Fender American Vintage '75 Jazz Owners

Malachi71 · #1 05-06-2011, 04:58 PM

You all know this bass currently retails for around $2,500 and sells for $1,800. Is it worth the price or is it a lot of hype? Is it a quality bass? I'm referring to the construction, hardware, pickups, fretwork, tone, etc. If it is what it seems to be, I may be in the market to buy one. Any input from those that own or have owned one would be greatly appreciated.

anyonefortennis · #2 05-06-2011, 08:18 PM

IMO - you can do better for that kind of cash. I think a Valenti would play better and can be made exactly like you want it.

esa372 · #3 05-06-2011, 10:04 PM

The AV'75 that I was lucky enough to find is one of the best basses I've ever laid hands on. It's been my main bass since I bought it last September. I chose it after comparing similar basses by Lākland and Sadowsky.

Great feel, fit, and finish - the build quality and tone are outstanding. It is excellent, in every way.

(You can hear it through an Ashdown 810 by following the link in my sig.)

...and I think you can find them used for about $1,300.

kscbass · #4 05-06-2011, 10:09 PM

Buy a used one or be on the lookout for a real 70's jazz. I did (78' jazz) and no regrets.

chris0186 · #5 05-06-2011, 10:13 PM

I had to change out the pickups and get a Badass II to get a good sound out of it. I don't think an $1800 bass should need an upgrade like that to get a good tone. It's built really well and feels great, but the stock bridge and pickups were awful.

Jeff K · #6 05-06-2011, 10:25 PM

Wow. I'm amazed you (Chris) had to change the pickups and bridge. I have one that I bought new in 2000. (I think that was the 2nd year it was offered.) Excellent bass (totally stock) with killer tone and even response. I hadn't been playing it too much over the past year or so (only because I have a number of good basses that were getting more usage). But I dug it out again recently and have been reminded of just how nice this thing is. I really like it.

One of my sons (both of my sons play bass and guitar) recently borrowed it for a church gig. He loved it, and said that you can just feel the quality when you play it. I agree.

That being said, I don't think I'd buy one new at the $1,800.00 figure they now go for (unless I was rich and money was no object at all). I got mine new for $1,125.00 back in 2000. That was a very good deal, even back then. Very nice bass, but you might want to buy one used instead of new.

DTF · #7 05-06-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris0186

I had to change out the pickups and get a badass II to get a good sound out of it. I don't think an $1800 bass should need an upgrade like that to get a good tone. It's built really well and feels great, but the stock bridge and pcikups were awful.

funny my experience was the exact opposite , these basses sound good , they have a .22 cap and sound very clear and defined

Malachi71 · #8 05-07-2011, 10:07 AM

Thank you everyone for the responses. I have been watching the used market on this bass for a while. I'll probably go that route. I would agree that I does appear to be a very nice bass and well built. On the other hand, $1,800 seems like a steep price to pay for something that seems kind of basic or a little plain, if you will. For example, wouldn't the Geddy Lee Jazz be comparible yet it sells for hundreds less. I does concern me how many American Vintage '75's have been sold over the years on Talkbass as well as Ebay and Craigslist. It makes one wonder why players would want to sell a bass that would have great tone and playability. It also makes one second guess if it is really that good but I'm still interested.

chris0186 · #9 05-07-2011, 10:47 AM

I'm not really sure what was wrong with mine, but I did notice that mine had several problems. When I had the stock bridge on it, there were a ton of deadspots on it and slapping was almost impossible. Changing to a Badass II helped a lot, but I always had problems with volume in the mix. I didn't realize how weak the pickups were until I got a bass with Model J's in them that were incredibly loud compared to the 75's. The pickup changed helped a lot and I love my bass now.

I will say that once I made those changes it's the best bass I've ever played. I might have just been really unlucky with the one I ended up getting.

esa372 · #10 05-07-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malachi71

...wouldn't the Geddy Lee Jazz be comparible yet it sells for hundreds less.

