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Fender Jazz Bass Copies

F

freddyboi22

Jul 15, 2008
4
0
#1
Hey,
I was just wondering what anyone knew about these types of basses, preferably the high end ones. I am considering buying one from Chris Stambaugh and quite frankly it sounds better than any jazz bass i've ever tried but my knowledge about these types of things is very limited. The body is made out of solid ash and the neck out of maple. There are aero jazz pickups on it and it also has a passive/active switch like the marcus miller bass. It is pretty much a replica of the marcus miller bass and is priced at around 1700$. I was told this was a very good price for a bass of this quality but I know very little about Chris Stambaugh although all I've ever heard was extremely positive. How does this compare to other jazz bass replicas? And how would the resale value be estimated on an instrument like this?
Thanks
 
#2
freddyboi22 said:
Hey,
I was just wondering what anyone knew about these types of basses, preferably the high end ones. I am considering buying one from Chris Stambaugh and quite frankly it sounds better than any jazz bass i've ever tried but my knowledge about these types of things is very limited. The body is made out of solid ash and the neck out of maple. There are aero jazz pickups on it and it also has a passive/active switch like the marcus miller bass. It is pretty much a replica of the marcus miller bass and is priced at around 1700$. I was told this was a very good price for a bass of this quality but I know very little about Chris Stambaugh although all I've ever heard was extremely positive. How does this compare to other jazz bass replicas? And how would the resale value be estimated on an instrument like this?
Thanks
Click to expand...

i thought the whole idea of copying a fender was to lower the price...unless its some crazy finish or was played by god then y not go for a real fender at barely over $1k?

disclaimer-im still new so if i totally wrong be gentle:bawl:
 
#4
It goes both ways. (This is all totally subjective, btw)

The whole idea of copying a Fender is so that people who really like the look and feel (and, to a degree, the sound) of Fender can have a cheaper alternative - SX is currently the "in" choice around here, and with good reason if mine are average by the brand. Cheaply made imports, with cheaper hardware and *theoretically* less quality control, costs less than a real Fender Jazz or Precision.

OTOH,

The whole idea of copying a Fender is so that people who really like the look and feel (and, to a degree, the sound) of Fender can have a higher quality, better-sounding bass. Many people love the look and feel of Fender, but at times their quality control has had issues, and many just have the money and a desire to have a crazy exotic wood top, or specific electronics, or neck woods, or (the list goes on). Fender Custom Shop can make you anything you want, but other luthiers have realized that there is a market for high-end Jazz or Precision-shaped basses, and have added their personal touches here and there. In many cases, they're miles and miles better than anything that came out of Fender, IMO.

Stambaugh has an excellent reputation around here, and other companies like Low End, Lakland and Sadowsky have made quite the name in the bass community for themselves by offering "Fender clones."
 
#6
neurotictim said:
It goes both ways. (This is all totally subjective, btw)

The whole idea of copying a Fender is so that people who really like the look and feel (and, to a degree, the sound) of Fender can have a cheaper alternative - SX is currently the "in" choice around here, and with good reason if mine are average by the brand. Cheaply made imports, with cheaper hardware and *theoretically* less quality control, costs less than a real Fender Jazz or Precision.

OTOH,

The whole idea of copying a Fender is so that people who really like the look and feel (and, to a degree, the sound) of Fender can have a higher quality, better-sounding bass. Many people love the look and feel of Fender, but at times their quality control has had issues, and many just have the money and a desire to have a crazy exotic wood top, or specific electronics, or neck woods, or (the list goes on). Fender Custom Shop can make you anything you want, but other luthiers have realized that there is a market for high-end Jazz or Precision-shaped basses, and have added their personal touches here and there. In many cases, they're miles and miles better than anything that came out of Fender, IMO.

Stambaugh has an excellent reputation around here, and other companies like Low End, Lakland and Sadowsky have made quite the name in the bass community for themselves by offering "Fender clones."
Click to expand...

+1:hyper:

Dang Bro!! Hit the nail on the head!!
 
#7
This is all very subjective... as with most things in life.

I for one was a Fender guy, but I like 5 strings and IMHO Fender loses a bit of their magic with 5's so I got me a Mike Lull and it's everything I ever wanted in a Jazz.

As expensive as the small boutique builders charge for their basses, one would pay a considerably higher price for a Custom Shop Fender, and even if all you wanted was let say a different bridge or electronics that would fall into the "custom" category and there will be a substantial upcharge for that... And that can make your boutique Fender copy actually cheaper.

IMHO.
 
#8
yep i agree on the Fender 5's lacking a bit. I just wanted a flatter board, and 19mm spacing! i also like the 70's setup. I had a Marcus Miller 5(which is a good bass) but, the string spacing, the 7.25 board, and yellowish blocks and binding, was something i never got used to. so i had this custom jazz 5 built in north hollywood:19mm spacing, 21 fret, noiseless pu's in 70's spacing, 34 in scale( the B is thunderous!!), Demeter pre and Badass 5 bridge. priced just a bit cheaper than Fender 5 custom shop!!!!
 
#9
jazz-e-j said:
yep i agree on the Fender 5's lacking a bit. I just wanted a flatter board, and 19mm spacing! i also like the 70's setup. I had a Marcus Miller 5(which is a good bass) but, the string spacing, the 7.25 board, and yellowish blocks and binding, was something i never got used to. so i had this custom jazz 5 built in north hollywood:19mm spacing, 21 fret, noiseless pu's in 70's spacing, 34 in scale( the B is thunderous!!), Demeter pre and Badass 5 bridge. priced just a bit cheaper than Fender 5 custom shop!!!!
Click to expand...

That looks KILLER!!!! LOVE the pickguard... I wanna do something like that with my Frankenjazz... :D
 

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