I had a 2011 AVRI 75 Jazz That was an amazing bass. Covin made me sell it. But that was the nicest Jazz Bass I have ever owned !
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Better sounding than a AVRI Jazz?
- Thread starter Basso Elettrico
- Start date
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,060
- 38,448
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
I had a '62 AVRI Jazz Nice enough bass, I gave it to my son. I like my Roadworn Jazz much better. Go figure.
IMO, set up the way you like it with your favorite strings, no J-bass (or really any bass) will sound "better"; whatever you might replace it with or supplement it with will at most sound different. Meanwhile, you have an extremely desirable pro-grade Fender Jazz that will only appreciate in value. Owning it costs nothing.
I would not sell it ever unless I needed to cash out. One thing I know for certain, the day you sell it is the day you'll regret doing that. Unfortunately, I speak from experience.
Best plan: play a bunch of other basses and add one you really like to the collection or stand pat.
I would not sell it ever unless I needed to cash out. One thing I know for certain, the day you sell it is the day you'll regret doing that. Unfortunately, I speak from experience.
Best plan: play a bunch of other basses and add one you really like to the collection or stand pat.
Thanks. I already have a EBMM Stingray which I love. I don't own a Rick but it is on my GAS list.
As far as actives, I have a German Warwick Corvette which sounds great that I'm selling as well as a Korean made MTD.
I'm sorry you had to sell a nice piece of gear… I can sympathize as I sold stuff this year too; just not my Fenders though.
The roundwound crowd is definitely bigger on all bass types, but the flat folks are very vocal about their preferences.
If I had to choose from the list, I'd pick the one the OP already has.
If I could choose something "better" I'd pick Bluesman vintage. Best Fender shaped thing I ever played
If I could choose something "better" I'd pick Bluesman vintage. Best Fender shaped thing I ever played
I totally get your reasoning for looking at other basses, nothing wrong with wanting to continually upgrade just because you want to. That being said, especially since you like this bass, you're in the range where all of the differences are preference and not "upgrades". But that doesn't mean there's another Jazz for around the same price, +/- that fits you better. I think for the budget you're looking at, you should try to find some time to get to a place that has a bunch of basses that you can try to get an idea of it you want to pursue another Jazz or if you still prefer your bass over the others.
I've got an AVRI '64 Jazz, AVRI '63 P, US Geddy, and MM Stingray Special 4H, so I'll offer up my opinion. I feel the AVRI series basses are the best production basses Fender has ever produced. Much higher quality than the Am. Standard series and higher quality than the current AO offerings. I have no evidence to the effect, but I think the AVRI series margins were 'too narrow' for Fender, hence the more streamlined AO.
I've been playing my US Geddy for several months now and it is absolutely phenomenal. From a quality perspective, I think it is just a notch down from the AVRI and MM SR Special, but not by much.
Each of my basses have a unique thing I'm targeting - flats on the '63 P, flats on the '64 jazz, rounds on the US Geddy, and rounds on the MM. All have a unique tonal pallet, so I can't say I necessarily prefer one over the other - it's whatever paint brush I need to use (or camera lense, etc).
From your list, the Geddy will be similar to the AVRI '75 and a pickup change (i.e. Brantleys in both) would be pretty indistinguishable. In my humble opinion, the Adam Clayton is no more than lip stick on an American Standard (or Pro, Pro II, etc) bass - mostly aesthetics, so I don't see the value or 'improvement' there. It will be a step down in quality from the AVRI '75.
If I were you, I would regard the AVRI '75 as its own thing and look to add basses that create a different tonal pallet - it seems you are already on that path. That being said, there are tons of folks who like multiples of similar style basses and that's perfectly fine too.
Regardless, enjoyed the thread and hope you continue playing in good health!
I've been playing my US Geddy for several months now and it is absolutely phenomenal. From a quality perspective, I think it is just a notch down from the AVRI and MM SR Special, but not by much.
Each of my basses have a unique thing I'm targeting - flats on the '63 P, flats on the '64 jazz, rounds on the US Geddy, and rounds on the MM. All have a unique tonal pallet, so I can't say I necessarily prefer one over the other - it's whatever paint brush I need to use (or camera lense, etc).