I had a 2004 Geddy for about seven years. It was not anywhere near the quality of the AV'75. I sold the Geddy a few weeks ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malachi71

I[t] does concern me how many American Vintage '75's have been sold over the years on Talkbass as well as Ebay and Craigslist. It makes one wonder why players would want to sell a bass that would have great tone and playability. It also makes one second guess if it is really that good but I'm still interested.

Of course, every bass is different, and I can not speak for those who have sold theirs... but I, for one, will never sell my AV'75. I doubt I could ever find a non-custom bass that is just so *right*.

Malachi71 · #11 05-07-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esa372

I had a 2004 Geddy for about seven years. It was not anywhere near the quality of the AV'75. I sold the Geddy a few weeks ago.

Of course, every bass is different, and I can not speak for those who have sold theirs... but I, for one, will never sell my AV'75. I doubt I could ever find a non-custom bass that is just so *right*.

Well this is good to know.

Good point. As Chris stated above, he had to modify some to "fix" his. Perhaps just like all basses, one can sound great and another not so great. From what owners are saying about this bass, it appears more are consistently great.

DTF · #12 05-07-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malachi71

Well this is good to know.

Good point. As Chris stated above, he had to modify some to "fix" his. Perhaps just like all basses, one can sound great and another not so great. From what owners are saying about this bass, it appears more are consistently great.

the mods were to his taste , I recieved mine with a badass and immediately changed it , the stock bridge is a reissue of a bad design, according to most users , id doesnt bother me though , but you can get the threaded saddle bridge if the single slot isnt for you. as for the pups Ive heard most people love these pups

Malachi71 · #13 05-08-2011, 04:51 AM

I've begun my search in the used market for this bass. What price range is acceptable?

cr250_977 · #14 05-08-2011, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malachi71

I've begun my search in the used market for this bass. What price range is acceptable?

Got mine used for 1100.00 shipped (Jan 2010/The Gear Page)
Been my main player ever since.

mlove · #15 05-08-2011, 05:12 AM

i own one which i purchased new. I've never regretted the purchase although the $$$ was a little high. I put a badass bridge on it like a lot of owners and am happy with it. Thinking of putting a obp-1 pre in it but i am just playing. Mine is solid construction wise and the they did a great job matching the 3 pcs body.
If you know what you are after for options and the av75 doesn't offer it i suggest searching elsewhere. It is an expensive bass to pick up if you intend on spending another 4 or 500 upgrading it but if you are going used you'll be ok.

TDaigle · #16 05-08-2011, 05:19 AM

This is one of the best basses I have ever played as far as playability and feel. On the other hand I am with some of the guys who think sound wise, Fender could have done better. What pickups are you guys going to?

mlove · #17 05-08-2011, 05:25 AM

still stock here. if i do change it will probably be to Nordstrand NJ4's w/70's winding.

Kipaste · #18 05-08-2011, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malachi71

I does concern me how many American Vintage '75's have been sold over the years on Talkbass as well as Ebay and Craigslist. It makes one wonder why players would want to sell a bass that would have great tone and playability. It also makes one second guess if it is really that good but I'm still interested.

Why would that concern you? Plenty of fenders, sadowskys, ken smiths, spectors and custom boutiques change owners all the time. It's not because they're bad, it's because the sellers want something differend or just plain old cash. The 75 RI is a pretty common bass so it would be downright weird if there weren't plenty of them moving around.

I can say that I absolutely love the 75 RI's. IMHO they're the best production basses fender makes.

DTF · #19 05-08-2011, 12:00 PM

before you guys spend 1-200 dollars changing the pups , spend a dollar and change the cap , It may result in a sound youre more used to

Buster Brown · #20 05-08-2011, 12:10 PM

Yep...Mine is stock from the day I got it from Fender about 5 years ago. Best Jazz I have EVER played!