Cheap, but good Jazz Bass ?

[superheavyfunk]

VM series for sure. Easy to find, great playable instruments.

 

[40Hz]

I have a Squier CV 60's Jazz that's a very nice choice if you can find one used. Very cool "Inca silver" paint job with matching headstock and a mint pickguard if you're into retro looks.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Here's the deal. I already own a '98 MIA Fender Jazz, and a RW Jazz. Both have nickel rounds on them, and I use them both on live gigs, to the point where I don't want to change any mojo about them. The last couple of years, I've been doing more studio work, and have been asked to bring a bass that has Flats, for I do mostly Blues/Soul stuff when I'm there. So, I thought I would try to find a cheap, but good, playable, passive, Jazz , 4 string, Rosewood neck, for the studio stuff, and put some LaBella's on it.

I've been checking around, and it seems like a VM Squier might be a good choice, but I wanted to throw it out there to the Talk Bass community and find out what other choices might be better. I'm not opposed to buying used, as long as everything checks out on the bass, and I'm not necessarily stuck on a Fender, but I would rather find a Fender as I am used to playing them. Budget is right around $ 300 - $400. Before you suggest it, a P bass is not an option - been there , done that.

So, what else is out there ? What model/year Squires should I look for ? What other, cheap but good Jazz basses are you guys using ? Any inherent problems, issues, etc. with certain models ? All comments welcome !

I loaded some replacement Fender 62s on my son's MIM Jazz, and that is a awesome upgrade. You should be able to find an older model and do the upgrade within your budget.

Just asking, was it the engineer or the BL that requested flats? Seriously, I have never had anybody request me to use flats. I've done blues, Motown, Muscle Shoals, Stax, all on round wounds.

 

[pappabass]

Since its just studio work, go with the Squier VM. No gear snobs to look at you funny for playing a Squier in a studio

 

[EatS1stBassist]

In that case, several years ago I had an SX jazz from Rondo music that I was very fond of. Cost was only $150 new and only mods it needed were a fresh set of nickel strings and a good setup.

Just Google rondo music and you'll find it. SX have high regard for value proposition around here.

Last time
I checked there were no basses at Rondo.

 

[jnewmark]

This popped up in the classifieds...
For Sale - 1989 Squier jazz bass MIK E-series

Yes, I saw that one. Last post was in March.

 

[jnewmark]

I loaded some replacement Fender 62s on my son's MIM Jazz, and that is a awesome upgrade. You should be able to find an older model and do the upgrade within your budget.

Just asking, was it the engineer or the BL that requested flats? Seriously, I have never had anybody request me to use flats. I've done blues, Motown, Muscle Shoals, Stax, all on round wounds.

It's actually the producer, he wants a more " smoother " tone, right off the bat ( he also plays a little bass ). I'm just the hired hand, staff bass player guy for the studio, so what he wants, he gets. Other recordings I have used my other Jazz basses, more often than not, the RW.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Here's the deal. I already own a '98 MIA Fender Jazz, and a RW Jazz. Both have nickel rounds on them, and I use them both on live gigs, to the point where I don't want to change any mojo about them. The last couple of years, I've been doing more studio work, and have been asked to bring a bass that has Flats, for I do mostly Blues/Soul stuff when I'm there. So, I thought I would try to find a cheap, but good, playable, passive, Jazz , 4 string, Rosewood neck, for the studio stuff, and put some LaBella's on it.

I've been checking around, and it seems like a VM Squier might be a good choice, but I wanted to throw it out there to the Talk Bass community and find out what other choices might be better. I'm not opposed to buying used, as long as everything checks out on the bass, and I'm not necessarily stuck on a Fender, but I would rather find a Fender as I am used to playing them. Budget is right around $ 300 - $400. Before you suggest it, a P bass is not an option - been there , done that.

So, what else is out there ? What model/year Squires should I look for ? What other, cheap but good Jazz basses are you guys using ? Any inherent problems, issues, etc. with certain models ? All comments welcome !

Personally when it comes to jazz AND p basses they sell so many that there's usually some used Mexican standard basses for sale that are in the same price range of a new Squier. So everytime I've gone to buy a fender bass I chose a used Mexican standard over a new Squier but I will say Squiers reputation seems to have improved in recent years and they have some nice looking offerings as well if you want a more interesting finish for example.

 

[jnewmark]

Personally when it comes to jazz AND p basses they sell so many that there's usually some used Mexican standard basses for sale that are in the same price range of a new Squier. So everytime I've gone to buy a fender bass I chose a used Mexican standard over a new Squier but I will say Squiers reputation seems to have improved in recent years and they have some nice looking offerings as well if you want a more interesting finish for example.

Would you say a good MIM comes closer to a good MIA, or does a good Squier ? I've tried a few MIM jazz basses, but thought the Squier I played awhile ago felt more like an MIA. Of course, my MIM Road Worn is so close to my '98 MIA, I can interchange them at will. The '98 cuts through the mix a little better than the RW, but the RW is easier to get that " Jazz bark " for some reason.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I have a Squier CV 60's Jazz that's a very nice choice if you can find one used. Very cool "Inca silver" paint job with matching headstock and a mint pickguard if you're into retro looks.

And it also was available in white with tort pickguard .

 

[groove pump]

Great suggestions so far ! Also, if you happen to know the weight, please include that. As a reference, my other two Jazz basses come in around 9.2 lbs. Like to keep it near that, or lighter if possible !

