FGN Mighty Jazz & Mighty Jazz Dark Evolution - What's The Difference? - LowEndLobster Fresh Look
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- Опубликовано: 19 окт 2024
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Hey everyone! Today we're comparing two basses from one of my favorite manufacturers- FGN or Fujigen. What we have here are two examples of the Mighty Jazz- The Standard JMJ and the Dark Evolution. Let's check them out!
FGN Mighty Jazz JMJ Review: • FGN Mighty Jazz JMJ Re...
FGN Mighty Jazz JMJ Unboxing: • FGN Mighty Jazz Unboxi...
FGN Mighty Jazz Dark Evolution Revisit: • FGN Mighty Jazz Dark E...
FGM Mighty Jazz Dark Evolution Review: • FGN Mighty Jazz Dark E...
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with MJC Ironworks Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at www.mjcironworks.com
Info on my signal chain, setup and more: • FAQ: My Signal Chain, ...
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Ok, so I like them both. I'll be spending the rest of my life trying to explain to my non bass friends why I needed both!
Personally, I think I like the SD Quarter Pounders better, at least based on what I'm hearing on my end. I like the more aggressive (spicier, bite or whatever term you prefer) of the SD pickups. I feel like it would cut through the mix better for the type of music I play, but I do understand you preferring the clarity and smoothness of the EMGs. I guess it all depends on your personal tastes and the music you are playing. 👍
Great video. I ordered a FGN Dark Evolution through Reverb. Black with matching headstock. Can't wait for it to arrive!
Congratulations! You won't be sorry. As an FGN owner myself, I can tell you the value is off the charts without sacrificing anything.
Congrats! The Dark Evolution models are really hard to find. You're gonna love it
The natural one is the FGN bass I actually own.
At first impression it felt way too bright for my taste: at first thing I've thought oit could be he D'Addario Pro Steels which was equipped with, but I noticed the same "issue" even with a change of D'Addario nickel strings. The bass was "mute" (I've said "mute", not mute) if compared to the sound it offered with the Pro Steels: I've immediately understood that's the best sound it can offer, because it's a modern passive bass with a modern sound. It's kinda unique. My luthier said that it's due to the combination of ash body and maple fingerboard, who make the things bright as f**k, so "that makes it the ideal choide of a set of steel strings" he said.
After a bit of practice, now I love it. I really love it. I've had to understand it a bit, of course, but once you did it, it's love!
The difference in sound with the EMG-equipped model is clear: the active EMGs have also that "tac-tac" sound at every note who makes everything a bit plastic and "fake sounding" for my personale taste. Seymour Duncan for life, man!
Cheers Lobster,
you're a passionate low-freq freak!
Joe!
Great comment Joe! Awesome timing too. I literally just sat down after installing a set of Bartolini pickups in my JMJ (the natural one). Will do another comparison video like this but Bartolini vs. EMG. I also repurposed the push/pull on the tone control to be a series/parallel switch for the bridge pickup. Very happy with the result, though it is significantly less hot compared to the Duncans - but the tones are buttah.
The Dark Evolution sounded ‘smoother’ although I liked the GGGGRRRR of the natural one!! What do you need 24 frets for anyway? I try never to go above the 12th. I get a nosebleed if I do!!
Great sounding basses, but I'm with you on that Dark Evolution. EMG seems to nail clarity with all their pickups. Now I have to figure out how much plasma I can sell for an FGN. Cheers Lobster!
I like the FGN Mighty Jazz best. Thanks for letting us know about FGN.
👍👍🎵🎶🎸
Thnx Low-end for your channel keep up your Great work from AN oldtimer.
Don’t mind at all what I see in FGN. The Mighty Jazz is also good. The Dark Evolution sounds like it has some clear depth. Just don’t come across it Down Under. If FGN are expanding across the US though it’s only a matter of time before we see them here. I bought a G&L L1000 after your review btw and just love it. Can’t stop picking it up to play it. It’s now my favourite. Thanks 🙏🦞
"That's some good looking wood here." That's what she said! Sorry man, couldn't help it after your previous remark. Nice basses, nice review!
