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Fender American Special Jazz Bass

#61
Mike M. said:
I played an American Special Jazz bass last weekend for the first time. Had a maple fretboard and it was one very good player. Very punchy pickups too compared to other models I tried out, which surprised me quite a bit.
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I played mine out again tonight and got tonnes of compliments on the tone. Some of that was from other bass players but some were just people that regularly hear us play. Lots of comments on the punchiness and how clear it sounded. Mine is a keeper. So is the American Special Precision I have. Great basses.
 
#62
Mike M. said:
That's surprising about the one's you tried sounding thin. I played and compared one to an Am Std, to a Geddy Lee and the Special had the punchiest sound of all. I mean, we're talking "WHOA!!" Really barked thru.

I'm trying to remember....were the pole pieces staggered on the Specials? I tried so many basses that day that it's hard to remember that detail, but I think they were.
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I agree with your assessment compared to the American Standard and the Geddy Lee. Love the fat tone on my American Special. It is one of the few basses (including a 2004 MIA Jazz) that I have not altered the pickups. I did change the Bridge with a BabicZ.

The pole pieces are not staggered.
 
#63
Just my 2 cents. I picked up a 2009 Special Jazz Friday at GC priced $599. The gave me 80 bucks trade in doe an old dean edge I had. The bass looks excellent and the previous owner put a black PG on the burst finish which I prefer to the white. So far I love the bass, love the growly tone, easy to slap with which is something I am just now trying to learn and fits in nicely with my HH Gibson flying V and my PJ Godin. I am not wild about the asthetics of the bridge but the sound is fine so this appears just personal preference on looks. Other than the fact that it is top loading only/no string through what is the downside between this and the $300.00 higher Standard?
 
#65
Psychbunny said:
Just my 2 cents. I picked up a 2009 Special Jazz Friday at GC priced $599. The gave me 80 bucks trade in doe an old dean edge I had. The bass looks excellent and the previous owner put a black PG on the burst finish which I prefer to the white. So far I love the bass, love the growly tone, easy to slap with which is something I am just now trying to learn and fits in nicely with my HH Gibson flying V and my PJ Godin. I am not wild about the asthetics of the bridge but the sound is fine so this appears just personal preference on looks. Other than the fact that it is top loading only/no string through what is the downside between this and the $300.00 higher Standard?
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You got a great bass for a great price. As I understand it the American Standard has different tuners, rolled edges on the fretboard and different pickups. I like the American Special Jazz and would have picked one up had I lot lucked into an American Standard in a trade deal. Enjoy.
 
#68
I am thinking of trading my Japanese Marcus Miller bass for an American Special Jazz
The MM bass has a lot of options but I find it too trebly even in passive mode. When active it is muddy and "poundy" (if that makes sense) on the highs and I have to fool around with the EQ to get an adequate sound. I have a set of Seymour Duncan Jazz quarter pounders I can throw in the AM special if required. Can anyone express their input on this decision? Am I effing crazy? I have been playing since I was 15 (44 now) and consider myself a good player with an obsession with sound. Thanks

www.ragefocus.com
 

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