My older Jazz went to the bullpen when I decided that it was just too heavy (10.5 lbs.) for a full evening of playing. Passive 4-string with a Warmoth neck and DiMarzio Ultra-J's. My buddy's daughter is taking up bass, so it's on loan for now to the next generation - everyone is happy!

Decided to look for a cheap and lightweight Jazz as an alternative to my active P/J. In this case, I thought it would be helpful for me if this Jazz had an on-board preamp, but that wasn't a must. Eventually I spotted a Bacchus WL-434 (Woodline) - used but brand new condition along with a gig bag - for $350 and gave it a home.

Weight is just a hair over 8 lbs. and this bass has a B/T preamp that functions fine for me. So far I'm mostly just going from a flat setting to rolling back some highs if I want more of a low-fi sound. The blend knob is easy for transitioning toward either pickup or in neutral right on the center detent. Simple and functional.

This bass was nicely playable when I bought it, but I had a set of DiMarzio Area-J's at home, so I took it all to the luthier to swap them in. I figured I'd give it a full setup while they had it and it came out terrific.

I know that this specific layout with the on-board preamp isn't exactly what you're looking for, but even before I took this bass to the shop, it was a VERY good package for the price. If you spot a passive bass from the Bacchus Global series, I recommend a look. The neck on this one has the 1 1/2" nut width typical for a Jazz and I'd say it's a little more "thin" than "chunky" feeling, at least compared with my old Warmoth Jazz neck.

 

[strost]

G&L Tribute JB? Love my US JB.

JB

 

[jnewmark]

G&L Tribute JB? Love my US JB.

JB

I checked out some videos online. Sounded kind of twangy to me, like it was all upper mids and treble. Maybe that was just the way it was EQ'd ?

 

[user362432]

He is looking for P bass sound. Squier VM P with GHS flats and he will be happy. End of story. J simply cannot deliver that.

 

[pht2356]

Here's the deal. I already own a '98 MIA Fender Jazz, and a RW Jazz. Both have nickel rounds on them, and I use them both on live gigs, to the point where I don't want to change any mojo about them. The last couple of years, I've been doing more studio work, and have been asked to bring a bass that has Flats, for I do mostly Blues/Soul stuff when I'm there. So, I thought I would try to find a cheap, but good, playable, passive, Jazz , 4 string, Rosewood neck, for the studio stuff, and put some LaBella's on it.

I've been checking around, and it seems like a VM Squier might be a good choice, but I wanted to throw it out there to the Talk Bass community and find out what other choices might be better. I'm not opposed to buying used, as long as everything checks out on the bass, and I'm not necessarily stuck on a Fender, but I would rather find a Fender as I am used to playing them. Budget is right around $ 300 - $400. Before you suggest it, a P bass is not an option - been there , done that.

So, what else is out there ? What model/year Squires should I look for ? What other, cheap but good Jazz basses are you guys using ? Any inherent problems, issues, etc. with certain models ? All comments welcome !

Try a mim one. I paid $250 at a pawnshop for this one

 

[Nephilymbass]

Would you say a good MIM comes closer to a good MIA, or does a good Squier ? I've tried a few MIM jazz basses, but thought the Squier I played awhile ago felt more like an MIA. Of course, my MIM Road Worn is so close to my '98 MIA, I can interchange them at will. The '98 cuts through the mix a little better than the RW, but the RW is easier to get that " Jazz bark " for some reason.

Haven't tried the newer Squier stuff only the older stuff that a lot of folks didn't like

 

[mizzou541]

G&L tribute.

 

[tjh]

I have an early Squier VM '77 Jazz (DD pups) that for the last two summers has made me a lot of $$, probably 80+% of my gigging time ... couldn't ask for more from it, all stock, strung with Chromes now (had LaBella, Sads, and Dean Markley flats on it at times), and weighs in 7# range … I paid less $200 for it used … I have had probably 20-30+ different Squier J's, Affinities, Standards, CV's, and VM's, as well as some Korean Squiers … none impressed me more than this '77 … it is actually the bass in my profile pic …

… The other I would look for if in your position, would be a used post '08 MIM Standard Jazz … probably around $350-400 … used one strung with Labella DTF's for a long time … I really like Labella's or Sad flats on these ...

 

[The Bass Clef]

I'd go with a used MIM Standard Jazz over a new Squier VM personally. About the same price, but better hardware and electronics on the MIM. I know you said you don't want a P bass, but honestly a P (maybe with a jazz neck since you're used to the feel of a jazz) with flats is gold in the studio. I've always preferred jazzes live, but I almost always record with a P and TI flats... or a MIJ Mustang with LaBellas.

 

[Real Soon]

Sounds like you really want a Fender, so testing out some used MIM Jazz basses and finding a winner should set you back about $350. Main diff btw a MIM and MIA is the percentage of top accuracy in build, so if one feels as good as you like, it IS as good as you like.

That said, my Washburn Taurus is a whole lot of bass for the $499 new it went for, and likewise, used ones can be found well within your budget. They're lightweight, but don't sound it, and any somewhat recently made ones fit bridge-size Fender pickups w/o any woodworking. I modded mine to get the most out of the jazz config (DiMarzio Model J pickups & did some electronics surgery) and it's my go-to for reliable snappiness despite owning basses that cost literally twice as much.

We really are in a golden age of bass quality from the start to the end of the sound chain.