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Buying bass - advice

T

tandc

Guest
Feb 10, 2014
12
1
#1
Hi guys, after learning on a cheap Yamaha, and being in line for a bonus from work, I've decided to purchase a 'proper' bass at last.

My preference, is a Fender Jazz, but I see all kinds of these at all prices. I'm quite happy to spend around £1000 on the guitar, so what should I look for and avoid? I suppose I should look for an American made guitar for a start?

For example, this Fender Jazz on ebay, didnt sell even at £349. Why? And from the description, what is the MiM ?

Any advice appreciated.

Beautiful Fender Jazz Bass, MiM

Fender Jazz Bass - beautiful | eBay
 
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#3
tandc said:
My preference, is a Fender Jazz
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Bingo-Zingo! Get an American Standard Fender jazz if you can afford it. The quality of woods; the fit and finish are well worth it, but it's the purely fabulous tone of the stock Fender Custom Shop pick-ups that make this bass extra special. I have a 2012 and it is perfect in every way. I just personalized the set-up to my preferences, and BAM! Eargasm.
 
#5
If you're going for something really good you should check out Bacchus. Sure, Fender makes some good stuff, but they don't do it like this.
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Not sure about availability in Great Britain, but they are available through ebay, reverb.com, etc.
If importing isn't for you, that LPB '64 reissue a few basses past the Jazz bass you posted would definitely be worth spending some more money on.
Fender American Vintage 64 Jazz Bass | eBay
 
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#8
tandc said:
Hi guys, after learning on a cheap Yamaha, and being in line for a bonus from work, I've decided to purchase a 'proper' bass at last.

My preference, is a Fender Jazz, but I see all kinds of these at all prices. I'm quite happy to spend around £1000 on the guitar, so what should I look for and avoid? I suppose I should look for an American made guitar for a start?
Click to expand...

Sorry if I'm late to the party, Guys & Gals! :oops:

With only "Fender Jazz" to go by, I'd like to make something of a "Best of Both Worlds" suggestion. Personally, I'm a big fan of the Fender Aerodyne. You get a slick, lightweight Jazz body, but it packs a deeper sonic punch with the P/J configuration.

@jd56hawk touched upon part of my point…Japanese basses. Their consistency of quality, plus no small amount of cool esthetics :cool:, makes them cherished all over the world.

@tandc; Currently, I see two available in your neck of the woods. One is up for auction on eBay and the other is a B-Stock 'Dyne listed on Thomann's website and only slightly over your projected budget.

Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass Guitar | eBay

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#10
tandc said:
Guys, looking at this bass - good price? Whats a 'Highway One'?

Fender USA Sunburst Jazz Bass | eBay
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Did you get it?

I'm sure I'll be corrected by someone who knows better, but if my memory serves correctly, the Highway One basses were MIA instruments with some MIM hardware. Another way to look at it would be a proto-American-Special, which was also an MIA model, but it lacked the more modern-styled accoutrements (bridge, tuners, pickups, etc…).
 

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