• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How the h*** does one choose a J Bass?!

#61
honestly
I would go look for a good used American Jazz Bass with PASSIVE electronics
its simple
no nonsense
its easy to play and adjust
you fiddle with 3 knobs and get a vast array of tones

maybe even a Mexican Jazz but some are really awesome and some are pure dogs
You definitely want to play before you pay with any Fender product US or Mexican
and the occasional Japanese bass as well.

I have an older 1997 US Jazz and it has never let me down

so next time try:
used US American Standard Jazz
used MIM Standard Jazz
used Geddy Lee Jazz
or
You can try a Jaguar since you can switch from passive to active
I have heard that it doesnt quite replicate a passive Jazz Bass sound
 
#63
yellofury said:
..I have heard that it doesnt quite replicate a passive Jazz Bass sound
Click to expand...

That's possibly true in active mode but it's a jazz bass through and through in passive - same pickups, 70's position and contrary to what a lot of people say - it is 100% true bypass in passive.

There would have to be more urban myths about the Jag than any other bass except the Rick.

The only downer with the Jag is not having the separate vol knobs for each pup. That's the reason I sold mine. But it was VERY hard to part with - so incredibly smooth to play.
 
#64
williamk said:
arghf...I feel like my girlfriend when she can never make up her mind about something!
Click to expand...

:D

Seriously - go through the different things I posted earlier and decide what's important to you. Maybe it's weight? Maybe it's aesthetics? For me I decided that I wanted a curved fretboard, nitro finish and 60's pup spacing. Preferably in Alder which narrowed it down to an Am Vintage 62RI........

4628658994_70aea99223_o.jpg


Here's the fretboard curve...

4628658614_45b8f08d85_o.jpg


Mine cost $825US BTW. But I'm sure you could get one cheaper without the shipping hurdle to Australia I needed to jump.

If you're in a hurry to buy then look at the used market - that way you won't lose (much) money if you decide to swap it out later down the track.
 
#65
vin*tone said:
:D

Seriously - go through the different things I posted earlier and decide what's important to you. Maybe it's weight? Maybe it's aesthetics?
Click to expand...

Well I sure like the LOOKS of the aerodyne and frank bello bass (both are all black, kinda 2 dimensional), and in terms of sound, I just want best versatility...so I could get a cheap used aerodyne and get seperate pickups, but even here, I wouldn't know what pickups to get!
 
#66
chump stain said:
I love my Geddy! It's my #1 go to bass. It's got gobs of tone, from growly aggressive, to dubby and fat. It looks great! You can run it without the pick gaurd, to give you that custom look. There's no routing holes under there like some models. Or change it for a different one. Plus it plays great with the fast comfortable neck. The neck is glossy, that took me a minute to adjust, but it's all good now. Just carry a towel to wipe down between songs.

Passive is the way to go for that classic Jazz Bass tone, in my opinion. Plus, I think it's more aggressive. I wasn't looking for a Geddy when I found mine, I knew I wanted a Jazz Bass. And I knew I wanted a maple fretboard. I just like the tone of the maple, to me THAT'S a Jazz Bass! I was actually looking for one of the new MIM in Lake Placid Blue, but no one had them. Then I played this Geddy, and snuck it in just as they were raising the prices on all the Fenders. So I got it before the price hike.

I say get a used one, or buy a new one on sale. Try it out first of course if possible. It's totally worth checking out!
Click to expand...

With a Ric and a Geddy he could start a Rush tribute band.
 
#69
hasbeen said:
Agreed. I "audition" every bass unplugged. If it resonates and has good, even response, I can tweek from there.
Click to expand...

+1
And be SURE to play EVERY note on the neck checking for dead spots. Check the setup to make sure bridge is not bottomed out or there are other signs of work needed beyond usual adjustments.

When I was out trying Fenders looking to buy a J I found that MIA is NO guarantee that the bass won't have problems or a Squirer label a sign that it's crap. Yes, there is a MUCH greater chance a MIA bass will be great (and cost much more) and a MUCH less chance that a Squire or MIM will be great (or cost a fortune). As it turned out I found a MIM that is a keeper. But that's very hard to do if you don't personally try them.

If you can't try the basses in person then expect to be forking some MIA cash and be sure to check the return policy where you buy it.
 
#70
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#72
there's been a lot of great suggestions. You should make a list of what's important (in terms of what you're looking for). For me, it was the maple fretboard, I really wasn't thinking about pickup spacing, or poly/nitro finish. I knew I liked the tone of a Jazz with a maple board. You can now get some great basses with all the options out there. I would suggest getting something that's classic, and timeless. Something you'll be happy with for a while.