Eyoooo! Thanks Darvin!
By chance, I noticed that one of the local store made a discount in FGN Mighty Jazz JMJ model and I bought it immediately. I am really excited for that gnarly bone sound.
Bought one today excellent bass
My eyes were on BB434, however, when i slide down the shop page, i found FGN MJ DR. At that time, i recalled your review on it. Now, just now, i made my decision on FGN. Man, about 4500 RMB, abou 600 dollar, what a price!
Now im waiting for the delivery :)
Thanks Lob, always your huge fan.
Congrats on your bass :) and thank you!
I've been a USA G&L guy for years. You've tickled my interest in FGN. Would you say the build quality of FGN is on par/less/better then USA g&L?
Easily on par. 100%.
@@longdongbongchong thank you!
Agreed
@@geekguitars I agree with long and lel but it's worth mentioning that only G&L has the side locking bridge stock, that I know of.
The electronics are completely different, though. Not that anyone asked but they both come/came in a 5 as well, if you're a 5 main.
I think everything except maybe solid colors come in ash/sen as well, so everything we're looking at is midweight ash-like.
Also, nobody asked but there is a 5 string black/white ash dark evolution on the verb literally right this second.
If I hadn't just bought and have in transit a Kiesel 6 string fretless (LB76F, black, ebony fingerboard, no lines, no dots) I might actually grab it but at 1.4k+ship it puts itself in contention with about 15 other basses I'd say were better value for the buck before that one - but it's one of the coolest off the shelf basses I've seen in a while (the DE-5).
@@russellzauner I believe Spector has a side locking bridge Design too. Been looking for a 5 string for a few months and G&L has just released the CLF L2500 Series 750 (19mm bridge spacing), I'm foaming at the mouth. The 5 string version of these basses are 19mm too. Can't really go wrong with Seymour Duncans much less EMG!! . If these suckers can take the abuse that my 3 G&Ls have taken, then they're getting added to the arsenal. Tone is one thing (for the most part, I sound the same no matter what), but it's gotta be bulletproof because I beat the crap out of my stuff!!
Great video. Those basses are just right for the stage, studio work and the budget.
Hello LowEndLobster, great video again, unfortunately this bass is not easy to get hold of in Europe. You might wanna have a look at talkbass where someone put a review (mentioning you also) and he had a bridge problem. The string damaged the wood of the bass. He informed FGN and they came back with a bridge update. You might want to check your bass. Best regards and I really appreciate your efforts
Thanks! I saw that post and though yes, the strings pressing against the body on the string hole does wear the finish... it's literally under the bridge. I'm glad FGN addressed it, but that's something I don't think is a big deal personally.
I really like the offset markers on the dark evolution. Choosing between the two would be pretty difficult!
Hi Lobster, Thannks for in my opinion your best comparison to date. I really enjoy the humour and how informative it was. A question for you, what does the coil tap do physically/electronically when i is activated? Thanks in advance.
Thanks Philip! It's not a true 'coil tap', instead it engages the 'stacked humbucker' mode which emulates a single coil tonally (as best as it can).
@@LowEndLobster Thank you, I have one of these instruments but, I was unclear on exactly how it functions. I am a little less unclear now.
An innocent trip to the local music store for strings this summer turned into spontaneously purchasing a 75th anniversary MIJ Fender Aerodyne because it had the most perfect neck I've ever felt. After watching this video, I checked the specs and am fairly convinced it was made by FGN. Is there any way to confirm this?
The neck probably has a serial number on the head or you could look up where that year, maken, and model was manufactured
Hello Lobster! I'm a huge fan. Do you think that i if put the BTC preamp, can I add a switch to have an active/passive mode on this evolution? Greetings!
Thanks! Those EMG pickups here are also active, so you couldn't run passively. You could bypass the preamp but I wouldn't see the point if you already have it and all components are active.
You know what? I'd love to try a 5-string version of the Dark Evolution.
