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Average Price: $3,250
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$400
$1001+
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Description
Crafted with precision and designed in collaboration with Vulfpeck's grooving bassist, the Ernie Ball Music Man Joe Dart II is the ultimate tool for any bassist seeking to emulate Dart's signature sound. This electric bass guitar is built for those who appreciate the blend of simplicity and functionality. The Joe Dart II features a custom contoured body that provides comfort for long playing sessions, and a roasted maple neck for smooth playability, ensuring you can move effortlessly across the fretboard.
The heart of this bass guitar lies in its single humbucking pickup, meticulously engineered to deliver a powerful yet clear tone that cuts through any mix. Whether you're laying down a funky groove or a deep rock line, this bass is designed to keep up with your creative flow. The minimalist control layout, featuring just a single volume knob, allows for a straightforward, no-fuss approach to sound shaping. The passive electronics provide a rich, organic tone without the need for a battery, making it ideal for both stage and studio performances.
Perfectly balanced and ready to bring out the best in your music, the Joe Dart II is more than just an instrument—it's an extension of your musical expression.
Key Features:
- Custom contoured body for enhanced comfort
- Roasted maple neck for smooth playability
- Single humbucking pickup for powerful clear tone
- Passive electronics for rich, organic sound
- Minimalist control layout with single volume knob
- Designed in collaboration with bassist Joe Dart
Videos
Vulf
The Joe Dart II Bass
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball Music Man Joe Dart II.
Comparisons
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Owners often debate choosing between the Joe Dart II and Fender Jazz Basses, with the latter praised for its versatility.
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Owners compare it to the discontinued Sterling model, noting it's the only option with this specific body shape currently available.
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The Joe Dart II is often compared to the Sterling "Sterling," which adds a tone knob and offers a more affordable alternative.
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The Joe Dart II is often compared to the Caprice, with users expressing a preference for the latter due to its perceived superior performance.
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Use cases and applications
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Many users mention that the bass's simplicity allows for focus on finger technique, aligning with the ethos of achieving Joe Dart's tone through playing style.
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The Joe Dart II is popular among Vulfpeck fans and collectors, with some seeing it more as a collectible item than a workhorse instrument.
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The bass is noted for its sleek aesthetic and minimalistic design, appealing to those who appreciate a straightforward setup without extensive controls.
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Value and pricing
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The bass is perceived as a stripped-down Sterling Ray4 without active electronics, appealing to those who appreciate minimalistic design at a more accessible price point.
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Despite its high price, the Joe Dart II is one of the cheaper options in the high-end Music Man lineup, which generally includes more expensive models.
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There's a consensus that, while the bass is well-made, its price point around $2600 might not offer enough value compared to other high-quality basses like Mexican Fenders.
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User experience
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It's noted that rolling back the volume can naturally warm up the tone, mimicking a tone knob effect for some players.
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Some owners find the short scale of the Joe Dart II easier to play, especially for those with smaller hands or older players.
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Owners mention that switching from the stock strings to TI jazz flats can better capture Joe Dart's tone from the second album, despite the album being recorded with dead rounds.
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Mods and upgrades
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Some users suggest adding a tone pot to the bass, taking advantage of the large back plate opening for easier modifications.
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Build quality
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The Joe Dart II uses a maple body, distinct from the typical ash body, which influences its tonal characteristics, offering a brighter sound profile.
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Some owners report low output pickups and low-quality knobs, with shoddy paint on the black lines, affecting the overall perceived quality of the instrument.
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Features and functionality
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The Joe Dart II has a thinner neck profile compared to other Sterling models, with a nut width similar to a Ray4, enhancing playability for some users.
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The bass lacks a tone knob, focusing on simplicity with only volume knobs for each pickup, which limits tonal flexibility compared to traditional jazz basses.
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The bass comes with a single finish/color and one fretboard option, reflecting its minimalistic design approach.
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The Joe Dart II features an ash body, which is a notable distinction from many traditional bass models that use alder wood.
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