If you were starting college to study jazz....

[two fingers]

..... what would you show up with as your workhorse bass? Fender Jazz? (Not me, by the way.)

Oddly enough, Jazz Studies departments tend to be ridiculously traditional (for people who study music that knocked down walls a broke all kinds of barriers). In my view, you can't (literally can't) show up with the "wrong" bass.

So, if you were going to help a kid going into a traditional jazz school (he'll be doubling on electric and double bass) find an "acceptable" bass guitar, what would you look for?

And, please, save your lectures. I know the school. It is what it is. It's a great school. But it's stuck in the past.

Budget is maybe $700-$800? Used is fine in great shape.

 

[mikeswals]

It doesnt matter. Just get what you can afford.

Last week I was at a jazz festival invitational at the university, and while 80% was upright, the doublers ranged anything from a Jazz Bass to a Carvin LB76 6-string.

 

[two fingers]

It doesnt matter. Just get what you can afford.

Last week I was at a jazz festival invitational at the university, and while 80% was upright, the doublers ranged anything from a Jazz Bass to a Carvin LB76 6-string.

I wish it "didn't matter". But it does.

 

[bucephylus]

The upright is the most important. Get that one right.

For a bass guitar, I'd get a Fender. If you don't like the Jazz Bass, I suppose that narrows it down a bit.

And I suppose a G&L would be perfectly ok.

 

[mikeswals]

Since this seems to be for a kid going to college...what does he want?
And if you say it does matter, then why ask, just get what needs for his education.

 

[Mushroo]

Upright + Fender will open the most doors, in my opinion/experience.

 

[Floppystrings]

6 string fretless Carvin.

UNLINED

 

[nostatic]

The upright is the most important. Get that one right.

For a bass guitar, I'd get a Fender. If you don't like the Jazz Bass, I suppose that narrows it down a bit.

And I suppose a G&L would be perfectly ok.

^^^ if they are really "traditional", then they will frown on any electric, but begrudging accept a Fender for those heathen gigs...

 

[mdogs]

I would get a Hofner, according to recent s****d thread, there are more sold than Ps or Js.

 

[C_Becker]

Either a BC Rich, a 5-string Thunderbird or a Dingwall NG-2

 

[two fingers]

^^^ if they are really "traditional", then they will frown on any electric, but begrudging accept a Fender for those heathen gigs...

They do work on electric. They teach on it, in fact.

 

[JRA]

It doesnt matter.

But it does.

then why ask.

 

[HelpImaRock]

Fender Jazz. Learn on the instrument you know they'll begrudgingly accept. Graduate, and play whatever you want.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

Maybe try looking up videos or google images from the school to see what other students are playing.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Duh.... A Jazz...

 

[Wisebass]

Hi twofer

what would you look for?

A Fender Jazz! (and a butter knife, just in case… )

greetings

Wise

 

[elgranluis]

...In my view, you can't (literally can't) show up with the "wrong" bass.

Budget is maybe $700-$800? Used is fine in great shape.

you make it sound as if you are a Benefactor of sorts. If this is the case, Sinply give the kid the money. If he KNOWS for a fact that he can't show up with the wrong bass , then he probably knows which one is the wrong bass.

If this is a bass for you , then please tell us which bass is "the wrong bass" so we can narrow it down easier.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

Fender Precision bass with flatwound strings

 

[BioDriver]

Upright is way more important, so that's where the money should go.

As for electric, Fender P or Yamaha BB. I fought that mindset for years, but there's a reason almost every studio bassist brings one of those every time.

 

[lowplaces]

I would just ask the faculty which is acceptable.