fair market value prices jazz bass's thoughts needed

[howdoyoudo]

hate to make a thread like this but i'm really torn on what to offer and what's fair market value. i know i know search and find info on the models, did that and feel comfortable with that end. price is now what i'm worried about.

What i'm looking for is a jazz bass with the old school bridge(no string through), alder body, and a rosewood neck. color doesn't matter nor does condition. pretty simple, but i'm not sure what to offer or what's a good price used for this stuff. could i be getting a better deal here if i wait around?

Best bang for the buck? I'm not wanting to have to spend money on another bass down the road, it's a keeper as long as I'm playing music sort of thing.

I play through old acoustic 301 and 2x15 with a 220 head. I'm into the vintage sound and feel, fretboard radius and frets.

I've found three or so basses locally to me here they are:

2009 fender usa american standard jazz bass with vintage 62 pickups and hard case for $800.00

fender classic 60s jazz bass all stock with hard case for $750.00 obo

2003 fender highway 1 refinished over the original finish in nitro and custom mirror pickgaurd otherwise stock with case $500.00 with out case $450.00 weighs 8 pounds 1 ounce.

Thoughts? Thank you.

 

[GregC]

Personally, I'd go for the first one. Priced closer to market value, IMO, than the '60s J and probably better than both the '60s and the Highway One. (I've played multiple examples of all three models.) Plus, the refinish on that Highway One makes me nauesous.

 

[joebar]

800 for a late model American jazz is a good price IMO.
jazzes generally are 100 dollars more than a comparable P on the used market it seems.

 

[howdoyoudo]

That's good news about the price on the american jazz.

I'm a bit concerend that the american jazz is string through though, haven't heard back from the seller. I've read that most american standards are made this way now a days.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Lol man its a small world when you are a bass player.

That is a nice price on the American standard Jazz, they are all string through. The American Specials are not nor are the highway 1's but every American Standard or Series since the introduction in the mid 90s has been string through both P's and J's. That classic series MIM is a nice bass, but I have sold 2 of them and I got $400 and $500 for them.

 

[howdoyoudo]

Isn't it? Why do you say that A Step Towards? Don't tell me you're looking at these too!!! Haha.

Good info on the american standard, thanks. Looks like I'll be hitting up the other two players and see what I can do price wise.

 

[MrRobert]

hate to make a thread like this but i'm really torn on what to offer and what's fair market value. i know i know search and find info on the models, did that and feel comfortable with that end. price is now what i'm worried about.

What i'm looking for is a jazz bass with the old school bridge(no string through), alder body, and a rosewood neck. color doesn't matter nor does condition. pretty simple, but i'm not sure what to offer or what's a good price used for this stuff. could i be getting a better deal here if i wait around?

Best bang for the buck? I'm not wanting to have to spend money on another bass down the road, it's a keeper as long as I'm playing music sort of thing.

I play through old acoustic 301 and 2x15 with a 220 head. I'm into the vintage sound and feel, fretboard radius and frets.

I've found three or so basses locally to me here they are:

2009 fender usa american standard jazz bass with vintage 62 pickups and hard case for $800.00

fender classic 60s jazz bass all stock with hard case for $750.00 obo

2003 fender highway 1 refinished over the original finish in nitro and custom mirror pickgaurd otherwise stock with case $500.00 with out case $450.00 weighs 8 pounds 1 ounce.

Thoughts? Thank you.

If you're into vintage style, sound, and feel, go for the classic series bass. Not sure about the string through bridge, but it has the vintage frets and fretboard radius that the other two don't. I'd avoid the highway one as it has medium jumbo frets and a modern radius as well as some weirdo grease bucket tone circuit.
I went through the same search a while ago (except it was a vintage style P, not J) and got the highway 1 P. It was the exact opposite of what I wanted! I ended up with a classic series 50s P, which had exactly what I wanted. The classic series guitars and basses really are stellar instruments... I have a classic series tele and strat also. I might end up with a classic series J like the one you show, or I might hold out for a lacquer version. Good luck!

 

[Jim Carr]

If you play a Road worn Jazz, I bet you will prefer it, given what you are seeking.

You need nitro, a vintage bridge, and thin fret wire. CS pick-ups are a nice mod for any of these, but honestly, even the stock "vintage" or "62" pick-ups sound old school.

I have two road worn jazzes, and used them stock for three years as my main players. I still use one about 25% of the time, and carry the other as a backup for my CS jazz.

My point: skip all the BS about the distressed finish. Play a couple of RW Jazzes. You will hear a vintage bass sound, and likely agree they feel great for a low price used. IMHO.

 

[JMacBass65]

The Am Std is priced about right, the Mexi Classic is overpriced by at least $100, and the green one......well, just no.

String through? I don't dig it exactly, but in the end, who really cares? If the bass has EVERYTHING ELSE you are looking for, I would suggest you don't let that minor detail stop you.

