You sure that's a supposed to be a 57 P? I realize the Custom Shop "did" a variety of offshoots compared to AVRI's etc. but in '57 they didn't have rosewood boards yet and I'm pretty sure they adhere to aspects like that with their offerings
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One thing you may wish to consider is what are you going to do with the instrument? Are you going to be gigging regularly with the bass? Or are you going to just play it at home and not use it outside the house? If it is going to be your main working instrument, then it would make sense to go with the Precision. On the other hand, if it will be just used occasionally at home, the Jazz might make more sense. Just a thought.
- Sep 4, 2010
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The jazz bass-only after playing it, checking it thoroughly (the neck, for bows/ski jump, especially) and sensing the weight.
I'm primarily a studio guy. I need a good p, a jazz and a modern sounding 5 string to cover the tones that I want to be able to offer. I've got the 5 string already in a Lakland 55-02, but wanted something that can cover the vintage sounds in the P and Jazz.
After everyone's input, I'm seeing the wisdom in the Jazz, but only if it doesn't have any issues with it. Any problems and I will probably go with the P.
After everyone's input, I'm seeing the wisdom in the Jazz, but only if it doesn't have any issues with it. Any problems and I will probably go with the P.
Fender doesn't care. 57 sounds better than "Random collection of specs" to a custom shop customer. You should see what they put out as a No-caster (for the non-guitar players: early 50's telecaster, with no telecaster name on the headstock. It should be a blond nitro finish with black bakelite pickguard to be historically accurate. CS Nocasters are all over the map.)
I'm with most who said play both if that is not a possibility I would myself purchase the Jazz. All original hiding in closet for 40 years, just think no fret wear or buckle rash that would normally come with a bass from the 70's
If the 74 Jazz is a boat anchor I'd pass and grab the CS Precision. If not and it's a player I'd grab it.
The '74 would be my choice, but I would HAVE TO PLAY IT first. Some of those mid '70s fenders are just awful, some are nice.
I think between everyone, so far, it's covered.
Although I am not a studio guy, I have always heard
that you can't go wrong with a P there.
However, I also agree that you may not see another 74J
come along, assuming it doesn't have issues.
So yeah, I vote both.
Although I am not a studio guy, I have always heard
that you can't go wrong with a P there.
However, I also agree that you may not see another 74J
come along, assuming it doesn't have issues.
So yeah, I vote both.
Please forgive my impulsiveness if what I am about to state has already been suggested/covered. I just don;t have time to read through all the proceeding posts.
The question that first comes to mind is very specific. Are you a collector of instruments, or are you buying one of these basses to play routinely? If you are the former, you'd be extremely foolish not to purchase the '74 Jazz. That's a very rare and wonderful find if the bass is truly in pristine condition. If you are the latter of the two purchaser orientations, and intend on playing the bass as opposed to just having it, and displaying it, there are the two vastly different necks which are like night and day compared to one another, to consider. Most accomplished string players have a distinct preference for basic size of the neck of their "signature" acoustic or electric instruments. Many monstrous players, more of them than not, play one type in a predominant sense due to their own natural basic finger/thumb/wrist positioning preferences. Sure, they all screw around with different axes from time to time, for the sake of tone when recording mostly, but at the end of the day it's each player's unique physical core attributes that determine such centric self aligned choices.
In my case, albeit I am nothing too technically special, I almost always play out and create on one of my Fender Deluxe American P-Basses that have been set up by a particular well known local guy. They play fast and effortless for me and because I choose to model via Roland, I can produce any tone I desire at will on stage. Still in yet, by far my favorite instruments to collect are whatever bass other than what I typically play, catches my eye at the time. If it plays to my liking and I am actually in the market, whatever the collector's choice in me at the time may be, I make sure that bass owns me, before I own it. In this latter consideration, there's no right or wrong choice.
If that is you in the avatar photo and you do favor the bigger precision necks, the Jazz will seem like a violin. Especially down at the head stock. Still in yet, what tone and neck continuity!
The jazz, hands down. IMO CS basses are wildly overpriced and somewhat common, esp as opposed to a bone-stock, mint 74 J. Methinks the 74 will appreciate whereas the CS won't.
but those are some good decisions to have!
There is no way to predict that a '74 Jazz bass, from the generally agreed upon worst era for Fender instruments. will appreciate over time. As someone old enough to have played Fenders from the '50's forward, I don't understand why anyone would refer to a '70's Fender as a vintage piece. A '64 is NOTHING like a '74, which is not near as good as an '80's '62 Reissue, for example.
