NBD! American Special Jazz

[belimad]

What's are the differences between the "regular" and the Special? I have a Deluxe, but wasnt aware there was a third option.

[christle]

Great bass! I have one in black and just love it. I also have a Special Precision in CAR and just love the colour (also great playing)....enjoy!

[christle]

Originally Posted by belimad

What's are the differences between the "regular" and the Special? I have a Deluxe, but wasnt aware there was a third option.

The Special has the standard Fender bent metal bridge and not the "hi-mass" bridge found on the American Standards. It also uses the same tuners as the MIM basses. I plan to replace the tuners on mine with some HipShot UltraLites but truthfully there is nothing wrong with the tuners on these basses. I have been told the pickups are different but I have to say the pickups on both of my Specials are very good sounding and are high output. The neck profiles are also different and are just a matter of taste.

I believe that is about it.

[Evan78]

Thanks everyone for the positive comments on the bass! I had a chance to play it at worship rehearsal this morning and it sounded fantastic. Had both volumes up full and the tone rolled off to about 50%. It was very punchy. It is a bit heavier than my old Peavey p-bass (Milestone II) and a lot heavier than my Ibanez SR300, but I actually like the weight of it. With a decent strap I don't notice it and it balanced very well in my hands.

I haven't even had it a week and I'm already wondering about pickguard colors. What do you think of white pearl or black pearl? Not sure which would look best with a maple board.

Originally Posted by christle

The Special has the standard Fender bent metal bridge and not the "hi-mass" bridge found on the American Standards. It also uses the same tuners as the MIM basses. I plan to replace the tuners on mine with some HipShot UltraLites but truthfully there is nothing wrong with the tuners on these basses. I have been told the pickups are different but I have to say the pickups on both of my Specials are very good sounding and are high output. The neck profiles are also different and are just a matter of taste.

I believe that is about it.

Yup, that's mostly it. It also has the Greasebucket tone control. I wasn't sure I would like it, but so far I think I do.

[johnson79]

Looks nice, I love Jazz basses. I've played the special a few times and I wasn't crazy about it. I wish I were, but I found I liked the American Standard much better.

But hey, that's why they make more than one bass.

[christle]

Originally Posted by Evan78

I haven't even had it a week and I'm already wondering about pickguard colors. What do you think of white pearl or black pearl? Not sure which would look best with a maple board.

Yup, that's mostly it. It also has the Greasebucket tone control. I wasn't sure I would like it, but so far I think I do.

I like the Greasebucket on the Jazz, not so much on the Precision. As for the p/g I would either leave it black or go to white pearl.

[mixtapelove]

I actually like the black on red.... it's a little unusual.