Fender American Std Jazz or G&L JB-2

[SVTbird]

Got the itch for a jazz bass after playing some locally, problem is they have a nice american standard sunburst with a tort guard that is just beautiful, and a JB-2 blackburst (quartersawn, swamp ash, rosewood fretboard).

The G&L feels tighter, and seems to have a brighter sound, the fender feels "broken in" already, and seems a lot warmer.
Both play great, just a matter of pick your poison I guess.

Any thoughts? I do like the traditional look of the fender j, but the G&L is really nice.
I already have a LB-100, so I'm definitly not anti-G&L, but there's no used G&L JB's around here to A-B with, so it's either the fender or the JB-2.
Both about the same price too.

 

[zeffbeff]

I own the same MIA Jazz, and it's fantastic. Plays like butter, and I did some detailed direct recording to analyze the pickups-- they're unreal! So articulate and growls.

 

[west al]

That's a tough choice between the two. Flip a coin, and see who's heads.

 

[Jay Mastro]

Though the feel of the MIA might be right I would go with the SB-2, and I'm a jazz guy, but I'll take a good G&L find over a MIA standard all day

 

[west al]

Though the feel of the MIA might be right I would go with the SB-2, and I'm a jazz guy, but I'll take a good G&L find over a MIA standard all day

I know what you mean, I had a couple of USA SB-2's that played great also.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

Why not stand out from the crowd? G&L.

 

[SVTbird]

I AM kind of leaning towards the G&L. Both are nice. Both are used, and of course both are USA, and the JB-2 looks like its brand new. Honestly if you told me it was new I'd believe you, and I can get it for $699, $799 for the fender which is in great but not "new" condition.
Main drawback with the JB is the gloss neck. Not sure if I'm crazy about that.

I know the fender will hold a better resale value, but if the JB-2 is anything like my LB-100 I don't know if I really care lol.

 

[SVTbird]

So I went back to play some more today, was basically set to get the G&L, then I saw it...

Long story short, I didn't get either, and I walked out with a USA SVT-CL.

Nice amp, but I think I might have a serious GAS problem

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

If the reputation of the LB is anything to go by, the JB should be stunning. The other thing I'd consider is that G&L's are produced in much smaller numbers and we all know how on/off patchy Fender's quality control is...

Also, I know a lot of people aren't caring for the Am.Std Custom Shop 60's pickups. They're a lot darker and muddier than the 2008-2012 ones which had the proper scooped Jazz sound & burp.