• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

I want to get a jazz bass...

subtraction

subtraction

Feb 13, 2014
110
35
36
Canton Georgia
#1
I am looking to get a jazz bass and Ive looked up all kinds of info and just cant decide. I am partial to Fender. Just for jamming at home through a b3k leading to a Phil Jones cub 100 combo amp. Unfortunately I have to order online. I am torn between an American Standard J or a Road Worn J. Please help me decide....!

If I get the RW I'd have enough money to buy one of those Phil Jones 100w extension cabs that I've been eyeballing (not that I really need it) along with the new bass. If I got the AS I can't get any other goodies.
 
#2
subtraction said:
I am looking to get a jazz bass and Ive looked up all kinds of info and just cant decide. I am partial to Fender. Just for jamming at home through a b3k leading to a Phil Jones cub 100 combo amp. Unfortunately I have to order online. I am torn between an American Standard J or a Road Worn J. Please help me decide....!

If I get the RW I'd have enough money to buy one of those Phil Jones 100w extension cabs that I've been eyeballing (not that I really need it) along with the new bass. If I got the AS I can't get any other goodies.
Click to expand...
I would go with the American Standard, but that's just me. I'd probably go to a local guitar store and try a few out before a purchase though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stuntbass77, Dan Bass, Pet Sounds and 2 others
#3
That's what I was afraid to hear! Thank you for the input though I was kind of leaning that way despite all the rave reviews for the road worn basses. I had ordered a RW P a while ago and was just not too impressed. Had horrible fret sprout and was overall just not amazed like everyone else seems to be.
 
#4
I just got an Am Std.J, and I freakin' love it. Pics coming soon. ;)
Hard to go wrong there, if you can afford it. I really couldn't afford it, but I traded in pretty much all of my other basses.
There are some great Jazz basses for less $.
Classic Vibe 60s comes to mind.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MovingPitchers
#6
In this particular case I will go with the road worn and the cab, I have owned several RW as well as MIA, I have loved all the RWsand I have never been impressed with the MIAs, I prefer Laklands by the way. Fret sprout can ocurred to any bass, i live ib Michigan and all my basses has suffered of this with any season change.

Right now I have a Fender Claasic Lacquer P that is great, beatiful instrument of great quality, younshould check these too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: waynobass
#7
subtraction said:
Unfortunately I have to order online. I am torn between an American Standard J or a Road Worn J. Please help me decide....!
Click to expand...

Your avatar says your in Canton, Georgia. Forgive me for not knowing your "whole story", but a quick search shows a number of Guitar Center locations not too far from you.

Also, if you're hoping to save some bucks for more gear, why not get either a Classic '60s or Classic '60s Lacquer Jazz? Fundamentally speaking, they appear to be the same model with the additional options of "Poly", "Nitro Lacquer" or "Beaten-to-Snot Lacquer" finishes. All the basic specs for the body, neck and pickups are pretty much the same thing. Why not save two or three hundred and make your own mojo?

I'm not attacking the relic'd look. As a former illustrator, I think it can look cool as hell! But when one is weighing relative costs, sometimes substance needs to trump style.

Also, if I may make an alternate suggestion…have you looked at the Classic '70s Jazz as a possibility? If it's too "blingy", what with the bound & blocked neck, I can perfectly understand that. Don't want the extra-growly '70s pickup spacing? Also understandable. But I had one last year and it was a quality piece of musical instrumentation. One extra little bonus was the truss rod access being moved to the headstock…très pratique! ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: davedblyoo and brendanbassix
#8
Malak the Mad said:
Your avatar says your in Canton, Georgia. Forgive me for not knowing your "whole story", but a quick search shows a number of Guitar Center locations not too far from you.

Also, if you're hoping to save some bucks for more gear, why not get either a Classic '60s or Classic '60s Lacquer Jazz? Fundamentally speaking, they appear to be the same model with the additional options of "Poly", "Nitro Lacquer" or "Beaten-to-Snot Lacquer" finishes. All the basic specs for the body, neck and pickups are pretty much the same thing. Why not save two or three hundred and make your own mojo?

I'm not attacking the relic'd look. As a former illustrator, I think it can look cool as hell! But when one is weighing relative costs, sometimes substance needs to trump style.

Also, if I may make an alternate suggestion…have you looked at the Classic '70s Jazz as a possibility? If it's too "blingy", what with the bound & blocked neck, I can perfectly understand that. Don't want the extra-growly '70s pickup spacing? Also understandable. But I had one last year and it was a quality piece of musical instrumentation. One extra little bonus was the truss rod access being moved to the headstock…très pratique! ;)
Click to expand...

I was wondering about the online-only thing too. Maybe he has an Amazon gift card or something.

I agree with the classic 60s or 70s suggestions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Malak the Mad
#9
I don't know if it is the same everywhere but here in Australia the RW jazz goes for $1800ish(AUD) and the amstd goes for about $2100(AUD) I think its a stupid price for what it is I mean its a great bass and it does feel incredible but is the RW that much more of an upgrade from the standard(mim $900-1000) that its almost twice the price?
is the upgraded hardware, pickups, neck support and fret work that you get with the amstd not worth the couple of hundred bucks?
 
#13
They have changed the way they make the jazz bass so many times, you'd really need to find what year your favorite sounds are from and look towards that year in a fender.
I find the Lakland DJ-5 to be fuller across the whole spectrum unlike a jazz bass w/ the thinner sounding D and G strings.
Check out marcus miller's line of excellent cheap axes if you like his sound. Invalid Link Removed

You always need the extension cabinet w/ phil jones. The difference is remarkable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: odarellmc
#14
Fret sprout?

Try this:

AS-HU-7142-500.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: audreycashin
#15
Personally, I would get the American Standard and be done with it. You can find used ones here or at GC online for the price of a RW. That said, RWs are very nice basses. But the 2012-on AmStd basses with the custom shop pickups would be my preference.
 
#16
subtraction said:
I am looking to get a jazz bass and Ive looked up all kinds of info and just cant decide. I am partial to Fender. Just for jamming at home through a b3k leading to a Phil Jones cub 100 combo amp. Unfortunately I have to order online. I am torn between an American Standard J or a Road Worn J. Please help me decide....!

If I get the RW I'd have enough money to buy one of those Phil Jones 100w extension cabs that I've been eyeballing (not that I really need it) along with the new bass. If I got the AS I can't get any other goodies.
Click to expand...
I would suggest that you get the bass that you wouldn't regret buying.
So, you just play at home for fun. You don't play in a group or anything?
 
#18
Like others have said, trying before purchasing is always best but you can't go wrong with an American Standard Jazz. The ROI is there if you have to sell it (if you consider that) but the aftermarket support for a Fender is as good as it gets. If there is something you want to make it a little better for you its out there. What does your gut tell you? Remember , that first instinct is usually the right one.

The RW is lost on me. I'm too anal about gear to buy something that looks beat up. If it was a beat up / worn bass that belonged to John Entwistle or Macca that is one thing but I can't buy something new that is made to look that way. That is just MHO and not a judgement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: brendanbassix and MovingPitchers

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back