Getting a Four String Fender Jazz: Which One?

[Dr. Cheese]

ah my bad...I thought he actually meant an original 70's jazz...lol

You are right.

 

[Snakeman1066]

I think he's talking about one of these:

Fender American Original '70s Jazz Bass - Natural

love the Aesthetic...but would never spend that on a bass...even if i had it....lol

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Have you been practicing???
I know I said it before, but study kills GAS!

Im just teasing.

Seriously, are you sure that you don't want a Caprice? Remember you proclaimed it to be the the baddest 4 string you've ever played (IIRC).

I will say that I just spent an hour on my DJ5 practicing “River People.” It was the first time I ever comfortably maintained the tempo of the recording. I couldn’t help but think why should I buy another bass?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I will say that I just spent an hour on my DJ5 practicing “River People.” It was the first time I ever comfortably maintained the tempo of the recording. I couldn’t help but think why should I buy another bass?

Good question.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

I will say that I just spent an hour on my DJ5 practicing “River People.” It was the first time I ever comfortably maintained the tempo of the recording. I couldn’t help but think why should I buy another bass?

Very good question.

But to answer the first question, I voted for the AO '70s Jazz. The previous AVRI '74s that I've played have been very close in sound and feel to my '74 J. I actually had a set of pure vintage '74 pickups in mine for a while until I got the originals rewired. The weight might be a turn-off though! My second vote goes to the stack knob - the ones I've played have felt great.

 

[higain617]

My personal preference would be Geddy Lee, but I tend towards skinny necks.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Very good question.

But to answer the first question, I voted for the AO '70s Jazz. The previous AVRI '74s that I've played have been very close in sound and feel to my '74 J. I actually had a set of pure vintage '74 pickups in mine for a while until I got the originals rewired. The weight might be a turn-off though! My second vote goes to the stack knob - the ones I've played have felt great.

The AO 70’s Jazz is probably great, but it also probably $400-$500 more than I want to pay. I think the two main contenders are the American Geddy and the Fender Flea Jazzwith the stacked Knobs.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

My personal preference would be Geddy Lee, but I tend towards skinny necks.

I like skinny necks on fours too.

 

[flojob]

Daughter forgot about the sax and started begging for an iPhone 8+ and AirPods for Christmad which set me back nearly $1k. She is going to stay on her same alto after that.

Haha like forever huh. Maaaaaybe a new reed for it every decade

 

[Slater]

When I went on a quest for a (passive) Jazz Bass about a year ago, I played all of Fender’s latest offerings, and for me, the US Geddy won easily. I was fortunate enough to find a good deal on a used one, which made it even better.

For me the US Geddy won in every category - Build, Feel, Tone, and looks. The satin finish on the back of the neck feels great, and the pearl blocks with binding look killer! The construction is solid, and the stock pickups have that slightly aggressive ‘70s Jazz Bass tone.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

When I went on a quest for a (passive) Jazz Bass about a year ago, I played all of Fender’s latest offerings, and for me, the US Geddy won easily. I was fortunate enough to find a good deal on a used one, which made it even better.

For me the US Geddy won in every category - Build, Feel, Tone, and looks. The satin finish on the back of the neck feels great, and the pearl blocks with binding look killer! The construction is solid, and the stock pickups have that slightly aggressive ‘70s Jazz Bass tone.

That sounds great. I wish there were more videos of the US Geddy on YouTube. The best recorded ones are by Rush fans using distortion to emulate Geddy’s sound. I just want to hear the clean tone.

 

[Snakeman1066]

Doc are you totally in love with that DJ5? I love Laklands myself (Neck profile is awesome) but that could go a long way to scoring a new Jazz 4...just a thought

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Doc are you totally in love with that DJ5? I love Laklands myself (Neck profile is awesome) but that could go a long way to scoring a new Jazz 4...just a thought

The DJ5 is going nowhere. I could just keep my DJ5 and not miss a beat. I just want a nice Seventies style Fender because that was how Fenders looked when I first got into music. My first bass was a pretty sad copy of a Seventies Fender Jazz. I also am fond of the Seventies Jazz sound. That said, the the Stacked Flea Jazz sounds fantastic too.

 

[Slater]

That sounds great. I wish there videos of the US Geddy on YouTube. The best recorded ones are by Rush fans using distortion to emulate Geddy’s sound. I just want to hear the clean tone.

This one is just a cellphone video, but I think it allows you to hear the bass (with good speakers or ‘phones) and not the audio production. It’s a “vs” video, and the Geddy is the 2nd half.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

This one is just a cellphone video, but I think it allows you to hear the bass (with good speakers or ‘phones) and not the audio production. It’s a “vs” video, and the Geddy is the 2nd half.

Thanks!

 

[woodyng2]

I know it isn’t on your list,but i am loving this variation of the J bass i just got recently.
I’ve owned Fender Js from 66,76,13,and a really good frankenjazz, but this bass just feels and sounds fantastic. (I like the smaller body size especially). My 76 was similar to a Geddy,only with white pearl blocks instead of black ones. It had the micro tilt neck,and had issues....
I voted for the Flea.....

 

[craigie]

Do what you like.

I though decided to sell my #1 MIA jazz CAR because I’m retiring from gigging due to tinnitus. I never play it at home. Hard to see but this particular CAR really pops.

Instead I’m keeping this 90’s MIM with a Nate Mendel neck, and dimarzios. Am I crazy???

 

[Snakeman1066]

Nothing screams 70's louder than this...lol

except maybe for this...

and I have a "P" bass I would trade for one like this in a heartbeat!!!

 

[bordinco90]

The US Geddy Lee was the best jazz bass I have ever played on. Great sound and feel.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

My local Fender dealer gave me some great prices for four string Jazzes provided no trades are involved. He offered $800 for a MIM Geddy Lee Jazz, $1,100 for 1961 Jazz Flea Sig, and $1,400 for a US Geddy Lee. I have experience with the MIM Geddy and 1961 Flea. I have never seen or played a USA Geddy Lee, and I would like more feedback. I think I may have asked him about a Fender Original Seventies Jazz, but I suspect it will be more than I want to pay.

Before anyone says it, this is pretty much GAS in action. I have wanted a nice Fender Jazz four for a while just to have one. That said, I enjoy not having a B string around sometimes.

I really like my 60s J