I thought a few here might be interested in this bass, I reviewed it for another forum... but I know that not everyone visits all the great bass forums on the net..
Invalid Link Removed
Well I went down and did a side by side comparison of the Fender Japan Jaguar Bass and a better known Fender Japan 62 reissue with US vintage pick-ups.
Since I live in Japan and this review was for a public forum I went through the formalities of informing the store of what I would like to do and why. After checking with the management, they we more than happy to allow me to do my thing. The store was Yamano Music, and I was being assisted by Yamada-san.
I requested a single amp and one Jazz Bass and one Jaguar Bass, they set up a Gallien-Kruger Neo 1001/212 and brought out the two basses tuned and ready to go... cool!!! Then left me alone to fiddle..
Here are the stats for the two as tested : (advice for you other Americans: LEARN THE METRIC SYSTEM!!) (I did)
62 Jazz RI
Model JB62-75US
Body Alder
Neck Maple Oval profile
Nut 38mm A-neck
Fingerboard Rosewood 184mm Radius (7 1/4 in) 20Frets
Pick-up USA Vintage X2
Bridge Spiral Vintage
Controls Volume Tone front/rear
Color Three Tone Sunburst
Jaguar Bass
Model JAB-90EQ
Body Alder
Neck Maple U-profile
Nut 38mm A-neck
Fingerboard Rosewood 250mm Radius (9 7/8 in) 20Frets
Pick-up JB single X2
Bridge Spiral Vintage
Controls Volume, Tone, Bass, Treble
Switches pick-up on/off, active on/off, series/parallel
Color Three Tone Sunburst
The Jazz Bass was what it is, a great bass. I chose the 62 reissue due to its similar price and since the Jaguar Bass is based on a great 60's guitar it seemed like a natural choice, for the "retro" in some of us.
Neck
The Jag I tested was nice and light, as was the Jazz, very comfortable in the hands. So let me with the "hands", the natural playing position is almost identical to the Jazz. However there was a huge difference in the necks, the Jag has a "U" profile and larger radius which in my big hands gave it a thinner feeling, just the way I like it. I was very surprised how different the two necks felt when switching back and forth, the difference is not so visible, but immediately noticed when wrapping a hand around it.
Body
The Jag body is a bit smaller than the Jazz and navigating the switches is an interesting challenge, long ago I played a 1964 Jaguar guitar, I could never figure out the switches. On the Jag Bass I did figure them out and they are useful. The pick-ups on the Jag are spaced wider than the Jazz, 8.5cm on the Jag vs 7cm on the Jazz. The Jag also has the bridge pick-up closer to the bridge, 1.5cm closer. Battery access is on the back.
Fit and Finish
Both were flawless. Fender Japan puts together great instruments. Very consistent in all the instruments I have seen and owned.
Sound
This is an objective area, to each his own. Think "Jazz Bass" but with an edge (a bit more bite maybe due to the closer placement of the bridge pick-up to bridge), and thanks to the "Active" setting you can boost everything a bit. I really liked the "boost" it was shall we say "in good taste". Some active circuits tend to change everything about the sound, the Jag was subtle but firm, holding on to the natural tone of the bass and not coloring the sound, I really like that! The boost did add to the "Slap"-ability of the bass...so if you want to go there go ahead.... I don't.
It was very easy to mix and change sounds on the Jag Bass thanks to those switches and knobs.
Round-up
In person the Jaguar Bass is beautiful in looks and sound, I am glad I live in Tokyo as it will be easy to get one of these basses... and in CAR with matching headstock!!! The look is anything but modern, but it what Fender is? The price is excellent, listing at 95000 yen and selling at 75000 yen. It should be a flexible bass for many styles of music a lot like the Jazz Bass... but different
I have some serious GAS now.....
Invalid Link Removed
Well I went down and did a side by side comparison of the Fender Japan Jaguar Bass and a better known Fender Japan 62 reissue with US vintage pick-ups.
Since I live in Japan and this review was for a public forum I went through the formalities of informing the store of what I would like to do and why. After checking with the management, they we more than happy to allow me to do my thing. The store was Yamano Music, and I was being assisted by Yamada-san.
I requested a single amp and one Jazz Bass and one Jaguar Bass, they set up a Gallien-Kruger Neo 1001/212 and brought out the two basses tuned and ready to go... cool!!! Then left me alone to fiddle..
Here are the stats for the two as tested : (advice for you other Americans: LEARN THE METRIC SYSTEM!!) (I did)
62 Jazz RI
Model JB62-75US
Body Alder
Neck Maple Oval profile
Nut 38mm A-neck
Fingerboard Rosewood 184mm Radius (7 1/4 in) 20Frets
Pick-up USA Vintage X2
Bridge Spiral Vintage
Controls Volume Tone front/rear
Color Three Tone Sunburst
Jaguar Bass
Model JAB-90EQ
Body Alder
Neck Maple U-profile
Nut 38mm A-neck
Fingerboard Rosewood 250mm Radius (9 7/8 in) 20Frets
Pick-up JB single X2
Bridge Spiral Vintage
Controls Volume, Tone, Bass, Treble
Switches pick-up on/off, active on/off, series/parallel
Color Three Tone Sunburst
The Jazz Bass was what it is, a great bass. I chose the 62 reissue due to its similar price and since the Jaguar Bass is based on a great 60's guitar it seemed like a natural choice, for the "retro" in some of us.
Neck
The Jag I tested was nice and light, as was the Jazz, very comfortable in the hands. So let me with the "hands", the natural playing position is almost identical to the Jazz. However there was a huge difference in the necks, the Jag has a "U" profile and larger radius which in my big hands gave it a thinner feeling, just the way I like it. I was very surprised how different the two necks felt when switching back and forth, the difference is not so visible, but immediately noticed when wrapping a hand around it.
Body
The Jag body is a bit smaller than the Jazz and navigating the switches is an interesting challenge, long ago I played a 1964 Jaguar guitar, I could never figure out the switches. On the Jag Bass I did figure them out and they are useful. The pick-ups on the Jag are spaced wider than the Jazz, 8.5cm on the Jag vs 7cm on the Jazz. The Jag also has the bridge pick-up closer to the bridge, 1.5cm closer. Battery access is on the back.
Fit and Finish
Both were flawless. Fender Japan puts together great instruments. Very consistent in all the instruments I have seen and owned.
Sound
This is an objective area, to each his own. Think "Jazz Bass" but with an edge (a bit more bite maybe due to the closer placement of the bridge pick-up to bridge), and thanks to the "Active" setting you can boost everything a bit. I really liked the "boost" it was shall we say "in good taste". Some active circuits tend to change everything about the sound, the Jag was subtle but firm, holding on to the natural tone of the bass and not coloring the sound, I really like that! The boost did add to the "Slap"-ability of the bass...so if you want to go there go ahead.... I don't.
It was very easy to mix and change sounds on the Jag Bass thanks to those switches and knobs.
Round-up
In person the Jaguar Bass is beautiful in looks and sound, I am glad I live in Tokyo as it will be easy to get one of these basses... and in CAR with matching headstock!!! The look is anything but modern, but it what Fender is? The price is excellent, listing at 95000 yen and selling at 75000 yen. It should be a flexible bass for many styles of music a lot like the Jazz Bass... but different
I have some serious GAS now.....
Why can't they sell them in US 