I help people buy and sell houses for a living, NOBODY gets their wish list, ever. There is always something you need to decide you can live with. String through ain't a big deal.

 

[JMacBass65]

If you play a Road worn Jazz, I bet you will prefer it, given what you are seeking.

I agree, I think they are great, and had it been one of the options above, and been priced right, I'd have suggested it, hands down.

 

[EmptyCup]

Another thumbs up on the RW Jazz. Didn't want a 7.25" radius or reverse tuners so I bought a 2012 body loaded and put a maple neck with a 9 1/2" radius on, love it.
I have a 2009 Am Standard and it does sound "modern" (not bad by any means, just not "vintage")
Out of the 3 you have listed I would suggest the 2009 Am Std.

 

[MrRobert]

I agree, I think they are great, and had it been one of the options above, and been priced right, I'd have suggested it, hands down.

Yep, the only reason I didn't mention the roadworn is because it wasn't listed as an option... But they are incredible basses if you aren't upset by the relic thing.

 

[howdoyoudo]

There just aren't any road worn jazz's around right now unfortunately, that's my first choice.
Lost two by a few hours they were going for 600 and 750. They were the red ones.

This 1993 made in japan 62 reissue jazz bass with Fralin pickups just came up today priced at $725.00, thoughts?

I'm familiar with the Japan stuff in the 80's, good things still in the 90's with them?

 

[howdoyoudo]

Also this one just poped up:
fender american vintage 62 jazz bass custom relic custom shop pickups with hard case $900.00
Looks off, not sure why there are three knobs on the control plate and no outputjack. Super weird. Looks like it's using the stacked knob control plate for some reason.

 

[MrRobert]

Also this one just poped up:
fender american vintage 62 jazz bass custom relic custom shop pickups with hard case $900.00
Looks off, not sure why there are three knobs on the control plate and no outputjack. Super weird. Looks like it's using the stacked knob control plate for some reason.

I saw that ad on CL and thought the same thing!

 

[tjh]

That's good news about the price on the american jazz.

I'm a bit concerend that the american jazz is string through though, haven't heard back from the seller. I've read that most american standards are made this way now a days.

.. are you saying you ARE concerned because it is STB, or you are concerned that it may NOT be STB ?? ... whichever you are concerned about, you need not be, as it is both STB and top loadable ...

If you're into vintage style, sound, and feel, go for the classic series bass. Not sure about the string through bridge, but it has the vintage frets and fretboard radius that the other two don't. I'd avoid the highway one as it has medium jumbo frets and a modern radius as well as some weirdo grease bucket tone circuit.
I went through the same search a while ago (except it was a vintage style P, not J) and got the highway 1 P. It was the exact opposite of what I wanted! I ended up with a classic series 50s P, which had exactly what I wanted. The classic series guitars and basses really are stellar instruments... I have a classic series tele and strat also. I might end up with a classic series J like the one you show, or I might hold out for a lacquer version. Good luck!

... this is a 2003 Highway 1, and it does not have the Greasebucket Tone Circuitry .. that was introduced in later 2004 for the 2005 models, and then continued for the entire run of the Highway ONES ... two completely different basses

Isn't it? Why do you say that A Step Towards? Don't tell me you're looking at these too?

... no .. he is not looking at them to buy, he is selling one of them ...

.. and, seeing someone I have dealt with and I consider an online friend is selling one .. I will not comment on comparable value publicly .. since they are all local (for OP), play them (and anything else you can get your hands on) and then listen to see which one speaks to you ... your comment is that you plan to hang onto this as long as you are playing, so resale should not be a concern here, buy the one YOU want to be playing for the years to come .... there are pros & cons to all three of them ... but my pros & cons should not be your pros & cons ... JMHO

 

[A-Step-Towards]

... no .. he is not looking at them to buy, he is selling one of them ...

.. and, seeing someone I have dealt with and I consider an online friend is selling one .. I will not comment on comparable value publicly .. since they are all local (for OP), play them (and anything else you can get your hands on) and then listen to see which one speaks to you ... your comment is that you plan to hang onto this as long as you are playing, so resale should not be a concern here, buy the one YOU want to be playing for the years to come .... there are pros & cons to all three of them ... but my pros & cons should not be your pros & cons ... JMHO

I think he should check out the standard, I get that its string through but these newer Fender have a top loading option and you just ignore the unused string through holes. Even though I own one of those basses I still give the nods towards that as being the overall best value. The MIM is just way to high, way. That Japan one isnt bad but I would try more like $600-650.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I'm into the vintage sound and feel, fretboard radius and frets.

Given your stated criteria, it looks like a '60s or '70s Jazz would fit the bill…vintage-style pickups, frets, radius, etc. I can attest to the quality of the '70s Jazz. I got one earlier this year and it's looks are as killer as it's sound. Now, that being said…

fender classic 60s jazz bass all stock with hard case for $750.00 obo

In regards to this '60s Jazz, for that price, it'd better be high on the minty-side. They go for $800 off the shelf, and that's with a gig bag included. You said it comes with a hardshell case. Do you know which kind? They range in cost from $130 to $190, but for the sake of simplicity, let's say it's $150. So that's $950 worth of gear for $750. Not a bad price, but like I said, it'd better be absolutely pristine.

