='Sep 7 2011, 07:45 PM']I'm really loving that Public gear stuff too. It's great to see a company that has such a clear vision, with a good consistent range of products. The whole, look, vibe and attention to detail are really nice. I now have major gas for a shortie jazz, and I'm very serious about getting one. It would be nice to own some decent gear for a change, instead of budget ones all the time, and these are well priced to me.[/quote] Go on mate, you know you want to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 [quote name='lobematt' post='1365359' date='Sep 7 2011, 03:15 PM']The basses seem to be really well priced though, has anyone played on of these? I could be tempted...[/quote] The main guy, Adrian, who I struck up a bit of an email conversation with, he's a friendly chap, said they'll likely be over next year for the London Bass Show. I'm going to suggest they try and get along for this year's Bass Day in Manchester too, will keep y'all posted on the reply Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mononick Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I really like the look of those shorty jazz basses. I would get one with delano pickups and in black with rosewood fingerboard... GAS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 (edited) Looks like I might be in trouble now too... They're willing to do a 32" 6 string Jazz now! Eude Edited September 21, 2011 by eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstrike Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 That's pretty freaking awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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