The Joe Dart II from Ernie Ball Music Man - Unboxing & First Impressions - LowEndLobster Fresh Look

[@ernieballinc]

sorry for the lack of negative controls. maybe next time 😉

[@JS_bass]

As a user of the Stingray 5 for years, I only hope that this model will help the Ernie Ball company launch a Jazz bass like this, but already with 5 strings... would they be encouraged? people are waiting for you!

[@lockedowng]

@@JS_bass they did the modern classics a few years back. Snap up of those while you still can. No fives though.

[@cash_lovell]

Just make a Stephen Edgerton signature Stingray but a bass

[@CordScott]

Cool. Might be interested if it had a tone control. I could add my own I guess.

[@michaelmacisco2566]

I like mine ! Maybe I just got a good one !

[@WalterDiamond]

Watch the pickups be stacked humbuckers but sold as single coils.

[@LowEndLobster]

They're actually split humbuckers! The site was updated quickly

[@coreyu4590]

@@LowEndLobster i hope youre seeing these fake comments in the thread.

[@erik_1620]

Pair of them Double Dutch Runner Humdingers Deluxe, brother!

[@normg2242]

Hanging around Gretch too much, ey? ... hahahahaha

[@kingdeedee]

Lol doesnt ernie ball do all their single coils like that?

[@patrickhunter]

"I need to get my bearings with these controls" Damn it, Will😂😂😂

[@cheveyo2403]

a saw them tease with it. good to see jou enjoying it. the wood grain looks nice

[@rennymc]

That's so sweet! I looked away for a second and thought I heard Joe Dart playing!

[@areitomusic]

This is my favorite color scheme for guitars and basses. I love the natural aged or oil finished ash.. I saw one video where the reviewer said that the pickups did not have the power he was expecting. But split coil pickups should have good power. I like the split-J design. Just not a fan of signature instruments. But this is a beaut.

[@6minus3minus2]

Can't deny the tones at all. Funky af.

[@EgonSpenglersTwinkie]

Lobster, you're as giddy as kid getting an N64 on Christmas. It's kind of adorable. Congrats on snagging one of those!

[@prestachuck2867]

Nothing wrong with Schallers. Very , accurate, and dependable tuners made in Germany. I have a set on my modded SBMM Sub Ray4, and it now stays in tune as well as my neck-thru Pedulla Buzz.

[@xMTLKx]

A Musicman sounding like a jazz bass is pretty surprising honestly ahah still with this powerful MM output I was waiting to hear this bridge pickup, not bad at all 7:55 rofl

[@kenhartman29115]

Thank you for breaking character when talking about the controls. It's like Vulf have this kayfabe thing going and I wish they'd just wink or break character once in a while!

[@mandalorthedeaf1237]

Awesme bass and funny unboxing cideo. I hope, you'll be able to wrap your head around these super complicated controls soon.

[@vince8081]

Music man JB, a dream come true.

[@floydlay9189]

Look out,,sounds awesome Lobby,,,your only problem now,,is keeping it out of Bully's hands!

[@devindickinson3903]

You are the man lobster I can already see it on the wall

[@roykato86]

That slap tone is BIG. Thanks for the review, Mr Lobster!🦞One more unaffordable bass added to the Wishlist

[@KimSE4]

Yes. I'd love a bass that would actually remove some of the controls from the amp. Negative would be good.

[@KimSE4]

Seriously though - that's probably my ideal J-Bass right there.

[@noahpate3367]

the thunderbird nikki sixx has no controls

[@thomasthornsberry8950]

it's a joy to watch you so excited and having fun with it I'm sure it's a absolute winner bass

[@marciosouza8656]

Man, Awesome!! I was waiting for that!!!

[@jfoo5306]

Wow, you got on this quick!! Love your videos and congrats! Great vid and great looking bass :)

[@Belman5]

Nice, it seems to be set up perfectly, at that sweet spot where it growls when you dig in but can be clean when played gently. Treat her well Lobster.

[@michaelmacisco2566]

Sounds good . Nice playing. Would live to hear it with a pick.

[@daviddesmond2143]

Wonderful that EBMM goes out on a limb every now and then and makes basses out of the ordinary. This seems to be a class act.

