Alleva Copollo vs Nordy vs Lull vs Suhr...Fodera NYC...

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by hopeless_opus

One more thought. I know you only asked about boutique builders, but maybe check out the Custom Shop '61 as well.

Fender Custom Shop® Products

This

[chris lykins]

Had an AC LG and LM and a Nordy 70's classic. Sent the LM away and kept the Nordy. In my hands you can't beat the Nordy neck. Tonally there were both close with the AC winning by a smidge. As others had mentioned I knew I would get more on the used market for the AC so I sold it. They are both great basses but you can pick up a Nordy for 2200 and you'll be lucky to find an AC for 3200. I do love my LG tho!

[Big_Fat_Dynamo]

Check out the fbass website. I hear very good things about them and they have a vintage line going directly after that tone, with there spin on the look.

[lefty007]

Alleva is the way to go, if you have the patience to wait. A Lull Ultra Vintage it's a viable and more affordable choice. Just ask for a nitro finish (optional) and you'd be really close to a proper vintage J. The sound will be there, and playability is second to none now that they PLEK their fretboards. I recently had a V4 with a 7-1/4" radius and indeed the feel and playability was as perfect as it gets.

Nordstrand is another option, and they could build you a very vintage-correct Jazz.

As others mentioned, I would not consider Fodera NYC or Sadowsky. Sadowsky has an ultra-vintage model, but still features a preamp and the neck radius is 9", not 7-1/4" (don't know if they can do the latter radius on request).

I personally wouldn't put my money on a Fender Custom Shop. The personal service is not there, and the prices are crazy, although they are the closest to the real deal, if you will.

Alleva, Nordstrand and Lull will all give you personalized service and make sure you get exactly the bass you want.

[lefty007]

Oh, and as some others mentioned, don't forget Lakland. Although their vintage J technically is not vintage-correct (it has a 10" radius, and nitro is not an option) it will certainly give you the sound, the playability and the quality.

[pacojas]

Fender Custom Shop or Alleva, FTW.

IME, the CS stuff beats everything on the market for playability!

[Zanderwestcoast]

Any thoughts on Nordy's compound radius? According to Carey this plays a big part in how extremely playable his basses are. Are the others doing this?

[narud]

Originally Posted by Zanderwestcoast

Any thoughts on Nordy's compound radius? According to Carey this plays a big part in how extremely playable his basses are. Are the others doing this?

the compound radius is great. ive got the same 9-14 radius on my nordy 5 and 70's f bass vf5. feels like a normal fender in the money zone and it does the flatter thing which makes chording and things nice in the noodle/solo zone.

[RaginRog]

Originally Posted by Zanderwestcoast

Any thoughts on Nordy's compound radius? According to Carey this plays a big part in how extremely playable his basses are. Are the others doing this?

My Fender Select Jazz has a compound radius neck...great bass once I got it properly shielded.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Zanderwestcoast

Any thoughts on Nordy's compound radius? According to Carey this plays a big part in how extremely playable his basses are. Are the others doing this?

He also generally uses smaller fretwire. I've owned a lot of nice basses, but the Nordy PJ5 I had probably had one of the most playable necks of all, in part due to the compound radius and small frets.

[zortation]

Originally Posted by Zanderwestcoast

If I were to buy a modern day passive J 4 string in hopes of nailing the pre cbs playability/ tone thing, who is your vote with and why?

LOVE the tones coming from Suhr, I would consider it "pre-CBS +", so my vote is for them. Every one I have played sounded like those one in a hundred Fenders that just resonated beautifully unplugged and it came through the amp; we're talking "alive".

[GregC]

I had a US Lakland JO with Fralins, and it nailed the '60s J sound and vibe to me. (Too bad I don't get along with jazz basses for long.) And the necks on US Laklands are flat-out fantastic, the best I've ever played. The Lakland/Hanson pups have a bit of a modern tone to me, so look for an earlier one.

My second choice would be a Fullerton-era Fender '62 reissue, but those will generally cost more than a used US Lakland.

Can't comment on A-C, Nordy or Suhr, but they are no doubt worthy contenders.

