What Jazz Bass is Esperanza Spalding Playing?

[Sassoon]

It seems like she's started playing a MIM fretless. If this is accurate, does anyone know why she switched from her Jaco artist model (or the semi-acoustic one she used a while back, the name of which escapes me)?

Here's a picture of the bass I'm referring to:

http://media.hamptonroads.com/cache/.../950881000.jpg

I first saw it on a live Youtube stream of Austin City Limits. Any info on her gear would be greatly appreciated; the only information I could find was very outdated.

[ClassicJazz]

Almost 100% sure that is a Fender Standard Fretless (Mexican). You can tell by the truss rod opening at the headstock (instead of the heal of the neck) and the logo. Also the fretless has no fingerboard dots.

[Montanamike]

Originally Posted by ClassicJazz

Almost 100% sure that is a Fender Standard Fretless (Mexican). You can tell by the truss rod opening at the headstock (instead of the heal of the neck) and the logo. Also the fretless has no fingerboard dots.

And its missing a knob. It kills me.

[ClassicJazz]

Originally Posted by Montanamike

And its missing a knob. It kills me.

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by ClassicJazz

Almost 100% sure that is a Fender Standard Fretless (Mexican). You can tell by the truss rod opening at the headstock (instead of the heal of the neck) and the logo. Also the fretless has no fingerboard dots.

This^^
The MIM fretless is a really good bass. She usually plays a MIA or her CS Jaco

[Sassoon]

Originally Posted by ClassicJazz

Almost 100% sure that is a Fender Standard Fretless (Mexican). You can tell by the truss rod opening at the headstock (instead of the heal of the neck) and the logo. Also the fretless has no fingerboard dots.

Yeah; and that's what's confusing me. Why would she play a MIM if she has one of Fender's top-of-the-line (excluding custom shop)? She's used it for multiple shows, too, which has me thinking that it's not just a loaner.

[Renaissance]

NOTE: This is not a troll post nor am I "pointing" at any previous poster on this topic!

I find it interesting everyone is "intrigued" she is playing a MIM bass. Everyone on here is constantly talking about playing what sounds and feels good to you regardless of the sticker on the headstock but....

We're all gear snobs.

[Shakin-Slim]

It probably just gels with her more. Perhaps she didn't want to be associated with Jaco, just for playing fretless, so she opted out of using the Jaco sig. I dunno, it could be anything. She still sounds great.

[ReiPsaeg]

It's probably just a backup. Don't get yer panties in a bunch.

[Montanamike]

Originally Posted by Renaissance

NOTE: This is not a troll post nor am I "pointing" at any previous poster on this topic!

I find it interesting everyone is "intrigued" she is playing a MIM bass. Everyone on here is constantly talking about playing what sounds and feels good to you regardless of the sticker on the headstock but....

We're all gear snobs.

Certifiable

[gmarcus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4P6MV-iQkU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZW98IBWpiU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IqcmhkfJRE

How can anyone be this talented?
She just amazes me!

I can barely talk when I'm playing bass

[rimbaud]

Gear snob?? yeah for sure I was....

... until last week, when i got to test a cheapy fretless, some of you guys know that model, a "Vintage" fretless (released in 2006 or 2007 I guess), "CS jaco" like, poplar body (!) .... 340 €.... ridiculously low price !! ......

........ Because this **** sounds !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X79nnFlBNk (a bit "overdriven" but you can judge by yourself, .... ok.... the guy kills )

So ya know, if we mediocre bass players with decent ears think that it's good for us, just imagine what some killers like Esperanza can do with those pieces of wood ! they got ears too, and don't care about hypes.... well, most of them, cos' I know some of them that still do not want to ear anything else than a Japanese Boss OC-2

MarloweDK plays a MIM fretless, my teacher who's a real killer plays a vintage....


and he recently sold a 2500 € CS Jazz...

[atomicdog]

I own a CS Jaco, like hers, and tried the MIM fretless P as well, and some of those are better than the Jacos, better sound, and they play just as well (at half the cost).

[rimbaud]

Half the cost ?? maybe in your country, in mine it's ... at least !! at quarter the cost (and from the signature, the CS costs 4 000 €, so with a cheapy "Vintage" I let you imagine: X 10!!!)

[leegreenman]

Who knows maybe the Jaco bass is in the shop. Maybe she just likes the MIM better. Crazier things have happened.

[CDweller]

It's a tough lesson to learn- judge a bass on how it sounds and plays, not how much it costs or where it's made. I let an awesome MIM Jazz Bass slip away because of my ignorance on the matter.

[giacomini]

Seriously, she can play any bass she wants, does it matter if it is a CS or a MIM?

Wonder what people would say if she showed up with a Squier...

[bh2]

Yes it's a MiM standard...

I reckon she's entitled to play what she likes.

[Bassamatic]

It won't matter - regardless of what she plays it will sound GREAT!

[kellyrojo]

man I love her! what a talent!