Fender 62 jazz vs Fender MIA jazz vs Rickenbacker

Boone3882 · #1 08-02-2010, 11:49 AM

I have this dilemma. I want a new bass but I can't choose which to get. I really like the 62 jazz RI on paper but I haven't got to play one(GC never has them in store). I'm in love with the Fender American Standard Jazz because they sound just talks to me. Growl and nice smooth bottom. Then finally I got to play a Rick in NYC last week. I really like the sound of them but they're uncomfortable for me who plays 90% of the time with my fingers and I rest my thumb on the pickup. But the con to the Rick that I played was that the E string had no bottom and it was very "thin" compared to the American jazz which I think can get close to a Rick sound with a little EQing. Now that leaves me with the 62 RI, I wanna play one to make my final decision. Ehhh tired of waiting so I'm not sure what to do. Any advice would be helpful.

P.S. I play a sunburst jaguar bass and a butterscotch 2007 American p-bass with the S-1 switch.

SurferJoe46 · #2 08-02-2010, 12:08 PM

I played a Rick and found the same thing - the newer Ricks anyway. I cannot speak for older ones.

Ricks are just too 'Middle-&-Up" freq-wise to me and the lower notes didn't resolve well. Kinda like a Hofner - but worse.

I bought an Ibanez SR500 that day 'cause it filled all the tones and notes the Rick couldn't even find or send to the amp.

I SO wanted to look like Paul McCartney too!

king_biscuit · #3 08-02-2010, 12:19 PM

Interesting choices. If you didn't already have a Jaguar (which covers the basic Jazz Bass spectrum) I'd say go for one of the Jazz basses. But since you already have the Jag and a Precision I say go for the Ric. That way you will have three very unique basses. Rics sound great, btw, you just need to get it set up properly and spend some time with it.

Spinal Tapper · #4 08-02-2010, 12:32 PM

I'd get the 62 RI over the MIA Standard Jazz. Not sure about Ricks though, I don't play/own them

Alex E · #5 08-02-2010, 12:36 PM

As you already have a Jazz sound in the jag and the p as well, I would say the Ric. It can be properly set-up to play tone-wise to your satisfaction.

However, if it felt uncomfortable to your playing style in the few minutes you tinkered with it, you have to ask yourself if it will improve with much more time of you actually owning one. Otherwise, you will be eventually dissatified with the purchase.

I really enjoy my 4003, but I've never found its characteristics (non-contoured edges, not much of a thumbrest, etc.) uncomfortable.

P-oddz · #6 08-02-2010, 12:46 PM

Ahhhh..... If only I could be in your shoes.... which brand new expensive bass should I purchase.......

Just busting chops man. I'd probably agree that if you've got the Jag and the P, the Ric might be a nice tonal alternative. But then if you don't like it, you don't like it.

In that case - I'd root for the '62 RI. I have one and love it SO much. It's not going to be as hot, Pickup-wise as the newer Jazz, but I think that's what I love about it. Super-slim neck, and I love the stacked knobs. Allows you more tonal versatility IMO than the standard Jazzes. From bright to old school depending on how you tweak 'em.

s4001 · #7 08-02-2010, 12:53 PM

Rics and Jazzes are my go-to basses. Hard choice. For my current band, it's 95.87% Ric, but I play in a prog band. I've liked the MIA standard better than the 62 RI's I've played. YMMV.

As for position, the covers are easily removable and aren't an issue.

svtb15 · #8 08-02-2010, 12:55 PM

Many years ago i brought a Rick with me to a jingle session.. The engineers gave it a thumbs down...
What they were looking for was the old standard.. so i used my P bass.. I guess if you are doing original material and you want that Rick tone it is cool... all other stuff the Jazz or P bass is what people prefer for big bottom

Boone3882 · #9 08-02-2010, 01:07 PM

Yea I forgot to mention I'm selling the jaguar. That's what the new jazz is gonna replace. I'm very interested in the 62 because of the vintage frets and slim neck. I'm just wondering if it'll growl like the new Americans. P-oddz lol I've been working alot of 12+ hour days between 2 jobs to get this one. Lol the things we do for NEW toys. Also, I really love the look of the ricks I think that is a big selling point. It's a very hard choice.

P-oddz · #10 08-02-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boone3882

Yea I forgot to mention I'm selling the jaguar. That's what the new jazz is gonna replace. I'm very interested in the 62 because of the vintage frets and slim neck. I'm just wondering if it'll growl like the new Americans. P-oddz lol I've been working alot of 12+ hour days between 2 jobs to get this one. Lol the things we do for NEW toys. Also, I really love the look of the ricks I think that is a big selling point. It's a very hard choice.

Like I said, just busting chops

If I can ask, what type of music are you into playing?

Boone3882 · #11 08-02-2010, 01:25 PM

Ohhh p-oddz I know you were bustin', I just was saying because it's been grueling lol. Hot sun and outside physical work lol. I play in a classic rock cover band and two originals which one is more Brit indies sound and thee other is just all over the place. Also, another candidate is a Japanese 66' RI, that thing looks sweet but I'm scared the pick ups may be to weak.