[@MotoMarios]

"There's unboxings, and there's unboxings... and this is one of them" - I just had to hit "like" button at that moment hahaha! By the way, the bass is a killer. I love it the moment I heard the first two notes. So clear, lively and percussive... and I think it sounds a bit thinner and more percussive than a Jazz, which in my book is a very good thing. And the body is small and light, like an Ibanez... lucky you Lobster, lucky you :).

[@gazzy_burns]

Not gonna lie that had way more grit and characters over those super high end jazz style basses you’ve demoed. Musicman make the best stock bass pickups in my opinion.

[@LowEndLobster]

Indeed! I'm excited to put this back to back with some of my other J's in the collection (Jazzborghini, Sire, Geddyzilla... do I have others?)

[@nestorraschia8540]

I agree this is a Jazz Bass on steroids

[@laktoze_]

awesome unboxing video love the humor

[@thefool2007]

If a vintage and modern Jazz bass had a child- it’s that bass. The throaty pluck of vintage with the clarity, bite and complexity of modern. All that in a minimalist, understated, plain-Jane, classic-nouveau instrument. That articulation was very pleasing and the acoustic tone kills. That bass actually sounds WORTH the money. The playing experience coupled with that tone is what bass playing is all about IMHO. Great review. That tone is money.

[@ktown0173]

You could probably make the exact same specs with parts for about 600 bucks but yeah

[@jaimesemedo2235]

Too expensive 😭

[@gary9816]

EBMM should put you on the payroll

[@johnnewton1830]

@@ktown0173 If all you care about are “specs” I’m sure you could find a cheap mass produced in a low wage country for way less than even that with the same “specs.”

[@ktown0173]

@@johnnewton1830 So a sterling version Joe Dart bass lol

[@greyfoxzero]

EB Sterlings (the Model not the Brand) never get enough attention and seeing this body style makes me happy. I gotta try one of these out.

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Nice review Lobster 🦞👍🎸🎶🎵

[@devindickinson3903]

Around 6 minutes in to the video lobster you have once again demonstrated how you play so intensely when you really love a bass

[@glenndjubilee]

It'a sounds like a Jazz like you said but I like that! Looking forward to the full review!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Glenn!

[@xaviermulet5470]

nice bass. Good looking, amazing wood grain. But if it was mine, I would rewire it as a balance and a tone knob. Yes, A TONE KNOOOOB!

[@BelugaTheHutt]

7:56 Dang, you had a perfect setup to edit ALL of the sound out of the video for this test, and you didn't take the opportunity for the punchline!

[@LowEndLobster]

LOL next time ;P

[@AVeelcheck]

Sounds great! Would love to hear comparison with a regular Jazz Bass in another video

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! I plan on doing just that :)

[@MadMagicPaul]

What a great bass, and so light! Congratulations on getting one Mr Lobster!

[@ramshaar2597]

I love this beast good! Job! Claw master!👍😃☕ the colour is extra ordinar! Hope you agree 😉

[@djcoolcliff]

Dude, I freaking love that shirt!!!!!! Watched this movie religiously!!! Hey Man don’t take that, I almost have you the wrong thing!!! Lol! That bass and your playing is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! I love those Cheech and Chong movies :)

[@djcoolcliff]

@@LowEndLobster Oh yes sir!!! No them backwards and forth!!!!! Classics!!!!!! Your bass playing makes me want to pick my bass back up! I gig on keys and drums mainly plus do sound! thanks for replying!!!

[@sunn_bass]

Nice bass. Can't wait for the full review. I dig that all natural ash and maple fretboard. The only thing I've never liked about Music Man basses is the goofy 3x1 tuning peg arrangement. I prefer 4 inline, and on some basses 2x2. But never could get into the 3x1 configuration. But it wouldn't stop me from getting the bass if i connected with the playability and sound.

[@peekaboo4390]

Very interesting .. really looking forward to your review.

[@thesnapperkeeper]

Beautiful bass Lobster

[@michaelb.42112]

I STILL have a new set of Dragonfire pickups that I want to install into a bass, but they are slightly oversized, so it needs routing, but they look and sound just like these.

[@philipmcadam5339]

Hey Lobster, thanks for sharing your new toy. It's gorgeous! The only downside for me, I too am disappointed in the lack of negative controls.

