Okay, so i'm almost 100 percent sure i'm going to stick with bass my whole life and intend on becoming a collector someday. At my local guitar center, i tried 3 american made jazz basses, the 2010 am. standard (the pickups were okay, no great), an american special jazz (sound was just bland to me), the 2012 american standard which the upgraded pickups were really good. unfortunately i never got to try out an american deluxe, but heard great reviews about it. If i was to buy one (not taking price into consideration) should i buy the am.standard or am.deluxe jazz bass? What's the differences and similarities of tone?
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American standard or american deluxe?
- Thread starter shookiedookiema
- Start date
One has blocks and binding and noiseless pickups through an active pre
one does not
The sounds will be quite different
one does not
The sounds will be quite different
I bought an American Deluxe Jazz 2012, ended up returning it to MF because it was so noisy. I generally play around my computer or jam through a B3, it was picking up so much interference I returned it. Great player, sounded great, but for that price, I was happy to return it. I have a 2012 Fender American Jazz FSR that plays and sounds just as good and no extra noise. Just doesn't have a preamp in it, so what, passive is fine with me.
Both great basses but for the money, I'll take the American standard.
Both great basses but for the money, I'll take the American standard.
I had the opportunity to play both an American Standard Jazz 5 string and an American Deluxe 5 string in the same sitting. I used the same amp and played both basses within a couple of minutes of one another. Both instruments played really well. But I found the electronics on the American Deluxe to be noisy to the point where I was far less interested in that particular bass.
I own an Am Dlx J, and P, and the versatility of the active/passive modes along with the very high quality build, and stunning appearance (both are natural, ash finish) are what sold me on the Am Dlx line. No noise from either. Wonderful instruments in my opinion.
Up until one year ago I would have never thought I'd own a passive bass (i.e. one without a pre-amp). I then bought a 2012 American Standard Jazz. I've since done a complete 180. I now cannot imagine owning anything, but passive instruments. The 2012 AmStd Jazz is the best bass I've ever owned (and I've owned more expensive basses than this one). Active basses now sound almost "processed" to me as opposed to the organic tone you get out of a passive P or J. Go with the AmStd.
Standards are great but the Deluxes are a definite upgrade. I like the Deluxe noiseless PU, bound and blocked neck, preamp, etc.
I ABed my 1973 Jazz with my 2012 Deluxe and they sound very similar when the deluxe is in passive mode.
Price wise? New, a Standard is a better value. Used, a Deluxe is a better value.... IMO.
I ABed my 1973 Jazz with my 2012 Deluxe and they sound very similar when the deluxe is in passive mode.
Price wise? New, a Standard is a better value. Used, a Deluxe is a better value.... IMO.
Hmmm, i though the deluxe pickups were supposed to be noisless, and if they're not can't you just put shileding tape pver them. the bass i'm buying this month is either a squier vm 77 jazz or a fender mim deluxe active special p/j bass. if i were to eventually but both basses everything stock would buyin g either the am.standard or american deluxe still be worth it or would it not be much of an upgrade sound wise?
I play a 2011 standard jazz v almost exclusively. I tested it against the deluxe and found I liked the standard better. It's built like a tank and after a good set up only minor truss rod adjustments are needed to keep it fine tuned. I have been complimented many times on its good sound
I prefer the Deluxe obviously, since that is what I bought. It hasn't been mentioned much that the Deluxe can also be switched over to passive mode, and then it sounds like any other quality Jazz Bass.
However, the active electronics provide another level of tonal possibilities beyond the standard J Bass sounds. In a home studio capacity I think the Deluxe is a more versatile choice since you can get a lot more sounds out of it.
I love the way my Deluxe looks, plays and sounds. I still love a good standard J Bass, and my next bass purchase will likely be one of those 64 American Vintage in Lake Placid Blue! Have always loved the look of that finish, and though I prefer maple fretboards, that bass is just too cool to pass up!
However, the active electronics provide another level of tonal possibilities beyond the standard J Bass sounds. In a home studio capacity I think the Deluxe is a more versatile choice since you can get a lot more sounds out of it.
I love the way my Deluxe looks, plays and sounds. I still love a good standard J Bass, and my next bass purchase will likely be one of those 64 American Vintage in Lake Placid Blue! Have always loved the look of that finish, and though I prefer maple fretboards, that bass is just too cool to pass up!
I got a "blemished" 2011 Amder Deluxe Jazz for less than the street price of a standard. I couldn't be happier. The action is very soft and it's dead quiet. The blemish? It was a grinding treble pot. I could have had it repaired under warrenty, but it was easier to buy a replacement pot for $10 and do it myself - probably faster too.
If you want collector value in 20-30 years, I think the American Standard would be the way to go. It is the classic.
I bought an America Deluxe Jazz QMT some years back, and the bass was PERFECT. It was one of, if not the, best built Jazz I have ever played. Fit and finish were flawless and it was an absolute joy to play.
The only problem (for me) was the active system. Being the clown that I am about my basses, I could never quite come to terms with the active pups and I realized that, in truth, I am just an old school passive sort of guy. I ended up selling it to one of our engineers at the studio - and he plays it religiously; says he wouldn't sell it for the world.
The only problem (for me) was the active system. Being the clown that I am about my basses, I could never quite come to terms with the active pups and I realized that, in truth, I am just an old school passive sort of guy. I ended up selling it to one of our engineers at the studio - and he plays it religiously; says he wouldn't sell it for the world.
They are both great basses, it just comes down to active or passive. IMHO passive just suits the Jazz. It's the classic tone we all want a Jazz for. If I was looking for an active bass, it would probably wouldn't be a Jazz. Full disclosure, I have a passive Jazz and my dream bass is a Invalid Link Removed. But, hey, that's just me 
I dig the classic jazz tones.
I dig the classic jazz tones.My main bass is an American standard p that I've had for the last 15 years. A few years after I purchased that bass I bought a deluxe p. I really wanted to make that my number one but I could never bond with it like my standard....so I finally sold it a couple years ago.
Again, the Deluxe can be run in full passive mode. Sounds exactly like.... A passive Jazz.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned body weight and number of frets. Std has 20 frets and is a little heavier because of a slightly bigger body size. The pre 2010 Deluxes have 22 frets. The new ones have 21. I have an 2004 Deluxe and a 2011 Std.and I really like both but the Deluxe gets more playing time because to me the body is more comfortable. In the end you can't go wrong with either.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
+1
In addition, Am Dlxe offers models in Ash as well as Alder. Am Std is Alder only. The fretwork on the Am Stds has caught up to Am Dlxe, so now it comes down to mainly:
number of frets
body wood preference
active or passive