[kicklock]

Just a thought - why not email Roger Sadowsky, and ask about his basses, and whether he would have something to fit your needs ? I own two of his basses, and am definitely going for a third ( all Jazzbass copies ).
Before I bought my first Sadowsky, I spoke to Roger, and he was so helpful that he even suggested bass brands other than his that I could audition. Of course, I bought two of his, and the rest is history.
I am also seriously considering a new Spector Coda ( a local dealer who owes me money on a past transaction, is a Spector dealer, and is making me a good offer ), which is Fender jazzbass inspired. They use Aguilar pickups, and there are demos on youtube.
Sadowsky basses have a great reputation, as do the other brands you mentioned. Matter of fact, you ought to send out some emails to all the makers you named, and get their opinions. I think they will advise you best. P.S. - I would also email Lakland, as they offer vintage jazzbass copies which usually get good reviews.

[tminus10]

Originally Posted by pauliebass

Zander, it would be really easy (by comparison) for you to get to Lull in Seattle from Victoria. You can compare his basses with his own pre CBS fenders he keeps in the shop.

+1 Check out his UV4 (Ultra Vintage) Jazz. Full size body, 7.25 vintage radius, back contour feels like a vintage, vintage sized frets, bone nut, brazillian rosewood, (I think he uses Madagascar now) Fralin single coils and he'll finish it in nitro for an upcharge.

[KPO2000]

Have I got a bass for you!

Originally Posted by Zanderwestcoast

I considered paying $10,000 for a mint early CBS 1966 olympic white jazz a few weeks ago, but in the end found it difficult to part with that much money for the bass at this stage in my life, so I would say price would be the main reason to consider other options other than vintage Fender. I haven't been that impressed with the re issue basses I have played.....plus I like the idea of an instrument that has been built on a smaller scale to a higher standard....as for sadowsky...played the non NYC basses, and wasn't impressed with playability. Found the preamp tone and electronics too over bearing for my taste.

[brianh]

If you're looking for a vintage-esqe 4 string - I'd pick a Suhr or an AC. The Suhr's a much more affordable and equal quality. I think the Shur's nail the feel and sound of a 60's Fender, compared to the more modern Sadowsky, Lull vibe.

[Matt Dean]

I play a Nordy vJ4 and it is the shiz! His necks are the best in the biz.

[Turnaround]

If you are looking for the sound of a pre-CBS Fender, I would ask which one. I have played many and there can be a lot of difference from instrument to instrument. I recently had a Degas that sounded just like a real '62 that is in my shop. Managed to play both side by side before I sold the Degas. It went for $175. The owner of the '62 is looking for $10,000.

I'll say no more.

[pfschim]

Originally Posted by sps500

My $0.02's...

Lull's are nicely built and sound good but vintage sound...not really especially since he uses a 35' scale on his 5's.

I think the OP was asking specifically about 4's. Lull MV4 and Ultra Vintage 4's are 34" scale.

I have played for over 40 years, and have owned/played various 60's and 70's Fenders Jazzes over the years. I have owned/played a Lull MV4 for the past 4 years, and with the bass in passive mode, I think it does a very vintage thing.

I can't comment on the Nords/AC's at all. I did audition a Sadowsky 4 before buying my Lull. Very nice bass, but not a very vintage tone - too zingy/bright to my (old) ears. If you are in the general vicinity of Mikes shop in the Seattle area, probably well worth the trip over there to check out his MV4/UV4's and compare them to his own 63 (?) jazz bass (as was suggested above).

The search for great tone is a journey - good luck with your search.

[jsbarber]

Originally Posted by GregC

I had a US Lakland JO with Fralins, and it nailed the '60s J sound and vibe to me. (Too bad I don't get along with jazz basses for long.) And the necks on US Laklands are flat-out fantastic, the best I've ever played. The Lakland/Hanson pups have a bit of a modern tone to me, so look for an earlier one.

Being the beneficiary of your decision to sell your JO, I have to agree that it does a great job of capturing the early 60's jazz concept. Buying one of these used, with the LFs, is an excellent way to go. I play mine a lot and really enjoy it.

But I do think that if you're willing to pay the bucks and go to David Segal, NYBW, you will get an amazing 60's sounding jazz bass that plays like a dream. Off course the price differential is substantial, and the body would/could be based on his Cremona design which has improved ergonomics over the pre-CBS jazz basses.

Lots of good options for jazz aficionados.

Jim