Me too! A friend is hopefully letting me borrow his at some point soon. They're sweet! 19mm spacing and a pretty wide nut
@@LowEndLobster Awesome! These basses look and sound amazing but I'm more of a 5 string player and would love to hear how that B string sounds!
Coil tap on the EMG sounds like the coil nearest to the bridge. If it is I'd swap it to the other coil for a less brittle and more robust tone. The series parallel switch on the other bass could be a lot more interesting if it puts the neck pickup and the front (nearest) coil of the MM style pickup in series, that way you'd get a completely fresh bass tone rather than a hotter, darker version of what you have already. Either way I didn't get any particular wow factor about the sound character of these
I just saw your FGN link here so when ready, I plan to get an FGN Bass from there. When I find them for sale, they seem to be quickly sold out.
Thanks Tracy! I highly recommend checking out Kurosawa Gakki, a shop in Japan (where I got the blue one). Shipping is expensive but you get the bass within a week (the mighty power came in 4 days including the weekend). They have many models in stock including Japan exclusives like the double P Mighty Power! I saw you commented on the vid yesterday, I'll reply there too :).
@@LowEndLobster Thank you so much! Wow, that's fast shipping.
I saw on a listing that the passive one has the SMB-4D bridge pickup, which is the ceramic MM style pickup. I like the alnico better, but it fits the vibe of this bass.
GREAT CATCH! I didn't notice it was the ceramic. Will mention that in the full review!
@@LowEndLobster I used that pickup in a SUB for awhile and took it out. Not my favorite
The pole alignment on the Dimarzio humbucker under the G string looks a bit off. Some Stingrays have a similar issue and can cause a little weakness in the output. However, this FGN sounds big and even. The only thing I miss is a coil switch for the humbucker. It would be a massive boost in tone if you can use the humbucker as a single coil as well, just like on Sandbergs.
Series mode on the JMJ is killer🎸. With the blue one, I can have it with only the bridge pickup, but it wouldn't sound the same without the neck pickup cut.
Thanks Coolaxe!
Great review lobster I like them both i called fgn Usa in Sun land los Angeles right in my neibourhood they check if as he said they might have some left handed parts laying around in Japan 🤣😂 let's see what happen.
The EMG'S for me are more "electric" ( active , duh! ) , more angular ,the SD's are more round, and loud is easily fixed, not loud enough is something else. Also the SD'S in series with the tone down is 👍👍👍
Both of them are good for different reasons
Neck J pick and MM style humbucker might be the perfect mix . I'm not sure I can find a FGN anywhere in my area though😞
We do, in fact, have fun here.
This is the way
I bought an FGN Mighty Jazz about 6 months ago. My wife says it's the best looking bass I own (black on black). I do think the 1/4 pounders are more than hot enough and the series pull switch completely unnecessary.
I’m going to try to grab the Dark Evolution the next time I go to visit family in Japan.
Can the regular JMJ be modded to make the humbucker sound like a single coil for a traditional jazz bass sound?
Yes
Love that blue finish
Mighty Jazz EMG 5-string soon! Purple Drank!
LOVE that blue color!!!
I will take the dark evolution... There's no add to cart button! I guess your keeping it😁👍🤣🤣🤣
Well... I love both basses. Hard to pick one.
By the way, i don't see a full review of the standard mighty jazz among your videos, only the initial unpacking.
My bad! I meant to drop this AFTER the review. That review is dropping not this sunday but next, and I'll be sure to update the description here.
Great tones too
The MM pickup in the Dark Ev sounds more like the single coil EMG J pickup I have in my P than a MM IMHO. Or should I say a HB version of it. And the EMGs are cleaner and I prefer them. My 24 fret J 5 string has Seymor Ducan Basslines in it and i CANNOT darken them no matter what. WAY TOO BRIGHT for my taste but usable.
Too bad the MJ didn't have a split coil in the neck position, it was already sounding sort of butterscotchy - it's got good burpies though and can fake a bit of Ray tones even though they're probably more Saber-like if I guessed (I'm guessing).
