Ernie Ball Music Man Unveils New Joe Dart Basses
Ernie Ball Music Man has proven it gets funkier by adding to the Joe Dart Signature Bass collection. First is the original Joe Dart bass in an all-new black velvet finish to complement the original natural velvet. Second is the Joe Dart Jr., a short scale version of the instrument with a custom contoured body and single humbucker layout. It streamlines the design even further than its big brother by removing the volume knob.
“The Joe Dart Jr packs a serious punch in a convenient smaller package,” the company writes. “The bass features a lightweight ash body, select maple neck, and a passive neodymium pickup that is at the heart of its warm, punchy tonality. No controls or equalization to color the sound; the tone is manipulated solely by the user’s technique and finesse.”
Other features include an Olympic White finish, 22 stainless steel frets, and chrome hardware. It comes factory-tuned to C standard with custom .045-.105 flatwound strings.
The Joe Dart Signature Bass in Black Velvet is available now for $2,399. The Joe Dart Jr. is limited to just 50 units worldwide and goes for $2,299. Unfortunately, they have already sold out. EBMM tells us there are no plans to make more, though we’re hoping that changes!
Ernie Ball Music Man Joe Dart Bass Features:
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Construction: | Bolt-On |
| Body: | Ash |
| Body Color: | Black Velvet, Velvet Natural |
| Body Finish: | Satin |
| Neck Wood: | Select figured maple neck |
| Neck Color: | Natural |
| Neck Finish: | Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend |
| Fingerboard Wood: | Figured Maple |
| Fingerboard Finish: | Oil/Wax |
| Silkscreen Color: | Black |
| Headstock Color: | Natural |
| Frets: | 22 - High profile, wide, Stainless Steel |
| Fret Markers: | Dot inlay |
| Nut Width: | 1-1/2″ (38.1 mm) |
| Pickup: | Custom Passive MM Humbucker |
| Pickup Cover Color: | Aged Parchment |
| Electronic Shielding: | Graphite acrylic resin coated body cavity and aluminum control cover |
| Controls: | Volume |
| Tuning Machines: | Schaller BM, with tapered string posts |
| Tuning Machine Buttons: | Chrome |
| Bridge: | Vintage Music Man top loaded chrome plated, steel bridge plate with vintage nickel plated steel saddles |
| Knob Color: | Aged Parchment |
Ernie Ball Music Man Joe Dart Jr. Bass Features:
| Scale: | 30″ |
| Construction: | Bolt-On |
| Body: | Ash |
| Body Color: | Olympic White |
| Body Finish: | High Gloss Polyester |
| Neck Wood: | Select maple neck |
| Neck Color: | Natural Aged Light Yellow Finish |
| Neck Finish: | Satin |
| Fingerboard Wood: | Maple |
| Fingerboard Finish: | Oil/Wax |
| Headstock Color: | Natural |
| Frets: | 22 - High profile, wide |
| Fret Markers: | Dot inlay |
| Pickup: | Single Music Man humbucking pickup- neodymium magnets |
| Controls: | None |
| Tuning Machines: | Custom Music Man, lightweight with tapered string posts and ergonomic clover design |
| Bridge: | Vintage Music Man® top loaded chrome plated, steel bridge plate with vintage nickel plated steel saddles |
So the bass volume must be controlled at the amp? Too bad they took Dart’s minimalist approach to a ridiculous extreme. The standard JD version in a short scale would have been worth my consideration.
at that price tag I pass