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Fender JB 24 V or Variax

dtfan4ever

dtfan4ever

Jun 2, 2008
6
0
FINLAND
www.halfdeafguitarist.com
Disclosures
Music Educator at Kitarakellari Oy, Kauniainen, Finland
#1
Hi there!

This is my first post. I'm a noob at this forum but not to basses. I have a tough choice to make as I am buying a new bass. 6 months ago I sold all my gear and relocated 9000 miles away. I've played bass for well over a decade and studied with some amazing people at Berklee.

Anyway, for some reason, this is a tough choice for me to make. My wife is letting me only get one. :D (I told her I'd get both at some point) But for now, I'm only getting either one.

I am in a position where I can get either a 4 string variax or a Fender JB 24 V (5 string) for approximately the same price. I've played both and they're both great basses.

The variax has some very usable tones and the Fender has got to be one of the easiest basses I have ever played.

My last bass was a Cort Curbow 5. I bought it in a pinch and served me well for a few years. Prior to that my main bass was a Steinberger 5 for many years. Unfortunately, that bass met an untimely demise at the hands of a lunatic. It was my fave bass.

So, let me know what you think. I'm all ears. :D
 
#2
Well, if you like how both play I think it depends on how much variety of sound you need for what you do musically.

If you need a wide variety of sounds (which you can tweak and save based on your needs) then the Variax is a very usable, viable and completely gig-able solution. If you need a low B I believe you can also save a detuned setting for BEAD rather then EADG.

If a Jazz's Bridge/Neck J pickup combo give you all the sounds you need then long-term that's probably your 'lowest maintenance' option as there's much easier option of fixing anything that could go wrong with a basic Jazz 15 years down the road.

I'm more of a variety of sound person, so I'd go with the Variax myself.
 
#4
I say go for the Jazz bass 24 V. (Cause I own one)
It has a lot of tonal possibilities and IMO the B is a must-have for any bassist today. The Variax is good but just can't compare.
 

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