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Best overall jazz bass
- Thread starter Bassmantd
- Start date
- May 15, 2007
- 344
- 465
- Disclosures
- Owner RAD Repairs and RAD Engineering ,guitar, bass, and amp repair and limited custom instrument and amp building.
Fender USA Geddy Lee Jazz Bass. I've played many Jazz basses. It is the best of all I have played.
LOL...the original of course - Fender. They have to be the best because they made both of mine. I had a '65 Jazz that I bought in 1966 and was stolen in '76. I toured with that bass and loved it. Finally in '85 I found an '82 Jazz with the same neck profile and bought it. It has a maple neck, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. Come to find out it also has a ton more sustain and will growl like crazy if I dig in over the bridge pickup. My '65 did that too, but not quite like my '82. Been playing that since 1985.
Warmoth. You can get top quality US made equipment to your specs with your wood and finish choices for about 1/4 what you'd pay for a NYC Sadowsky (Typically less that the price of a carbon copy US Fender). The only catch is, you have to assemble and set it up yourself (or pay someone to do it).
Fender Roscoe Beck V: beautiful passive mid-60's Jazz Bass tone, awesome build quality (some argue Fender's finest) plus switchable humbucking option, 5-string with good spacing, extra 2 frets
I'd say an option-order G&L JB. Tons of options to customize to your heart's contentment and doesn't wipe out the savings account.
That's a tough question...so many great builders. And do you want passive or active
Once you find the right Fender and it's set up to your specs you should be good to go ... but that's no fun ...
I have a 73 Fender and it's perfect.
I also have a Lull and that's an awesome instrument.
I have A SUHR and that is also awesome.
I have a G&L that I did some pickup swapping and that is a great bass.. under 8 lbs...
As mentioned it all depends on what you're looking for and what your budget is.
If you have mega dollars hunt down a vintage pre CBS Fender Jazz...
Once you find the right Fender and it's set up to your specs you should be good to go ... but that's no fun ...
I have a 73 Fender and it's perfect.
I also have a Lull and that's an awesome instrument.
I have A SUHR and that is also awesome.
I have a G&L that I did some pickup swapping and that is a great bass.. under 8 lbs...
As mentioned it all depends on what you're looking for and what your budget is.
If you have mega dollars hunt down a vintage pre CBS Fender Jazz...
I'm kind of with Shawn on this one. I sold my Fender Jazz once I got a Peavey Foundation (for a fraction of the price) and got to play and hear them side by side.
Having played most of the lines noted here and others I would have to say the Sadowsky NYCs are the finest Jazz basses money can buy - with Fender Custom Shop holding down the #2 slot.