From your list, the Geddy will be similar to the AVRI '75 and a pickup change (i.e. Brantleys in both) would be pretty indistinguishable. In my humble opinion, the Adam Clayton is no more than lip stick on an American Standard (or Pro, Pro II, etc) bass - mostly aesthetics, so I don't see the value or 'improvement' there. It will be a step down in quality from the AVRI '75.
If I were you, I would regard the AVRI '75 as its own thing and look to add basses that create a different tonal pallet - it seems you are already on that path. That being said, there are tons of folks who like multiples of similar style basses and that's perfectly fine too.
Regardless, enjoyed the thread and hope you continue playing in good health!
None of the others are going to be a big difference in tone or big difference in weight or the neck profile. There will be some difference, but those are all Jazz Basses built by Fender, who is carefully making small changes to the basic recipe to offer a lot of choice.
Think of changing bait every so often while fishing to get a different fish to take the hook. So they offer 10 or 15 versions of that body shape and that skinny neck in a wide array of wood/neck combinations, varying electronics, different keys, bridges, and different colors and finishes (what the hell, they'll do a wonderful paint job, then 'distress' it to make it look like it's been in a bar for 20 years then fell off the truck, and charge EXTRA for that . . . ) to get somebody to take the hook on one of them. So you'll say, 'THIS one's MINE' even though . . . . it's really like thousands of them. Every smart marketer of any product does the same thing.
You have GAS. Get it bad enough, and you can justify anything. And that's OK. If you had the other two in front of you and all afternoon to A/B them with your current axe, this one might be a bit lighter, this one would have a somewhat different tone, the neck on this other one might suit you a bit better, but I really doubt any of them (good choices all) are going to be anything more than a variation on what you already have.
Get you another one, certainly, but I'd also advise to keep the AVRI and buy the one that you feel offers you a real alternative to it.
Think of changing bait every so often while fishing to get a different fish to take the hook. So they offer 10 or 15 versions of that body shape and that skinny neck in a wide array of wood/neck combinations, varying electronics, different keys, bridges, and different colors and finishes (what the hell, they'll do a wonderful paint job, then 'distress' it to make it look like it's been in a bar for 20 years then fell off the truck, and charge EXTRA for that . . . ) to get somebody to take the hook on one of them. So you'll say, 'THIS one's MINE' even though . . . . it's really like thousands of them. Every smart marketer of any product does the same thing.
You have GAS. Get it bad enough, and you can justify anything. And that's OK. If you had the other two in front of you and all afternoon to A/B them with your current axe, this one might be a bit lighter, this one would have a somewhat different tone, the neck on this other one might suit you a bit better, but I really doubt any of them (good choices all) are going to be anything more than a variation on what you already have.
Get you another one, certainly, but I'd also advise to keep the AVRI and buy the one that you feel offers you a real alternative to it.
Serious food for thoughtI learnt a long time ago that when you have a keeper, you never let go. The grass is rarely greener.
My current main player is a 2016 USA Jazz. One of the last 'American Standard' models with the CS pickups. 3TS, tort pickguard and rosewood fingerboard. Currently strung with SIT Foundations.
Killer bass.
My current main player is a 2016 USA Jazz. One of the last 'American Standard' models with the CS pickups. 3TS, tort pickguard and rosewood fingerboard. Currently strung with SIT Foundations.
Killer bass.
I preferred my 75 to my Adam Clayton but it's just preference 70s vs 60s spacing and ash vs alder. For me ash/70s wins but others feel opposite
That AVRI of yours is an awesome bass. I would keep it.
Of the ones you mention, the Geddy IME sounds different…mine is the most trebly, zingy JB I've heard, to the point of untamable. But that's the sound I like, so I keep it. Not a better sound for many people, just different.
I agree with some of the other posters. Keep that one, and get a 60s style JB for a different sound and feel. Maybe even put flats on it.
Of the ones you mention, the Geddy IME sounds different…mine is the most trebly, zingy JB I've heard, to the point of untamable. But that's the sound I like, so I keep it. Not a better sound for many people, just different.
I agree with some of the other posters. Keep that one, and get a 60s style JB for a different sound and feel. Maybe even put flats on it.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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Nothing but a 60's jazz would be an improvement on that. I'd look for a Mexican 60 RI. Mine was awesome.
And they're like 500 bucks.
70's jazzes are cool. They're more scooped, with more bite. But, it's hard to beat the smooth, quirky, beef of a 60s jazz. You have a great 70s, get a great 60s.
