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Fender Modern Player Short Scale Jazz in White Blonde?

Plectrum72

Plectrum72

Supporting Member
Jun 15, 2013
1,603
3,423
Okaloosa County, Florida
#1
When these first posted up in US online stores they were availabe in candy apple red and white blonde; however, the white blonde photo actually showed a telecaster guitar instead of a jazz bass (and the photo for the white blonde telecaster showed a jazz bass). Now all the sites are showing/offering only the candy apple red. Salesperson I spoke to on the phone didn't seem to be aware of the white blonde offering and couldn't find them in the system. Anyone have any clues about the status of white blonde modern player short scale jazzes? I'd love to have a short scale P/J, but not in CAR.
 
#2
According to a Fender rep the SS Jazz is already out of production with no plans to make more. From what I've heard and read the Blonde ones are/were rarer than the red. The ones that are still available are all there is so if you're thinking of getting one I'd do it fast. I managed to pick up the last blonde one that GC had in the Midwest by driving from Lincoln to Kansas City to get it. A little over 400 miles round trip, but worth it to me. My local store tried to order a couple and was disappointed about the short run.

But it is a nice little bass. Plays great, feels good, sounds like you'd expect a Fender P/J to. There are reports on here of some that have had intonation problems. Mine did not. Fretwork is what you'd expect. Neck reminds me more of a Strat neck than a bass. Very smooth and fast. The blonde finish looks real nice, just enough of the grain showing thru to give it character.

I certainly hope that Fender decides to start making these as a regular production. There would be a market for them.
 
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#4
Plectrum72 said:
When these first posted up in US online stores they were availabe in candy apple red and white blonde; however, the white blonde photo actually showed a telecaster guitar instead of a jazz bass (and the photo for the white blonde telecaster showed a jazz bass). Now all the sites are showing/offering only the candy apple red. Salesperson I spoke to on the phone didn't seem to be aware of the white blonde offering and couldn't find them in the system. Anyone have any clues about the status of white blonde modern player short scale jazzes? I'd love to have a short scale P/J, but not in CAR.
Click to expand...


I got caught up in the whole short scale Telecaster/Modern Player bass thing. I tried to get a white one from mf but found out they were sending me the telecaster....still waiting for a refund. GC in Sacramento supposedly had a red one and they were going to call me back to be sure but never did. I'm wondering if the CA port closure had something to do with the limited supply. Anyway I decided to go down to a local music store that sells Fender to see what they had. I ended up buying an Ibanez Mikro bass. Tried a Mustang with the humbucker.....too muddy and expensive. I'm generally a Fender guy but I have to say the Ibanez is really nice with decent tone. I've played other long scale Ibanez's with the humbuckers and I don't like the tone. This Mikro has the same pu configuration as the modern player so I put a Bill Lawrence p-46 in it that I had laying around. I also put some d'addario flatwounds on it. One thing....... the stock jazz pickup is small and it will take some slight routing to replace it. I'm not sure if it's worth it though because it actually sounds okay. Anyway, short story long, it sounds nice and is very comfortable and easy to play. Both the action and intonation set up really well and output is pretty even across the fretboard. It stays in tune well too. I'm about to try it through my Ampeg SVT. If anything offensive jumps out at me I'll follow up.
 
#5
I bought the last one GC had anywhere in the system. Had it shipped from their store in Florence, KY.
Fender Modern Player Short Scale Jazz Bass - PJ | Page 13 | TalkBass.com
My experience so far matches fj's exactly. I'll add that the wood grain under the white isn't really as attractive as I thought it would be; my gf said it looked like I was playing a guitar with a giant headstock; and its heavier than you expect. Heavier than my RW jazz, even.
Since I'm feeling a little bit like "that guy," I'll note that I also own an Ibanez Mikro. Both instruments are still stock--I'll work up a comparison review this weekend if anyone is interested.
 
#6
Plectrum72 said:
.... I'd love to have a short scale P/J, but not in CAR.
Click to expand...

If the SS Jazz doesn't work out for you, I'm another one who says consider the Mikro.
Take a look at the colors available - one of them is sure to sit well with you:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It's got a slightly shorter scale, a slightly smaller body, is very lightweight,
plays with the greatest of ease, and sounds really good straight out of the box.
No trouble setting it up, fretwork and finish are more than acceptable for the price,
and I keep it set up as my practice bass.

Not the same as the SS Jazz for sure, but if you haven't yet, try to get your hands
on one before you decide on something else. Maybe you'd like it.
 
