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

#81
Orpheus55 said:
I love showing off my MIM 70s Classic RI. Added a tort guard and covers; by the way, the pickup cover came in handy when it suddenly rained the other night at an outdoor gig.

001-2.jpg
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That's a great looking bass. Whoever is shooting the RI sunbursts down in Mexico has really got the touch.
 
#83
You may want to PM one of our esteemed TBers here, Jim Carr regarding the 60s Classic jazz reissue; he had high praise for it and I believe he commented favorably on the Roadworn as well. In any event, he knows a lot about basses in general and Jazz basses in particular. Perhaps he will chime in.
 
#85
To my ears there is a huge difference in 60s vs 70 pickup spacing.
So I would start there. Then, maple or rosewood neck.Listen to how well the bass sounds unplugged and how it feels.
Pickups and all the other hardware can be replaced.
Best thing is to find some Jazz Bass players that you like the sound of.Find out what they are using and get something along those lines.
Good luck
 
#88
hasbeen said:
Agreed. I "audition" every bass unplugged. If it resonates and has good, even response, I can tweek from there.
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I've just recently discovered this "secret," but why is it? Why do some slabs and necks simply sing while others do nothing at all? The extent of the variation just amazes me. Further, it truly does seem a "secret" in that I can walk into a pawn shop and find a $50 off brand that sings and a GC with a $1,000+ status symbol that does nothing were it not for its fancy schmancy active electronics.
 
#89
well I've been going through all your advices and thinking over what was important to me (regarding the bass) and it pretty much goes like this:
-I want versatility
-I don't really care that much about the weight
-I know nothing about the differences between pickup placements, so I don't really care as long as the bass is versatile
-I really prefer block inlays rather than dots
-I don't really care where the bass was made or crafted as long as it doesn't fall into pieces
-I would like to pay under 800$.

The fender jaguar is my main candidate now, but I still have some "trying all the fenders in the music store" to do!!
 
#90
5 out of your 7 criteria says Lakland Skyline Joe Osborn, 6 (including blocks (and extra binding!)) - Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones
Neither is a Fender Jaguar, but otherwise 5 or 6 out of 7 - isn't that close enough?
 
#91
williamk said:
well I've been going through all your advices and thinking over what was important to me (regarding the bass) and it pretty much goes like this:
-I want versatility
-I don't really care that much about the weight
-I know nothing about the differences between pickup placements, so I don't really care as long as the bass is versatile
-I really prefer block inlays rather than dots
-I don't really care where the bass was made or crafted as long as it doesn't fall into pieces
-I would like to pay under 800$.

The fender jaguar is my main candidate now, but I still have some "trying all the fenders in the music store" to do!!
Click to expand...

-I want versatility (Fender '70s Classic - like any Jazz Bass)
-I don't really care that much about the weight (Fender '70s Classic - average weight)
-I know nothing about the differences between pickup placements, so I don't really care as long as the bass is versatile (Fender '70s Classic - doesn't matter, then)
-I really prefer block inlays rather than dots (Fender '70s Classic - pearloid blocks on rosewood)
-I don't really care where the bass was made or crafted as long as it doesn't fall into pieces (Fender '70s Classic - Mexico)
-I would like to pay under 800$. (Fender '70s Classic - about $650 brand new)
 
#92
Engine207 said:
-I want versatility (Fender '70s Classic - like any Jazz Bass)
-I don't really care that much about the weight (Fender '70s Classic - average weight)
-I know nothing about the differences between pickup placements, so I don't really care as long as the bass is versatile (Fender '70s Classic - doesn't matter, then)
-I really prefer block inlays rather than dots (Fender '70s Classic - pearloid blocks on rosewood)
-I don't really care where the bass was made or crafted as long as it doesn't fall into pieces (Fender '70s Classic - Mexico)
-I would like to pay under 800$. (Fender '70s Classic - about $650 brand new)
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really?? a fender '70s classic MIM is 650$?
I should really check those out then, I thought they were more expensive than that...
 
#93
williamk said:
really?? a fender '70s classic MIM is 650$?
I should really check those out then, I thought they were more expensive than that...
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The MAP (minimum advertised price) at Musician's Friend is $849, but I got mine for about $610 (without a case) and a few cans of food around Thanksgiving. I was in the Tempe GC this afternoon trolling for hidden treasures, and saw a black one with a $649 tag on it.

There's a couple of brand new '08s on eBay with a BINs of $725, and $699 right now, but if it were me - and I could actually lay my hands on one, I'd rather do that.
 
#95
Agreed. I "audition" every bass unplugged. If it resonates and has good, even response, I can tweek from there.
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Nice, but would you have bought the bass if you couldn't plug it in and hear what it really sounds like..how many gigs do you do on an electric bass unplugged?? That to me is like test driving a car without firing up the engine.
 
#97
williamk said:
well I've been going through all your advices and thinking over what was important to me (regarding the bass) and it pretty much goes like this:
-I want versatility
-I don't really care that much about the weight
-I know nothing about the differences between pickup placements, so I don't really care as long as the bass is versatile
-I really prefer block inlays rather than dots
-I don't really care where the bass was made or crafted as long as it doesn't fall into pieces
-I would like to pay under 800$.

The fender jaguar is my main candidate now, but I still have some "trying all the fenders in the music store" to do!!
Click to expand...

At this price level I would buy a used Geddy Lee, black bass with black blocks and binding, incredibly versatile and consistent, and has a very good bridge (BA2). Since you want an active option, I would them purchase one of the following outboard pre amps:

Alleva Coppolo
Sadowsky
Tech 21 VT Bass

The Geddy Lee and VT Bass will come in at under $800, and either of the other two plus the Geddy Lee should be right around the $800 depending on if you can get the pedals used.

Of course, if you have already tried a Geddy and don't like it, please disregard this. But if you haven't I strongly suggest you take a look - nice instruments that show up here frequently at around the $600 mark. Yes, I do have one myself. :D
 
#99
esoxhntr said:
At this price level I would buy a used Geddy Lee, black bass with black blocks and binding, incredibly versatile and consistent, and has a very good bridge (BA2).
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Yup...this is the other obvious choice. The big difference here, compared to the 70's Classic, is in the neck. Geddys are much thinner and are only available with maple fretboards and black binding/blocks.

Again, this will come down to your individual comfort and style preferences.
 

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