Fender American Standard Jazz vs. G&L USA JB

Killens84 · #1 03-21-2011, 12:47 PM

I'll make this short and sweet... I currently own an '08 Fender American Standard Jazz Bass. I like it, but I just feel like I could have something better. I was looking into some high-end Lakland, Lull, and Nordy jazz basses. However, many people have recommended the G&L USA JB to me, and it's much cheaper than the other high-end basses I mentioned. In fact, it's not much more expensive than the Fender MIA Jazz.

So my question is, how does the Fender and the G&L compare to one another? Would it really be worth me selling or trading my Fender to get the G&L? I've just heard so many good things about the G&L USA JB's.

JohnnyB53 · #2 03-22-2011, 01:41 AM

The quality of the G&L sits somewhere between the American Standard and Custom Shop, at about the American Standard price. You can also order it your way, with choice of alder or ash, four different neck profiles and three different fretboard woods, different fret wire or fretless, matching headstock, various pickguards, and solid, metallic, transluscent, and true metalflake finishes.

Basically, a G&L JB is going to sound and play a lot like a well-dialed in USA Jazz, with somewhat hotter pickups and a little more massive tone down at the bottom thanks to Leo's Saddle Lock bridge, which is not only more massive, but it sits in a rout in the body to press against the body's wood grain.

Another way to get some idea of how much it sounds like a Jazz bass and how it sounds a little different: go to YouTube and find Ed Friedland's videos of playing a Fender Jazz and a G&L JB (and a Carvin SB5000). They all sound great (especially when Ed's playing them), but to my ears the G&L has a bit more punch, presence, and bottom.

Nedmundo · #3 03-22-2011, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyB53

Basically, a G&L JB is going to sound and play a lot like a well-dialed in USA Jazz, with somewhat hotter pickups and a little more massive tone down at the bottom thanks to Leo's Saddle Lock bridge, which is not only more massive, but it sits in a rout in the body to press against the body's wood grain.

I have a 2003 Am. Series Fender and a 2010 G&L JB. I also have a 2008 Fender Jazz V, so I'm familiar with the current series. You're right that the Fender and G&L are close, but the devil is in the details. With G&L's Plek fret levelling, I can dial in lower action with my G&L's than my MIA Fenders. It's not a huge difference, but it's noticeable and makes the G&L's play a little better. To me, that's one of the biggest G&L advantages. (I think the 12" fretboard radius contributes to this, but I love the feel of Fender's neck with the 9.5" radius too.)

Though I haven't done the A/B thing, I think the G&L pickups are not as hot as the current stock Fenders. They certainly aren't high output, and they have a clear, smooth tone, while the Fenders have a little more grit IMO. (The stock p'ups in my Jazz V, for example, sounded a lot like Fralins.) This is hair-splitting though, because they are really close; both produce excellent passive J-bass tone, and are probably indistinguishable from each other in a band mix. I just installed some DR nickel Lo-Riders on my G&L, and it sounds fantastic, with clear lows and lots of growl.

FWIW, my G&L has much less single coil hum than my Fenders did with their stock pickups. I don't know why, but it's darned nice!

Aspidites · #4 03-22-2011, 07:56 AM

I am waiting for them to come out with the 5 string version.

strost · #5 03-22-2011, 10:55 AM

I'm gonna keep this short cuz I gotta run. I would never trade my JB for an American Standard. It just "feels" better to me - may be part psychological but the JB just oozes quality and while I'm sure I would have loved the Am Std too, I never got the "fine instrument" vibe that I get off my JB.

That said, I would say they are comparable and going to a JB from an Am Std is an upgrade IMO but not a huge one. So if the AmStd almost satisfies you then the JB should do the trick. But if you will always wonder if that Lull or Sadowsky or Suhr out there is even better then maybe you shoudl just go all the way to the top.

BigOldHarry · #6 03-22-2011, 10:58 AM

Both are nice basses. I'd give a small edge to the G&L, but if you are looking to *upgrade*, to get something at "the next level", the G&L isn't the bass to look at.

If you're a committed 4 string player, the next step up, for my $$, is a Lakland 4-94, Lull J bass or Sadowsky (if you have the money!). They can all be had used, which is the only way to go in this situation. Fenders are overvalued, so you should be able to sell it for a good amount.

Nedmundo · #7 03-22-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strost

That said, I would say they are comparable and going to a JB from an Am Std is an upgrade IMO but not a huge one.

I agree. IMO, the main tangible advantages of G&L are the Plek levelled frets, and the huge array of cool finishes and neck options that aren't available from Fender outside the Custom Shop. G&L's finish quality is also a step up. If the G&L's were as light as the boutiques, they would be a much bigger upgrade over the Fenders IMO. The boutique quality is there.

Sparkdog · #8 03-22-2011, 01:59 PM

I am very interested in the JB but I can't find one to try anywhere...anybody know someplace in Southern California to put my hands on one?

I would gladly order it in the exact configuration I want, but I want to try one first.

The mail-order bride thing is fine from Musicians Friend, but I would have to get this from a G&L dealer and then we're married whether I love her or not!

Thanks.

Nedmundo · #9 03-23-2011, 08:52 AM

I spent some time going back and forth between my Fender and G&L J-basses last night, and another difference is that Fender's rolled fretboard edges are more rounded. G&L does the rolling too, but the edges are slightly more square. In this respect, the Fender neck feels better to me, which partially offsets the very slightly higher action on the Fender. They are darned close overall. (Bear in mind I've never played another MIA Fender I like as much as my 2003 Jazz. It's a phenomenal sample.)

When I first got my SB-2, I thought my Fender Jazz felt more natural upon first picking it up, but the SB-2 played a little more easily once I adjusted to it. I still think that's the case between those two. Similar deal with the JB I think, but I'm still getting it dialed in with its new strings, so we'll see.