Is there a quality medium scale Fender Jazz or equivalent?

Medium scale is a rare bird. Unfortunate for me, as I've determined it's the scale size that fits me best.

I turned to Warmoth for my P/J bass. A good way to spec out exactly what you want in a high-quality piece at a reasonable price.

 

Got a killer mij 34" P with a jazz neck... Cool... but cant play it. rugby ruined MY fretting pinky in '82. Luvvin my 32" gypsy rose.

Have you tried playing 5 ers?

 

If you say "medium scale" or "32" in a thread on talkbass, you are sure to get a visit from BassHappy before too long. From Fender, there are some Japanese medium scales that turn up from time to time. However, I suggest keeping your eyes open for a Fender Urge I. They we made through most of the 90's. The MIM had jazz pickups and the MIA has a JPJ picup configuration and a Kubicki-like preamp. They are medium scale, and IMO, the MIA Urge I is the best Fender I have ever played. Consistently the best Fender I have played - I have never run across a "bad" one.

(@BassHappy: Somebody is singing your song...)

 

I've been watching for used medium scale basses for many months. Every once in awhile something will appear but nothing that has piqued my interest. Finding a used medium scale bass is even harder than finding a new medium scale bass, which is pretty hard already.

 

Rondo has 32" scale P's, J's, and PJ's. Then there's the Squier tele bass special that has a jazz pup and a humbucker. Then there's MIJ Fender 32 inch jazzes if you wanna spend about $1400 to get one here from Japan.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Urge-Electric-Bass-/281507630909?pt=Guitar&hash=item418b298f3d
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Sign...s-/121504221790?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c4a374a5e
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Japa...e-/261702294318?pt=Guitar&hash=item3ceeac1b2e
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Japa...n-/131364613345?pt=Guitar&hash=item1e95f0ece1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Prec...n-/281520333671?pt=Guitar&hash=item418beb6367

The MIA Urge I prices have gone up in the last couple years...they are selling for about what they cost new. Aside from these, there are the Vintage Modified Telecaster basses and the Rondo SX medium scale basses.

 

If your gonna get an Urge get the artist. The standard was meh!

 

Thanks for the kind words WV... Medium scalers are a bit of an obsession...

Looks like you have some good links to medium scalers there already WV~

Hey Bassman

There are a number of brand new Fender Jazz basses in medium scale on ebay right this minute. Don't know why I see $1400 from another poster? I have never seen them anywhere near that. They are mostly in the mid $800's with around $100 - $150 bucks for shipping. So usually delivered to your door for under a grand. If you keep an eye out, you will see new ones in the high $600's from time to time and even the low to mid $700's.

For the new ones just do a search on "Fender Jazz Bass MIJ medium Scale" and they will come up. I usually just search on "Fender Bass Medium Scale" or "Bass Guitar medium scale". Not searching much these days, but I put ticklers in on ebay so when a new item is posted I get an email notification. I am preoccupied with my Fender Performer Build in medium scale and the Les Paul Bass build in medium scale I am starting on. I am pretty happy with my Fender collection. If I could find a three color burst mid-80's P Bass in medium scale in good shape I would spring for it, but other than that my Fender collection is pretty complete.

PS: I am a wood guy, rather than paint, so for me three color burst is my only option. Here is my medium scaler, bought it new in like 2007 or 2008.



I don't see any bursts at the moment, but if you email the dealers selling the red white and black ones, they probably have access to burst, and they are usually the same price. Here they are on the Fender Japan Site:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/&prev=/search?q=fender+japan&client=safari&rls=en

EDIT: Opps, looks like they changed the way the Fender Japan site works. Go to the link and hit PRODUCTS at the top of the menu bar. Then select JAZZ BASS. Go to the sidebar menu on the left and hit JB62M. The bass is a 1962 replica and the M is for medium. Lots of other really good suggestions on here but - sigh - I hate to say it - there is nothing quite like a Fender.

 

Alas... Rondo only has fretless jazzes.

 

Also Google Cataldo as well as Lowe Custom Guitars. Both builders are active on these forums and both will do a medium scale. I'm waiting anxiously to see Lowe's new Ridler bass in a completed state. Neither do a Jazz bass but have some compelling models nonetheless.

 

.. this one is already in the states ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Japa...e-/261702294318?pt=Guitar&hash=item3ceeac1b2e

.. also, you can get a straight Jazz Aerodyne, not just P/J's in 32" scale ... local MN TB'er had one, very nice bass, I was very tempted but broke when he put it up for sale ... he did have an issue with the soft basswood body on his and installed 'inserts' where needed if I remember correctly ...

 

Hey thanks bassman

Truthfully, it is everything i wished my 1972 full scaler Jazz Bass was.

 

It is a different flavor, but the gibson sg bass in satin cherry for about $800 street new, USA made, played really easy and had a nice tone selection too. Mine got stolen not long after I got it unfortunately.

 

Nice bass, I loved mine growing up - but it is short scale not medium scale...

 

Agreed. I think Fender MIJ quality, fit and finish are top-notch, too.

But if you want a custom "Fender-style" 32", Jimmy Wilson at Landing Guitars near Pittsburgh can offer you lots of options (in 32 or 30 inch scales).

 

if you are wiling to go with a custom built traditional jazz, jimmy wilson (landing) or brad muckelroy are specialists in medium scale basses. get a traditional jazz, send them the guts and hardware and have them build it up.

the urge (series 1) models and the 80s mij squiers are excellent instruments, but they vary from a traditional jazz bass. the squier is a bit like a 9/10 scale version of a jazz, slightly smaller neck, body, etc. birdsong has resurrected the s.d. curlee brand. status is another builder that does some medium scale instruments on a regular basis. and of course there is warmoth....