Just curious what's out there before I commit to a short scale jazz bass build. As far as cost goes, it should be under $1,000 new or used.
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32 in scale jazz bass options?
- Thread starter BusyFingers
- Start date
You could probably get a Japanese Fender medium scale for under a grand with shipping. Or an SX for a lot less.
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It's good to know a series number. Looks like the M denotes medium scale.
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BassHappy
Supporting Member
Yeah, that is exactly what the "M" designates. They are nothing but awesome. No fugly holes where the pickup and bridge covers were either! If you are a paint guy, the mediums also come in white, black and red. I love mine:
Yep, the MIJ stuff from Fender is nice, and if you're buying used then it will come in under your budget number also. I have a nice 32" MIJ Aerodyne that I took in trade but haven't really touched. The Medium stuff is a little more rare and holds its price better, so it's easy to move on if you ever decide to flip.
I really liked what Fender Japan was doing when they had autonomy to design and build their own models.
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I really liked what Fender Japan was doing when they had autonomy to design and build their own models.
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Yes, but it's been almost ten years. The truth is, they're fine for cheap, but they're not that great. That's my opinion, of course.
is the neck of the MIJ jazz bass a 32" neck bolted onto a standard jazz bass body or is the body slightly scaled down to match the smaller neck size?
Out of the hundreds of basses I have owned, if I could pick one to have back it would be the 32" scale MIJ Jazz I had. In my opinion, because they are made in small numbers and the parts are specific to them, they are pretty much custom shop quality.
But......they are tough to find.
Cheers
But......they are tough to find.
Cheers
I bought the first Jazz 5 SX made about 11 years ago, total crap. In the last few years I've bought a few as presents and have been blown away by how good they are. And for roughly $100 you have plenty of cash left to change any part you don't like.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
Yes, the body is slightly downsized which is a big part of the charm. Perfect ergonomics.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
Landing makes a number of models available in 32" scale. None is a straight-up J-bass, but this one has a Strat body with J-bass electronics: Invalid Link Removed
They're over a grand new, but you might be able to find one used. They aren't common, but I've seen them here and on eBay a few times.
They're over a grand new, but you might be able to find one used. They aren't common, but I've seen them here and on eBay a few times.
i have a 32" landing and it is a great value for the money. really great build quality on those instruments.
I did a Warmoth build, 32" scale P bass. Love it. Total cost was less than $900. I suspect a J would be about the same. I have a build thread here somewhere. You may find it if you search for "low cost warmoth".
I am considering a warmoth build, but if I could find a 32 inch bass that suits my criteria (which is relatively typical jazz features) I would consider it.
