JB-2 vs. MIA Fender Jazz

[Nedmundo]

Like I suspect some of you, I've been thinking about a new bass lately. I love Fenders, and I've been considering a rosewood fretboard Jazz or Precision. But I also love my L-1500, and especially dig the #8 neck, which means I know all about the JB-2's playability. I similarly dig the concept of a J electronics configuration without the J's "offset waist" body and its less satisfactory (to me) ergonomics. Hence my interest in the JB-2.

What about its tone compared to an MIA Fender? I played one years ago, but don't recall much about it. I've read elsewhere that JB-2's are bright, articulate, and unforgiving of poor technique, which is fine as long as the J growl and medicine ball bottom remain intact. What says the hard core G&L crew?

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

I know all about the JB-2's playability. I similarly dig the concept of a J electronics configuration without the J's "offset waist" body and its less satisfactory (to me) ergonomics. Hence my interest in the JB-2.

What about its tone compared to an MIA Fender? I played one years ago, but don't recall much about it. I've read elsewhere that JB-2's are bright, articulate, and unforgiving of poor technique, which is fine as long as the J growl and medicine ball bottom remain intact. What says the hard core G&L crew?

Sure we ain't related? Those are the exact reasons I can't abide any Jazz or Jazz clone.
That said I hook my JB-2 up through a Sansamp BDDI and I am all over Geddy's sound.

For stuff recorded on a Jazz, my JB-2 nails it sonically without the goofy shape and toothpick neck.

Jim

[metron]

Had three MIA Fender J basses and a JB-2. Beyond physical/cosmetic differences which you are aware of they are the same thing IMO. Wish I had at least one of them right now...

[Nedmundo]

Originally Posted by spideyjg

Sure we ain't related? Those are the exact reasons I can't abide any Jazz or Jazz clone.

Thought you might chime in on the ergonomics issue, because I've read your comments on it before. (And who knows? Maybe we are related. ) I'm fine on a Jazz, and mine is my numero uno overall. But even though the J tone works more often for me, I've always felt more at home on a Precision. It took awhile, but eventually I realized it was partly the body shape. (It's also the satisfying "less is more" minimalism.) That's one reason G&L's immediately felt comfy too. The J shape isn't a deal-breaker, but I'll avoid it if given the choice.

Glad to hear from a true expert that the JB-2 nails classic J tone. I'm all over that.

[flash99]

Your L1500 will be far more unforgiving to poor technique that a JB2. My L1500 is the one bass where I clearly hear every clam I make. It's actually improved my playing because of that.

[earlgray]

I've owned several fender Jazz basses and they're all different.

Stock, they're OK, even my former American Deluxe is a snooze. Beautiful build quality, but sonically uninteresting. Best sounding one of the bunch is a MIM with Lindy Fralin's replacement P'ups and a BadAss II Bridge.

In contrast, my JB-2 is much more 'edgy' and hot. The pickups transmit everything -- good and bad. When you're playing well, it sounds great. I tamed mine with TI flats to take the edge off the top end, which made a noticeable difference in the sound quality.
This bass is an acquired taste, but I think it sounds better than any Fender Jazz I've played -- and its certainly better built and better looking. Quartersawn neck and trans orange/GOT maple neck.

The solid construction, solid bridge, and rigid neck give this bass incredible sustain. You definitely can't be sloppy with your string damping while playing the JB. I really don't think this is a good beginner's bass unless that person is really motivated to try to sound like a pro and is willing to work for it.

One of my guitar players reaction to this bass was "its like a piano" notes just ring on as they slowly decay.

hth.

[4Mal]

I've had 2 JB-2's. Neither of them are on par with my 62 RI J. Partly it's a feel thing. The neck edges, radius and frets on the RI are just graceful in your hand. For my hand it has the best profile of any neck going. I've had 2 and they are virtually identical. Super easy players.

The JB-2's feel clunky after the RI.

