Better sounding than a AVRI Jazz?

[Bass4ThePublic]

“Better sounding than a AVRI Jazz Bass?”. Having owned a couple, both AVRI 64’s, there’s probably not much out there besides a AVRI P that sounds objectively better. My favorite Jazz Bass I’ve ever owned was a AVRI 64 in Lake Placid Blue with really old flats on it. Maybe get new pickups or a new pedal?

 

[Madcity Fats]

I get the idea of wanting to "step up" in quality and/or tone or whatever, but since "better" is going to mean a thousand things to a thousand different people, and since no two basses are going to sound 100% identical even if they're the same model (wood is funny that way), the only way you're really going to know for sure is if you get your hands on a particular bass so you can compare it to your '75 before you buy. I spent some time (and money) chasing down the "perfect" (for me) P bass, but I went into it with the understanding that not every instrument was necessarily going to click and that I might be resigned to flipping a few before finding "the one." This is why I generally look for deals and try to buy used.

Also, my advice would be not to get too hung up on brands or models. I have two sweet P basses at the moment and one of them is a a first year MIJ Squier which is honestly nicer than a '62 AVRI I previously owned. Sleepers come in all shapes and forms.

 

[SJan3]

Correct, if it's just about GASsing for a new bass. But my inquiry has more to do with whether any of the basses above is an improvement in sound and quality over wt I have.

Different? Perhaps.
Better? You be the judge.

 

[denton57]

For me, it’s broken in Pyramid flats wired in series. I have owned a few RI, AVRI, etc Jazzes from an 89 up to a 13. 60’s and 70’s styles. With the exception of a Nash J that was just killer, my fav is my current Sonic Blue AO. I don’t know, I guess it’s the beefy neck and radius but wired in series with those flats, it’s the best sounding Jazz I’ve owned to date. So smooth and thick sounding. Being a P guy for the past several years, it’s always been a challenge for me to keep a J even though they are just beautiful. Felt like I was missing my P when playing one. Not now. It’s a keeper for sure. I’m not even switching to Lollars like I usually do...this bass is not getting touched. So...keep what you have and try wiring in series and maybe some flats like Pyramids? They do need a couple months to get to that special tone.

That said, I just picked up an Oly white AO and it is a killer in every way. Trying real hard to knock the zing off the new Pyramids on it.

I guess I’m one of the few that like the AO series the best out of all of them

 

[brushfirewolf]

I personally voted for another US made Fender because I was just at GC in the market for a jazz bass. They had a 2007 AVRI for $1600 and a brand new American Pro II for $1500. I walked out with the Am Pro II.

That said, I doubt you'll find much in another Fender jazz that you don't already get out of your current bass. Of course how much you value that money is subjective.

 

[Ace Of Bass]

If buying a bass is something you want to do you should do it. It’s a luxury purchase. There’s no rational justification beyond that that matters. It’s your money. You have a high quality, expensive bass. I don’t know what you’d get out of another one besides satisfying an urge to buy one.

Truer words have never been spoken..!