What badass jazz bass to buy?

StrangerDanger · #1 03-21-2012, 10:12 PM

I'm tired of running through a bazillion cheap basses seeking something that I cant find except in a higher end instrument. I have a really good playing and sounding passive jazz bass now and I'm totally off p-basses. What I'm looking for is an excellent active jazz bass. I have narrowed my choices to 3 basses. The Fender CS Custom Classic JB, Fender American Deluxe JB (ash/maple) and the G&L JB (gonna drop in a J-Retro).

The CS is obviously a CS and all the wonderment that comes with that. I love the look of these and I have played one in a 5 string that I thought looked great and sounded wonderful. I passed because I'm a 4 string only guy. Essentially this is however only a CS version of the older model American Deluxe.

The new American Deluxes are fantastic looking (I dig the 70's look). I have only played one in sunburst and RW however and I really only like the ash/maple version. Additionally I have heard that the maple necks are thinner than the RW models. I like this because the RW one I played was pretty thick. I have also read a lot of complaints about the bass being noisy. I cant stand that.

Finally the G&L. I had a JB a couple of years ago and ended up selling it and I have regretted it since. The tone was the major problem for me (very thin IMO). I had a bad amp at the time and think that may have been the issue. I like the G&L because its basically a CS where I can pick all my own options. The negatives being having to add a preamp and also the fact that it doesnt say Fender on the HS. Flame all you want but thats important to alot of people. Way more than are able openly admit it like me.

Obviously the CS is the most expensive of the 3 but it will also retain its value more than the others. I think the G&L with the preamp will be pretty close in price and the Am Deluxe will be the least expensive.

Cost is always a factor but its the least important issue to me at this time. My priorites are in order: Tone, playability, looks and finally cost (cost to buy and cost to resell if I have to).

Thanks in advance!

SevenReasons · #2 03-21-2012, 10:40 PM

I've owned the first two. The CS in a four and a fiver. The neck on the CS is much much nicer to play and the block inlays are a nice touch as well. CS wins my vote for sheer playability.

peledog · #3 03-21-2012, 11:48 PM

This:

Fender Japan Vintage '66 Reissue Jazz Bass JB66B

Or in black

I voted for it, mainly because I want one, LOL.

Wallace320 · #4 03-22-2012, 01:11 AM

Hi man,
Good morning!
Alright: don't blame me... I'm from Milan, Italy...
I opt for some CS, but slightly different/not mentioned yet...
Fender Reggie Hamilton.
Big blocks (split pickup at neck's: so you don't have no P bass... But the option is just right there) quartersawn maple neck... Ceramic Custom Noiseless at bridge's. Hipshot BT2 bass extender onboard.
You got style, and (believe me - if I got the MIM "copy") plenty of power.

Have a nice day.
Hope to be of any help.
Wallace

StrangerDanger · #5 03-22-2012, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peledog

This:

Fender Japan Vintage '66 Reissue Jazz Bass JB66B

Or in black

I voted for it, mainly because I want one, LOL.

That is sweet! I love the matching HS. But I've been down the fender japan route and necks are wicked sticky and $1510 is too much $ for that bass.

StrangerDanger · #6 03-22-2012, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wallace320

Hi man,
Good morning!
Alright: don't blame me... I'm from Milan, Italy...
I opt for some CS, but slightly different/not mentioned yet...
Fender Reggie Hamilton.
Big blocks (split pickup at neck's: so you don't have no P bass... But the option is just right there) quartersawn maple neck... Ceramic Custom Noiseless at bridge's. Hipshot BT2 bass extender onboard.
You got style, and (believe me - if I got the MIM "copy") plenty of power.

Have a nice day.
Hope to be of any help.
Wallace

I played the mexi version and it did not speak to me. I'm not a fan of sigs either. Thanks though.

BluesProgMetal · #7 03-22-2012, 01:46 AM

Go Lakland or go home IMHO

Dragan · #8 03-22-2012, 01:55 AM

+1 on Lakland.

miholc · #9 03-22-2012, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peledog

This:

This one looks awesome to me! But then I have checked one on their official page. Check out that picture of a neck joint right under "FEATURED" tittle:

Fender Japan Official Site

That joint does not look tight to me. That's what I've heard here on this board for many times tho, that that is important factor for bolt-on necks isn't it?

And as far as CS goes, man those are expensive. For that bag of money I'd go with boutique made Jazz with your very preferences for it.

Good luck with decision.

StrangerDanger · #10 03-22-2012, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miholc

This one looks awesome to me! But then I have checked one on their official page. Check out that picture of a neck joint right under "FEATURED" tittle:

Fender Japan Official Site

That joint does not look tight to me. That's what I've heard here on this board for many times tho, that that is important factor for bolt-on necks isn't it?

And as far as CS goes, man those are expensive. For that bag of money I'd go with boutique made Jazz with your very preferences for it.

Good luck with decision.

Not really. You can get into the CS Jazz basses for $2100-$2600. Thats a lot of $ but not compared to what some of the boutique builders charge. I would like to get a Masterbuilt to my exact specs but then you are talking 5-6K!

StrangerDanger · #11 03-22-2012, 03:51 AM

I'm actually surprised that the American Deluxe is neck and neck with the CS at this point. I thought you guys would be all over the CS. I really like the look of that maple/ash deluxe. Really . . .

fcoda · #12 03-22-2012, 05:56 AM

I voted other , for the price of a CS I think a Lakland or Sadowsky would be a better choice from both a build quaility and sound standpoint. Just my opinion

JimmyM · #13 03-22-2012, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluesProgMetal

Go Lakland or go home IMHO

They would be good if they got rid of that hideous oval bridge. I hate the way it looks. Superficial? Yes. Sue me.

I'd go CS myself if I wasn't so cheap.

ReBass · #14 03-22-2012, 06:31 AM

I voted other. I had a CS Custom Classic for a couple of years that I liked quite a bit. But then I picked up a Sadowsky Vintage 4 and have never looked back. The metro Sadowskys are priced close to the CS offerings and you can occasionally pick up a used NYC Sadowsky for not too much more. Well worth it to me.

jim777 · #15 03-22-2012, 07:05 AM

A belair green JB with a J-retro would likely be mighty mighty, but in that price range I have to agree with the guys saying go Sadowsky.

BIGEJ2 · #16 03-22-2012, 07:07 AM

I voted CS. Currently have one and recently sold a Am Dlx V. The CS is by far the best bass I have ever played. Very comfortable and great tone.

The Fender Custom Shop slogan is "When You're Ready."

StrangerDanger - You sound ready.

tonybassboss · #17 03-22-2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragan

+1 on Lakland.

Because you have one.. :P
Anyway..you can't go wrong with New Fender deluxe jb also...

JeffLieby · #18 03-22-2012, 07:20 AM

Carvin SB5000

Made to order, tons of options, fantastic neck profile, active and passive (both sound superb IMHO), much more affordable than any other "high-end" jazz. Save some money for other stuff. The SB5000 kills in every reguard.

Roscoe East · #19 03-22-2012, 07:41 AM

Find an old Schecter from the 1970s or 80s. 100% pure badass. It'll slay any passive Jazz clone being made today.

ursus · #20 03-22-2012, 07:42 AM

Mike Lull M5V or M4V