Best overall jazz bass

[red_rhino]

I can only comment on jazz bases I've actually played: I played a Suhr at Gruhn in Nashville a couple years ago, and if I'd had $2,500 in my wallet I probably would have bought it.

Every builder mentioned so far makes a good or great jazz bass. There is no best.

Having owned or played quite a few of them, Suhr is high on my list. These are often overlooked and under appreciated. The jazz bass is a well-established, long-standing classic design. Higher-end builders make "tweaks" (some tweaks are greater than others) that may or may not be to a player's liking. But ultimately, it is the execution of the build to that classic design that defines a great jazz bass.

 

[gorneyg]

Once again...beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All depends on what a player likes, wants, can afford.
MAYBE what style of music you're playing but even that is debatable.

 

[groooooove]

depends on your definition of jazz bass, budget, then there are subjective matters.

for a factory made, non-boutique type of thing, a USA G&L is the best sounding that i've seen in person that i can recall. they're really not very expensive when you judge based on the tone.

fender would unfortunately be one of my last choices.

literally too many good choices to count.

 

[T-34]

I'm sure you've got the picture by now: it's all wildely different, depending on the person's tastes.

I'm not myself a Jazz Bass person (the body shape is not comfortable for me), but the best feeling and sounding Jazz Bass I've ever tested was an early 80's Fernandez. Lower than average build quality, maxed out truss rod and not-so-well done frets, but it sounded and felt great.

 

[Ace Of Bass]

Old, passive Fenders that have been played to death....

 

[funkinbottom]

If I was in the market for a new Jazz bass, I would most likely go with Maruszczyk. They offer many colors and finishes and tons of PU/ electronics and hardware options. As well as different scale lengths.

 

[Dave Leighton]

Again, a repeat of what many have said. This is somewhat subjective.

I have a 2013 AVRI 64 Jazz that is exceptional in every way. Fit and finish, electronics and playability. I have not played a Custom Shop but many have said this vintage of the AVRI is near to being comparable.

I also have a 2010 50th Anniversary Jazz that is right there...

Then there is the 70's Nash...

Very subjective

 

[tb-player]

Suhr Classic J, hands down... not just because I'm selling one. It's literally the punchiest and richest passive jazz I've ever owned (and I've owned quite a few).

 

[mattj1stc]

In terms of the original question, it's probably one of the many "better Fender" makers out there like Sadowsky, Lakland, etc.

 

[misterCRUSH]

I own a fretless fender jazz player series MIM> I've played a lot of basses but this is by far the best one i've ever played. I know that sometimes fenders are hit or miss. this was definitely a grand slam. I'm glad I didn't go for the way more expensive MIA. probably would have not been as happy. sometimes you just get lucky i guess. that being said, it didn't sound nearly as good when i first got it as it does now. so putting your own mojo on it and getting used to it's particular nuances makes a big difference too.

 

[Speakz]

Sandberg TT4 california, Sadowsky MetroExpress, are two of my favorites. I have the Sandberg and my Cousin has the Sadowsky. They have fast necks and lower action without dead spots from my experience. The radius on the Sandberg is flatter... 14" I believe. Modern makes with active preamp and noiseless pickups.

I also have a Warmoth build which his similar in quality for less money that my Luthier assembled for me. Slim J neck(rod reinforced roasted maple), Slim J body with Burst finish(1 piece figured alder), and then loller J pickups without preamp, Badass 2 style Gotoh bridge. I use Labella low tension flats and this is my very playable take on an 60's old school bass.

Your resale value would be better though with the first 2. I also like the Modulus J sound with Bartolini's but have never played one myself.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

in your opinion, who makes the best jazz bass and why? Experience or wish list. I'm not looking for Advise on what to get, just what you guys like

I just built this for myself.

 

[Killing Floor]

Wait, what happens if you play jazz with a thicker neck?

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Wait, what happens if you play jazz with a thicker neck?

Just feels more Precision Like.

 

[Killing Floor]

I just built this for myself. View attachment 3899486View attachment 3899487

That looks really cool. Big fan of the trans/milky white. Did you burn the stripes? Torch?

 

[EatS1stBassist]

That looks really cool. Big fan of the trans/milky white. Did you burn the stripes? Torch?

Yes. Then 9 coats of Tru-oil. Wrapping it in wire to do the flaming made little dents along the side of the fingerboard. Looks like cymbal dents. This neck had cracks in it so it looks reliced lol. But the neck is very stable. Yes I love the Antique White Stain. Has a great organic feel to it. That stain will yellow over time.

 

[pocket_groover]

Might be hard to come by these days but a Hamer Cruise bass from the mid-late 1990's is a great Jazz style bass! They are very affordable used. I think I saw one here in 2019 for $700. Great build, made in USA, and with the 2-tek bridge, cool sounds! Might be a bit heavy with the 2-tek though although I think the later ones had a 2-tek that was put on a diet.

Update: found some for sale by googling it. Here's one:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Just a note: Hamer sold a Korean made version that looks identical except for not having a matching headstock after the late 90's. Don't know how good these are.

 

[Dincrest]

I don't know about "best," but my favorite jazz bass I've ever played is easily my Carvin SB5000. Its feel and sound are "right" for me.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I don't care what brand it is as long as its a solid passive j bass and there's quite a few good ones. I have American std j basses from the early 00's that work great for me. I tried the passive G&L basses and also liked them. Warmoth is very good. Sadowsky is one of the most popular brands on the more expensive side, and they make great instruments. But again, I don't think it's rocket science to build a good J bass.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Dog,
I'm just curious, what does the OP's tonal goals and budget have to do with what type of Jazz You like?

057912

If he has a budget of $600, I would try to recommend something in that range.

Tonal goals are very important to pickup my an instrument. For instance, Sadowsky makes wonderful Jazz basses, but with their circuity, I wouldn't recommend it (certainly not their active one, which is their most iconic instrument) if OP wants a vintage tone.