What do you think of this bass?

[Nino]

I'm looking for a new bass, mostly a fender j bass or p bass, but have been put back by the prices of them. However, i've found a seller that is selling a loaded jazz bass body for a little more than $100. I'll post the information the seller gives and pictures of it.

Thanks!

_____________________________________________

BODY – Typical 60s-70s Japanese high end Mahogany and Alder laminate construction with very smooth rounded radius contours. – The Japanese perfected the art of creating laminate bodies using great tonewoods. These old dogs are not your typical plywood clones – the woods and construction are 1st rate. The contours are as smooth as any factory Fender (most laminate-plywood clones are more boxey!)
The result is great tone and less heft. This one is a moderate 5 lbs 9 ozs bare. Bridge and neck holes have been moved back to achieve standard Fender Specs and ensure intonation. Risers have been built into pickup cavities as someone routed deeper I suppose to accommodate to something along the line of MonsterTones.

FENDER USA PICKUPS –
Neck – NEW Fender Highway One 7.0 Ohms
Bridge – 80s US Fender – from a Precision Special 7.8 ohms



CLOTH WIRED HARNESS – All New parts
New 250 K Pots
New .082 Radial Mylar Cap
Vintage pushback Cloth
Faux Ric Knobs

100% COPPER SHIELDING
All cavities are 100% copper shielded and grounded.
Pickup cavities and bridge ground to control cavity – which ground to pots

[Nino]

[Meddle]

Thats a nice plywood body! I wouldn't touch that thing with a ten foot pole. The body is cheap and probably full of non-standard measurements.

A fully loaded Fender Jazz body for $100? If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

[Doctor J]

Yup, plywood. Walk away.

[chokeslam512]

Pass.

[cnltb]

I wouldn't

[Rickett Customs]

Let'r go.

[Nino]

Thanks for the heads up!

[tdub0199]

Thats def. plywood, it would serve it's purpose well on top of a bon fire....

[smgleitch]

Just look at the craftsmanship on this thing. Not even close to what a Fender would be. Things don't line up, check out the picture of the pick guard. If the seller is lying about the wood I am sure he is lying about everything else. If you are looking to save some money and get a great bass look at the Squier Vintage Modified Jazz. New it is only $299 and I just picked one up for $199 used. Fantastic bass sound and plays much better than a Squier even better than some of the more expensive Fenders.

[fourstringbliss]

Originally Posted by Nino

I'm looking for a new bass, mostly a fender j bass or p bass, but have been put back by the prices of them. However, i've found a seller that is selling a loaded jazz bass body for a little more than $100. I'll post the information the seller gives and pictures of it.

Thanks!

_____________________________________________

BODY – Typical 60s-70s Japanese high end Mahogany and Alder laminate construction with very smooth rounded radius contours. – The Japanese perfected the art of creating laminate bodies using great tonewoods. These old dogs are not your typical plywood clones – the woods and construction are 1st rate. The contours are as smooth as any factory Fender (most laminate-plywood clones are more boxey!)
The result is great tone and less heft. This one is a moderate 5 lbs 9 ozs bare. Bridge and neck holes have been moved back to achieve standard Fender Specs and ensure intonation. Risers have been built into pickup cavities as someone routed deeper I suppose to accommodate to something along the line of MonsterTones.

FENDER USA PICKUPS –
Neck – NEW Fender Highway One 7.0 Ohms
Bridge – 80s US Fender – from a Precision Special 7.8 ohms



CLOTH WIRED HARNESS – All New parts
New 250 K Pots
New .082 Radial Mylar Cap
Vintage pushback Cloth
Faux Ric Knobs

100% COPPER SHIELDING
All cavities are 100% copper shielded and grounded.
Pickup cavities and bridge ground to control cavity – which ground to pots

There's no way you're getting a loaded USA Fender body for $100. You'd be hard pressed to find a decent unfinished bass body with no hardware or electronics for $100. You're being conned.

[s_mcsleazy]

i would.... but not for that price

pay between 20-40 for it

[mcrracer]

http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitars4.html
Nice bass on a budget. I am happy with mine as it came from Rondo. Many guys mod theirs with better pups, electronics and hardware. Oh and I have owned many high end basses and currently own one. Most of the time I would rather play the SX.

[fourstringbliss]

Originally Posted by mcrracer

http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitars4.html
Nice bass on a budget. I am happy with mine as it came from Rondo. Many guys mod theirs with better pups, electronics and hardware. Oh and I have owned many high end basses and currently own one. Most of the time I would rather play the SX.

+1! Great suggestion!

[DaveDeVille]

Originally Posted by Nino

... plywood ?
that's not a Fender


... what kinda crazy is that neck plate ?

pass on this one ...

[Meddle]

Originally Posted by Nino

Typical 60s-70s Japanese high end Mahogany and Alder laminate construction with very smooth rounded radius contours. – The Japanese perfected the art of creating laminate bodies using great tonewoods.

Whoahahahahahahahah. Mahogany and Alder laminate says the seller? You mean "dark wood" and "light wood".

[mulchor]

Welcome to talkbass, Nino

I agree with the consensus here. There is some value there, but it's being talked about higher than its actual.

In general, I think your strategy could be fine. Assembling and tinkering with instruments is a grand pass-time in itself, plus you get to play your instrument, too. It's not always the cheap route to go, but it's done the way you want it to be.

Keep an eye out - you can find some good deals. As a general rule, parts basses cost more than they're worth if you buy them piece by piece. That particular body, count up the amount you'd pay individually for bridge, the pups, a strap button, pickguard, and wired control plate. But given what the seller has already fibbed about, do you trust that the pups are legit?

Side question: what's with .082 for the cap?

[becker4567]

You can get a brand new SX for less than $150.

[sarcastro83]

Whoa! Plywood alert! Too bad, because that is a pretty cool colour...

But yeah. The unanimous opinion is to just say no. I'd agree.

Also, +1 to the Rondo suggestion...

[Spinal Tapper]

I'd pass. I have a plywood Squier II, and while it's totally gigable, I'd be looking for something with at least basswood or alder