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Best Jazz for the money?

#21
FuryZ - he did say he wanted a 5 string, so that pretty much rules out an original Fender Jazz ;)

For me, the choice would boil down to two basses - the Celinder update 5, or the Alleva Coppolo LM5.

If you are playing funk and only funk, then the Celinder might be the way to go, though they are difficult to find used, and dealing directly with Celinder is reportedly an adventure to say the least. There are a couple of U.S. dealers, and using their services would probably be wise.

If you are playing a variety of styles then the Alleva Coppolo would win hands down. It is an extraordinarily versatile instrument, and has a phenomenal passive sound. A wonderful instrument that is very hard to put down once played. I voted with my money on the AC basses.

Sadowskys are also excellent basses, but just not a vintage 70's vibe to my ear. Great craftsmanship and quality though.
 
#23
Thanks for all the Info, I've got a lot to think about now. But I just prefer active basses and the added attack provided by active pickups, and Celinder seems to be a bit on the difficult side when it actually comes down to it. Their site isn't operational and I've found one dealer of theirs, who just sold the only 4 string they have. So looks to me like it's either a Lakland, Sadowsky, Nordy, or Alleva Coppolo
 
#24
For me, it's a Sadowsky Metro UV70-5 with an ash body, a "harder" fretboard like maple or pau ferro, single coils, VTC, and the preamp bypassed. Used it would cost slightly over $2k, and closer to $3k new. Classic '70s tone in spades.

I'd also strongly consider the Celinder and Alleva models as well, though they're harder to find to try out. Nordys should be really high on your list too.

The Lakland DJ is a great model though they don't make a US version of the 5-string AFAIK. I used to own a Skyline DJ5 which was a REALLY good bass for the money, but I liked the sound, feel, and neck profile of the Sadowsky a little better. The only thing I don't like about my Metro UV70 is the weight -- 11 lbs. -- which actually probably helps contribute to that killer '70s tone.
 
#27
FuryZ said:
I wouldn't think you'd get a great vintage jazz sound with active pups. I don't know much about actives though, so is their some switch you can flick and you go passive?
Click to expand...

The pickups on all these J basses are passive. Some, like the Sadowsky, have an active preamp (battery powered) that sits between the pickups and the output jack. Most have a passive bypass switch that will result in the bass being totally passive, as if the preamp wasn't there. This is the case on the Sadowsky. However, as has been stated by a few here, even with the single coil pickup option and the bypass switch set to passive, to my ear the Sadowsky basses sound like Sadowsky's. You can even hear this when playing them unplugged. Pretty cool, and I love the tone, but I wouldn't call it 'vintage' in any way.
 
#28
Alright, well, then I've got a few other questions.

Which of these basses has the clearest mid range response? And I suppose by saying vintage 70's tone I was a bit misleading. More of the ability to emulate the sound, not necessarily the exact sound. I'd prefer to make it sing in many configurations, adjusting the tone as needed. So, rather than just focusing on the vintage aspect, which is the most versatile?
 
#29
Craithius said:
Alright, well, then I've got a few other questions.

Which of these basses has the clearest mid range response? And I suppose by saying vintage 70's tone I was a bit misleading. More of the ability to emulate the sound, not necessarily the exact sound. I'd prefer to make it sing in many configurations, adjusting the tone as needed. So, rather than just focusing on the vintage aspect, which is the most versatile?
Click to expand...

That would be a different question:D

Singing in many configurations, pseudo J tone when needed, lot's of mid punch when needed, won't break the bank:

IMO... one of Carey Norstrands Nordy J models with Fat Stack pickups with a coil tap switch, and possibly a Bartolini pre with bypass switch.

There's a LOT of sounds in those basses, and while they don't do the classic J sound to my ear, they get close enough, but allow for a big, fat mid humbucker tone also. They look similar to a J also. Carey also has some of the finest fretboards in the business... the Brazilian RW is the best I've seen, and the birsdeye maple is as good as any I've seen.

Nice stuff if you aren't a 'J fanatic', but just want a 'Jish' style instrument that, while in the J tone family, can do a lot else also.

IMO.
 
#30
KJung said:
That would be a different question:D

Singing in many configurations, pseudo J tone when needed, lot's of mid punch when needed, won't break the bank:

IMO... one of Carey Norstrands Nordy J models with Fat Stack pickups with a coil tap switch, and possibly a Bartolini pre with bypass switch.

