I need some help with a hard decision

[southgabass]

I'd hop on that J-bass like a starving kid on a ham sammich.

 

[Orange Caesar]

You can't make an informed decision until you've played them both. In the highly unlikely event that they are both equal AND you have no preference for a Jazz or Precision, I'd buy the Jazz only because you can always find another new CS Precision. '74 Jazzes will likely only get rarer and more expensive.

+1

 

[johnson79]

If the jazz is a good one I'd say that. Plenty of good Custom Shop precisions are available at any given moment. If the 74 is a winner the likelihood of finding another may be harder.

You can always buy the J and route it out for a P pickup

 

[electracoyote]

If you can truly only swing one of them, the Jazz, assuming she's a player. It looks great.

I sold my 70's P bass and have been kicking myself ever since. I'm one of those sentimental fools who still values vintage basses from my era, and I'm currently without one. So if the opportunity came along and I had the spare cash, I'd definitely be interested in a VGC vintage Fender.

 

[seedokebass]

I vote Jazz if it sounds and feels good. Also for the investment factor. And the coolness factor.

The P is sweet, but at the end of the day it is a P bass. If any P sounds like a P studio, it's doing what it's supposed to.

 

[DEbassist]

I think you hit it on the head, lfmn. I'll check it out and let you all know how she is.

 

[ba55i5t]

I'd go with the Jazz out of the two even if it was slightly worse in each category compared to the CS P bass. I wouldn't go with the Jazz if it was modded in any way shape or form or if it was needing serious repair.

You could also go with a Ric or Musicman in this price range. I know I might be making it worse but sometimes it's a good idea to broaden the horizons before narrowing to a binary.

 

[Pirate Captain]

which one is the best for metal?

 

[madbass6]

I am in the market for a new bass and had my eye on two basses that are for sale here locally and I just cannot make up my mind.

The first is a Fender Custom Shop '57 P Bass. Heavy relic, tangerine orange, gold anodized pick guard, hand wound pickups, rosewood fingerboard, custom case, brand new with the warranty.

Second is a 74 Fender Jazz bass that the guy bought, played for a little bit and then stuck in his closet for the past 40 years. 100% stock, 3 tone sunburst, blocks, binding, ash tray covers, 3 bolt neck, original case, everything. Essentially in like new condition.

Both are roughly the same price. Which one would you pick?

My opinion, Just because they are both fender basses doesnt meant they are not diffrent !
They are Two totally diferent monsters! eventho it seems like a tough decision it all comes down to one simple aspect " YOUR STYLE of playing ! "
The P bass has this unique sound and feel to it that is perfect for certain styles of music,
wile the jazz has its own unique sound and feel perfect for others! if it was me i would pick the jazz bass !!but thats only cuz i already have a 71 all original natural road worn fender P!
good luck..
ohh and one more thing ,
atleast try them both out before deciding..

 

[DavC]

i like the J better ... to me , it just looks better ... would probably be more sort after than a CS in the future .. ?! that said , the CS probably had more attention to details as it was built .. ! but it is much plainer looking ...

the 74 pieces parts of the build are all pretty easy to verify and identify ..

but it must have been played a good bit to get that arm wear .. !

 

[Hounddog409]

Jazz - no question about it.
I am a buy a new bass or buy an old bass kinda guy. I'm not into the "fake" factory vintage models. same with the "road worn" stuff. If you want a worn bass - buy a new bass, throw it in the back of the van and freakin gig the hell out of it.

And get of my lawn.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Since you asked what I would do...I'd go for the P. I've played 70's Jazz basses before (Ex-GF's dad had one) and I wasn't really impressed. I'd probably swap the neck on the P out for a Jazz neck though, personal preference.

 

[klejst]

'74 Fender Jazz for sure of the two. You can always get a Custom Shop however like others have mentioned you'll probably never find another '74 Fender Jazz like that one. Perhaps if you are able try out both a little and make your choice off that.

 

[winegamd]

I vote J as well. Good prices on vintage instruments are rare. Plus, an American Professional with a 59 P pickup is just as good as the custom shop stuff I have seen.

 

[pappabass]

I like the jazz, the P appears to be a little too road worn for me. I would have a hard time paying that much for that. At $2K it would need to be close to perfect, or just minimal dings. Unless that is what you want & that is your favorite color. I recently paid too much for a P that had a couple of dings, but it had a couple of mods that I wanted and it was my favorite color.

 

[engedi1]

Tough call. I love both basses, and the orange precision is beautiful. I would lean towards the 74 jazz as that vintage bass will hold its value and probably even go up if you keep it for 20 years. BUT, only if it isn't a boat anchor. I played a light weight 74 or 72 jazz a few years back that was one of the best sounding basses I've ever heard.

 

[laklandplayer]

I worked in a music store in 74 and we were a big Fender Dealer.
'74 Jazz Basses were pretty terrible. The neck pockets didn't have a tight fit and the neck would shift.
There were issues with the truss rod screws compressing the wood and making them pop up under the fingerboard.
They were awash in dead spots too.
I would look at it closely, I'm sure someone out there would covet a 74 as vintage, not me.
CBS started cutting costs and changed the routing under the pick guard to facilitate quicker assembly and the pickups were not great. CBS Started making terrible stuff in '68 and it continued to decline from then on until they got bought and made a comeback.

 

[soflbass]

How often will you come across a closet 70s bass? If it plays well, no major issues, and isn't too heavy, it's a no brainer...

 

[Gaolee]

I would go for the P, mostly because I don't like the sounds a Jazz makes. That's if it is intended to be a player. If it's intended to be an investment, I would skip it and buy an index fund. If you buy the '74 and play the crap out of it, it will no longer be a pristine bass that was found in a closet, unplayed for more than 40 years. I don't know the cash value of either of them, so it's all about use value if it's a player. You would be far less paranoid about damaging the P, too.

 

[lowendblues]

You has me with Tangerine Orange........besides, I had alot of 70's Fenders back in the day, quality was really hit or miss.