Convince me to buy something cheaper...

[Nate Tetzlaff]

Hello fellow bass players! I've been in the market for a new bass for years and years now. And I have some money saved up to spend on one (my current bass is a Toby Deluxe IV, I like it a lot but the electronics are lousy and I'm ready for something else). I've been going to guitar shops around and my goal has been to find something versatile, unique, and preferably under a grand. I ended up around Indiana and got into Sweetwater and played a bunch of things in their shop and a lot was good. But then I played the Fender Jazz Professional series bass they had there and it just felt perfect. It's the most common bass style in the world but damn I like the Sonic Gray color and the neck is definitely the favorite out of any I played (it's really slim). And nothing I played afterwards felt even comparable....but it's right around $1500. Which I could probably do I've been saving a long time, but it's a lot of money.

Has anyone played this bass and know others with a similar feel and sound but maybe a bit less expensive? I went in there expecting I'd want a Lakland Skyline coming out but the Jazz just felt right. Anyway, you people always have great opinions and I learn a lot on here so I figured I can share my struggle and get some good feedback. Thanks!

 

[felis]

..... But then I played the Fender Jazz Professional series bass they had there and it just felt perfect. ....

Well, there ya' go. That's the one then.

 

[mdogs]

You are going to get a barrage of crap...Fenders are overpriced, they’re no good, a Squire is just as good. It will probably be relentless, just so you know, there are a lot of Fender haters on here. Ignore them!!! Fenders aren’t the most popular basses on the planet because they suck. They offer a good value and the tones are undeniable. You know what you like, go for it!!!!

 

[buldog5151bass]

I look at it this way - I have two basses. One I've owned 35 years, the other 16. If that is your mindset, buy exactly what you want. Don't settle. But if you like it, play it and keep it. Better to spend $1500 one time than $500 three times.

 

[gln1955]

What buldog said. You'll end up wishing you bought this bass and sooner or later go looking for another Jazz just like it. Just buy it now if you can afford it.

 

[sigterm]

Fender Classic series jazz bass, great bass and great value. The classic line is really great. It's under a grand and really performs. You get in at a good value and if later you want to sell towards the us pro, you'll be able to come out of it at good value too, though they're keepers.

 

[Nate Tetzlaff]

I look at it this way - I have two basses. One I've owned 35 years, the other 16. If that is your mindset, buy exactly what you want. Don't settle. But if you like it, play it and keep it. Better to spend $1500 one time than $500 three times.

You make a strong point there. I think I'll end up pulling the trigger on it sometime soon... Thanks for the input!

 

[Nate Tetzlaff]

Fender Classic series jazz bass, great bass and great value. The classic line is really great. It's under a grand and really performs. You get in at a good value and if later you want to sell towards the us pro, you'll be able to come out of it at good value too, though they're keepers.

I'll make sure to give one of those models a try before I make a decision. Thanks!

 

[twinjet]

Get what you know you like sooner so you can spend more time in the shed.

 

[DigitalMan]

Here’s how to buy a cheaper bass. Call up Sweetwater and ask what is the best price they can do on that specific bass that you connect so well with.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

Play the Toby into the ground and save for your dream bass. A used Fender Prof. would not be half price but it would likely be just as good as new--might take 25% off your saving period.

Why are the electronics the weak spot on so many instruments? Seriously, these are some pretty simple components, so you would think that, for instance, the price of producing a good pickup would have fallen so much that it would be impossible to find a bad one. A robot that could wind a pickup while simultaneously measuring its output seems pretty doable.

 

[filmtex]

Buy it.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

Aim for an Alembic and then get the Fender at 15% the price. Savings of 85%!

 

[Nate Tetzlaff]

Aim for an Alembic and then get the Fender at 15% the price. Savings of 85%!

Brilliant!

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Last time I bought a new Fender bass it was the top model they had. Just a bit under your $1500 price. That was 37 years ago. Still got it, done a lot of gigs and no regrets. The price gets forgotten but the quality does not. Got an Alembic too, you need both.

 

[Emster]

You guys are ignoring his request! so heartless! (haha). Hmm buy something cheaper & how to convince.... if you buy the Fender you'll lose sleep from staying up late and playing it... best I can do

 

[Bass V]

sounds like you're dying to spend $$ you don't need to, but that too is part of the learning process.
I'd say get a Toby Std. IV for $100 and swap it's sweeter electronics into your Deluxe and wire the Std.'s directly to the jack, or try that on your Deluxe first. I'm betting you'll at least be happy if not joyful with those two basses and still have the $$ to do whatever else you want.
for similar chump change you can get a great Peavey Zodiac BXP and again still have the $$ to do whatever else you want. almost any Peavey will do you well but the PZBXP is my lifetimer. https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai...ahUKEwiy5tjfqpvcAhUF3lQKHdM-DyUQzkQIag&adurl=

 

[Jeff Scott]

Convince me to buy something cheaper...

Sorry, can't do it, man! Buy once, cry once, then love a great bass forever (at least until GAS ensues, once again). Get the best you can (not) justify (price wise); in the long run you will not regret having done so.

 

[soulman969]

The bottom line is how any guitar or bass "feels" when you play it should be at the top of anyone's list.

Most everything else can be changed easily enough but often when something "feels" just right it's more than just the physical sensation. It also sounds right and looks right and that's the instrument you should buy.....period.

 

[blastoff]

ask for a better deal on it. 1500 isnt that much if you love it. sounds like a cool color too