"American vintage 62 jazz" or just plain "American jazz", advice please!

funny

I'm quite in the same situation like you...
check out my thread maybe it'll be of help

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2545462#post2545462

 

Personally I would go with the '62. I like the vintage look as well as the sound of the vintage models over the new ones. For another option, check out the basses on GuitarJapan.com. I just got a '62 reissue jazz fretless (see my review in the Gear Review section), the best Fender I have ever played, and a fraction of the cost!

As far as the route, I believe the MIM Standard Jazz is the only one with that route. I don't think the more expensive models have that. My CIJ 62 Jazz and my Classic 60's do not have it....

 

I also tried a '62 reissue recently, and I think the regular MIA jazz is as good or better. The graphite strips in the neck add a lot of peace of mind in my book as well.

Personally, I'd get the regular MIA and spend the extra money on some upgrade pickups like duncan antiquity II or Fender CS. The only reason to go for the reissue would be if you liked the neck a lot better.

 

You're looking at two different jazzes. Basically, it comes down to what you think sounds and plays better. Personally, I think the vintage 62 is worth the upcharge over the Am. Standard. I'm pretty sure the neck shape and pickup positioning are both different.

 

The pickups on the '62 are the key. I think they are the best sounding pickups of Jazzes that I've tried.

 

I own an American Standard Jazz Bass ('99). It's a great bass - my first - and I love it to death. I'll never part with it (it has some sentimental value), but I got a chance to play a used '62 Reissue Jazz at a Sam Ash once and was amazed. It's funny because I can't even remember if I plugged it in - however, the thing that stood out the most to me was the 7.25"-radius fingerboard. My hands took to it like a glove and I loved it. I've been dying to get one since.

 

is this to be your only bass ? one reason I went with a new MIA jazz was the S-1 switch gave me some other tone options (P-like). now I'm ready to add a jazz with a more retro sound(flats) and look.I want the 62 reissue if I can or a least the 60's classic or maybe the japan model.

 

The 62 jazz has a curvier fingerboard, thicker-feeling neck, and likely a more vintage and subdued tone. Good stuff, but it's a matter of preference. It's also relatively expensive, so you have to decide if it's worth the extra cash.

 

Personally, I'd go with the standard. For several resons. 1: although I love the vintage beat up look, it seems more rewarding to have your bass end up like that after years of owning it. 2: If you do decide to gut the pickups for something new to fit your sound better, you dont feel guilty about killing a vintage instrument. 3: The newer necks have the reinforcement, which means you dont have to worry so much about it breaking or warping.

 

If I hadn't already bought a terrific 98 MIA Jazz, I'd get the 62 reissue in a New York minute and wouldn't think twice about the price differential or the S1 switch (which is useless IMHO) and the graphite (ditto). They are by far the best basses that Fender has ever produced since Leo owned the company.

 

$800? Over here it's like $250. In that case, your choice is clear! Get the American Standard and not the vintage reissue! The vintage reissue is only $250 greater, not $800 greater!

 

The do. They call it the "American Standard Jazz Bass"

 

I do believe that routing is still standard on the American Series. Not pretty without the pickguard.