current fender jazz quality?

[youngmanhood]

So i'm trading in some guitar gear to play bass for a professional touring band... I wanna get a real nice jazz bass but do I need to go vintage to do this or are the modern ones top notch?

thanks for the help!

p.s. i'm going to be playing rock n roll music ala 60's 70's, and abit of the 80's of tom petty and u2 etc...

[pacojas]

IMO, any Fender will do rock. infact, save a few bucks and get a Squier!

[treekiller]

I dunno about all of the new Fenders, but the American Standard basses are very good! I have an 07' Jazz and a 2010 P and the quality is about as good as you are going to get for the $$$.

[youngmanhood]

yes! thank you gentlemen!

[Jim Carr]

I recommend an MIA American Standard Fender Jazz, a '62 American Vintage RI Jazz (stack pot), or an MIM Road Worn Jazz. They are all excellent.

[Dutchboy]

Bought a MIM Jazz in 2009. Took it in for a proper tune-up and my luthier was very happy on how it was manufactured.

That being said, I did replace the pups with Quarter Pounders and put a Gotoh bridge on after 6 months.

[addylewis]

MIM jazzes are really nice if you get a good one...otherwise I suggest a deluxe Jaguar - its a Jazz bass with extra balls really

[Bongolation]

Bell curve, now and forever.

A few good ones, a few really bad ones, a whole bunch of so-so ones. Most buyers can't tell the difference, so FMIC doesn't sweat it, nor does any other big producer.

QC is not a strong point, irrespective of price. More expensive models seem like they should be more consistent, but they're not.

That said, I've been working on Fenders for over forty years and I've seen some problems on 2011 production that I've never encountered previously. Early 2011 was pretty hectic getting out from under a backlog of orders after a lot of layoffs.

[s4001]

Most of the tone comes from the player. These days with CNC and better amplification, almost any modern bass will get the job done. A new set of strings and a good setup can produce more results than you may suspect, so don't feel you NEED to get another axe.

Then again, if you WANT to....

[Bass Viking]

Originally Posted by youngmanhood

So i'm trading in some guitar gear to play bass for a professional touring band... I wanna get a real nice jazz bass but do I need to go vintage to do this or are the modern ones top notch?

thanks for the help!

p.s. i'm going to be playing rock n roll music ala 60's 70's, and abit of the 80's of tom petty and u2 etc...

Get a new one. You don't want to be taking a vintage Fender out on the road.

[pacojas]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

Bell curve, now and forever.

A few good ones, a few really bad ones, a whole bunch of so-so ones. Most buyers can't tell the difference, so FMIC doesn't sweat it, nor does any other big producer.

QC is not a strong point, irrespective of price. More expensive models seem like they should be more consistent, but they're not.

That said, I've been working on Fenders for over forty years and I've seen some problems on 2011 production that I've never encountered previously. Early 2011 was pretty hectic getting out from under a backlog of orders after a lot of layoffs.

LMAO!!!

working on Fenders in what respect? i've been playing them since '78 and have yet to experience a lemon. i will admit to being able to perform my own excellent set-up, so i too have been working on Fenders!

if there is something inherently wrong with them beyond my comprehension,... i'd love to know!
TIA,

[Russell L]

I have an '01 American Series Jazz Bass that is top-notch, IMO, far above the rest. The only gripe I have is that the pickups are noisy unless you turn them both up equally. Fit, finish, playability, tone, are all first class. I believe it's true that you get what you pay for. Sure, you pay a little extra because the price of things and wages are higher here, (and the Fender name), but it really IS a better instrument, IMO.

[kmon]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

Bell curve, now and forever.

A few good ones, a few really bad ones, a whole bunch of so-so ones. Most buyers can't tell the difference, so FMIC doesn't sweat it, nor does any other big producer.

QC is not a strong point, irrespective of price. More expensive models seem like they should be more consistent, but they're not.

+1

IME Fenders are like a box of chocolates...

I've had MIJs and MIMs that killed, and MIAs that sucked. And vice versa. I had a 98 MIA with a neck like a noodle and now have a 96 MIA that's incredibly stable and never goes out of tune.

This may be true of any manufacturer, my Fender sample size is just bigger. But I agree with the above poster re: QC being inconsistent.

[millsbass5]

$56.00 "Bones". I wish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even my cheap ass won't spring for it at $56.00:hm m:!!

[darius8]

Youngmanhood, are you gigging with this group for a few years or are you just subbing? If your sure your doing this for a long while, I would probably get a really, really, really good bass. If this is a short gig a Squier VM or Squier CV should do the trick. Those Squiers are great.

[Grand Wazoo]

Originally Posted by treekiller

I dunno about all of the new Fenders, but the American Standard basses are very good! I have an 07' Jazz and a 2010 P and the quality is about as good as you are going to get for the $$$.

100% agree with American Standard being superb quality, excellent components, you get a high mass bridge and light weight tuners, they have a great balance both seated and standing up and the sound is nailed to their vintage predecessors.

[BassBob1]

Short answer:Yes current fender (and some squier) basses are just fine.

I've only played one vintage jazz plugged in, an original 1965, so I don't know that I have the credentials to say whether or not you're getting a better bass if you buy a vintage fender or a new one. But, I would venture to guess that unless you have thousands upon thousands of dollars to spent on a vintage fender jazz (or custom shop) you'll be just fine with a new one.

I think the QC on the 08 (late 07) - current MIA's are great. I haven't picked one up that didn't feel top notch. I own a late 07 which is the same as the current ones. Now when you break it down, they are pieces of wood and mass produced so there is bound to be inconsistencies. For instance, there have been 2 MIA jazzes that felt/sounded as good as mine, a 2010 and a 2011 fiver. Others I have played were just not quite as good but pretty darn close. The Road Worns I have played all seem really nice too. I've only played one 62 RI and it was a long time ago so I can't comment on it. There is a 75 RI thats been sitting in the music shop right by me and its nice but I wouldn't trade my jazz for it. The MIM standards seem to be to most hit and miss fenders I pick up. I like the Squier CV stuff. Basically, play before you by one.

[Russell L]

When did they switch the name from American Series to American Standard (or vice versa?).

[youngmanhood]

Originally Posted by darius8

Youngmanhood, are you gigging with this group for a few years or are you just subbing? If your sure your doing this for a long while, I would probably get a really, really, really good bass. If this is a short gig a Squier VM or Squier CV should do the trick. Those Squiers are great.

I'm definitely looking for something top notch that can be my go to for a while not a sub position....

thank you so much for the help everyone!

[youngmanhood]

Also, looking at a 2004 USA jazz was that a good year for fender?

Fender USA Jazz Bass With SKB Case

seems to be a steal