If it were my money and this is what fulfilled my criteria, not to mention it being in excellent working order, I'd go for it. You could certainly do worse. That being said, there is a possibility of getting a better deal. That '70s Jazz I mentioned earlier? I got it for a ludicrous deal at a nearby Guitar Center. It might be worth checking out, even if you have to the the $25-ish shipping fee.

One last thing…there's another bass that comes stock with a vintage-radius neck, the Fender Aerodyne. Of course, this isn't an option if a P/J configured Jazz is out of the question.

 

[howdoyoudo]

I saw that ad on CL and thought the same thing!

Haha!

.. are you saying you ARE concerned because it is STB, or you are concerned that it may NOT be STB ?? ... whichever you are concerned about, you need not be, as it is both STB and top loadable ...



... this is a 2003 Highway 1, and it does not have the Greasebucket Tone Circuitry .. that was introduced in later 2004 for the 2005 models, and then continued for the entire run of the Highway ONES ... two completely different basses



... no .. he is not looking at them to buy, he is selling one of them ...

.. and, seeing someone I have dealt with and I consider an online friend is selling one .. I will not comment on comparable value publicly .. since they are all local (for OP), play them (and anything else you can get your hands on) and then listen to see which one speaks to you ... your comment is that you plan to hang onto this as long as you are playing, so resale should not be a concern here, buy the one YOU want to be playing for the years to come .... there are pros & cons to all three of them ... but my pros & cons should not be your pros & cons ... JMHO

I am concerned that it is a string through. Good info about the highway1.

Ah I see! Haha all good.

Given your stated criteria, it looks like a '60s or '70s Jazz would fit the bill…vintage-style pickups, frets, radius, etc. I can attest to the quality of the '70s Jazz. I got one earlier this year and it's looks are as killer as it's sound. Now, that being said…



In regards to this '60s Jazz, for that price, it'd better be high on the minty-side. They go for $800 off the shelf, and that's with a gig bag included. You said it comes with a hardshell case. Do you know which kind? They range in cost from $130 to $190, but for the sake of simplicity, let's say it's $150. So that's $950 worth of gear for $750. Not a bad price, but like I said, it'd better be absolutely pristine.

If it were my money and this is what fulfilled my criteria, not to mention it being in excellent working order, I'd go for it. You could certainly do worse. That being said, there is a possibility of getting a better deal. That '70s Jazz I mentioned earlier? I got it for a ludicrous deal at a nearby Guitar Center. It might be worth checking out, even if you have to the the $25-ish shipping fee.

One last thing…there's another bass that comes stock with a vintage-radius neck, the Fender Aerodyne. Of course, this isn't an option if a P/J configured Jazz is out of the question.

Aerodyne looks cool and I'm sure sound great the p sound I'm not so much after either. The basswood body for me seems redundant. I have a Japan jazz that has a basswood body already so I've got that type of body tone wood covered. Also my bass wood japan jazz has a badassII installed. It's my punk rocker for sure.


I went to the Local Guitar Center today and tried the American Standard jazz and a American Vintage 64 jazz with a matching headstock as well as one of those select wood ones with the flame. The select wood one didn't impress me at all and felt bad.

I really liked the american standard string through it was very nice and sounded awesome.

Didn't really notice too much about the nonvintage frets and radius, guess it doesn't matter to me. It felt more meaty, the frets for sure, but it was playable, just not as playable as vintage for me. Felt food.

But then I played the American vintage with the old school bridge and man that's it right there. I think I need both now they're just so different and feel really good.

So now I'm def looking for a classic 60's with nitro with the old school bridge and an American Standard with the new design. Should save up and get the American Vintage honestly. String through is awesome, but not something I want all the time. So I'm thinking of getting that after the old school bridge one.

Something else I've been looking at is the G&L usa JB.

I haven't been able to find one to play but with that cool bridge I can't risist. It's like I need every type! Haha. I've got a G&L L-1000 So I'm familiar with the bridge, also a great bass, that's basically my p bass .

The alder body on these jazz's i tried today give way more definition and old school tone. I love my basswood body jazz (I think it's basswood anyways it dents pretty easy.) But the basswood also gives me a really cool low sound which is awesome as well and fits the band I'm in. I definitely always ride the tone knob down, but when solos come up or funky jazzy bridges in our songs are needed I don't have the top end Alder provides. All in all I'm in good hands and have a really good sense of the market and value of these bases now.

 

[ole Jason]

I picked up a 60's lacquer J-bass on eBay for $650 including hardshell tweed case. $550-650 is normal for those basses. Expect a few dings here and there if it is the lacquer version as the finish is very thin and marks easily (a good thing imo). $750 is high.