(SOLD) Moon JJ-5 Natural Walnut 2009
Moon JJ-5, natural satin, made in Japan 2009. Moon are a proper custom builder based in Tokyo. The standard procedure if you want one over there is to fill out their online order form, from your A$3-6k and you wait... they have a strict 'can't rush art' policy, so waiting 6-12+ months is not uncommon. Moon basses rose to a certain prominence when a JJ model landed in the hands of Larry Graham, who's more or less credited with inventing the slap bass technique. Moon JJs have also been played by Victor Bailey (Weather Report) and Darryl Jones (Sting, Rolling Stones), among many other notable luminaries over the years. They do proper boutique handmade high end stuff, and this one is a great example of their fine work. The body is solid walnut, with a classy two piece centre join, finished in nought but a coat of thin clear satin nitro. The neck is an agreeable shape with fairly generous string spacing, so you can get all your notes out pretty clearly all the way up to the top of the sleek ebony board. It's hard to overstate just how well executed the woodwork is: the thing feels incredibly tight and tidy in the hands and responds enthusiastically to the lightest touch. Plug it in, and it's a whole world of wonder: big thick weighty lows with a huge fundamental note, fast and clear response all around, snappy highs with a sweet musicality... it just sounds so good. It's awesome for slap or technical stuff, but equally happy doing fat juicy simple groove work. This is so well made that you could search far and wide for a better bass for twice the cash and likely still be left wondering... You'll love it to the Moon and back.
Model: Moon JJ-5
Made: Tokyo Japan, 2009
Serial: 09050201
Finish: natural, satin nitro
Body: walnut, two piece centre join
Neck: maple, ebony fretboard, 34" scale, 47mm nut, 67mm wide at 12th, slim C shape, 12" radius
Weight: 4.620kg
Mods: one knob replaced
Pickups: Seymour Duncan SJB-5 5-String Stack Jazz noiseless single coil x2, Moon active pre-amp (V/V/T/B)
Accessories: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor scuffs on the end and back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear on the back only. The back has some minor surface scratches on both horns, neck join, belly carve and around the control cavity. The sides have minor dimples around the whole body, as well as some rub wear in the elbow area and bottom horn. The front has some minor dimples around the bridge and knobs, rub wear on the elbow area and some play wear on the horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 45/130 Rotosound strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only