Has anyone tried Jaco relic'ed Jazz ? - Page 2

Hullaballoo · #21 09-17-2008, 01:11 PM

I really don't know - I just know I couldn't pay someone all that extra for "damaging" a bass. Whatever the difference is in terms of quality, I'm willing to bet it's not worth that much - a pair of pickups and a fingerboard job would sort that out, if you can hear the difference. I'd get a custom job done, but that's just me - I HATE the idea of relicing, it's so false and sad - you lovingly make the best instrument you can, and then whip it with chains, etc. Duh?

progrockbass · #22 09-17-2008, 07:04 PM

Hey Boriology101 is that by chance the one at the new Long & McQuade on Terminal. I have played that one and it is great. However, I do own the Jaco Tribute that isn't reliced and it too is awesome. It took awhile to order and get one but after having the same debate as you I chose the unreliced version @ $1700 as I just couldn't justify the extra dough. I now use it about 70% of the time in my jazz band and if I had to sell all my other basses I think it would be the one I kept.

Just Thumpin' · #23 09-20-2008, 05:33 AM

I own one and have for a while -- it is a 2001 (I think). It is a GREAT bass flat out, period, no ifs, ands or butts. To address some of the questions / concerns in previous posts.

1. I HATE the relic thing and I hate that this is a Jaco tribute model -- I love Jaco, just the whole tribute thing bugs me a bit. That said, mine is the 2nd best fretless bass I have ever played (more on that later) and that is why I bought it. It just has phenomenal tone and unreal playability.

2. The non-Custom shop version isn't remotely close in quality, sound or playability.

3. I find the neck to be one of the smoothest, fastest I have ever played.

4. The only issue I had with this bass originally was that the relic'd bridge has so much oxidation on it that it wasn't allowing a proper ground and so the bass had a pretty bad hum to it that drove me nuts. The simple solution was to remove the relic'd bridge (I saved it, of course) and replace it with an identical NOS bridge from Fender. Now the bass sounds as great as it plays. Anyone really interested in their tone will likely need to do the same if they want to seriously play this bass and not just look at it.

5. The reason I said "second best" fretless I have ever played is because a couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of playing a Rob Allen MB-2 and man, oh man, was it a wonderful bass. The tone is different -- less of the Jaco mwah (no marine varnish on the fretboard) and more of a woody almost upright sound. I placed an order for one this past week and, depending on what happens after I take delivery I will probably sell the Jaco relic which has served me very well (and remains in excellent shape).

Anyway, if a Jaco Relic speaks to you, buy it. They are truly exceptional basses. And, not to be self-serving (which I am not because although I may sell mine, that certainly will not happen for at least 3 or 4 more months), I would recommend trying to find a used one from a reputable source as Fender's list price IS a bit absurd...

pierreganseman · #24 09-20-2008, 05:52 AM

this bass is ridiculous, well to me... price is way too much.

. you pay it.. to get a bass that's been beaten up... I saw one, the epoxy on it.. was rubbish...

all this for 4500 us dollars????

maybe not..

Don't intend any fight or anything.. that's just what i think :-)

gruuv · #25 09-20-2008, 05:56 AM

I tend to agree with the poster who said essentially, "If it speaks to you, go for it!" But trading in generally isn't going to get you the value for your two basses that selling outright would, and this is a good place to try.

All that said, I just picked this up for less than $700 because it's a "parts" Jaco, all genuine Fender American parts. It SINGS!!! Even though I haven't even set it up yet and need to swap out for some Fralins or something. So, my point is, there are ways of achieving a similar tone (and look) for much less cabbage... but it ultimately comes back to personal preference.

Wow, that was incredibly unhelpful. . .

Just Thumpin' · #26 09-21-2008, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierreganseman

this bass is ridiculous, well to me... price is way too much.

. you pay it.. to get a bass that's been beaten up... I saw one, the epoxy on it.. was rubbish...

all this for 4500 us dollars????

maybe not..

Don't intend any fight or anything.. that's just what i think :-)

Have you played one?

pierreganseman · #27 09-21-2008, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Thumpin'

Have you played one?

Yeah i did, was thinking "nice" then i had a look at the price, and put it back on the stand and left. Here in europ it's 3900 euro. Wich is something like 5500 dollar. ok bass, but overpriced..

cheers

roadkill2309 · #28 09-21-2008, 08:45 AM

I played one fairly recently and honestly didn't think it was worth it. And it's not even what his bass *looks* like anymore...

Mojo-Man · #29 09-21-2008, 09:10 AM

I had a relic'ed "Jaco" jazz, from the CS.

The "Jaco" bass, and the "Pino" P-bass.
To me, are the two nicest, basses made by the CS.

Feel, look, playability, tone.
As close as the real thing your going to get. (Unless you have a time machine)

The are expensive?
But you get what you pay for.
And, they will only go up in price?

