DeArmond Jet Star II bass

mellowgerman · Jan 7, 2012

Okay, so maybe not a USA Guild, but I came across a good deal on a minty Korean made DeArmond Jet Star bass. Still has the plastic on the pickups and back control panel lid. Only imperfection is that it's missing the silver insert on the tone knob. As you can see in the angled-view picture, the action is about as low as it goes and there is absolutely no fret buzz, even when I dig in. Looks like the previous owner had it professionally set up and never played it. The set neck feels almost identical to how I remember the '66 Starfire neck feeling. The USA DeArmond Mickey Mouse pickups are a total pleasure... similar to jazz bass pickups, but much rounder and beefier sounding. With the neck pickup solo'd it sounds very much like a '51 p-bass. The best part is that, considering the bargain it was, my parents were nice enough to help me out, so I didn't have to sell anything off to afford it. I can pay them back once the diner opens up again for the season and I start bringing in paychecks again (though I may sell one of my classical guitars to start chippin away early... haven't quite decided yet)

fronobulax · Jan 7, 2012

Re: mello's slingin' a Guild again!

Nice. Of course I thought you were gigging at a Radio Shack...

Nice to know that the neck is Starfire like.

Happy Face · Jan 7, 2012

Re: mello's slingin' a Guild again!

Is it a two tone as it appears n the second photo? Or is that a reflection?

The neck looks sweet. So, from what you are telling us, it's a Fender with a nicer neck. Not a bad combination.

mellowgerman · Jan 7, 2012

Re: mello's slingin' a Guild again!

Frono, when I was still living in Ohio, the gig at Radio Shack looked promising, but I ended up getting a job at a guitar shop instead. Then things didn't really work out with my living situation and I had to move back to NY. So now I'm back at the diner.

Happy Face, it's just solid black. The photo has sun light reflection on the contour of the body. I wouldn't say it's a Fender with a better neck; the pickups do have a voice of their own, jazz and '51 p bass were just the two closests sounds for reference.

I can't decide if I like my jazz bass more or the jet star. Suppose it doesn't really matter as long as I am able to keep both

twocorgis · Jan 7, 2012

Re: mello's slingin' a Guild again!

Great score Ingo! I continue to be impressed with the quality and playability of my DeArmond Starfire, especially after having a recent proper setup. I thought I swore of Asian-made guitars for good (and I have, mostly), but I'll make an exception for this one. 8)

dlenaghan · Jan 7, 2012

Re: mello's slingin' a Guild again!

For anyone who's jealous of this this, I think there's a purple DeA Jetstar in more or less perfect condition being sold on eBay by someone in Colorado..

dlenaghan · Jan 7, 2012

Re: mello's slingin' a Guild again!

Here's a link to Mello's DeA's funky purple sibling, if anyone's interested.

After hearing about their neck and pickups, I wish there was one closer that I could test drive, especially for that price.

Funny thing about a lot of these Korean brands - good luck finding one for sale in Korea! :roll:

Mellow - looks like you might need to post another jam session when you get the time.

mellowgerman · Jan 11, 2012

Re: mello's slingin' a Guild again!

Though it looks as if I will be parting ways with my Jet Star far sooner than ever anticipated, I did record a quick demo this morning and thought it might be a good thing to post here, just for future reference and in case anyone is ever looking into buying one of their own. Both pickups, neck solo'd, bridge solo'd.
http://www.supload.com/listen?s=1ZeOEi

P.S. also changed the title of the thread for convenience in the same future reference sense. Figured it might be more searchable this way.

fronobulax · Jan 11, 2012