The MJDE has considerably more beef to it - not really woofy more of a wooly bark with a nice tight compressed mids n' upper but gave up some articulation.
Both great axes.
Thank you Russell! My sentiments exactly regarding the MJ. I'm really feeling a nice wooly Nordy set for the MJ :)
@@LowEndLobster I shouldn't like it but that deep buttery scotchy finish is very growing on you type of deal. It looks unnatural af but at the same time so tasty its hard to resist.
and to the yellow humbucker , you can add a on on on switch , combine with the on on switch , you can get 70 , 60 , 70 60 in parallel ,and 70 60 in series , have to drill a hole , you can see my video ,
My dude! I will check it out
ruclips.net/video/UzjL_fRyl_U/видео.html
my video is 1 parallel series switch and 1 phase switch ,
to your yellow fgn , you can use 1 on on on switch before the on on switch , to get 70 ,60 , parallel ,
in middle parallel , use the on on switch get series ,
@@LowEndLobster check your email , i have send the wiring picture ,
Wow! Have You tried a 5-string from FGN?
Not yet but I hope to soon!
Very cool basses!
Yep, Blue-ey is Funky/Better. 😊🎸🎵
Thanks Willis!
which bass would you use on stage lobster?
Probably the Dark Evolution. Great question Pogoism!
@@LowEndLobster thanks ;) but I meant out of all your basses...
Thay lobster 🦞 much appreciated 👍
incredible shirt
This is going to sound so dorky but now I actually wait until it's time for the claw to come off before I like the video
Thank you :)
Great stuff
It almost looks like the Natural is narrower at the 12 fret. could just be an optical illusion though.
I'll wait for the modded...💙👊😎
Thankfully for my wallet, FGN-USA is sold out of them online right now. Otherwise I'd be seriously tempted to get one of the active one.
Reverb! I also dealt with Kurosawa Gakki from there and they were great.
Nothing like checking out some sweet ash, I remember when I use to make baskets I really had to pound that ash to get it to come out right. Everybody loves a piece of ash.....ass
XD
I'm a passive electronics guy, but it's a bummer that only active FGNs have 24-fret necks
True. You could always swap, but then you'd have a spare battery cavity (store candy? haha)
@@LowEndLobster Well, you did mention that unlike most guitar manufacturers, FGN bodies and necks aren't just random combinations so I thought swapping would be more tricky than usual. If it does happen however, I'd definitely turn the battery cavity into pick storage haha
@@jj_zeroshiki oh I meant swap the pickups for passive on the Dark Evolution. I wouldn't swap necks for that very reason you mentioned
Are this dollars the US vintage?
The yellow one came with quarter pounders ?
Yes
@@LowEndLobster So they come with either EMG or SD? I thought it said on reverb they were FGN brand pick-ups?
The expert models use in house pickups as do the neo classic but the mighty jazz and mighty power are EMG and SD
Thanks typos again 👍🦞
Pure mountain spring water! 😂
Hehehe love this shirt
No slapping AGAIN??
Yeahhhhhhh
The cat ?!!!!!!!!!
Took PTO, been showing up in almost every vid, uncompensated.
@@kirtfulcher6288 for more cat from lobster on vídeos !!!! Cats so Funny !cat is life !!!!
Hahaha she will be in the upcoming jazz bass preamp series.
@@LowEndLobster I wait !!!!!! Dont forget The Promise!!!! Hahahaha great job ,peace and sucess ever Man, cheers from Brasil
@@mallexandre69 hehe I'm skating time to film that video. It will be long but it will be done
JMJ2ALR just saw =DDDDDD
lobster who are you? are you a shop owner?a session player? a luthier? am asking because you upload so frequent and so many difrent pieces of gear.
I am.... Batman. I'm just a fortunate hobbyist who loves all things bass :)
You're Bassman of Bikini Bottom
baby you are rich man ,
I know lol the hardest part is probably picking his favorite
I know lol the hardest part is probably picking his favorite