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Getting a Four String Fender Jazz: Which One?

Which Fender Jazz

  • Fender Original Seventies Jazz

    Votes: 47 25.3%
  • USA Fender Geddy Lee Jazz

    Votes: 85 45.7%
  • MIM Fender Geddy Lee Jazz

    Votes: 18 9.7%
  • Flea Signature 1961 Stack Knob Jazz

    Votes: 36 19.4%

  • Total voters
    186
Didn't read the whole thread, so if it's already been suggested, my apologies. As much as you love your DJ5,..........why not get a DJ4 ????? I've kicked myself for selling the two I've owned multiple times. I kept my Korean era DJ5 and hopefully will never be ignorant enough to let it go. I know the DJ4 wouldn't be a "fender" fender,....but mine were always heads above the fenders they got their influence from. Just my humble opinion.
 
I’ve owned over 21 different Fender Jazz bass since 1999. This one is the Grand Poobah! And why yes! I did install those Luminlay side markers myself. Fender Adam Clayton Signature Jazz
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Didn't read the whole thread, so if it's already been suggested, my apologies. As much as you love your DJ5,..........why not get a DJ4 ????? I've kicked myself for selling the two I've owned multiple times. I kept my Korean era DJ5 and hopefully will never be ignorant enough to let it go. I know the DJ4 wouldn't be a "fender" fender,....but mine were always heads above the fenders they got their influence from. Just my humble opinion.

This is more about collection than necessity. I came up in the Seventies and have always loved the look of Fender Jazzes from that era. I specifically want a Fender for that reason.
 
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This is more about collection than necessity. I came up in the Seventies and have always loved the look of Fender Jazzes from that era. I specifically want a Fender for that reason.
Get The USA Geddy Lee then. You can’t go wrong with that bass. It was that or the Adam Clayton Signature model for me. I played both but chose the Adam Clayton.
 
That’s not a bad suggestion! To be honest, I like the MIM Geddy too. I am just not a fan of removing the neck to adjust the trussrod.

I wouldn't like to do it, also. I don't know if my AVRI 64 is like that, I usually go to a Luthier for the setups.

If I was going to buy a bass for fun, for nostalgia, I would just buy the one that was in my memory from those times. Because everytime you will look at it, you will remember the time when you were a kid. If you buy another color or another model, it will just be a Jazz bass.
 
I wouldn't like to do it, also. I don't know if my AVRI 64 is like that, I usually go to a Luthier for the setups.

If I was going to buy a bass for fun, for nostalgia, I would just buy the one that was in my memory from those times. Because everytime you will look at it, you will remember the time when you were a kid. If you buy another color or another model, it will just be a Jazz bass.

A real Seventies Jazz costs too much unless I sneak up on a good deal.
 
A real Seventies Jazz costs too much unless I sneak up on a good deal.

Oh no, I didn't mean buy a real 70s bass!
English is not my native language, sometimes I have a little trouble writing what I am thinking.

I meant to say that you should buy the one that you find more beautiful and brings back those memories, from those you mentioned in the OP.
 
I would not be happy with a headstock that did not say Fender.

That was always my opinion as well and part of why I was willing to lay out >$2000 for a couple vintage Fenders. One was a beautiful white (it had yellowed over the years) 75 J with a maple neck and white blocks. As much as I tried I couldn't bond with it. Luckily I was able to trade it for a sunburst 74 P that was more my speed. But back in January of 2018 I felt that familiar GAS for a J. I wanted that Me'Shell J with flats vibe. But remembering my experience with the vintage one I decided to try several at different price points, American, Mexican and Squier. The red VM I went home with that day played and sounded as good as the American Pros I tried for $1000 less. In August I followed that with a SS Jag. My 75 and 74 P basses stay home on gig nights while the Squiers get the call. During the gig I don't even see the name on the headstock.
 
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You can Get USACG and Warmoth builds together for not much $.
Throw a genuine Fender neck on it.

The real cherry on your builds is sending it out for a Plek.

Get a sweet player together with no corners cut anywhere bc it's all up to you.
 
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.
Ummmm- those are all the standard prices those basses sell for last I checked...