My Geddy is killer, there's not one part about it that feels "budget", or like they cut corners. The quality is top of the line. Just like everyone says, check out everything real good first, before dropping coin. The only thing I would change about my bass is, I wish it came in nitro finish instead, and a satin finish on the back of the neck. But other then the high gloss poly coat, it's the cat's meow. I know it's there so it will protect my bass and look pretty for years, but... it's kind of like helmet laws. Can't I just ride my motorcycle without one?
 
#74
so how do you guys feel about the Road Word RI's? I can't decide what I think about them. I think they're cool but in the same sense, I feel kinda weird about having my bass purposefully scratched to make it appear vintage. what do you guys think?
 
#75
How about the MIM Fender Reggie Hamilton Standard Jazz Bass?
Both active and passive, P+J pups, 3 band eq, drop D-tuner and comes in all black if thats what you fancy. I've owned mine for 2 years and it's versatile as anything, well put together aswell and they have US hardware. I don't know how much they go for over there but here in the UK they're pretty reasonably priced.
 
#76
capnsandwich said:
Lakland JO or DJ, used of course, but those basses are built like a jazz bass is supposed to be built like. You can find them in the TB classifieds for your price range, maybe a couple of hundred bucks more, but well worth the money IMO.
Click to expand...
Big +1. Excellent basses, IMO. And if looks are a priority (nothing wrong with that), the Skyline DJ is dead sexy and comes in a black finish (among others) with a rosewood or maple board and pearl blocks. You should be able to get either one used for $800 or very close to it.

As for versatility, any passive J bass with two pickups and V/V/T controls (or V/T V/T stacked knob controls) has the potential to be very versatile. I say "potential" because it's up to the player.:)
 
#78
Yisrael said:
so how do you guys feel about the Road Word RI's? I can't decide what I think about them. I think they're cool but in the same sense, I feel kinda weird about having my bass purposefully scratched to make it appear vintage. what do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Depends if your buying choices are based on aesthetics, tone, or feel. It seems to me a lot of people are basing their decisions on looks - in which case the decision is is in the eye of the beholder.

IMO the RW's are a fantastic basses despite the relicing. This has been discussed into the ground.
 
#79
St Drogo said:
More knobs does not necessarily make something more versatile. Ask my girlfriend how versatile I am. I only have one knob. Heh.
Click to expand...
that is good as long as you can crank it all the way to 12. Operation at 6 may be disappointing for the girls attending your show.

St Drogo said:
More knobs does not necessarily make something more versatile. Ask my girlfriend how versatile I am. I only have one knob. Heh.

Also, what did you mean by "the visuals don't look versatile"? The OP probably doesn't want a chameleonbass (though that would be awsome).

To the OP: I would be looking more towards active with a good preamp than passive, if I was going to let the versatility be dependant on the instrument. However, I think you'd be much better off learning different techniques, like slap, pickplay and using your hand position to get different sounds from your bass.

Anyway, most any J or P would probably do for the "pop/soft rock/funk/ etc" you're making now.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

I'd say get a lakland skyline joe osborn active OR passive and a sadowsky stompbox OR get passive and order lakland preamp stompbox at http://www.talkbass.com/forum/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=9736
Joe Osborn is as much of a good jazz bass as one can get. The only thing that stops me from getting one [at this instant, that is] is that I favor the bridge pickup and for the neck I would more often go to a P, which makes a PJ5 my dream bass [and I am hoping to get one].
Passive jazz is what is effective for lots of people and you may find it is for you as well. However, speaking for myself, I love the lakland lh-3 preamp and really miss it on me passive lakland 55 jazz (not the JO but oh, well)
Any of the 2 preamps will be great. The pros for the sadowsky pre are that it may be found used, and it has a DI (the newer model). The cons (for me) - it is 2 band, boost only, and is limited to more or less modern sounding.
The pros of the LH-3 stompbox are: it is the floor version of the awesome OB preamp found on the -94/-02 series basses, can give lots of adorable and USEFUL sounds, is a 3-band cut/boost with a passive mode and internal mid dip switches. The cons: you can't get it used, can only get one custom made from Carl Pedigo (former senior luthier, Lakland), and it only has (the current version) a DI out, not a DI.

Have fun!


EDIT:
for the results of "what is a better jazz" poll, see also:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=9736
 
#80
I'd say just make sure you get something that allows for series wiring... The S1 switch on a Fender will do it, the switch on a Reverend XL will do it, and one of the switches on a Jaguar will do it. I wouldn't buy a J without it because most of what I play requires it. As for the most versatile J-style bass... Fender Jaguar gets my vote for sure. Has a ton of options on top of the series/passive combo that I normally rwak.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back