I’m wanting to add a Jazz bass to my lineup and wanting a JJ setup. What is some of the best basses out there in the $2000 and less range?
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Best 5 string Jazz bass under $2000
- Thread starter Bassworship1
- Start date
I don't think there's a better bang for the buck than the Kiesel JB5. American made, with pretty much every good modernization you can think of
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Not a traditional Jazz bass design, but I'm going warwick thumb.
kiesel for sure. i replaced my 70's f bass vf5 with an ash/maple carvin jb5 and havent missed the f bass. they default 70's spacing, but 60's is an option if you order.
Used Sadowsky or Fender Elite or Roscoe Beck .
Sire can be had new for way less money.
Sire can be had new for way less money.
Lots of basses in that range, especially used: Fender, Sadowsky, maybe even a Lull. Lakland makes a great line of Jazz basses if you like 35" scale. Dark horse candidate: If you can find a used Wilkins bass in that range you would likely be very, very, very, very happy.
Lull, AtelierZ, Fender Elite, Roscoe, Lakland, Kiesel, Sadowsky Metro, Bacchus, Pedulla Rapture, Bassmods. On tad pricier side of things maybe F Bass or Nordy. Sometimes I think there's more of those who make J basses than those who don't!
Lot's of great options out there in that price range. If I were in your situation, I probably would go for a used Sadowsky. I've owned a Metro and currently own a NYC. Both have been great basses. One note, I really prefer single coils. This option might be difficult to come by in a used Metro. If I recall, most Metros have the Sadowsky Hum Cancelling pickups. You might prefer the HC's over the SC's, which would make this point moot, but I thought I would mention it.
All this being said, there have been great suggestions in this thread. I hope you find an awesome jazz bass.
Happy Hunting,
Bones
All this being said, there have been great suggestions in this thread. I hope you find an awesome jazz bass.
Happy Hunting,
Bones
I've got a Bacchus Woodline 5 with Sadowksy pickups and a Nordstrand preamp. Paid half of your budget. I would do that again in a heartbeat.
Shop well, and you can find a previously owned Mike Lull in that price range.
If you are talking new or used Keisel or Carvin, it will be very hard to beat the quality. Keisel’s are heavier than boutiques, but you can have them chambered for a $500 upcharge. In terms of wood work, fret work and electronics, Keisel is just as good head to head as any bass I have played, and I have played a lot of basses.
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Nobody mentioned Xotic yet, they make some slick J basses that are in that range used
For new, G&L JB-5 and Sandberg spring to mind. I have the G&L with a lightweight empress body, and it sounds great. I wish it had the optional 12" radius instead of the standard 9.5" though, and I might sell it to get a J5 with a flatter fretboard.
Love my MIJ Sadowsky Metro Express 5 string J. $1975 brand new.
Worth considering also is a Moollon J-Classic V. They are very well crafted instruments and hard to beat for a vintage Jazz Bass vibe in a 5-string. I've had mine about five years. There aren't a lot of them floating around, but occasionally they pop up used. Ballpark used price seems to be $1700 - $2000.
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