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Crusader
10-11-2015, 10:16 AM
So I've been studying the Bass kits and don't know which one I would like to build.

I like the shape etc. of the YB-4 kit, as I do the IB-5 kit.
But I'd like something like a Yamaha trbx304
just 4 strings two nice pickups

would be used to learn, and general fun nothing else.

any suggestions would be appreciated..
because I can not make up my mind. :)

wokkaboy
10-11-2015, 10:20 AM
Hi Neil, it's really up to you which bass kit you choose, everyone has different tastes.
If you can't decide then flip a coin. Both kits look great IMHO.
I'd choose the one that is closest the Yamaha body shape you want and you may be able to modify it

dingobass
10-11-2015, 10:25 AM
For a Bass to learn on, you can't really go past either of the F type models.

Easy to build, easy to play.. What more could ya want? :)

Crusader
10-11-2015, 10:35 AM
wokkaboy, yeah just having trouble deciding which to do.

DB, I really want to try and avoid the f types, just personal choice.

But all good I'll keep looking and might even ask for a custom body route for the pickups.

wokkaboy
10-11-2015, 10:47 AM
sounds good Neil

keloooe
10-11-2015, 10:47 AM
To be honest you could go for a full custom order?

Crusader
10-11-2015, 11:19 AM
Yes, that is an option as well.

Thanks, guys.

wazkelly
10-11-2015, 07:32 PM
If you don't like F shapes the YB4 gets my vote as you get both P & J style pickups and more accessible frets due to elongated body shape. MMB4 would also be a good option.

Brendan
10-11-2015, 07:39 PM
Brutally frank - I thought I'd hate the P Bass - F shape, single pickup and all that jazz... Now my go to bass - love the tone and feel of it. That said - keen to finish both the JBA-4 and IB-5 - love the ash goodness :).

wazkelly
10-11-2015, 08:05 PM
Yeah, I might go for a JBA-4 at some stage as have had a couple of P's before but never a J.

keloooe
11-11-2015, 07:02 AM
The good ol' J bass is my go-to bass!

Crusader
11-11-2015, 08:26 AM
yes, every one is telling me to do a F J bass.. including my two Bass playing sons..

wokkaboy
11-11-2015, 08:35 AM
Crusy if you aren't a fan of the shape of the JB you could always modify the shape and put some cool carves in

Crusader
11-11-2015, 08:38 AM
indeed, am starting to think along those lines.

keloooe
11-11-2015, 09:12 AM
Oh yes! Do it! Would be cool seeing a modded J shape! Listen to us bass players Crusader ;)

Crusader
11-11-2015, 09:29 AM
lol... I am listening, the J bass has through body strings right, that's the other thing i would change..

wokkaboy
11-11-2015, 09:30 AM
Crusy no the J bass doesn't have through body strings, they are fed from the rear of the supplied bridges

Crusader
11-11-2015, 09:40 AM
are ok that's good then..

keloooe
11-11-2015, 09:43 AM
Can just buy a bridge though to get it and use a drill press or get dead straight holes drilled in the body!

Crusader
11-11-2015, 10:24 AM
would anyone have pics of the JB-4 necks ?

(Note: fretboard has trapezoid inlays, not dots as pictured)

I cannot find any pics showing the trapezoids ...

wokkaboy
11-11-2015, 10:33 AM
Neil all the JB necks have fret dot markers, only the G type kits and only the guitars I think have trapezoid fret markers

EDIT one of the ESB semi hollow bass kits have either a block or trapezoid markers, I didn't zoom in.

Have a close look at the bass kit photos Neil and you can see what type of markers are on the necks

Crusader
11-11-2015, 11:03 AM
I have just emailed Adam, as the two JB-4 and JBA-4 kits actually say “(Note: fretboard has trapezoid inlays, not dots as pictured)” and “Trapezoid inlays (not “Dots” as pictured)” in the description.

hence my confusion..

but probably just cut and paste typo.

wokkaboy
11-11-2015, 11:16 AM
no worries Neil have to get Ads to confirm that. I suspect it's a typo error, I don't think I've seen trapezoid markers on any F type kits, they have all been dot markers and I have a JBA-4M at home and that has dot markers although that was ordered in the February sale this year

adam
11-11-2015, 12:44 PM
My apologies Crusader, it's actually more complicated than I thought. I've just checked remaining stock and can confirm:

The JB-4 Basswood kits have dot inlays, as pictured on the site.
The JBA-4 Ash kits have trapezoid or rectangular inlays as pictured here:

6465

Crusader
11-11-2015, 12:45 PM
thanks Adam

wokkaboy
11-11-2015, 12:59 PM
wow is that a factory error Ads, never seen block markers on the JBA-4 necks. They look sick as, love that look and a 1st fret block marker is the biz

@ Crusy were you wanting block or dot markers ?

wazkelly
11-11-2015, 07:41 PM
yes, every one is telling me to do a F J bass.. including my two Bass playing sons..
Took me all day to dig up this photo of my old Ibanez which had P Bass Body with J bridge pickup and J maple neck. I actually owned 2 of these at the same time and never saw any other law suit eras like them before or ever since. Great combination bringing together the best of both F styles and it played and sounded great. As I moved on to mid 70's Ric 4001 & 80's Yammy BB1200 fretless sold both Ibanez's and in hindsight wish I had kept the one in this photo.
6473

Crusader
12-11-2015, 04:36 AM
and it has the block inlays as well.

adam
12-11-2015, 09:00 AM
wow is that a factory error Ads, never seen block markers on the JBA-4 necks. They look sick as, love that look and a 1st fret block marker is the biz

@ Crusy were you wanting block or dot markers ?

Not an error Wokka they just keep changing details on the kits to keep me on my toes. No, I don't know why they do this. Maybe another customer of theirs asked for block inlays.

keloooe
12-11-2015, 09:02 AM
To be honest I love blocks on basses, especially on a Jazz bass!

wokkaboy
12-11-2015, 09:04 AM
no worries cheers Ads, I would have block markers over dots any day of the millenium ! They look so rock n roll

keloooe
12-11-2015, 09:22 AM
no worries cheers Ads, I would have block markers over dots any day of the millenium ! They look so rock n roll

I agree on so many levels!

Crusader
12-11-2015, 09:26 AM
See, now my choice is even harder :P

wokkaboy
12-11-2015, 09:28 AM
so Neil which do you prefer - dot or block markers ?
choice is pretty easy for me !

keloooe
12-11-2015, 09:29 AM
Neil, more like easier if you go with block inlays :D

Crusader
12-11-2015, 09:33 AM
lol... I don't know what I like anymore.. I will have to think about it some more.

lawry
12-11-2015, 11:57 AM
Bugger it. Just get one of each!

wokkaboy
12-11-2015, 12:18 PM
haha yeah Lozza has got the right idea there !

wazkelly
12-11-2015, 01:05 PM
To be honest I love blocks on basses, especially on a Jazz bass!
+1 from me too....it keeps it more in line with the Jazz heritage.

keloooe
12-11-2015, 02:21 PM
Bugger it. Just get one of each!

You can never have too many basses!

Fretworn
13-11-2015, 09:02 AM
My apologies Crusader, it's actually more complicated than I thought. I've just checked remaining stock and can confirm:

The JB-4 Basswood kits have dot inlays, as pictured on the site.
The JBA-4 Ash kits have trapezoid or rectangular inlays as pictured here:

6465

Immediate thought "Ooo! Geddy Lee bass" Then I checked and his is black rectangles on a maple fingerboard.