Best Jazz Bass I've Played

[One Drop]

Imo, the MIMs are thin and unsubstantial. MIA's beat them any day i think. After playing numerous basses when i first bought my MIA, it sounded so much better, but it also had a better finish. The fretboards on MIMs looks a bit stained, whereas the fretboards on MIAs feel like the real deal. Sorry, just my opinion

Not all MIM basses are created equal.

 

[spiritbass]

I hope you can join the fortunate minority of the employed soon. The best jazz I've played so far was made in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

 

[KingRazor]

Imo, the MIMs are thin and unsubstantial. MIA's beat them any day i think. After playing numerous basses when i first bought my MIA, it sounded so much better, but it also had a better finish. The fretboards on MIMs looks a bit stained, whereas the fretboards on MIAs feel like the real deal. Sorry, just my opinion

You know, I've never understood comments about the quality of finish on basses. They all seem the same to me. I can't notice any difference between the finishes on American Standard basses and Squiers, or even SX basses. It's all either gloss or matte to me. At least in regards to body finishes.


Neck finishes? Those are a completely different story. I can feel major differences in neck finishes because some of them hinder playability. The quality of the neck finish on that MIM Jazz I mentioned in the OP had a neck finish on par or better than any American-made Fender I've ever played.

 

[groooooove]

That's because you didn't played mine, that would be your favorite .

or mine

 

[Communist_Frank]

I've got a MIM Deluxe Jazz with a squire neck. That thing plays better than most MIA I've experienced. However, I probably got lucky. I'd guess that your odds of getting a great bass are going to be higher with a MIA, but if your willing to drive around town and play ever MIM, you're going to come home with a killer bass for half the price.

 

[shoot-r]

The other day I went to my local music shop and played an MIM Fender Jazz bass...and it was amazing!

I've played like around a dozen Jazz basses in the past 2 or 3 years and this one was by far the best, better than any MIA I played.

The neck was extremely comfortable. Felt smaller than most other Jazz basses. The bass felt pretty light overall. Much lighter than my SX P bass.

Only problem it had was it had some fret buzz, but I think a new bass should always get a setup.

If I had had the money I would have snatched that up right away. But I don't have the money, or a job. So it was out of the question.

+1!

Judge a instrument with your ears and hands...not your eyes!
And don't worry about where it was built...good is good.

I've a 1964 Fender Jazz that I got in 1972 and a 1-1/2 year old MIM R.W. Fender Jazz.........the MIM R.W. is the go to bass.

 

[sninja]

The best jazz I've tried is my 1984 Squier japanese-made JV jazz bass!!! It has this classic vibe and tons of growly sound inside) Killer bass!

 

[Needenaneden]

No votes for a Fender Road Worn jazz? I'm going to pick one up soon. For $1000 I found it to be pretty amazing.

 

[Lou Bottini]

What was it about the Jazz you liked so much? If it was the neck feel you can change yours out for a Jazz sized neck easily. The bass in my avatar started out as a 1972 "A" Precision neck; the smallest one I have seen. Dan Ransom built the body, a few choice parts and a beautiful finish from Pat Wilkins...wala. My favorite go to bass.

 

[PluckyThump]

As far as Fenders, country of origin seems to have very little to do with "keepers".

This has been my experience with Fenders as well.

 

[JIO]

What was it about the Jazz you liked so much? If it was the neck feel you can change yours out for a Jazz sized neck easily. The bass in my avatar started out as a 1972 "A" Precision neck; the smallest one I have seen. Dan Ransom built the body, a few choice parts and a beautiful finish from Pat Wilkins...wala. My favorite go to bass.

+1!

 

[Jim Carr]

The other day I went to my local music shop and played an MIM Fender Jazz bass...and it was amazing! played like around a dozen Jazz basses in the past 2 or 3 years and this one was by far the best, better than any MIA I played.
The neck was extremely comfortable. Felt smaller than most other Jazz basses. The bass felt pretty light overall. Much lighter than my SX P bass. Only problem it had was it had some fret buzz, but I think a new bass should always get a setup.

If I had had the money I would have snatched that up right away. But I don't have the money, or a job. So it was out of the question.

All of us have had similar experiences. Especially since the great recession has made times hard for so many families. You have my sympathy concerning employment and cash to spend. My advice is to keep looking for work, and keep playing and practicing for the day you can afford the bass you want. That day will be here soon, God willing.

 

[Jim Carr]

No votes for a Fender Road Worn jazz? I'm going to pick one up soon. For $1000 I found it to be pretty amazing.

I have long loved the RW Jazz, and have two—kept in two distant places. They are great basses. Prices in the US for used ones are usually around ~$700. I even got a new one two years ago for ~$860. $1000 seems high—just sayin.

 

[KingRazor]

Haven't seen this thread in a while! Curious why the necro post sninja?

Still haven't played another Jazz like the one I mentioned in the OP. Wish I could have afforded it at the time, but I couldn't. Still can't.

 

[KingRazor]

What was it about the Jazz you liked so much? If it was the neck feel you can change yours out for a Jazz sized neck easily. The bass in my avatar started out as a 1972 "A" Precision neck; the smallest one I have seen. Dan Ransom built the body, a few choice parts and a beautiful finish from Pat Wilkins...wala. My favorite go to bass.

I loved the neck. But I like P necks, too.

 

[Bass Fund]

The best Jazz basses I've had my hands on:

late 80's Schecter J copy
Fender Jazz Plus -smaller body, Lace and Kubicki, boutique bridge

 

[zachoff]

I love my Reverend, but it's not "technically" a Jazz bass. I also love the MIJ Jag I got to play a couple years ago, but it's not "technically" a Jazz bass either. Dunno why, but I've not felt the mojo from a Fender Jazz. :shrug:

 

[Robus]

When I bought my Jazz, I played every US and MIM Jazz in both the local GCs and the Sam Ash. I was hoping I would like one of the Mexicans but none really spoke to me. Wound up getting a deal on a 2011 American Standard. I paid about 50% more than a new MIM would have cost. Is it 50% better? For the pickups, fretwork, and graphite reinforced neck, no question about it.

 

[Rusty G String]

I picked up an '07 MIM jazz a couple months ago. I leveled the feeds and play aggressively with string height at 2mm on the A D G and 2.8 on the E with no buzz at all anymore. My Squier Standard is the same also, but doesn't sound as good. I love the MIM jazz, but of the 20 I played, they're were a lot of differences. This one was just right.

 

[eldoryder]

I love my 2012 Squier Vintage Modified 70s Jazz! It's not quite the same as my former 2011 Fender AVRI 75 Jazz, but it sure looks like her, and sounds very good to me, especially with Fender 9050CL SS flats on it. I got it used for $200, and I gotta tell ya, the AVRI 75 Jazz did NOT feel and play and sound eight times better than this Squier VM!

If you want to have great Jazz tone on a budget, I seriously doubt you can beat the Squier VM70s Jazz.