current fender jazz quality?

[Jim Carr]

Good price. I think the fret work on later Jazz basses is better (2008 and later), but go play it and see what you think. Play some others at the music stores along the way.

 

[Bongolation]

I think the fret work on later Jazz basses is better (2008 and later)

Crapshoot, always and forever. Example?

3/11 MIA neck, .006" gap down most of the fretboard.

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[RaginRog]

I have 3 American Std fenders (2008, 2010, 2011) and they are all great basses that were all in great condition (paint, action, fretwork) when I bought them new.

 

[Matt R.]

I've had several recent issue Jazz & Precisions. Each one was superb.

 

[pacojas]

I've had several recent issue Jazz & Precisions. Each one was superb.

+1

apparently, brother "Bongo" is consistantly fixing crappy Fenders. i applaud his dedication to detail. incase i ever do purchase a defective Fender without a warranty, he gets my business!

 

[Jim Carr]

Crapshoot, always and forever. Example?

3/11 MIA neck, .006" gap down most of the fretboard.

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Cool. Can you explain to an uninformed guy like me in more detail? What are we looking at? 6/1000ths of an inch x 20 = 12/100ths, right?

 

[audiomitch]

Crapshoot, always and forever. Example?

3/11 MIA neck, .006" gap down most of the fretboard.

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Isn't that why god gave us rubber mallets?

 

[youngmanhood]

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this seems to be the bass deal making the most promise... bass is in great shape... was 2000 a good year for fender?

 

[georgestrings]

Crapshoot, always and forever. Example?

3/11 MIA neck, .006" gap down most of the fretboard.

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Wasn't that a Highway One???


- georgestrings

 

[pacojas]

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this seems to be the bass deal making the most promise... bass is in great shape... was 2000 a good year for fender?

jump on it!

my MIM is a '99 and that thing plays very smoothly. i'm sure there were lemons, so take your time and give it a trial. look for things to discount. scratchy pots are an easy fix but it might be the pre, etc.

 

[Bongolation]

Cool. Can you explain to an uninformed guy like me in more detail?

You're looking at frets that were never seated into the fingerboard, a pretty horrific build gaffe on a "quality" line.

You used to see it occasionally in imports when they first started doing long-caul fretting as a cost-cutting measure and would screw it up. I had never previously seen it on an MIA Fender, ever.

Needless to say, all frets are supposed to be fully and firmly seated against the wood before you go any further.

But you all knew that, right?

This particular abomination also had mismatched pickups -- one from the correct pair and the other from some mystery pair I've never heard of, nor did anyone at FMIC.

 

[Bongolation]

Wasn't that a Highway One???

Yeah, same raw neck/fingerboard as the other production MIA/graphites.

Fender was suitably mortified when they saw the picture.

 

[soulman969]

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this seems to be the bass deal making the most promise... bass is in great shape... was 2000 a good year for fender?

A 2002 Deluxe Jazz was the nicest Fender Bass I ever owned. The Deluxe's have active electronics and noisless pickups so the tonal variations are about as broad as you can get. If that's truly a Deluxe in good shape for $750 it's a great. A new one would set you back around $1800.

Other than that the Squier CV Jazz I have now I'd put on equal footing with any other Standard MIA or MIM Fender Bass I've ever played or owned including the first one I ever bought, a 66 Jazz.

I wouldn't go out and buy a real vintage bass to take on the road when this CV 60's is about as close to that old 66 I had that you'd probably come with a stock manufactured piece. Just like any other line there are few that won't be as nice as others. With few exceptions spending a grand more doesn't mean you get a grand more worth of value.

 

[georgestrings]

Yeah, same raw neck/fingerboard as the other production MIA/graphites.

Fender was suitably mortified when they saw the picture.

Yeah, I thought I remembered that - no doubt that someone dropped the ball on that one, and it should cause Fender some concern that something like that ever shipped out...


- georgestrings

 

[Sebassplayer197]

Fender are still expensive series made basses and quality is still unconsistant...have a look at Sandberg basses, handmade in Germany and very nice vintage look for the California series.
I have always thought that fender instruments are overpriced

 

[Sebassplayer197]

Even if i play one lol

 

[youngmanhood]

Thank you so much everyone! One last question..... Off topic though, but what about a gibson thunderbirds? Am i missing out by just getting one new or do i need an older one?

 

[audiomitch]

Thank you so much everyone! One last question..... Off topic though, but what about a gibson thunderbirds? Am i missing out by just getting one new or do i need an older one?

Older and newer Thunderbirds are like two different sounding basses. Get an older one if you can afford/find one. The nickle cover pickups. They tend to be expensive, though.

These basses are about the polar opposite of a Fender Jazz Bass. Are you thinking of buying both?

 

[Nedmundo]

I have a 2003 American Series Jazz, 2004 American Series Precision, and 2008 American Standard Jazz V. I also have two American Series Strats, 2001 and 2004. They're all excellent, and most other U.S. Fenders I've tried have been good too. I do think the basses improved with the 2008+ American Standard generation, mostly due to the lighter weight bodies. My 2008 Jazz V is incredibly light and resonant. The others I've tried have been great too, but Bongolation's account of problems in 2011 is disturbing indeed. As far as I'm concerned, that means it's even more important to try before you buy, but it's best to do that anyway.

Or, you could pay a little more and get a G&L JB. The quality is a little better on average, and the finishes are WAY better.

 

[rux adams]

Thank you so much everyone! One last question..... Off topic though, but what about a gibson thunderbirds? Am i missing out by just getting one new or do i need an older one?

get a fender man, if you are playing any type of rock music the fenders are the staple. personally i dont like active pups but thats a personal preference. get a j or a p