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Fender jazz bass MIM concerns

Bdeanbass

Guest
Jul 12, 2015
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I plan on buying a Fender 5 string deluxe jazz bass MIM but I'm having a specific concern about it after playing it in a shop for a bit. The space in between the strings of my bass now is somewhat smaller than the jazz bass. The frets also seem a little smaller as well. I love the sound of the bass as well as the price but I feel like I'm going to lose a lot of precision and speed with the bass with it having a larger gap in between strings. Has anyone had a hard time adjusting to this bass? I'm sure I could adapt eventually but I'm wondering if a different choice would suit me better, since I don't have very big hands and I've grown so accustomed to the bass I play now. I also played the ibanez sr805 and it fit like a glove but I don't see the flexibility in that bass that I do in the jazz bass. Any suggestions?
 
If it sounds that good, get it.

The more you play it the quicker you'll get used to the string spacing.

Exactly. I play all kinds of spacing and you just play them enough to make new ruts in your brain.

I do own a MIM Fender Deluxe jazz bass. Mine was a used 2002 and it needed some new pickups and setup up and work to be right. A later one should not need that work. My main gripe is the neck profile. I don't know why but I really don't like the Fender Jazz neck profile. I tend to prefer fatter (like SX Jazz clones and G&L) or thinner (Like my Ibanez). I even like the wide P-bass 5er profile. Go figure. String spacing isn't the factor with me but neck profile seems to be. However, sometimes only a Fender-shaped headstock will do. And a properly tweaked MIM Fender Jazz deluxe can be a great looking, sounding, and playing bass.

If it feels good and sounds good it IS good! Go for it!
 
I'm sure a Fender shaped headstock will always do

But in this case, remember we're talkin' about a 5 in-line Gotoh light tuners one, and it's not only that.

I don't think this to be the case, but I had a MIM deluxe 5er givin' me troubles for its lower frets intonation... why? I had to a fullstep downtune it (A, D, G, C, F) and first two to three frets rendered a consistent buzz no matter the strings or gauge (I'm serious): even if I was lovin' the overall tone and attack of that bass, I had to let it down for it was nearly impossible to record with despite what I initially planned

Cheers,
Wallace
 
You'll adjust quickly if you just play it constantly. Once familiar just keep rotating which bass you play to keep on top of the differences. Soon it will all be second nature and then you can move on the the 1.75" '50s Classic or RW or RI Precisions! Lovely necks.
 

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