There's a LOT of sounds in those basses, and while they don't do the classic J sound to my ear, they get close enough, but allow for a big, fat mid humbucker tone also. They look similar to a J also. Care also has some of the finest fretboards in the business... the Brazilian RW is the best I've seen, and the birsdeye maple is as good as any I've seen.

Nice stuff if you aren't a 'J fanatic', but just want a 'Jish' style instrument that, while in the J tone family, can do a lot else also.

IMO.
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree with Ken! Very nice basses! :)
 
#31
Over all, get what you think plays and sounds the best. Don't let someone tell you that "that is the bass for you" you tell them "this is the bass for me" when you find it. But I would suggest putting a Fodera NYC Bass in the mix of basses to check out.

Always keep in mind that opinions are like ********, everyone has one and they usually stink. Including mine.
 
#32
NYCBass said:
Over all, get what you think plays and sounds the best. Don't let someone tell you that "that is the bass for you" you tell them "this is the bass for me" when you find it. But I would suggest putting a Fodera NYC Bass in the mix of basses to check out.

Always keep in mind that opinions are like ********, everyone has one and they usually stink. Including mine.
Click to expand...

+1 of course, with any piece of gear. And, while I also find pure opinions (i.e., this is the 'best' J bass, or whatever) not very helpful, it is pretty easy to identify the 'amount of vintage J-ness versus more modern tonality' in all these fine basses, and describe the general tone and features of each.

For example, someone looking for a vintage 60's J bass tone would be VERY disappointed in a Celinder Update. Someone looking for a 70's J on Steroid tone would probably do better with a J other than an Alleva-Coppolo, etc., etc.

And, for those who say... I really want a Fender vintage tone... for the most part, Fender is probably the way to go:D

Since most would never get to try many if any of these, these sorts of discussion helped me out a lot when choosing my basses, since I was not able to try ANY of them before purchase.


However, again, +1.. if you have the rare opportunity to try ANY of these basses, you are lucky and obviously that will improve your purchase decision:)
 
#33
That's the issue with me being in Wisconsin with no access to these basses and a limited amount of time to actually get to Chicago (speaking of which, any good shops in the Chi town area?)

So, if it's going to be sight unseen, Nordy seems like it's going to be what I'm looking for, from what I've been told. However last I heard it was 14-16 month build time, so I still have a while to wait no matter how soon it's ordered.
 
#34
Craithius said:
That's the issue with me being in Wisconsin with no access to these basses and a limited amount of time to actually get to Chicago (speaking of which, any good shops in the Chi town area?)

So, if it's going to be sight unseen, Nordy seems like it's going to be what I'm looking for, from what I've been told. However last I heard it was 14-16 month build time, so I still have a while to wait no matter how soon it's ordered.
Click to expand...

Unless things have changed in the last few weeks, the Nordy build time is 3 months or so.
 
#35
roadkill2309 said:
Uh, a Sadowsky will get you an amazing Sadowsky tone, but for any sort of vintage tone, it's not necessarily the best go, beautiful as they may be. Don't forget to look at Lakland's jazzes, though. Both will get you a convincing Fender tone.
Click to expand...
Agreed,and that's to include the socalled UV 70's bass,IMO it didn't sound any different than the Modern Sadowsky
 
#37
dude dude dude, you are the perfect candidate for a Deluxe fender-squier jazz bass V. Has a great tone, rly fast neck , not too sure that you would call it a vintage tone but still sounds great really nice playing and well balanced, i still have mine and i love playing it. i think ww.basscentre.com.au will have some in stock still.
 
#40
I would agree that if you were to spend stupid money - just get a real 70s Fender.

Why not buy a Fender? Fender makes THE Jazz Bass. I am just not a boutique bass fan, especially really expensive copies of Fenders. If you want super goober OCD attention to detail get a Custom Shop. But personally I think they're for tutu wearing ... whatever.

Seriously, try it first whatever you get. I have played vintage 70s Fenders that i didn't like the sound of feel of at all. And others I loved. Each one is an individual and each one sounds different.

Out of owning a 74 P, 62 RI Jazz USA, 62 RI P MIJ, and extensively playing a 78 P I like my $400 Japanese model best. Find one that plays great first, then if you don't like the sound change the pickups (with other stock sized pickups of course).
 

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