[@markblackstad8705]

Sounds pretty much like a jazz bass to me. Their lack of knobs is a bit, I know, but a tone knob would definitely be useful to most. I know some basses (like Sires) get knob crazy but for that price you think it shout be included. Sounds good though and I do like the Sterling spacing.

[@DiscreetHobo]

Joe Dart has always been a lover of "the tone comes from the fingers" or how you play Mantra. Plus, it's in character for the Bass to not have a tone pickup. Same with the original

[@gt96g]

I'm sure it's well built, but if I had one it would so be getting a concentric volume pot for the pickups and a tone knob. Just too bright. 😎

[@sliccricc1654]

Might be also the amp settings

[@prestachuck2867]

I might be inclined to wire up two concentrics. Volume on top of tone for each pickup!

[@RumblinMan]

Cool bass!

[@Below-Average_Joe]

Sounds good, and of course, any EBMM instrument is going to be well made and play great.

[@kingdeedee]

I like to call them “budget boutique basses” because EBMM really always kills it with the build quality imo

[@Below-Average_Joe]

@@kingdeedee that is a good way to describe them!👍🏿

[@mateusrangel7486]

Awesome video man! I just didn't understand that much about the controls, would you make a review separately about those? They are very complicated.

[@LowEndLobster]

That will need to be a multi part series to cover everything XD

[@jediknt6470]

Not hard at all...ready? VOL(neck),VOL(bridge) Done....nice grab Lobster 🦞 CoNgRaTs 👏 👏 👏

[@Facu_Roldan]

@@jediknt6470 you don't get jokes do you

[@stavrosniteros3906]

@@jediknt6470 you must be fun at parties.

[@Scott-sx1bf]

The first thing that came to mind when you started really playing was “Tell me something good” by Rufus!

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

Ernie Ball you outdid yourself with this instrument.

[@billytai1096]

Wow. Nice bass. Congrats Lobster, you snagged yourself a keeper that will most likely also appreciate nicely in value over time. 👍

[@PlayWithYourThumb]

Looks like they brought back the Caprice body shape. I assume the pickups are humbucking like the bridge pickup in the Caprice.

[@LowEndLobster]

Yup!

[@billyhooks99]

I always wait for the claw to hand music to start before I hit the like button.

[@nickpicc]

Sounds great. All I want is a 5 string Jazz style bass from EBMM...

[@sicilianmammalian]

The Ernie balls jazz bass, wonder if sbmm is ever gonna do one

[@rickrolli7091]

Lobster you're a funny guy. "negative controls and wanting negative progress". Very funny ✌️😂👍🤟👏🤣 I appreciate your funny humor. If you turn up the tone on that humor. I'd be rolling. Thanks for laughs today. I needed that. Until we groove again. 🦞✌️😎👍🎸🦞

[@jonathanchevallier7046]

The finish seems awesome. Sounds like a JBass. Great bass. Thank you for this demo ;-)

[@stephenmcgrathbass]

Extra points for the killer Tee!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks man!

[@thefool2007]

Forgot to add- you slap tone really sounds good on this bass.

[@chuckdawson1824]

sounds great!!...i am a huge musicman fan...Joe Dart is cool !

[@nathanminert3119]

That's awesome, I can't wait to see the full review! Quick question though, I remember Joe saying something about these basses coming with pre-aged strings. Are you going to keep them on for the review to preserve the Joe Dart vibe or put on the same strings that you put on every bass? I can see arguments for both options, I'm just curious.

[@LowEndLobster]

I think that was the JD1. This came with regular rounds. I swapped the strings for SITs last night after filming this and set it all up

[@wobbenbuffet3286]

@@LowEndLobster according to the very serious definitely not a shitpost promo vid they did, the roundwounds were also pre-aged

[@ktown0173]

He was joking when he said that lmao

[@nathanminert3119]

@@ktown0173 but was he? It can be hard to tell with those guys 🤣

[@wobbenbuffet3286]

@@ktown0173 i refuse to believe this slander

[@PushSueAside]

Both volumes down! Nice! Negative 1 nob!?! I think that’s acquired when, there’s no knobs and you’re not playing it. -1 knob. Great stuff buddy Cheers

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you my friend!

