Anyone who has read my previous blog posts knows I'm a sucker for short scale basses. And, as it turns out, I don't even have to leave home to find a new one to buy. My husband (against his better judgement) sent me a link to a Facebook listing from the Shoals Guitar Boutique (Muscle Shoals, Alabama) for a Gretsch Junior Jet II bass that had just come in on consignment. Knowing I couldn't get up to the shop for another week, I called Don Parker, the owner, and asked him a few questions about this 'like new' short scale bass before buying it over the phone for $225 (MSRP price $429/ Street price $300). The bass came with a nice padded Gretsch gig bag and all original documentation and accessories.
I picked it up the following week, and after a few minor adjustments to the neck to lower the action (and a new pair of D'Addario nylon tapewound strings), I had this bass up and running.
I'm always a sceptic when it comes to cheaper basses, but I've been pleasantly surprised with the last few less expensive short scale basses I've purchased (i.e. Hofner Ignition Series Violin bass), so I figured I'd give this one a chance too...and I'm glad I did. This little bass puts out some growl with its humbuckers and is super light--always a plus in my book since I have so many heavy basses.
What Gretsch says:
“Sporting classic Gretsch appointments, the G2220 Electromatic® Junior Jet Bass is easily capable of filling a room with massive subsonic tones.
Features include a shorter scale (30.3"), walnut fingerboard with 20 medium jumbo frets, two Gretsch mini dual-coil bass humbucking pickups, four-saddle bridge, black pickguard with Gretsch logo, synthetic bone nut and die-cast tuners.” (www.gretschguitars.com)
Find specs on Gretsch Guitars website: https://gretschguitars.com/gear/build/bass/g2220-junior-jet-bass-ii/2514730552
