Choosing a Japanese Jazz Bass

[Agito]

Hello guys
I'm currently deciding between 3 models of Japanese Jazz Basses

1. JB62-US - Alder Body, Rosewood Neck.
2. JB62 - Ash Body, Rosewood Neck (Rare model)
3. JB75 - Ash Body, Maple Neck.

They all have the same pickups (Fender U.S Vintage pickups)

Currently I hold 3 basses -
1. American Standard Jazz Bass (Upgraded with a J Retro preamp - Active sickness) Alder + Rosewood
2. Fretless Ibanez GSR200 (meh)
3. Ibanez SR Prestige 20th Anniversary

Basically I'm a big Jazz Bass fan and I want to get another one, Japanese one to be correct, I'm trying to decide between the 3 models and it's a hard choice.

Thank you in advance,
Danny.

 

[Snipper!]

If your into zing, go for the maple neck, softer tone, rosewood. If theres a big difference between the weight of alder and ash bodies...get the lighter one, not just because of weight, lighter basses resonate a lot better I've found and sound a lot more 'open'.....I've found heavier ones sound more 'compressed' and flatter............some of the old school boy's looking for serious vintage Fenders ($$$$$) prefer lighter bodies for this very reason.

 

[bal704]

I'd go for the 75 JB, though with the rosewood fretboard. Really sweet looking and playing basses.

Here's mine:

 

[ahbassman]

Maple!!!!!

 

[mpdd]

what no basswood?

 

[chump stain]

I love the fast neck, the tone, and the looks of my Geddy Lee Jazz. I would recommend trying one if you haven't already.

 

[Agito]

The Geddy Lee is very nice, but I prefer the 3 options which I stated above, these are my current and only options.

 

[Kipaste]

I'd go with the 75 RI. But then again, I'd probably choose one over a fodera so take this with a grain of salt.

 

[Agito]

I need to think about it in some different way, I don't have any bass with Maple neck or Ash body but I don't know how I feel regarding the combination, of course I would like to try it sometime but I know that the Alder + RW is a good combo... So IDK.

I think I'll go for the JB62-US now, and when I'll sell my MIA P bass I'll get the JB75 and I'm good to go

 

[peledog]

Hello guys
I'm currently deciding between 3 models of Japanese Jazz Basses

1. JB62-US - Alder Body, Rosewood Neck.
2. JB62 - Ash Body, Rosewood Neck (Rare model)
3. JB75 - Ash Body, Maple Neck.

They all have the same pickups (Fender U.S Vintage pickups)

Currently I hold 3 basses -
1. American Standard Jazz Bass (Upgraded with a J Retro preamp - Active sickness) Alder + Rosewood
2. Fretless Ibanez GSR200 (meh)
3. Ibanez SR Prestige 20th Anniversary

Basically I'm a big Jazz Bass fan and I want to get another one, Japanese one to be correct, I'm trying to decide between the 3 models and it's a hard choice.

Thank you in advance,
Danny.

I just sold my JB75 to a TBer. Great, great bass. The binding is sweet, the neck is a dream - frets - height preference is up to you. It's tad bit on the heavy side for me, but it's solid and sounds amazing.

 

[chump stain]

The Geddy Lee is very nice, but I prefer the 3 options which I stated above, these are my current and only options.

Okay, fair enough. I voted for the Ash/Maple JB75. I love the tone of a maple fretboard. I'm not sure on the 3 bolt micro tilt neck though. I'm sure it's solid, or they wouldn't keep offering it.

 

[Dubista]

What about a 62VSP. I hear they have a nitro finish.

I just want someone to buy one and review it before I go for one

 

[ClassicJazz]

Fender Japan makes some great stuff! I had a 62 RI fretless Jazz, great bass. My only complaint was the Japanese Fenders tend to have very thick finishes on them. There was no way in hell that I would have ever worn through the finish on that bass!

 

[Agito]

Fender Japan makes some great stuff! I had a 62 RI fretless Jazz, great bass. My only complaint was the Japanese Fenders tend to have very thick finishes on them. There was no way in hell that I would have ever worn through the finish on that bass!

That's actually pretty good for me, I'm not a big fan of Worn finishes though some look great.

And no love for Rosewood + Ash? This is interesting, the RW + Ash seemed to me like a great deal seems it's not...

Tough choice, 75 vs 62...

 

[Kipaste]

Plenty of love for RW and ash. But I'd still go for the 75 RW and ash model, which wasn't included on your list. To me, an ash body is quite essential. I've had several alder bodied jazzes and "super jazzes" but they're all gone now except for one, which I keep around just to be on the safe side. Sure ash is a bit heavier, but it has that snap.. The best sounding bass I've ever played was an ash & rosewood '78 J. It was an incredibly fat sounding instrument.

 

[sok monkee]

Looks like an ash/maple would fill a void in your collection!
You may try to play a few ash maple J's to see if they fit in your tone goals

 

[Agito]

I have a question regarding the Ash Maple, it seems like the sound is very thin from what I've heard, and I'm kinda leaning towards the Ash+RW for some reason, any opinions regarding this?

 

[chump stain]

I wouldn't describe it as thin, more like snappy, or bright. Ash has built in funk IME.

 

[Jim Carr]

My Jazz teacher, Yuka Tadano, uses the "JB62-US - Alder Body, Rosewood Neck" model when she is not killing with her upright. She has a fretted and a fretless (lined) model. They both sound great through her AcousticImage amp.

 

[Jim Carr]

what no basswood?

???

Not sure what you mean. Does Fender Japan use Basswood for any of their Jazz basses? I though that was pretty much bottom line Squier and more entry level instruments from other manufacturers.