grayn Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 I went out today, ostensibly to check out a MusicMan Cutlass bass, in Diamond Blue, with maple fretboard. But with a whole day at my disposal and visting a shop run by a friend, I had to check out a few alternatives. My 2 main basses at the moment are EBMM Stingrays. A classic and a special. So the Cutlass seemed a very nice alternative to the Rays. I also played a mapleglo Rickenbacker 4003s, which despite it's rediculous hardware (bridge & string cover-rest), felt very nice to play and was a nicely built bass. But I didn't like the sound of the pickups at all, thick, harsh and a little crude. I had a quick go on a couple of 5-strings, an MTD Kingston and an EBMM 'Ray. Neither convinced me to have another go with a fiver. Alao had another try on a Marleaux Consat 4-string, I'd played before, but still didn't gel with. The Cutlass was pretty much exactly what I expected. Like a passive Precision but IMO, better. I was close to saying I'd have it, when Gary, the shop guy suggested a Jazz Bass. Now I've owned/played a load of Jazz basses but had gone right off them, about 3 years ago. But he pulled out a real nice one, although my intial comment was "not a pink bass!". It was indeed shell pink, with an off white (mint?) scratchplate, being a Fender Limited Edition American Pro Jazz Bass. But what grabbed my attention and got my juices flowing, was the all rosewood neck. A thing of beauty that played as well as it looked. But it had the narrow nut of a Jazz and it was pink! I plugged it in and was surpised at how much I liked the tones available. I mainly settled on middle pickup up 100%, bridge pickup and 75% and varying the tone from 100 to 75%. Then I said to Gary, this would look much better with a tort scratchplate. He agreed and produced one. We slid it into place and it transformed the looks of this bass. Wow, now I was really interested. So Gary said he'd replace the plate and put some Elixirs on for me. Yes please! Trouble was the plate fitted everywhere, except there was a small gap between it and the chrome, control panel. stinky poo! So the original went back on, with the Elixirs and Fender are sending a tort plate for this series, for me to put on ASAP. Got it home and have been blasting along to my tunes and loving it. I've been playing actives for years but my ears are enjoying this passive bass. And my hands are feeling very comfortable on this lovely neck. Just need that tort scratchplate, to perfect the aesthetics. 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassfan Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 (edited) Looking forward to seeing some pics with the tort guard 👍🏻👍🏻 Edited November 12, 2019 by bassfan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted November 12, 2019 Author Share Posted November 12, 2019 57 minutes ago, bassfan said: Looking forward to seeing some pics with the tort guard 👍🏻👍🏻 Me too😍 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Must admit, I really like Pink, and for some reason, especially on a Fender. I had one of the Roadworn Flea Jazz basses, and I liked it - but the Pink was a bit too faded, and not Pink enough for me lol I think you're right - a decent Tort scratch plate will look even better (especially if it's quite a reddy-brown colour) Please don't post any pics when it's fitted though @grayn ...... Because I will want your bass! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Very nice indeed, I’m liking that 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted November 12, 2019 Author Share Posted November 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Marc S said: Must admit, I really like Pink, and for some reason, especially on a Fender. I had one of the Roadworn Flea Jazz basses, and I liked it - but the Pink was a bit too faded, and not Pink enough for me lol I think you're right - a decent Tort scratch plate will look even better (especially if it's quite a reddy-brown colour) Please don't post any pics when it's fitted though @grayn ...... Because I will want your bass! lol Sorry, can't promise anything😈 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassfan Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 2 hours ago, grayn said: Me too😍 Much better with tort. Great choice (and I’m not a tort fan) lovely looking bass, really like that neck. nothing wrong with a pink bass. 😂 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grenadillabama Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Let's not forget that John Entwistle had his favorite Precision refinished Salmon Pink. That is cool enough for me ! I have an eye on a pink Mustang PJ at Chicago Music Exchange. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burno70 Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Lovely - shell pink and tort is well yummy! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyR Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 That is very appealing indeed. The solid rosewood neck gives a completely different look, irrespective of the scratchplate ( I like the white ) is there a separate fingerboard or is it a 1-piece neck? very nice score- I'm quite envious....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted November 12, 2019 Author Share Posted November 12, 2019 22 minutes ago, GuyR said: That is very appealing indeed. The solid rosewood neck gives a completely different look, irrespective of the scratchplate ( I like the white ) is there a separate fingerboard or is it a 1-piece neck? very nice score- I'm quite envious....... It looks like one piece to me🤓 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 WOW! She is a stunning beauty! I totally despise tort, but I think this may be the one case where it will work. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Wow nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Wel jel. (as the kids say I think) Happy NBD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 This looks beautiful. Can you let me know how wide the neck is? I’m hoping it’s narrow narrow narrow as I really like the look of this. Just made an enquiry to see if they’re still available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Try loosening the screws and moving the chrome control panel nearer to the tort scratchplate. It usually does the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted November 14, 2019 Author Share Posted November 14, 2019 21 hours ago, Burns-bass said: This looks beautiful. Can you let me know how wide the neck is? I’m hoping it’s narrow narrow narrow as I really like the look of this. Just made an enquiry to see if they’re still available. Nut: 1.5” (38.1 mm), Neck: “Slim C” profile, Fingerboard: Radius 9.5” (241 mm). Andertons and PMT have then in.🤓 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted November 14, 2019 Author Share Posted November 14, 2019 21 hours ago, gjones said: Try loosening the screws and moving the chrome control panel nearer to the tort scratchplate. It usually does the trick. Thanks for that. The tort plate in the shop was a Fender Jazz bass one, not specific to this series. Hopefully the series specific one will do a tighter job. If not I'll heed your advice.👀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 1 hour ago, grayn said: Nut: 1.5” (38.1 mm), Neck: “Slim C” profile, Fingerboard: Radius 9.5” (241 mm). Andertons and PMT have then in.🤓 Nice. I’ve asked Thomann too as I get VAT off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 I have a bass with an all rosewood neck. It is very lush. Everyone should have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 I think that looks lovely. A tort guide would be a crime against nature, but some people like to see the world burn! Love that neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 Beautiful absolutely beautiful. Obviously needs a tort plate as they are always the best with any and every finish. But my goodness that's a work of art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 8 minutes ago, stewblack said: Beautiful absolutely beautiful. Obviously needs a tort plate as they are always the best with any and every finish. But my goodness that's a work of art. Wise words, Stew. It is self evidently the case that tort is part of THE NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS. Some tortured and deluded souls cling to other notions. Sad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 3 minutes ago, songofthewind said: Wise words, Stew. It is self evidently the case that tort is part of THE NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS. Some tortured and deluded souls cling to other notions. Sad! In a pinch I'll allow a mirrored finish But only under very specific conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 Finally got the tort scratchplate and put it on. Sorry about the god awful pics. No natural light available. Flash turned it white, no flash, a little dull. Anyway, you get the idea. The more I play and look at it, the more I like it. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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