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Fender J Bass right for me?

B

BigDaddyJ

Nov 29, 2008
19
0
#1
Hello I've been looking for a new bass and after looking around I believe I'm set on a Fender American Standard Jazz Bass. Now I was just wondering before I went out and bought it if you guys any feedback on them and have any other suggestions on which make/model I should try out. All help much appreciated :)
 
#2
IMHO (though a little long) the MIA Fender Jazz just sounds like a bass should sound, to me. On the other hand, I don't think that the money is worth what you get. I picked up a Mexican Jazz bass that sounds exactly like it should. By the time I'm done doing what I want to it, it will add a few hundred bucks to the overall cost (including conversion to fretless), but it still be cheaper than buying an American one. $480 for a MIM Jazz Bass, $30 for shielding supplies, $80 for a Badass II:bassist:, $160 for Fender noiseless pups:ninja:, $60 for a basic hard case, and $100 for a REALLY GOOD setup :smug: puts you @ $910. That's about $200 ahead of an American made.

Even then, if your shielding job is good enough you shouldn't need the pups, you could go with a Gotoh 201 bridge for $30 (an upgraded version of the stock "vintage" bridge) and a setup should be more like $50. So you could do it for $670 ($770 if you actually get a Fender hard case).

More than that, for the money spent, there are people here who will argue that Lakland and Shadowsky make a better Jazz than Fender.

Sorry for the can of worms, there.
 
#6
I play a Mexican Jazz and can say that I love her. I am only 17 so an American model was out of my range, but I have played on my neighbor's vintage (mid 70's) American P bass, and it's a very nice bass. I'd imagine that the difference between the two (Mexican v. American) is very slight tonally...but the "all-American" parts and manufacturing may be worth it I guess...

just my .02
 
#7
I have played a fender american jazz (passive) for about 4 years. I love the way it sounds, nice growl, lots of punch, it is very tight sounding. If you are looking for a warm, luscious, fat sound I would look elsewhere.
 
#8
Recently, I bought a 98 (or 99) MIM Jazz Bass used for 250 bucks, that's including a fender hard case. Now she's at the doctors getting a set-up, and a new bone nut. (Around 100 bucks)

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#9
kb9wyz said:
IMHO (though a little long) the MIA Fender Jazz just sounds like a bass should sound, to me. On the other hand, I don't think that the money is worth what you get. I picked up a Mexican Jazz bass that sounds exactly like it should. By the time I'm done doing what I want to it, it will add a few hundred bucks to the overall cost (including conversion to fretless), but it still be cheaper than buying an American one. $480 for a MIM Jazz Bass, $30 for shielding supplies, $80 for a Badass II:bassist:, $160 for Fender noiseless pups:ninja:, $60 for a basic hard case, and $100 for a REALLY GOOD setup :smug: puts you @ $910. That's about $200 ahead of an American made.

Even then, if your shielding job is good enough you shouldn't need the pups, you could go with a Gotoh 201 bridge for $30 (an upgraded version of the stock "vintage" bridge) and a setup should be more like $50. So you could do it for $670 ($770 if you actually get a Fender hard case).

More than that, for the money spent, there are people here who will argue that Lakland and Shadowsky make a better Jazz than Fender.

Sorry for the can of worms, there.
Click to expand...

Why not just get the MIM fretless? Isn't it the same price as the fretted version?
 
#11
Stumbo said:
Which bass are you using now?
Which amp?
What type of music would you play if you were/are in a band?
Click to expand...

Im using a '86 strings n things custom Kings Blues Bass its amazing and really like it but its on the fritz :(

I have an Ampeg SVT-450H with an 4X10 swr Goliath cab.

And the music I play for the most part is a mix of rock, blues, and jazz. (but i like everything lol)
 
#12
Get the MIA 08 Jazz! No Brainer. Great bass for a great price. If you look hard enough you can find some at the big players for under 1000 with a couple of dings and scratches!

Also I have seen GC discount the blizzard pearl one for 900!

Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays!!!:)
 
#14
At the local GC I found the American Standard was much more solid and playable than the imports. (Could be a fluke - they all needed a tuneup in the worst possible way.) If I was going to go new, I'd get one of those.

I've been reading a lot of good things about the quality control in Fender's 2008 model year - at least for MIA.
 
#15
Jazz basses are the only basses in my opinion. ;)

I'm kidding, but I do prefer them over any bass. I love the sound of single coil jazz pickups. I would definately recommend trying one out.

As far as MIM vs. MIA. MIA is built better and sounds better. MIMs sound really flat and thin to my ears. When you buy an American Fender your buying a great bass with a great name, therefore resale value is good. I would say buy used. I picked up a great 02 Jazz on here for $625. I've recently sold it. I was hoping to get my money back, I actually made a small profit.

The 2008 Jazz basses are incredible though. Some of the best Fender has put out. I've got an MIA Jazz V headed to me now. You can find them used, but they will run between 700-900.

As far as buying an MIM and modding it, i've done it. The bass sounded good, but not as good as my stock MIA Fender. I couldn't even get half of the money I put into the bass out of it when I tried to sell it. I ended up changing it back to stock and selling the add ons seperately and did much better that way.

Like I said if the J bass is for you, invest in an American model. You can't go wrong.
 
#17
I'd recommend trying a Lakland jazz also. Either a Joe Osborn or a Darryl Jones. They're very nice and might be what you're looking for.

I've heard a lot of very good things about the new Fenders too.

Jazzes are great basses, just make sure you play a few so you can tell the differences between varieties.
 
#18
kb9wyz said:
IMHO (though a little long) the MIA Fender Jazz just sounds like a bass should sound, to me. On the other hand, I don't think that the money is worth what you get. I picked up a Mexican Jazz bass that sounds exactly like it should. By the time I'm done doing what I want to it, it will add a few hundred bucks to the overall cost (including conversion to fretless), but it still be cheaper than buying an American one. $480 for a MIM Jazz Bass, $30 for shielding supplies, $80 for a Badass II:bassist:, $160 for Fender noiseless pups:ninja:, $60 for a basic hard case, and $100 for a REALLY GOOD setup :smug: puts you @ $910. That's about $200 ahead of an American made.
Click to expand...
And it's still only going to be worth what a MIM Jazz Bass goes for on the used market, maybe $50 more if you're lucky. Actually, the fretless conversion will probably make it worth less than that.

The AmStd Jazz and Precision are the best basses Fender has made in years IMHO, even better than the late 90's basses that I dig.
 
#19
I didn't even read the other responses.
I just suggest getting your hands on every bass all the local stores around you have :).
I recently converted myself from playing Spectors, to playing Jazz basses.
I highly suggest looking used, regardless of what bass you end up liking. You get it a lot cheaper, and don't lose your shirt on a re-sell.

At this point in my career, I couldn't be happier with a Jazz bass. There's no looking back for me, now. These are it for me :smug:.
 

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