Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 Jazz Bass Special - Circa 1984-87
- Thread starter Bullitt5135
- Start date
Haha yeah I had a pink one that was passive but I just got rid of it for a vm jag that played and sounded better. Paid 325 sold for 295 on eBay. Should have sold it on here. Friends are sad that I don't have "the pink bass" anymore. I like the duff sound and vibe but I'll take agathis over basswood. Neckdive was Terrible. The pickups were not the large pole ones from earlier models although they looked similar. Tried quarter pounders but they didn't do it for me. A cool collectable for a duff fan like me but couldn't afford to keep it. Looking to pick up a used 400 rb and then save for a cab.
Hey guys, no offense- but I don't think this bass should be defined by Duff McKagan! This bass is capable of a very wide range of tones, and can definitely sound just like a P bass, or whatever. Really, to me it is nice and punchy, but it is really great at being mellow and smooth also, especially if you have a little less new strings on it.
But the thing that makes them so special is the beautiful slim and smooth neck. They don't finish necks like that anymore- not even on the $1,000+ American basses.
One thing though- do the TBX tone controls go bad? I've had no problems with this bass till a few days ago- lost all my high end, and the tone control basically almost does nothing all of a sudden. All the wiring appears to be good.
But the thing that makes them so special is the beautiful slim and smooth neck. They don't finish necks like that anymore- not even on the $1,000+ American basses.
One thing though- do the TBX tone controls go bad? I've had no problems with this bass till a few days ago- lost all my high end, and the tone control basically almost does nothing all of a sudden. All the wiring appears to be good.
Here's mine. Power Jazz Special.
I agree with the comment on the pickups - mine are quite weak even when in active mode but I guess that's what gain knobs are for.
The neck on her is just to die for. It just feels like it was made to fit my hands and I've got gorilla sized hands. This one as the graphite weave or carbon fiber or whatever material sandwiched between the neck and f/board. Supposedely it was manufactured this way to add stiffness fo a very sliem neck. I've tried to sell it a few times but when a buyer gets interested, I pull it from it's case and play it and then I remind myself how good a bass it really is and I keep it.
I agree with the comment on the pickups - mine are quite weak even when in active mode but I guess that's what gain knobs are for.
The neck on her is just to die for. It just feels like it was made to fit my hands and I've got gorilla sized hands. This one as the graphite weave or carbon fiber or whatever material sandwiched between the neck and f/board. Supposedely it was manufactured this way to add stiffness fo a very sliem neck. I've tried to sell it a few times but when a buyer gets interested, I pull it from it's case and play it and then I remind myself how good a bass it really is and I keep it.
I've played a number of these - the store I used to work at saw many come and go. My recollection was that they're nice enough, but nothing special... A few years later, they started using the "Kubicki" electronics that were pretty cool...
I'd think these would make a good basis for a cool build, but stock they're *meh*. Just because they're kinda old doesn't mean they're anything special.
I'd think these would make a good basis for a cool build, but stock they're *meh*. Just because they're kinda old doesn't mean they're anything special.
anybody in the Raleigh area with one of these they would let me check out? working on a possible trade, but don't want to make a move before getting my hands on one. the bass in question is a straight up passive Jazz Special from the late 80's.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I just sold my 86' that I got from a TBer a couple of months back. Was a killer bass actually. Had Lindy P's and a SD Jazz in the Bridge PU. I installed a Hipshot A style Bridge. Sounded awesome. It is a bit of a misnomer though saying it has a Jazz neck on it, which it doesn't. Not quite a P neck either. An in-betweener. Just need that real Jazz neck, if it would have had that I'd never had gotten rid of it. Sold it locally for $520.00 with all the upgrades on it. Great bass though, especially for PJ players like myself. Just not a real Jazz neck...I wish they'd make more black painted necks like that. Awesome looking.
I have a 89 Power Jazz Bass Special, really like the way it plays although I am still not totally sold on the "Power" pre-amp. I am thinking of pulling it out and dropping in a Audere Z-mode cause all the holes are in just the right spots.
I just put in an SPB-1 Seymour Duncan and that pickup sounds amazing in the bass. I am replacing the bridge with an STK-J2B to get rid of the single coil buzz, but overall I love the way this bass feels and plays. If anyone is interested I was able to track down a wiring diagram for the Power Basses, I know opening mine up I was a little confused.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I just put in an SPB-1 Seymour Duncan and that pickup sounds amazing in the bass. I am replacing the bridge with an STK-J2B to get rid of the single coil buzz, but overall I love the way this bass feels and plays. If anyone is interested I was able to track down a wiring diagram for the Power Basses, I know opening mine up I was a little confused.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Bought my fretless used in the early 90's and had it ever since. The only bass I actually own. While I've occasionally borrowed fretted basses for special projects, I've always been primarily a fretless player and this instrument suits me perfectly. Wouldn't part with it for love or money
All stock except for a Brazilian rosewood nut. Strung with D'Addario Half Rounds
All stock except for a Brazilian rosewood nut. Strung with D'Addario Half Rounds
One of my all time favorite basses, mine's an '86 in white, black painted jazz neck and large pole pickups. I'll never sell this one it's got too much history for me, glad to see some love for these on here 
I'll post a couple of pics when I get chance
I'll post a couple of pics when I get chance
Nice rigs everybody! I'm also in love with a 1986 E-serial precision bass special, had it for about 8 years now. It's the metallic green with black neck, I named it Charlie. Just the other day it was ruined by a hack luthier and now I'm devastated. I just discovered double thumb slapping and this bass really had it going on! Don't know what I'm going to do now.
Attachments
Just bought this Power Jazz Bass Special today. Pretty cool. I'm assuming it's a 1987 or so. I used to have a Kubicki that was almost exactly the same color. Looks very "Miami Vice" to me. I just set it up, and the action is fantastic. Time to plug it in now.
AdamR, I really hated you for a few days, after you stole this from me in the classifieds section.... I copied your avitar and threw darts at it. I also prayed to Jesus that your bass would be mishandled and accidentally shipped to me, etc.
No worries. I looked on Evil bay, and now I have one too!
This is why I love/loathe BOH's posts.
They're nothing special, but I dig the nostalgic factor. I paid a very affordable price for mine and it had all original hardware.
