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Itching for a Jazz bass....which one?

#22
You're looking for the "traditional Jazz Bass sound," then I think you should be looking for a Fender Jazz Bass. Find one in the TB Classifieds that you like and live with it for a few months. Then if necessary replace pickups, pots, bridge pieces, etc. to get where you need to go.

G&L does make a very nice Jazz (just called the JB-- no numbers, just JB) and they offer a bunch of options. However, in the back of your mind you will probably, eventually, be thinking you should have gone with the Fender.

Also, you can special order your new bass directly from Fender with vintage-type appointments through its Invalid Link Removed.

Best of luck in your search!
 
#23
the federalist said:
or equivalent older models
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If you want Fender and American made this is the way to go IMO. QC seems to have gone down the drain after the introduction of the current models. They are shockingly inconsistent for this price range. And even if you can try before you buy and find a good one they're still not quite as nice as the models they replaced. The American Standards were better (or at least more versatile) then the American Professionals with their somewhat quirky V-Mod pickups. The American Vintage series were better (and more vintage correct) than the American Originals.

Just my personal opinion of course (but it is based on extensive experience with all these series).

Of course there are other American brands than Fender. Most of them are better value and many of them make J-basses (but not Jazz Basses!).
 
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#25
nonohmic said:
I've been GASing for one of these;

Fender Limited Edition Lightweight Ash American Professional Jazz Bass | Reverb
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I have one of these. It's a very well made and beautiful instrument, but since they are from ~2018 they come with those Tim Shaw designed VMod pickups, which have their own sound. I know a lot of people weren't particularly thrilled with these new pickups since they have much more modern, balanced (and lower output) sound to them. I personally prefer them because I find them to be more versatile and well-rounded, but if OP is looking for a hotter, more vintage tone, he's better off with an older model.
 
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#30
the federalist said:
Does it matter if I've never liked Rush even a little bit? I know it shouldn't matter, but it would make me remember that I don't like Rush every time I saw the bass although the signature is on the back and isn't legible.
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Of course it doesn't matter. Honestly I'm not a fan but that Bass is my reference to how a Jazz bass must sound.
My second favorite is Flea signature. I don't like fake reliced Basses but that Bass makes me to ignore the look.
 
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#31
MMiller28 said:
This...But the Standards ended in '15

Professionals and Vinteras use some parts from Mexico.
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I'm almost certain that the last year of Am Std was 2016.

Corevalay said:
American Standard Jazz between 2012 - 2016. I don't know what it is, but these basses, during this time period, just feel, look, and sound the best to me. You get Custom Shop 60 pickups stock.
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Good recent American made Fenders are generally 2008 onward, since they improved their manufacturing quality control across the board in 2008 (this also applies to MIMs) and improved electronics. Then between the years 2012-2016, they included CS 60's pickups in their American basses, which is why these particular years are held in such high regard.

The VMod pickups were introduced in 2015 to the Professional line, and 2016 was an interesting year as Stds were more sought after than Pros. Fender sunsetted the Std line at the end of 2016, no more stock CS pickups anymore.

I don't think the newest Fenders have as much value, and I think they're all more expensive now too. I found my 2018 Limited Edition Pro Jazz in mint condition for a fantastic price and am quite happy with it, but I would never pay MSRP for a new model.
 
#32
MRV said:
I'm almost certain that the last year of Am Std was 2016.



Good recent American made Fenders are generally 2008 onward, since they improved their manufacturing quality control across the board in 2008 (this also applies to MIMs) and improved electronics. Then between the years 2012-2016, they included CS 60's pickups in their American basses, which is why these particular years are held in such high regard.

The VMod pickups were introduced in 2015 to the Professional line, and 2016 was an interesting year as Stds were more sought after than Pros. Fender sunsetted the Std line at the end of 2016, no more stock CS pickups anymore.

I don't think the newest Fenders have as much value, and I think they're all more expensive now too. I found my 2018 Limited Edition Pro Jazz in mint condition for a fantastic price and am quite happy with it, but I would never pay MSRP for a new model.
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You're right, I had it mixed up. Got my Precision new on markdown Feb '16.
 
#33
Joining the choir on the Geddy.

However, it would not call it traditional. It's more of a souped up 70-ties jazz that gets into Ricky territory.

The best traditional jazz (60ties architecture, nitro, rosewood board) i've had (with the best neck by far, and most fun to play) was a Mexican roadworn (and I am saying that having owned a good 63' Fender AVRI)
 
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#35
I'm pretty happy with my MiM "70s" Jazz. You can get them in the ~$500 range used. For $2K you could get an actual 70s Jazz if you're patient and willing to weed out the boat anchors. Lots of disdain for 70s Fenders, but that was peak Jazz in my book; the pickup spacing gives it more bite, and I love bound and blocked necks, esp. rosewood.
 
#37
I have several Fender Jazz basses, including a '64, '69, '71, an Adam Clayton ltd.ed., all U.S. made, yet I'll put my 2010 MIJ JB75-94US (with stock U.S. made pups . . . Hence the "U.S.") against any of them, including the 3 oldest ones which I've had for nearly 40 to 41+ years.

I like it so much that recently acquired a second one . . . A '05 CIJ model and it sounds just as good, but has the 60's spacing rather than the actual mid-'70's spacing of the newer one. Avg cost ~ $725 including freight. The necks are identical to my '69 which is the perfect profile for me. Here they are:
20200410_152418.jpg
20200411_164846.jpg

20200410_152240.jpg

I'm not trying to dissuade you from buying 'Murcan, but if you're getting it used anyway, the origin is less important than the quality/value ratio, imo.
 
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#39
I love my recently acquired FGN J-Standard jazz bass which I picked up used, but I'm not sure how many are out there in the used market (if any) where you're at.

L&M has a couple of these MIJ Traditional Jazz Basses left in stock that were tempting me before I got my FGN, but again I'm unsure if these are available where you are:
- https://www.long-mcquade.com/162388...al-60-s-J-Bass-with-Gigbag---Arctic-White.htm
- https://www.long-mcquade.com/162380...60-s-J-Bass-with-Gigbag---Vintage-Natural.htm

I'm sure an American Standard or American Pro will do the trick too though.
 
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#40
Its hard to try before you buy right now, but i would suggest you hold off buying any bass until you can do that.
i like the standard USA Jazz basses for the best bang for the buck. I own a couple of early 70's Jazz basses that the Geddy Lee bass is based on and they are great but I don't rec. spending that much unless you really like that era of Jazz basses.
 
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