Better sounding than a AVRI Jazz?

[Basso Elettrico]

I truly appreciate the different points of view here. You don't disappoint!
Especially because I can learn something by listening to things that are different than I expected.

 

[Basso Elettrico]

I say keep the AVRI 75 and get a 60's style so you can have the best of both worlds. No that there's a huge trend in steering away from Fender, there are other companies that are taking a more detailed approach to the Jazz bass as compared to a mass manufactured version.
I would even recommend Sire for a more reasonably priced bass with great features and build quality, endorsed by Marcus Miller. G&L, Sadowsky, Lull, and Lakland are also great choices.

Are the MMiller Sires made in USA?

 

[Spirit of Ox]

Are the MMiller Sires made in USA?

No, not US made, but still good quality

 

[2F/2F]

None of that.

Keep your J. Add a '60s style P.

 

[Basso Elettrico]

None of that.

Keep your J. Add a '60s style P.

Could you give me a particular example (model)?

 

[Basso Elettrico]

I say keep the AVRI 75 and get a 60's style so you can have the best of both worlds. No that there's a huge trend in steering away from Fender, there are other companies that are taking a more detailed approach to the Jazz bass as compared to a mass manufactured version.
I would even recommend Sire for a more reasonably priced bass with great features and build quality, endorsed by Marcus Miller. G&L, Sadowsky, Lull, and Lakland are also great choices.

Took a quick gander at exames of Sadowskys and Lulls - I'd need to sell 2 or 1.5 of my basses to get to that price level it looks like

 

[micguy]

You're comparing a bunch of very similar basses - individual variation is as important as the small spec variations. There is no logical answer but to play them and judge them yourself.

 

[jd56hawk]

I seriously doubt any of those would sound better.
I'm thinking you just need new strings.

I have these on two of my Jazz basses and they sound much better because of it.

 

[Basso Elettrico]

I seriously doubt any of those would sound better.
I'm thinking you just need new strings.
View attachment 4514261
I have these on two of my Jazz basses and they sound much better because of it.

I don't dislike how my AVRI sounds. I just wonder if I can improve by hypothetically replacing with/adding one of the above mentioned. But I am open to trying on new strings; thanks for that

 

[pfschim]

not sure you can really expect useful input about "better" because that really depends on your judgement of the tone you want for the music you're playing.
"Different" maybe, but as someone already said, a Jazz bass is pretty much going to sound like a Jazz bass .... and FWIW, I'm a life-long, satisfied player of Jazz basses.

Your AVRI looks great and it sounds like you like it, so I'd say your time would be better spent by playing the heck out of it and not imagining that the grass is greener etc etc

enjoy!

 

[ThudThudThud]

Didn't I see someone selling an actual 1975 Jazz in the classifieds?
My bet is that it would sound pretty good.
If you have the $4000 to spend.

 

[jd56hawk]

I don't dislike how my AVRI sounds. I just wonder if I can improve by hypothetically replacing with/adding one of the above mentioned. But I am open to trying on new strings; thanks for that

You're welcome.
If your bass sounds as good as it looks, just a string change might work wonders.
Most people will say stick with roundwounds, but I usually think it's better to not be part of the crowd.

 

[brianrost]

Poor Adam Clayton...I almost gave him a sympathy vote

 

[Tubehed]

That is a beautiful bass! You know the saying about the grass always being greener...

 

[SLO Surfer]

You've got a sweet Jazz Bass and Nice P Bass. Get a EBMM, or a Rick, or a more modern sounding active bass. Plenty to be had in your $2k range.

 

[Grinderman]

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the question but it seems to me there's an unbridgeable amount of subjectivity and randomness involved with this subject.

 

[micguy]

Most people will say stick with roundwounds, but I usually think it's better to not be part of the crowd.

There's a flats crowd here as well. Not sure how you'd avoid being part of a crowd when it comes to strings.

 

[alembicbones]

You have a great bass so there really isn't a reason to change. However, I'm a big fan of the 60th Anniversary Jazz Bass (not the MIM relic but the MIA in Arctic Pearl). It's basically a mash up of a '60 body and a '66 neck (minus the lollipop tuners). Stack VTVT knobs and 60's goodness. When I play a 4 string, it's my go to bass. There are probably some still out in the wild and if the 50th Anniversary model is any indication, it should appreciate in value due to the limited production.

Bones

 

[jd56hawk]

There's a flats crowd here as well. Not sure how you'd avoid being part of a crowd when it comes to strings.

Sure, but when it comes to the Jazz bass I'd be willing to bet a week's salary that the roundwound crowd is far bigger than a smattering of flatwound/tapewound people

 

[ChickWithaRic]

So I'm no different than all or most of you in that I get GAS a lot...

Not to the point that I could be considered a crazy flipper, but more like someone who looks to increase the level of quality/desirability of the gear I own (I'll buy and I sell when there are good opportunities to acquire nicer stuff); within reason, meaning I don't go crazy like doubling the price of my most expensive instrument - dos that make sense?

I have this guy in the photo (made in 2007 US Fender J '75 AVRI), and I'd like to draw on your experience to find out if any of these basses would be a reasonable or big improvement:

1) US Geddy Lee Jazz (not string-through body)

2) Adam Clayton (Sherwood Green Metallic; string-through body) Jazz

3) Other comparable ($2,000 range) made in US Jazz

I also have a 2012 American Std Fender P with flats (string through body), and a MIM Fender P/J which I love the neck and playability.

View attachment 4513970

You already have the most beautiful, iconic, color combination of any J ever made. Natural ash body, maple fretboard, black blocks, black pickguard... the only possible improvement you could make is a black Pearloid three layer pickguard. Maybe a Babicz bridge and Hipshot knobs for tasteful, understated, but entirely practical, glitter on top.

If it were me looking for a new one, I'd do the same again, and pick from the top of Fender's MiA shop. You'll never lose money on it, and you know you'll love it.