P-oddz · #12 08-02-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boone3882

Ohhh p-oddz I know you were bustin', I just was saying because it's been grueling lol. Hot sun and outside physical work lol. I play in a classic rock cover band and two originals which one is more Brit indies sound and thee other is just all over the place. Also, another candidate is a Japanese 66' RI, that thing looks sweet but I'm scared the pick ups may be to weak.

I would probably definitely recommend the '62 then. If your looking to cover bases from classic rock to indie rock. The '62 still has that growl that your looking for, but IME can also be tamed for a vintage vibe, more than I've found the standard Jazzes to be. (Just one man's opinion mind you

)

If you're curious, (and sorry for the shameless self-promotion) but I recorded some clips just yesterday for another TB'er with my Jazz. It was to demonstrate the Tone Hammer vs. VT Bass, but maybe you can get an idea for the tone anyway. Pick and fingerstyle (just click the ones labeled Jazz).

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...bandID=1092078

Bear in mind, I do roll the tone off slightly on both PUPS, and I play with an old set of DR Sunbeams (purposely) so it might not be as zingy as your taste, but maybe you'll get the idea anyway.

And if you want to hear it in a mix - check out my band's demos up on our site (we are in the Indie rock vein as well):

www.revisiontext.com

(Sorry to those offended by my shameless plug). Just seemed like these plugs could actually help you.

Boone3882 · #13 08-02-2010, 01:56 PM

Oh no. Sound clips are awesome. I seen a few YouTube videos but they didn't do justice. Thanks p-oddz! Also, did you ever here anything good on the Japanese 66' RI's? I love the Japanese build of my jaguar.

Nedmundo · #14 08-02-2010, 02:14 PM

If you've tried the American Standard and love it, I see two approaches: (1) buy it; or (2) buy the '62 RI from someplace with a good return policy, and if you don't like it as much, return it and get the American Standard. If you're not completely set on Fender, the Lakland Skyline J (formerly Joe Osborn, now some number designation) might be a good choice. It has pretty hot pickups and narrow vintage Plek-levelled frets. IME, they tend to be heavier than the new Am. Std. Fenders though.

P-oddz · #15 08-02-2010, 02:17 PM

Haven't heard anything really on the Crafted in Japan RI's.

I had mixed feelings on my Jaguar though. Did you have to do the shielding yourself for the active electronics? Might have just been a Fender production skimp, rather than a Japanese crafted problem, but I definitely was not happy with how noisy it was. Any one reason you're looking to replace your Jag?

Mastermold · #16 08-02-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boone3882

Yea I forgot to mention I'm selling the jaguar. That's what the new jazz is gonna replace. I'm very interested in the 62 because of the vintage frets and slim neck. I'm just wondering if it'll growl like the new Americans. P-oddz lol I've been working alot of 12+ hour days between 2 jobs to get this one. Lol the things we do for NEW toys. Also, I really love the look of the ricks I think that is a big selling point. It's a very hard choice.

I own both a Ric 4003 and 62 RI Jazz. I can tell you yes the 62 will growl just like the new American Standard Jazzes, but nothing growls like a Ric if that's what tone you're after. But the new AS Jazzes are great too, and they're easier to adjust the truss rods if that matters to you.

Boone3882 · #17 08-02-2010, 03:32 PM

Thanks nedmundo, that's the route I was gonna take. P-oddz, I like the build of the jag and the craftmanship but when i came to the pre amp,yes I had to do the shielding (wasn't happy about it). I also don't really like the active electronics on the jag. Too boomy when you add bass and it just does nothing for my sound. So I'm selling it because I'm using it in parallel mode with both pick ups on which is essentially a jazz bass. I've owned alot of basses in a short time and have come to the realization that I don't really fancy active basses. And to master, I know the Rick is a growl monster, but it's a tad to thin for me. (but it looks soooo sweet). You guys all helped me shrink my list of basses. Thanks again

RickenBoogie · #18 08-02-2010, 04:40 PM

As a consistant Ric player, I'd choose the Ric. I've owned many other basses over the years, but always at least one Ric at any given time. Had 4 at once, once, but only 2 now. Consider a 4004 if you want more bottom than the 4003 provides. My 4004Cii changed my life. Alot more comfortable to play as well.

SurferJoe46 · #19 08-02-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-oddz

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...bandID=1092078

www.revisiontext.com

(Sorry to those offended by my shameless plug). Just seemed like these plugs could actually help you.

I liked that one: Precision_TH_VT_Pick very much. Is that a fretless P? I hear a slide to flat at the end of some notes that sound like they're not fretted - at least there's no fret buzzing like the J-cuts. .

Nice control.

D.M.N. · #20 08-02-2010, 05:18 PM

A quick note on the 62RI. The neck will be nitro finished, or, as some people say, "sticky". Personally, I have no problem with the nitro finish, in fact I prefer necks with finish, but some people don't. If you've played the Ric, that gives you an idea.