[@PushSueAside]

@@LowEndLobster I’m proud of you, I hope you know that.

[@bizibetiko9778]

I like it! That bass sounds like it's got some bite to the attack. Got some growl on that neck pickup as well. What an animal! Not sure about that tone with both knobs turned down though. It's surprisingly overbearing.

[@JazzTheBass]

Killer slap tone

[@thomasfioriglio]

"Let's turn down both knobs" 😂😂😂 Nice unboxing. Not a bass I am interested in, but definitely was curious about. You clearly enjoyed playing this. You reaction to the neck was the same as mine when I got my first Lakland. Just sweet and wants to be played.

[@chuckdawson1824]

i like the simplicity of it..

[@kevmac1230]

I love those basses

[@JustSnowglow]

A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one!

[@sciencereviewwithmr.blades2567]

I feel like you have to check all of the pickups from now on.

[@LowEndLobster]

Haha I did actually after I filmed this. Confirmed split humbuckers

[@andymorley6586]

You looked like you were really enjoying yourself! 😀

[@joelj7279]

Very cool! I got number 26 of 100

[@LowEndLobster]

Nice!

[@6strngbass]

Did yours arrive yet?

[@joelj7279]

@@6strngbass yes, a few weeks ago

[@nestorraschia8540]

I got number 23 of 100

[@stefanfaustmann256]

Hey Lobster!How about an experiment and put classic 60's stacked jazz pots (VT-VT) in this monster?! I bet that would elevate it to the most wanted b-Asses stage!

[@fistinair1979]

Is that a Sabre body shape? I am a big fan of those pickups, damn you MM!

[@LowEndLobster]

Close! It's the Caprice body shape

[@fistinair1979]

@@LowEndLobster I like that they went outside the box a little with that.

[@job1778]

Interesting, I don’t like cream colored controls and pickup covers. The the size and weigh is cool though.

[@marunikusbakufu]

Sounds great as a purely acoustic instrument! Innovative!

[@Fadedglory14081]

Which bass is your favorite in the collection? I personally love your BFR.

[@richshields6692]

Sounds really good. Nice neck.

[@sonojon0]

Sounds like a Jazz bass. Love it!

[@bassimprovjams3772]

There very nice basses for sure! I feel like Joe seen Johnny Lee longs stingray J and went to musicman and said “ can you make me this” lol Not sure why musicman hasn’t done this config yeas ago

[@markgreen950]

-1 controls = Joe Dart visits your house and steals a knob off one of your other instruments :). Also it would be a sacrilege not to play bit of Dean Town in the full review, it's what JD would want you to do :)

[@yetoot31]

He stares at you with his sunglasses, takes the knob of your bass and slowly walks away while staring at you. XD

[@russellzauner]

I was already suggesting the Big Joe with three single coils is next. You may get a giant strat bass yet!

[@russellzauner]

I mean, it's an ash Ray basically lol what could possible go wrong well, NOTHING ha ha ha it's kind of awesome because at the end of the day, passive is as passive does and hey no batteries fat pole single coils are p sweet tho

[@russellzauner]

Next there will be no knobs just holes in the front and you stick your finger in and then turn your finger which way to go. I think I may have invented a new control surface just now. I'll add haptics so when you stick your finger in it can let you know where your settings are. Where are the knobs? JUST HOLES IT'S THE HOLEY GRAIL HA HA HA

[@russellzauner]

10:00 if you have crappy finger tone do NOT buy this bass. It is designed and tuned to let the player shine through the instrument instead of coloring it - LEL is digging it because he can play so it's a straight up fun time, but if you don't have strong fundamentals this is NOT the bass for you, it will literally sound like CRAP. It's designed to showcase the player, not the gear. Simple in theory but hammered out over thousands of hours of actual gigs and collaborations, by the Dart hisself. [copypasta] A very well-known aphorism from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is Il semble que la perfection soit atteinte non quand il n'y a plus rien à ajouter, mais quand il n'y a plus rien à retrancher. (Terre des Hommes, 1939). The canonical English translation is ...perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away... (translation by Lewis Galantière).

