Fender American Special Jazz Bass

I traded in my Geddy Lee MIJ for this. I wanted a thin neck without the constant adjustment the GL required. The carbon rods seem to make the neck very stable. I bought second hand American Standard pickups and bridge, and installed some Hipshot tuners I had. Then I changed the tone control to the American Standard circuit. So why didn't I just buy the American Standard Jazz? It would have been a better bargain. it was because of the neck. The funny thing is, I have an American Standard Precision that I love unmodified. Sometimes I like a thin neck, sometimes a thick one.
This American Special plays and sounds the way I like a Jazz.

I liked the feel of this bass's neck over the Standard. This is the first bass I didn't change the pickups. They are much better sounding than the 2004 MIA Standard I had. This bass stays in tune due to the very stable neck. I bought a BabicZ bridge, hipshot tuners and a nice Fender case like comes with the Standard. The difference in price allowed me to put a much better bridge and tuners. I love this bass. It's neck is fast and easy to play. Better deal than an MIA Standard? Probably not, however I have a bass more tailored to my likes. I put a Fender series/parallel pickup switch/push button on it and love all my options. I now get a wide range of options including a more P bass tone in series mode.

I have always been a J player but never had owned a Fender due to cost. I recently decided that I would return to the bass after a 10 year break and bought an EDGE with EMG's this sounded much beyyer than my old Stinger DBX. I bought a gibson flying V which I love and actually prefer over the Fender but I missed the Jazz tone. I have a Godin PJ which is good for a P tone but not growly enough for the way I like a J so I picked up the 09 Am Sp in 3TSB witha black PG. It is a thing of beauty. I m not a fan of bthe WPG so Iam glad the PO had that switched out for me. The neck is thing and smooth, the tone is great, It didn't break the bank (I traded the Dean in so I only paid abou $500 in the end). I t is simply a beautiful, classic looking Bass with a warm and growly sound. I am unlikely to mod it and it sounds pretty good stock. If you want a case you may as well consider the standard but in a side by side test I preferred the feel of the special (may be due to set up as the std, was set too low for my taste).