Alder and Rosewood was the JB-2 combination I liked the best tonally. I was significantly mellower than Swamp Ash and maple. I ended up pickup swapping into someting really dark to tame that one. The Trans Orange Swamp Ash with body binding was spectacular though.

Both my JB-2's were very nicely built with the typical G&L fitn and finish. They do build a great bass - no doubt about it. I think they fell short of the bar with the JB-2 though.
YMMV

[jindapee]

Originally Posted by earlgray

"In contrast, my JB-2 is much more 'edgy' and hot. The pickups transmit everything -- good and bad. When you're playing well, it sounds great. I tamed mine with TI flats to take the edge off the top end, which made a noticeable difference in the sound quality.
This bass is an acquired taste, but I think it sounds better than any Fender Jazz I've played -- and its certainly better built and better looking. Quartersawn neck and trans orange/GOT maple neck."

hth.

a newbie to this forum,

im unsure what you mean by "TI flats". Are those another term for frets? could you please explain?

thanks

[4Mal]

TI - Thomastic Infeld
TI flats would typically TIJF's or Jazz flats. The TIJF is a real premium string. A little mellow or woody very long lived. Lighter gauge hence lower tension than many flat wounds. IIRC .043 through .100 is the gauge. Arguably one of the very best flatwound strings available.

[Nedmundo]

I met a buddy/bandmate at the Great American Guitar Show in New Jersey last weekend, desperately hoping to unload my unloved 1981 Ibanez Studio guitar, and if it could be traded toward a killer bass, even better. It received no interest from several dealers, but then a dealer from N.C. offered to hack $350 off the $899 price of a new SB-2 for it! Done. He didn't have a bass amp on hand for a test, but with MFD pickups and my love of P-basses I figured I didn't need to worry. It's vintage white/tort/rosewood, and looks amazing. (No pics b/c my home computer's hard drive just died. ) Got home, plugged it in, and IMO the tone rules. It's exactly what I wanted from a rosewood board, hard-hitting P-bass, and that's with the mediocre stock strings.

Problem is, the action is a bit high due to excess neck relief, and a half-turn of the truss rod made little if any change. It's bringing back horrible memories of my L-1500 fiasco, which featured two non-functioning truss rods and a ten month total wait. The L-1500 now has the sweetest action of all my basses, so I'll be disappointed if I can't get the SB-2 adjusted similarly.

[flash99]

One little comment - if a dealer was trying to unload a new SB2 for $899, I would be a little suspicious - that price is so low, he's either had it for a long time of maybe knew something was wring.

[Nedmundo]

Originally Posted by flash99

One little comment - if a dealer was trying to unload a new SB2 for $899, I would be a little suspicious - that price is so low, he's either had it for a long time of maybe knew something was wring.

He was definitely trying to unload it, and the bass does have a slight cosmetic defect that may have hindered an easy sale: a small gap between the pickguard and body near the bridge pickup volume knob that minimally exposes the control cavity. (Frankly, I'm surprised it left the factory like that, but so did my Fender Jazz. Oh, well...) I didn't care enough about that to pass up an amazing deal on a great bass, but it may have partially explained the low price.

In retrospect, perhaps I should have been more suspicious, but I've found some dealers will drop to amazingly low prices, especially on the second day of these shows when they're trying to lighten the load for the return home. (My seller only lightened his load by the difference between a guitar and an SB-2, but I guess that's something.) For example, a very reputable dealer was offering an immaculate, brand new Fender Am. Ser. Precision for $713. I may have bought that if I hadn't gone for the SB-2.

Per your advice (thanks again), I adjusted the truss rod again, and got some movement. The action was probably within spec, but still not as good as my L-1500. I brought both to my local tech so he could compare them, and he thinks the SB-2 can easily get lower action with minor adjustments.

[datsgora]

No reason for posting...except to plaster my JB-2 onto this thread......forgive me oh...I have both, and the JB-2 just is the "one" for me. funny thing too....I got it off of ebay after my wife liked it and said "get that one"....so I did. anyway....here it is