Jerry J · #30 09-21-2008, 09:36 AM

Boriology, I think that these are great basses. They definately a few steps above the Fender production basses. Most folks wouldn't know that it was a Jaco bass knock off if you didn't volunteer the information. I've loved the three that I've played and do plan to have one eventually.

The used price seems just a bit high but I'm not sure how the Canadian dollar works out with the US dollar....most that I've seen used have been in the $2500-2700 USD range. I think that Atlanta Bass Gallery has several for sell. I'm not real sure of the value of the basses that you are trying sell but figuring the hassle of trying to sell a couple of basses may make the money difference not worth waiting to sell your basses.

As far as ordering something different from a builder or trying to build one yourself may not give you the vibe that you get from this particular bass. It sounds like this particular bass spoke to you. That factor is a big plus.

NOW, the big question is, for you to ask yourself, are you a fretless player? Or have you wanted get into playing a fretless? Is it just a novelty? I have have three fretless basses that I nver intend to use for a gig. I bought them purely for personal enjoyment. They are just a serious blast to play. And I love the sound of a fretless bass.

The other thing that you might want to keep in mind is that if you do decide to sell the market is weak since that is such a specialty bass. Many factors are against as you see from most of the posts here.

lowdowndad · #31 09-21-2008, 10:07 AM

If it speaks and says "buy me" then do it.

Its all about what makes YOU happy.

Hope this helps.

lowdowndad

scowboy · #32 09-21-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hullaballoo

Bass Central do the non-reliced one for$1799, so you WOULD be paying someone $2000 for having scratched it up

I'd like to play a relic and a non-relic side by side.

I have been in the market for a custom shop fender but I also have reservations about paying a premium price for and instrument with manufactured perceived 'mojo'. However I am a sucker for a Lake Placid Blue Jazz Bass and Bass Emporium in Austin has one that really gets me in the right place. To boot it also has a matching headstock which really gets my GAS going. I played a relic'd '59 P Bass yesterday at GC in San Francisco along side of several other real vintage basses and I thought it was outstanding for less than half the price (about $2300 if I remember correctly).

I like the Jaco look but I am not a fretless guy. If the bass speaks to you or for you be that as it may then go for it. There is nothing wrong with the Jaco at all! And if it gets scratched who cares!

I have a Lakland 55-01 that spoke to me and I do not ever see parting with it, even if it is an import I just love it. We work together.

Joelc73 · #33 09-21-2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hullaballoo

Bass Central do the non-reliced one for$1799, so you WOULD be paying someone $2000 for having scratched it up

I was on the hunt for one a few months back and had the chance to play the non-relic and CS relic version side by side. They are quite different.

They're both nice basses but if you've had the chance to play the CS relic first you probably will not be happy with the standard version. After playing them both I went with the relic without a second thought.

Bassmickeyd · #34 09-21-2008, 03:36 PM

It's rather strange that the Jaco bass is a copy of a bass that doesn't exist anymore. It was distroyed before Fender could make the tribute bass that it now sells for so much $$$. It was copied from pictures with the help of Jaco's old bass tech, from what I've heard. It is a lot of $$$. You wouldn't want to change your mind after that purchase. Maybe best keep the basses you got and pick up a Mod Squire Fretless for $250. and close your eyes.

Toastfuzz · #35 09-21-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruuv

I think this beast looks 100% nicer than the relic'd one. I dont buy into the tributes and signatures and what-have-you, I believe theres so many bass options out there that I can find one someone hasnt literally put their name on yet. And like alot of people said, $3000 can get you alot in a custom bass or a modified factory bass.

The other thing you may want to think of, if other bass players see you playing it, they'll know you spent $3000 on whats basically a fake. I would rather see a crazy custom bass or a unique high-end than a rip-off of someone elses (and like people said, the $2000 relic job isnt even that good)

Talk you out of it yet?

Bass Viking · #36 09-21-2008, 07:29 PM

I've never played this particular model so take this with a grain of salt but it seems like a lot of money for what you're getting: a high quality bass with the Fender name on it and a relicing job. When Jaco was alive, there was no Custom Shop. His bass was a regular production model. I'd sooner get a good modern day Fender, have a luthier defret and epoxy it, and save a few bucks. That or put one together with parts.

bh2 · #37 09-22-2008, 01:56 AM

I just can't get my head around this whole relic idea... why pay extra for someone to beat up your new bass...?

I like the look of the un-reliced one though.

McDreads · #38 09-22-2008, 05:49 AM

Where did Jaco buy his custom?

Bass Viking · #39 09-22-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McDreads

Where did Jaco buy his custom?

+1. That's my point. A standard production Fender was good enough for Jaco dammit!

So were 4 strings but that's another argument.

Davo-London · #40 12-06-2012, 04:11 PM

I have a MIJ Jaco which I A/B'd with the USA Jaco (non-custom shop) and they were both tasty. I ended up with the MIJ and had the neck epoxy'd by HG Thor in the States. The bass is amazing and I'll never part with it.

The key is the sound. If it's got that sound then spend the money! That sound is sooo good.

Davo