I need some help with a hard decision

[cman227]

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?

The P and J basses have different tones. It depends on what style of music you wish to play. The J is more versatile but the P has that classic Mowtown sound. I own a '76 J and would not trade it for anything. However if you want the James Jamerson sound, the P is your best choice.

 

[powmetalbassist]

save the money and buy a uke. bass is ove rated.....lol

 

[fingerguy]

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?

BOTH! Problem solved!

 

[Ric5]

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?

If you buy the jazz put a 4 bolt neck on it ... the 3 bolt necks are not very stable

 

[JohnDeereJack]

I'd go for the Jazz. The 'heavy relic' description of the P bass kills it for me thought I love the colour.

If you buy the jazz put a 4 bolt neck on it ... the 3 bolt necks are not very stable

I've had a 3-bolt 'MicroTilt' Jazz for over a decade and never once had any issues with stability.

 

[bassbully]

Jazz for sure.

 

[_sky_]

If what the Jazz Bass owner tells is true...JAZZ!!!

 

[BobDeRosa]

I'd go for the P just because I prefer P's over J's, but that's strictly a matter of taste.

 

[DukeCC]

The Jazz.

Any worries about the 3 bolt micro neck are unfounded IMHO. Mine fell off its stand--twice (shame on me) and wasn't even knocked out of tune.
And re: the weight--are we worried about a few ounces? Do we want some neck-heavy bass? No. We are men (or bad-ass women) and we play real instruments and we frown on wide-ass padded straps, too. Harumph.

And a Hercules stand. Like my new one. With the foldable grip.

 

[noodler]

A rosewood board w/no skunk stripe on a 57 P re-issue? I've not heard of such a release from the FCS, and I would suggest that you scour the internet to make sure that the neck is in fact original.

("Nocaster" re-issues, for example, tend to have larger radius boards and larger frets than the originals - and more colors - but I believe the basics are the same.)

 

[rocknrolo]

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?

I would go for the Jazz if you are looking for a main player. Many tone options and the tone can be rolled to the pickup selection wanted to get close to a P sound if needed.

 

[lefty1979]

If you buy the jazz put a 4 bolt neck on it ... the 3 bolt necks are not very stable

Don't do that. Please don't do that.

 

[phillybass101]

Buy the Jazz then flip it. Get what you want later and have cash left over.

 

[TMARK]

The Jazz.

Any worries about the 3 bolt micro neck are unfounded IMHO. Mine fell off its stand--twice (shame on me) and wasn't even knocked out of tune.
And re: the weight--are we worried about a few ounces? Do we want some neck-heavy bass? No. We are men (or bad-ass women) and we play real instruments and we frown on wide-ass padded straps, too. Harumph.

And a Hercules stand. Like my new one. With the foldable grip.

This.

 

[Solarmist]

I'm not a Fender guy, but would pick the J between the two.

 

[Mrmatt1972]

I'm firmly in the J camp because I prefer J basses and I don't like relics unless they're real.

 

[DEbassist]

Well, I went with hidden third option C. I went and found 2 players instead of museum pieces and picked up an 87 P bass with an old EMG pickup and a 78 Jazz bass that had been refinished in fiesta red. I got both of them for less than the price of the 74 jazz. Win.

 

[Figjam]

well done

 

[prowla]

Aha, the Kobayashi Maru trick - change the scenario!