Fender Player II Jazz V vs 90’s Mexican Five string

[ocoaibass]

A question for the thread: what do we think of these new Player II modified Jazz V?

For context, I have a '98 MN serial number jazz bass five string I bought new in 1998w/ rosewood fretboard. I've installed Seymour Duncan QP's, a Badass V bridge, new electronics, a new pick guard, and it has been my go to bass for shows, tours, and the studio for almost 30 years.

I have a chance to get a '25 Player II Jazz V for $700. It's got the noiseless pickups, the "Hi-Mass" bridge, a maple fretboard, and the 18V electronics on board for all the eq and active tone options a boy could dream of. I just took it home from my local shoppe to test drive it.

For context, I've always tuned this down to either A# or G#, using .130's, so the action can never be super low/buttery. I'm going to give a run through all my pedals, amps, & cabs to see what I think but I'm curious if anyone else has done any side by side comparisons of other, previous Fender 5 strings.

I'm noticing that the neck profile seems thinner and a bit flatter radius above the 12th fret, but that is just my initial observations without a side by side. Again, I'm doing that later today/tomorrow. But I'd love to hear anything anyone has to say here.

 

[Clark W]

A question for the thread: what do we think of these new Player II modified Jazz V?

For context, I have a '98 MN serial number jazz bass five string I bought new in 1998w/ rosewood fretboard. I've installed Seymour Duncan QP's, a Badass V bridge, new electronics, a new pick guard, and it has been my go to bass for shows, tours, and the studio for almost 30 years.

I have a chance to get a '25 Player II Jazz V for $700. It's got the noiseless pickups, the "Hi-Mass" bridge, a maple fretboard, and the 18V electronics on board for all the eq and active tone options a boy could dream of. I just took it home from my local shoppe to test drive it.

For context, I've always tuned this down to either A# or G#, using .130's, so the action can never be super low/buttery. I'm going to give a run through all my pedals, amps, & cabs to see what I think but I'm curious if anyone else has done any side by side comparisons of other, previous Fender 5 strings.

I'm noticing that the neck profile seems thinner and a bit flatter radius above the 12th fret, but that is just my initial observations without a side by side. Again, I'm doing that later today/tomorrow. But I'd love to hear anything anyone has to say here.

Can't really answer about the Player II modified. But I bought a 1997 MIM Jazz V with the inline tuners and a brand new 2022 MIM Player Jazz V from the same store within 2 weeks of each other. The 1997 felt like my favorite worn out pair blue jeans. The 2022 felt like a brand new pair of blue jeans, all stiff. But after playing it a few times the "stiffness" seemed to disappear and I really liked the sound of it over the 97. But to be fair the rounds on the 97 were definitely wore out. But I sold it and kept the 2022.

 

[ocoaibass]

Can't really answer about the Player II modified. But I bought a 1997 MIM Jazz V with the inline tuners and a brand new 2022 MIM Player Jazz V from the same store within 2 weeks of each other. The 1997 felt like my favorite worn out pair blue jeans. The 2022 felt like a brand new pair of blue jeans, all stiff. But after playing it a few times the "stiffness" seemed to disappear and I really liked the sound of it over the 97. But to be fair the rounds on the 97 were definitely wore out. But I sold it and kept the 2022.

View attachment 7448461

Thank you for the input. I'm trying out the new bass for the added options of the impact the maple neck and active pups/electronics would have on tone and versatility between songs/styles. Can't imagine parting with my MIM jazz V after all the upgrades & modifications I've made, not to mention the almost 3 decades of playing it. But this new one seems like it has the potential to quickly provide some options I don't have on a very similar instrument.

I'd love to hear more opinions from anyone who views this thread.

 

[Wicked G]

I don't have a V but I do have two Modified Active Jazz Basses and a Modified Active P Bass. That doesn't normally happen but I really liked these basses.

Even with the active electronics engaged it still sounds and feels like they are passive although with the ability to fine tune your sound. Again I really like these basses. I hope you enjoy yours.

And yes I did remove the protective film from the pick guards.

 

[Clark W]

Thank you for the input. I'm trying out the new bass for the added options of the impact the maple neck and active pups/electronics would have on tone and versatility between songs/styles. Can't imagine parting with my MIM jazz V after all the upgrades & modifications I've made, not to mention the almost 3 decades of playing it. But this new one seems like it has the potential to quickly provide some options I don't have on a very similar instrument.

I'd love to hear more opinions from anyone who views this thread.

I don't know what pups they're using in the Player II vs the Player. But I have to admit, I've had two other new MIM Player Jazz basses, 4 stringers, and the new MIMs seem to get some pretty decent pups. Yet my Am Performer Precision PJ is the one I did a pup swap on. Makes no sense. But I've been happy with the stock pups that Fender has been using in it's MIM Jazz basses.

 

[ocoaibass]

I don't have a V but I do have two Modified Active Jazz Basses and a Modified Active P Bass. That doesn't normally happen but I really liked these basses.

Even with the active electronics engaged it still sounds and feels like they are passive although with the ability to fine tune your sound. Again I really like these basses. I hope you enjoy yours.
View attachment 7448880View attachment 7448881View attachment 7448882

And yes I did remove the protective film from the pick guards.

I think my only complaint so far is the knob/eq/preamp section. The knob configuration is both confusing and also super versatile. I found and lost so many great settings as I jammed and tweaked. The "Hi-Mass" bridge isn't quite the BaddAss bridge replacement I think Fender wants but it's much better than the old stock.

I think the active section and maple fretboard are enough different from my '98 MIM Jazz V to warrant making the purchase but not enough to replace my almost 30 year old best friend.

 

[ocoaibass]

I don't know what pups they're using in the Player II vs the Player. But I have to admit, I've had two other new MIM Player Jazz basses, 4 stringers, and the new MIMs seem to get some pretty decent pups. Yet my Am Performer Precision PJ is the one I did a pup swap on. Makes no sense. But I've been happy with the stock pups that Fender has been using in its MIM Jazz basses.

The Noiseless pickups in this bass are pretty awesome, for sure. My passive Jazz V has Seymour Duncan QP's, also from 25ish years ago (or whenever they hit the market). I don't have a deep knowledge of active bass pickups, the options, the companies making upgrades… but so far I'm not looking to swap anything. As I mentioned in another reply, the new bass is different enough to purchase but not likely to replace my reliable/faithful '98.

 

[ocoaibass]

I appreciate the engagement from folks.