Fixer-Upper Bass

[thebasskid]

Found a nice used Squier Deluxe Jazz Bass V(2 tone burst model) for $199 at my fave local music store. Love the feel, but the tone... eh, ive heard better. I'd love a jazz bass for school jazz band but...
1)I'm not sure if i should get it as my first "fixer-upper", or look around more?
2)If I do get it, how do you reccomend making a warmer, punchy tone?
Any links to reviews are welcome.

 

[39-Bassist]

If you like how it plays and feels then I would say just put on a Leo Quan II bridge to extra sustain and a pair of Duncan STK-jazz pickups they're nice sounding, humbuckers and easy to install. Just a thought.

 

[ghostdog93]

Found a nice used Squier Deluxe Jazz Bass V(2 tone burst model) for cheap at my fave local music store. Love the feel, but the tone... eh, ive heard better. I'd love a jazz bass for school jazz band but...
1)I'm not sure if i should get it as my first "fixer-upper", or look around more?
2)If I do get it, how do you reccomend making a warmer, punchy tone?
Any links to reviews are welcome.

How cheap is cheap? I'd say that if you could snag it for under $150, it would probably make a good project bass.

Not that it's the only way to go, but the Quan BAII is going to run you about $90, and a set of Duncan STK-J1s will tack on another $150 - pretty soon your $150 bass is a $400 bass.

There are a few cheaper options for J pickups, like the DiMarzio DP149s and DP123s. Both sets are under $100.