I played a Fender American Pro(?) Jazz Yesterday and....

im in that area......i play 4 and 5 string....When I play 5-String its mostly for functions, events, shows (like in The Villages) as I play with variety band/multi-genre situations where its needed so, No, its not a dying fad (My primary 5vers are a Sire V7-5 and a Fender American Deluxe Jazz V)... as far as basses at that Guitar Center, I wouldnt put a whole lot of faith in how they are setup and hung on the wall at any music store, let alone that one

By the Way, one of my four-bangers is a G&L ASAT - almost 25 years old; one owner-Me!...Yes, they are amazing

Its possible I may have seen you in there....I saw a guy checking out that bass the other day while I was in there looking for an Explorer case for my Destroyer

 

FWIW, my father owns one of these American Professionals Jazz basses and it is the finest 4 string we have ever played. Everything on that bass is just right.

They won’t all be like that. Play more and you will find a gem.

G&L has more consistency in producing great instruments because they sell fewer instruments than Fender. If G&L had to produce Fender quantities of instruments you would surely find some less spectacular than others.

 

I think G&L is the way to go, not just because they have so many finish options, different necks and fretboards, but because they seem to take a personal interest in their products...just take a look at their Facebook page.
I’d be happy with an L2000, SB-2, Kiloton and a JB in some wild finish.

 

Strings, amp and even room have so much to do with it. I often wonder how much that is skewing my opinion.

 

I laughed out loud when I read the poll

 

lots of employees from sanders to secretaries have been pestering their bosses for more than a fifty cent raise year after year for over a decade meanwhile consumers gotta have prices not budge over the same time period. The money's gotta come from somewhere.

 

yeah, that was me

 

I don't think the battery was dying. The Professional is passive (or at least mine was). I had a Professional Jazz IV and didn't really dig it. I thought I should, because after all, it's a Fender Jazz. I've found that I like a much heavier sound. That's why I have a BTB1005 and a Warwick Corvette Double Buck.

 

I agree with this to an extent......it took a bit for my Deluxe V to be broken in and it still has marginal personality...My ASAT, however, is amazing....feels amazing....and sings (unplugged, its one of the loudest basses you will hear just acoustically)

 

all of the above and more....country goes over well...New music - especially new pop - goes over well...Its not unusual to have The Beatles and Cake By The Ocean in the same set

 

I like G&L’s JB bass, but would it kill them to make at least some attempt at shielding, even just some shielding paint in the control cavity?

I have yet to try a factory fresh Fender American Professional or Elite bass that aren’t well made these days. They seem on par with G&L quality to me lately.

 

I've never had any noise issues with this.

 

G&L will never have the market saturation that Fender does. Fender’s business model plain works; they have been selling essentially the same thing year after year for consistently more money. Their value on the used market alone should prove this to you.

If you want a great deal buy a used G&L. I love G&L basses but they resell like Ibanez, and mostly they are all great deals.

 

I think it’s just your untrained ear and your lack of familiarity with playing 5 strings consistently. Glad this isn’t a 4 strings is all you need post. There ain’t one type of hammer.

But hey... can’t handle a 5 string? That’s cool. Stick to 4 and play your butt off.

 

Yes, active basses with dead batteries tend to sound lifeless...