• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fender-Deluxe-Active-Jazz-V-Bass

D

dead silence

Aug 7, 2010
11
2
#1
Good evening,
I read a lot on this forum, but now it's time for me to ask some questions. I play in our Praise Band at church, a Peavey Custom 5 string Cirrus. I suppose it's considered a P Bass. I've been wanting to experiment and try a J bass, and have been reading a lot on here and opinions are like elbows. No one seems to want to bid on this little jewel. I know it's nothing like the American version, but would this be a decent entry level for a J or should I hold out for an American version.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331451869727?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

1.JPG
2.JPG
3.JPG
4.JPG
 
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#2
I see nothing wrong with that bass. Aesthetically, some may not like the 5-in-a-row headstock and prefer the 4+1 like the MIA version with the huge clover-shaped pegs. One other thing to consider between the different headstocks, but it may be too trivial...looking at the two side by side, the 4+1 headstock B string tuning peg is somewhere between 1/4" and 1/2" further from the string nut than the 5-across headstock. This might add some tension the the B string and not make it too "floppy". However, I have played with both and the difference is negligible. I never really met a 34" scale B that I didn't like. I actually prefer it over my 35" scale bass' B....the floppyness gives it more growl, I think. The MIA may also allow for thru-body stringing as well.
Some people don't care for those "noiseless" pickups....supposedly they produce more noise than tone (but I have no personal experience).
Depends if you want an active Jazz....most prefer a passive model.
My suggestion would be to try both in a store and see what you might like better before buying...
...or you can buy one of the Squier VM Jazz V basses for $150 less out the door. I did and I absolutely LOVE it. Super comfortable and plays like a dream. It actually has great sounding pickups and sounds fantastic unplugged even.
 
Last edited:
#3
That is a very good price for that bass. I might eventually throw an Audere in it but for what you get that is a sweet deal. I would email and find out of it comes with a case or bag before bidding.

I tell you what, if it was that butter yellow color those come in I would have bid on it. :)
 
#4
That seems like a pretty good deal. If you were to get it, I'd try one of those Stealth B string retainers on it. I'm sold on them. I have an American Deluxe Jazz V and it is a fine instrument! I like it and it performs flawlessly everytime I plug it in. And, in my opinion, the B string sounds fantastic. It is also 3 times the money. If you are just looking to delve into the 5 string market, the Mexican made Deluxe is a good place to start.
 
#5
Gougedeye said:
That seems like a pretty good deal. If you were to get it, I'd try one of those Stealth B string retainers on it. I'm sold on them. I have an American Deluxe Jazz V and it is a fine instrument! I like it and it performs flawlessly everytime I plug it in. And, in my opinion, the B string sounds fantastic. It is also 3 times the money. If you are just looking to delve into the 5 string market, the Mexican made Deluxe is a good place to start.
Click to expand...

I have a 5 now, and have often said, if I didn't have a five, I would string my 4 BEAD. Love that low B for contemporary Christian. You know how it is. I own 3 bases, but my son the youth minister has 2 of them and I've got "new-bass-itis". So, I thought I'd try a Jazz and play with that sound some.
 
#10
Update
Auction ended without notice, did not get a chance to bid. Went to my local music store, played an American Standard which is a 34" scale, and really felt a little jammed up. You wouldn't think 1" would make that much difference. Tried a Millennium and liked the sound. After all, this will be my outside weather, leave it on the practice stand bass, instead of using my Cirrus for all that. So, this is my next quest. From the comments on here, a pretty good copy of the Cirrus sound and playability, just not a neck through body, and MADE IN THE USA!!!!

PEAVEY USA MILLENNIUM PLUS 5 STRING BASS

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131410545950?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 

Attachments

  • $_14.JPG
    $_14.JPG
    1.1 KB · Views: 109
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#12
Nighttrain1127 said:
I just picked up a Vintage White MIM Deluxe Active Jazz V a couple weeks ago. I get no EMI/RFI noise from the noisless pickups But the output of the bass is way lower than my two Passive Basses MIJ 51-P RI and a Darkstar P. Was thinking the Audere Pre could help there.
Click to expand...

I just picked up a new Deluxe Active Jazz 5 and love the sound. The output on mine seems fine. It's certainly much hotter than my passive Fender FSR Jazz 4. Not as hot as the Demeter preamp in my Roscoe but a little tweak of the amp volume (input sensitivity) and I can get the same overall volume.

By the way. The workmanship, sound and playability of the Fender Deluxe Active Jazz 5 is just awesome!

Since seeing is believing, here's a pic .......

Fender full.jpg
 
#13
JOME77 said:
I just picked up a new Deluxe Active Jazz 5 and love the sound. The output on mine seems fine. It's certainly much hotter than my passive Fender FSR Jazz 4. Not as hot as the Demeter preamp in my Roscoe but a little tweak of the amp volume (input sensitivity) and I can get the same overall volume.

By the way. The workmanship, sound and playability of the Fender Deluxe Active Jazz 5 is just awesome!

Since seeing is believing, here's a pic .......

View attachment 649299
Click to expand...
The MIM deluxe 5 isn't bad. Mine sounds good, buzzes here and there but if my hands are on the strings it's very quiet. Preamp output is pretty weak compared to any other bass I own but I bought a clean boost pedal and that did the trick. It looks as though the OP went another direction but these are constructed well and get the job done.
IMG_20150516_105009.jpg
 
#14
I play in a church band and while a low B (low C in my case, long story) is as nice to have for worship music as it is for any other kind of music it is not essential. If I were going to down tune a four string I would probably go no lower than a D. If I hang out too low for too long the WP will get on my case and ask me to play some of that higher up. The drummer loves it, however, or at least he did until this week. We are in the process of setting up a new, acoustic drum kit and aquarium to replace the old, worn out electronic kit we had been using. Still a few weeks until it goes live but the drummer is thinking of nothing else right now and who could blame him?

I have a DAJ four string and it also has a low output. Seems to be a characteristic of the older models, mine is a 2011. Every bass I have buzzes at church, active, passive, single coil, hum canceling and in every case it goes away if I keep my hand on the strings. It's not a loud buzz in any case.
 
#15
The Deluxe Active V is a great jazz bass! I picked one up in like new condition (2015 model) last year. There was some hum from electrical interference. A complete shield job with copper foil (easy to find online video for how to do this) eliminated it. The action needed a little adjustment to eliminate some fret buzz, but also easy to fix (maybe the last owner liked their action super low). Overall great sound and play-ability, though a bit more challenging than a 4 string. Holds tune well. It is true that the pre-amp output is a bit lower powered than some other active basses. The 2016 and newer models are now 18v instead of 9v, so I think fender addressed that.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back