#7
Agree that the wood under the blonde isn't like what you find on highly figured basses. But, mine at least, has a classic vibe to it. Feels and looks like something they could (should) have released 30, 40, even 50 years ago.

I'd like a real Jazz version with maple/maple neck and any color except black of sunburst.
 
#8
Jeff Elkins said:
I bought the last one GC had anywhere in the system. Had it shipped from their store in Florence, KY.
Fender Modern Player Short Scale Jazz Bass - PJ | Page 13 | TalkBass.com
My experience so far matches fj's exactly. I'll add that the wood grain under the white isn't really as attractive as I thought it would be; my gf said it looked like I was playing a guitar with a giant headstock; and its heavier than you expect. Heavier than my RW jazz, even.
Since I'm feeling a little bit like "that guy," I'll note that I also own an Ibanez Mikro. Both instruments are still stock--I'll work up a comparison review this weekend if anyone is interested.
Click to expand...

I'm definitely interested in hearing your thoughts on the Mikro vs. Modern Player since I'm hooked on short scales now. I have found the Mikro to have a nice growl to it with more brightness too, compared to my Fender American jazz with Fralin pickups. It does have less sustain though as one would expect. I'd never give up the full rich tone of my jazz bass but the Mikro is really a useable bass imo.
 
#9
GC has the red ones listed as 'Just Arrived' - as of 4/4/2015:

Invalid Link Removed

They also still have a picture of a white 6 string up.

Edit - I guess you can't link to it (or I don't know how), but the SS Jazz is on their site.
 
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#11
Jeff Elkins said:
I bought the last one GC had anywhere in the system. Had it shipped from their store in Florence, KY.
Fender Modern Player Short Scale Jazz Bass - PJ | Page 13 | TalkBass.com
My experience so far matches fj's exactly. I'll add that the wood grain under the white isn't really as attractive as I thought it would be; my gf said it looked like I was playing a guitar with a giant headstock; and its heavier than you expect. Heavier than my RW jazz, even.
Since I'm feeling a little bit like "that guy," I'll note that I also own an Ibanez Mikro. Both instruments are still stock--I'll work up a comparison review this weekend if anyone is interested.
Click to expand...

Very interested in said review!
 
#12
stickynotes said:
I'm definitely interested in hearing your thoughts on the Mikro vs. Modern Player...
Click to expand...

soong said:
Very interested in said review!
Click to expand...

Gang -

So sorry I didn't get back to this!

Here's my review of the Fender SS MP P/J:

It's a pretty bass. And it sounds GREAT. I think P/J is officially at the top of my pickup combo list, now. It's louder and deeper than either of my Road Worn P or J basses. And it's fun to play a short scale--I felt like a guitarist. With fingers. Which was pretty cool for a moment.

However, it's not a keeper. As pretty as the white is, you can see the wood grain through it, and after a week it kind of bugs me. Makes me think more of a fence white-wash than a guitar finish. Also, the SO says that--on me--it looks like a telecaster with a fat headstock (I'm not a small guy). Having said that, it appears to be one of the best finished basses I've ever owned (Ibanez 905/GWB1/GWB105 coming in seriously second), and the components look and feel like quality parts.

*It doesn't seem to affect the job at all, but the E string crosses one of the poles on the Jazz pickup (versus between the two poles, as intended).*

Half the reason I wanted to check this one out was to share with the 12 y/o--and the bass is HEAVY. No scale, but it's heavier than my Road Worn Jazz. And in the end, I really couldn't get past the weight of it (for myself and the 12 y/o) and so posted it for sale; I got an offer to purchase and ended up packing up the bass before I had a good chance to do the side-by-side I promised. There are many more comments on the MPSSPJ thread, which give a fairly accurate description of the MP: Fender Modern Player Short Scale Jazz Bass - PJ | TalkBass.com (some new owners on the last couple of pages). Apparently GC is still receiving them occasionally, even though the run is reportedly finished!

Regarding the Ibanez Mikro:

I'm pleased with the Mikro. The 12 y/o and I both enjoy the light weight; and despite that it doesn't feel like a toy. I'm thinking about changing out the knobs, which are pretty cheesy plastic, but the pickup output is decent, if a little low, and the fit and finish are awesome considering the price. Compared to my RW Jazz and Precision basses, it doesn't have quite the same full "boom" (which makes it even LESS so compared to the SS P/J) and as an aside, it doesn't trigger my pedals as well as any of my other basses. That could be strings; but I don't think that's it--I think the pickups are just not as hot as the P/J or my RoadWorns.

Sorry I didn't spend more time with the two of them side-by-side. :(
 

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