Best jazz bass under $1000

[Malak the Mad]

Hey, shut up about the 2008-2016 American standards! (Best Fender build quality evah!)

Well, if one wants to get all "cork-sniffy" about it, two reasons I prefer the latter half of that time-frame is because of the CS60s pickups and the elegant curves in the bridge design.

That being said, the 2008-2011 MIA Standards would've been beneficiaries of Fender's across-the-board quality control overhaul, so they, too, must've been pretty damn sweet, ja?

 

[oreo speedwagon]

Do the Skylines tend to be a bit heavier?

 

[oreo speedwagon]

An under $300 Bacchus BJB1RSM are great enough and on pair to Fender Am Performer J.

View attachment 7530589

What is a Baccus?

 

[oreo speedwagon]

If you can assemble -- that's what I would do and I have routinely done so for me and for others. If not and we are talking passive, I would get a MIJ Fender (re-issue series or Aerodyne ) or a Bachus and call it a day. My workhorse is a Squire VM 5 but I made it active and upgraded many things and it is below 1K after all is said and done. EMG pickups and preamps and Hipshot plus fret leveling. I have played other Jazz Fives Locally and mine is really good not just because I am biased. It could be lighter but one cannot have everything

Thanks for the input. Why not just buy a a used USA model rather than putting that much $ into a Squier?

 

[MIJ Fender Guy]

Look for a used American Special Jazz Bass

 

[Malak the Mad]

Thanks for the input. Why not just buy a a used USA model rather than putting that much $ into a Squier?

While not all Squiers are equal in quality and reliability, there are some that are incredibly well made and great platforms to modify and/or experiment upon. I, myself, have assembled a number of Projekt basses that incorporate excellent Squier parts.

A great example is this Projekt Black Jazz I put together using an MIM Classic '70s Jazz body and a Squier Standard P-Bass Special (re: Jazz spec'd) neck. One evening, I got to let a serious gear-snob handle it. At first, he did not believe me when he asked if I'd modified the neck. First, I told him, "Nope. Except for the tuners, it's exactly as I got it." Then, I inflicted some perspective upon him…or, as I like to say, "I hit him upside the head with The Clue-by-Four";

"A good piece of wood is a good piece of wood…no matter it's country of origin."

 

[logdrum]

Thanks for the input. Why not just buy a a used USA model rather than putting that much $ into a Squier?

I want to keep under a certain $ -- 300 for the Squier and already had a pro fret job. I also have never done an active 5 upgrade. about 300 for pickups nad preamp and another 160 for the bridge and tuners. HAve you looked at how much active MIA or even MIM active 5 costs? No one is going to sell a passive American V for under 1500 and would probably not have a fret job.

 

[BuffaloBass]

How’s the weight on the Skylines? Heavy?

OREO, mine is swamp ash so it tips at over 10 lbs. Yet, with the Aero Alinco pickups that really let the swamp ash bottom shine through, its more vintage jazz than vintage jazzes are. PS its the 5 string in my avatar.

For light weight i picked up a M-I-J Aerodyne PJ 4 which is really nice and light. Its basswood body is one of the good ones giving booty and mongo sustain. Also, you maybe able to find a used boutique light j4 in the classifieds here. I had two Valente J5s and both were very light.

Here is sample from our classifieds ( where i have purchased all my basses actually)

For sale Fender JP-90

Early 90’s

• ghpdb20 (+5 /0 /-0)
• May 6, 2026
• Updated Yesterday at 10:23 AM
• Views: 1K
• Reaction score: 3
• Comments: 3
• Category: For Sale: Bass Guitars

$900.00

3 watching

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Well, if one wants to get all "cork-sniffy" about it, two reasons I prefer the latter half of that time-frame is because of the CS60s pickups and the elegant curves in the bridge design.

That being said, the 2008-2011 MIA Standards would've been beneficiaries of Fender's across-the-board quality control overhaul, so they, too, must've been pretty damn sweet, ja?

Oh, I do want to get cork-sniffy! I had a 2013 that was marvelous. I cannot for the life of me remember how it was that I sold it.