I want a JAZZ.

The 60´s classic jazz is one of the best basses I have owned in a long time. Don't let people kid you that say they are so-so because they are made Mexico. They are great basses, on par with the MIA Jazz basses. It is a solid built instrument, a great vintage look and feel and a killer sound. It actually has the same pickups as the Hwy1. I think it is the best value dollar-for-dollar bass that Fender makes. Here is mine.....

 

Simplify, man. That's what I'm doing now. Just not down with the active bass tone anymore. Except Stingrays.

 

do consider the japan ones.

 

I got one of those too! (fretless)

 

Just of the fretless....

Couple more pics

 

I am gonna get the Highway One

Because :

Made in USA

Thin finish = more woody sound

spiral vintage bridge saddles !

 

Just be careful not to fall into all the hype, if it USA Fender it is better. Not always the case. Remember MIA and MIM instruments basically start out in the same place, the US. Many components are made in the U.S. like bodies, necks, some electronics....they are then sent to Mexico for finishing and final assembly. My Classic 60's Jazz which is MIM, is much better IMHO then any Hwy1 I played. But they do have the same pickups. I think it is more the vintage look and feel which makes me like it better. Even my Standard Jazz which shares some components with the Hwy1 is a great bass. Sound wise, the pickups in the Hwy1 are better.

Now I am not knocking the Hwy1, it is a great solid bass for the money. But I wouldn't buy it just because it a MIA.

Now on the flip side, I just got a '62 Re-issue Jazz Fretless from Japan (with shipping the cost was close to the same as the HWY1). You know what, I have yet to play a new MIA or MIM that comes close to the quality, construction and workmanship of this bass. Hands down the best Fender I have ever played! No wonder Fender does not sell these in the US, would hurt MIA and MIM sales. When I purchase my next Fender.....it will definitely be from Japan.

 

I would have to agree with Classic Jazz. I purchased a MIM vintage jazz bass for my daughter to learn to play on and I had a MIA jazz 50th sitting around the house at the time. I gotta tell you the truth. The MIM is a better bass. Lighter, more mellow tone, and best of all the neck was thiner.
I have had basses that cost WAY over 5k and I gotta tell you this MIM Fender was a darn nice bass. IMO

 

Hmm, so should I buy the Japanese ones?
Unseen, I mean

 

I would....the chances of getting a good one are much better. I know where I purchased mine (guitarjapan.com) they looked over the bass before it was sent to me. It was perfectly setup right out of the box!

In the case of buying a bass from a big online store like musicianfriends.com, music123.com, samash.com, etc....the stuff rarely gets looked over. It is just picked off the shelf by a warehouse worker and then shipped. So the chances of getting something bad is higher.

 

Thank you?

Any other happy japanese Fender owners?

 

Count me as a happy owner. I just got one while in Japan - walnut finish jazz. Granted, I got to play mine first, but if the criteria you're asking about is craftsmanship, mine is immaculate, plays beautifully, and it was the first one I picked up.

IME, if I was ordering unseen, I would put alot more confidence in a Fender Japan instrument. I saw rows of them at the music stores along with MIA Fenders that were selling for much more money, and I would say generally the MIJs were better just in terms of finish and fit. They tend to have a very glossy look and feel that the MIAs don't which some might like and some might not (especially if you prefer the Hwy 1 type of finish).

Whether they're better for you, I really can't say. Everybody has their own preferences in terms of feel and all that. I'm very happy with mine and it's currently taking time away from my MIA 75RI, but that may be a honeymoon thing. But from what I've seen so far, I think if I only had access to MIJ Fenders, I wouldn't be too disappointed.

 

I've had 4 japan fender basses and i must agree, they are very consistent! great finish but as for the feel, i think they only have lacquered necks so no wood feel. they are great basses for the price and look great too! of all the fenders i've owned, only the '76 really stands out.. ever other one is just somewhere behind chasing the reall vintage tone..

both my marcus miller's tones were quite thin, '62 reissue's wasn't deep enough, aerodyne's was too hollow.

Just my 2 cents worth.