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About the Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass

I do tend to notice from the video I watch on youtube that the jj doesn't really sound well with other instrument. Is this true? Sorry if I'm wrong, I'm a total beginner at playing bass so I don't know what it suppose to sound like

 
I do tend to notice from the video I watch on youtube that the jj doesn't really sound well with other instrument. Is this true? Sorry if I'm wrong, I'm a total beginner at playing bass so I don't know what it suppose to sound like


In both videos I hear a distinct Jazz tone, as expected. If your comment about "sounding well with other instruments" is based on the Korean video, I'd say that the quality of the recording is poor, and judging an instrument solely on Youtube videos is not a good method for making a decision.
A P-bass does sound different than a Jazz. It's up to you to play both of them and decide which tone you prefer, but don't decide based on Youtube!
 
I'm a total beginner at playing bass so I don't know what it suppose to sound like ...

Welcome to TalkBass … with all due respect, if you opt for any of the basses mentioned above in this thread, at your present stage of the game, may be more than you will ever need … but you will likely be acquiring others over time, so it would be of benefit to purchase USED from a reliable seller if at all possible to save some $$ until you do know what you like and 'what they are supposed to sound like', as well as when/if it comes time to move them along …

All of the Squiers mentioned above, both P and J's, are much better basses than many on here ever started with, and are perfectly fine candidates for most any level of play with a set-up to personal preferences, including gigging regularly … I have been at this for over a LOT of years, and all last summer played a 7 lb. used $150 Squier for almost every show, while the American Fenders sat home in their cases … nobody knew or cared, and I was happy as a lamb making the $$ with it ...
 
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For anyone who has this bass, is it good? Is it suitable to be played in a band or would other P bass be better? I've been deciding between this and the Inca silver
They're the same bass, of course, other than the color, and they're the best Squiers made.
I learned to play on this one.
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I'd definitely buy another
 
I do tend to notice from the video I watch on youtube that the jj doesn't really sound well with other instrument. Is this true? Sorry if I'm wrong, I'm a total beginner at playing bass so I don't know what it suppose to sound like

It's complete nonsense. The list of pros playing Fender Jazz Basses is long and distinguished.

I've played Jazz Basses in bands since the '60s. My first was a '66 that looked almost identical to the Squier Jack Johnson.

66jazz.jpg

I've owned several Jazz Basses over the years and currently play a modified Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz Bass that's also much like the Jack Johnson. It's one of the best I've ever owned as is my Matt Freeman PBass which is also a Squier. They're as good as any you'll find in that price range.

00U0U_1r3XYJL2p7n_1200x900.jpg PBass2.JPG
 
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I do tend to notice from the video I watch on youtube that the jj doesn't really sound well with other instrument. Is this true? Sorry if I'm wrong, I'm a total beginner at playing bass so I don't know what it suppose to sound like



That video is the first I've seen this bass with blocks. I like the PG swap on that one too...

Haha. The first video, that’s me.

I had put inlay stickers on it when I first received it.

I don’t own it any more, (P bass player now) but it was a nice bass and definitely gig worthy. Pickups were good and sat well in the mix.

Mine was heavy though at just under 10 lbs.
 
I bought a James Johnston last year, and have been delighted with it. Stays in tune, very good bridge, stock pickups are just fine, and it's remarkably quiet for a double single-coil bass. A hell of a buy for the money, I'd be hard pressed to find any appreciable improvement unless I spent four or five times what this cost. I'd no more think of trading this for a MIM or the lesser expensive American made Jazzes than I would of selling it. Along with the also-discontinued VM P Bass Five-string, these punch well above their weight, and for around 700 bucks for both, just ridiculous value. Squiers can vary quite a bit, but these are worth every cent.

I bought both as platform to upgrade with better pickups, etc., but I would have no concerns gigging 6 nights a week with either one in their box-stock form. I believe the silver one is identical to the JJ, and is also a great buy.
 
I bought a James Johnston last year, and have been delighted with it. Stays in tune, very good bridge, stock pickups are just fine, and it's remarkably quiet for a double single-coil bass. A hell of a buy for the money, I'd be hard pressed to find any appreciable improvement unless I spent four or five times what this cost. I'd no more think of trading this for a MIM or the lesser expensive American made Jazzes than I would of selling it. Along with the also-discontinued VM P Bass Five-string, these punch well above their weight, and for around 700 bucks for both, just ridiculous value. Squiers can vary quite a bit, but these are worth every cent.

I bought both as platform to upgrade with better pickups, etc., but I would have no concerns gigging 6 nights a week with either one in their box-stock form. I believe the silver one is identical to the JJ, and is also a great buy.

So the inca silver one is basically the same in everything except the color? What about the pick up, are they at same quality?
 
Like @jd56hawk said, both the Classic Vibe Jazz and James Johnston signature Jazz are the same bass, just with different finishes.

Over the years, I've owned two Classic Vibe Jazzes, not to mention using a CV-J neck for a parts-bass projekt. The first Jazz was very nice, the second was quite excellent and the neck was perfect for the projekt I was working on.

If you're wondering why I no longer have them, it was not because of any shortfall on the part of the instruments. The first was traded for a Mustang that I was hoping would be a good travel-bass. (In that instance, not a great trade. That particular Mustang was very "meh:meh:".) The second was part of a trade-in so I could get a Jazz that had some ergonomic features I prefer. (Specifically, a Fender Classic '70s Jazz! A great trade, that time! :thumbsup:)
 
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