buying a bass tomorrow - need opinions!!

[pendergasta]

Hi guys, I'm buying a new bass tomorrowhyper, and I need your opinions to help me decide which one. I have two options for used basses to pick up. I'm a rock kind of guy, but play some country and oldies in a band. I want something that is versatile and can handle Green Day to Skynyrd to Toby Keith. I like the p-bass style sound, but LOVE the feel of a jazz bass....
Soooo.. here are my options:

1. Buy a near-mint condition 2006 MIM Jazz bass for $250 and spend an extra $100 to hot-rod it with some new pickups later.

-OR-

2. Buy a good condition late model Highway 1 P-bass for $400 and call it a day.


ANY input is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!
Aaron

 

[bassaficionado6]

Which one do you like the feel of better?

 

[pendergasta]

Definitely like the feel of the Jazz bass better, I just don't know that I can get the sound that I need out of it. I haven't had the opportunity to play it "in the mix" with other musicians....

 

[tom e smith]

Check out the Fender Jaguar Bass. Best of both worlds.

 

[smogg]

play both through your amp and cab and pick the one that WOWS you.

 

[arthurzen]

I've never played a Highway 1, but I'll recommend it just because I really don't like Jazz basses (Mexican or American)

Don't like the neck, pickups, body shape, the whole dang thing. But that is just my personal opinion, which shouldn't mean anything in your purchase: Buy the one you feel more comfortable with.

Suggestion: If you're going to buy a Mexican Jazz, why not a Mexican P?

 

[pendergasta]

arthurzen -- The reason I'm thinking a jazz over p is because I've played both in the guitar store, and REALLY preferred the feel of the jazz bass over the p.

 

[pendergasta]

Also wanted to add - These are both private sale so I don't have the luxury of trying them side by side in a store...

 

[arthurzen]

The reason I'm thinking a jazz over p is because I've played both in the guitar store, and REALLY preferred the feel of the jazz bass over the p

I think you just answered your question...Go for the Jazz!

 

[mcm]

HIGHWAYS ARE GOOD DEALS. IF YOU PLAY ROCK N ROLL, YOU GOT TO HAVE A P!

 

[MtManiac]

Get the highway one, much better instrument - graphite reinforced neck, no need to mod, etc. You cannot go wrong with a good P bass.

Post pics, whichever way you go!!

 

[steveinohio]

Either. Good deal on both. If your first instinct says the Jazz, go Jazz. You dont want to have second thoughts.

 

[Dbassmon]

Both classic sounds. I find the Jazz bass more versatile and easier to play. Pbass sits so well in any mix. You really can not go wrong either way.

 

[pendergasta]

Thanks guys! Now I'm more confused than ever!!

I've heard the Highway 1 P-bass has a slightly thinner neck than the americans. Anyone else heard this??

 

[Asomodai]

Go for a Aerodyne. Thats P-J with a Jazz bass neck. Just roll the jazz pup off.

 

[gnergaard]

But if you like the feel of the jazz, buy it. You are right to change the pickups out, though. If the bass feels better to you then odds are that you'll sound better playing it. You are looking at a rosewood fretboard, right? If you want a jazz bass to sound dark rosewood really helps (rather than maple) in my opinion.
I use an old 60's jazz bass for some fairly country stuff all the time. If you want some more thud, favor the neck pickup slightly and roll off some highs with the tone control. Better yet, use flats or 1/2 wound/ground wound strings. Or use 1-2 year old roundwounds like I do, that is until they get 'pitchy' ( ;
I feel that I can also play rock, funk, jazz, blues, etc. on a jazz bass equally well. With the right pickups they really do sit in any mix nicely. But please don't interpret this as a slam on the p-bass sound. Every now and again I wish I owned one, too.
For about the same price as the Highway 1 Pbass you are considering I'd also recommend some of the Japanesse re-issue jazz (or P) basses out there. They are really, really good.
In any case, you have two solid, affordable, classic choices. Have fun!

 

[bassmanrocke]

If you find a Precision Special it will have a PJ pickup set with a Jazz profile neck.

 

[gnergaard]

Go for a Aerodyne. Thats P-J with a Jazz bass neck. Just roll the jazz pup off.

I don't know if I've ever played an aerodyne model but I have seen some fenders out there with jazz necks, precision bodies and both p and j pickups that really cover a lot of ground.
Maybe I saw the Tony Franklin model? But that's a precision neck...hmmm. Probably priced well out of the range of the original post, anyway. The contoured, slim body and the active pickups/preamp of the Aerodyne kind of scare me off a bit. Active preamp design isn't something that Fender gets right all of the time, IMO. If you are going for old school that might not be the answer.

 

[bassist4dalord]

OOOOOOOOO The question that may NEVER be answered... Jazz vs. Precision. I say both! In all seriousness, Jazz is more versatile but nothing comes close to a Precision. I think you know which one I would get (BTW, it's the Precision)

 

[heymelbs]

Fender Geddy Lee?