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! I just restrung it with the SITs and gave it a proper setup and it's such a fun bass. I want to put some flats on it for fun at some point... but I'm taking it to band practice tomorrow to see how it sits in a real mix (and balances on a strap)

[@russellzauner]

@@LowEndLobster when you are experimenting with a lot of preamps one can kind of forget how nice it is to just wrangle the thing with your mitts and not worry about the rest - some instruments will not respond to that, they need the guts to sound good; this is at the price point it is because it *doesn't* need the guts to sound good it needs to be throaty, responsive, and put nothing between the player and their amp but what the player wants put there. Well, especially with the fat pole goodness. We can't forget about the big squishy all inclusive field those things huck out. It picks up everything most others don't and if you're shoveling garbage into it than garbage is what's going to come out - not only is there no way to polish a turd in this scenario but there's no polish to work with, you are on your own, kids. Some people use tape weights on the inside of the control cavity (like for tires) to help balance out minor neck dive. I mean it's not like the bass is 12 lbs *and* has neck dive, you've got some mass to give plus it's not going to be super draining holding that neck up because the body is so light you're basically counterbalancing a fraction of the neck weight as opposed to being made to lever the whole shebang of a C5 or T40 (to give extremes).

[@dominicrossitto5890]

"I'd like to to see negative controls here, that's progress..." HA! Maybe there should have been a HOLE without a knob? 🤔💭 🕳.... But a VERY nice sounding bass, really nice clarity.

[@striknine570]

I think the price is a bit high for this model and more suited to those who probably don’t need another bass. lol

[@tigerscott2966]

Very nice bass...

[@hallanvaara6106]

Nice! Maybe the neck pickup sounds just a bit like a p-bass? I'd love to hear the other pickup turned down just a little bit. That's what I always do with a Jazz Bass.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! I agree. I might compare the neck pickup to that of my Cutlass. I'll be exploring more than the 'extremes' in the full review because the controls are so simple, so don't worry!

[@njtguy]

Awesome sounding bass,I wonder if Sterling By Musicman would issue one,most likely not

[@lawrencebyrdsong7570]

Sounds killer

[@g.medina3717]

Salutations Crustaceans! 🦞 Another Awesome First Impressions,Unboxing. 👍🏼

[@bzto9978]

What a great bass and of course what a great video. Btw what happened with the g&l L-2500 bass review? I am craving for this

[@iamLexxKelsey]

Sounds dope 🔥It looks like fun to play

[@coledelahooke809]

I am curious how these jazz PU compare to the Joe Dart 1 music man humbucker. I always loved the idea of just a volume knob and natural wood look.

[@bones2532]

"Sounds like a Jazz Bass" 🤔 Yes and no. Those Pickups give it an extra twist that's hard to find on a regular JB. Very distinct high end with a girthy bottom. This is really special imo. Maybe even better than the first Joe Dart model. This is definitely one collectible instrument!

[@LowEndLobster]

I really like it. I'm excited to use it at band practice tomorrow

[@bones2532]

@@LowEndLobster I'm pretty sure you'll love it!

[@AdventuresOfGravox]

Copium

[@nestorraschia8540]

@@LowEndLobster please let us know how it was with the band

[@jimkalfakis9893]

The fretboard radius is a zonk for me. However, it looks and sounds good.

[@kingpabst]

Beautiful bass sounds amazing kind of pricey though But I really want one

[@shamsalimbiswas5764]

Hi Lobster, I have a back pain problem and play long shows. Looking for a light weight bass. Can you please suggest me a few options?

[@chrisAclaes]

Ever play a thumb? Would love to hear your take / demo.

[@LowEndLobster]

I used to have a Thumb NT like 15 or so years ago. Got it for 1400 bucks used at GC. Wish I kept it now lol

[@Earthshaker1965]

Cheech & Chong shirt get 1000 bonus points automatically!!! 😁👍

[@keithpasculli7465]

Nice bass, I’d gig with it any day

[@Thudmunky]

It’s like seeing a kid on Christmas morning 🤘🤘🤘🤣🤣🤣

[@57precision]

Wait, does this bass have single coils or split coils? The website says both.

[@LowEndLobster]

They're splits. Yeah website verbiage got a little mixed up at launch.

[@jmsmikey]

Interesting bass~ especially for the lightweight. REALLY odd looking volume knobs though~ I would definitely change them.

[@raymondg8672]

Not me, I like those goofy knobs