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

[waynobass]

I've got nothing but good things to say about my Lakland 44-60 J bass. Sounds great, plays great, fit and finish are excellent. Never have considered upgrading anything on it. It does the J bass thing beautifully.

Lakland.

 

[the federalist]

Sire basses

Thanks for the suggestion. I had a Sire bass for a short time a few years ago. I forget the model. This is going to sound snobbish, but I got rid of it because it was like having a Kia when you really wanted a Lexus. No one needs to point out the value/price ratio; I get it. I wish I could get over this prejudice as it would save money.

 

[Kukulkan61]

I have to agree with you..Here is mine with Rosewood board.
View attachment 3835911

Mine us rosewood as well it's also the first year they came!

 

[the federalist]

Lakland 44-60

Lakland

Lots of excellent suggestions in this thread, but leaning strongly in the Lakland direction.

 

[FishDub]

Mine us rosewood as well it's also the first year they came!

 

[crucislancer]

For a traditional Jazz @ $2k or under, I would look for a used Fender AVRI Jazz.

 

[LUCE]

As I said many times, get the real thing. Here is my 2008 american standard jazz bass. I love it.
View attachment 3835105 View attachment 3835107

I have the twin sister of this bass. I prefer my G&L - incredible neck, great bridge, sounds like a J should.

 

[Gyver]

I own a MIA Geddy Lee Jazz Bass. It is far and away a better sounding and playing Jazz than any I've ever owned or played. I highly recommend it.

 

[2F/2F]

I just got the '70s Vintera, and it's very well made for what I spent. $620 plus tax for a like-new condition floor model, then bought a bridge and tuner upgrades (both Pure Vintage '70s) to the tune of $100. A hard case will run me about $150–$200. $8 for some dark brown Fiebing's for the fingerboard (not yet applied). About $35 for the bridge and pickup covers (not yet installed). $8 for a thumb rest (not yet installed). So that's around $1,000 in (less if I don't need the hard case), and it plays great and sounds great. Fret work is on par with my AV '64 J; the plastic fret nibs make it so they have a harder time doing crappy end dressing on the frets, like most MIM Fenders I've played. Like I said, the tuners and the bridge stunk – standard MIM mediocre hardware. And I think they are severely overpriced. But if you can find a killer deal, don't hesitate to jump on it.

Here's a quick snap from yesterday, when I was mocking up the chrome covers on the cat couch.

I'll eventually be taking it in to Marty Bell to get the headstock painted to match the body. And I'll be making a guard out of a thicker B/W/B material. The stock material has a thick black layer, a thick white layer, and a thin black layer on top, which I don't dig. I got the thick .106" B/W/B material to make the replacement guard.

 

[garp]

As I said many times, get the real thing. Here is my 2008 american standard jazz bass. I love it.

Shoreline Gold? Inca Silver? Whatever it is, sure is pretty.

 

[Liam Wald]

"Precise Bass"...interesting

I know. What a name to choose. Probably one of the reasons that they were sued so vigorously.

 

[Paul New]

Go to Fender.com, Mod Shop, build one with your choice of color, pickguard, pickups, fretboard material, neck shape, everything, for less than your budget.

 

[Towson Bass]

Sadowsky. Play a Sadowsky and you won't miss the Middle C falling flat on its face

 

[Dave Leighton]

I have a 2013 AVRI 64 Jazz. I would recommend highly.

Or the 50th Anniversary Jazz. Excellent all the way around.

 

[Rebel Rocker]

I have an American Standard 12 and 14 Jazz both play and sound great but the 14 was a perfect fit for me.

 

[slagheap]

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!).

my experience exactly, agree with every word.

 

[spaz21387]

I like my flea jazz

 

[john_g]

I had the itch about 6 or so months ago. I wanted a good Jazz bass that wasnt too expensive though, I ended up getting a killer deal on a G&L Tribute Jazz Bass. I know OP doesnt want the lower end models, but this thing kills. Really well put together and sounds great. I may try adding a series option similar to my old 60th anniversary Fender J with SB1 switch, but it sounds really good already.

 

[Charlzm]

In the market for a 4-string J bass with that 'traditional' sound.

Prefer American made. Prefer passive. Prefer used, but without mods. Can spend up to two grand. Would prefer less, of course.

Obvious choice is a Fender Professional or equivalent older models. I guess a basic question is whether spending more than on a used Fender Professional (or equivalent) yields value. I'm partial to a AVRI P bass and I assume a AVRI J would be more than adequate. Is a Vintera close enough, given that it costs a ton less? Other Fender models to consider?

A used Lakland sounds good, too. I assume the Lakland choice is the 44-60 and that a Classic Series would fill the bill just fine.

G&L would be fine, too, but only if it sounds 'right'. Are we talking a JB model? Any other model does it better?

Anything else? Bacchus, sandberg?

I know a Squier or a Skyline or a Tribute would serve my needs just fine, but that's not what I want. Also not in the mood to track down a used Tokai or something like that.

Like every other product now (cell phones, cat food, paper towels, beer, etc, etc), there's too many flippin' choices!

Thanks for your thoughts and help!

I'd look for someone selling a used Warmoth build. It will be of equal or greater quality to anything at the same price point in the used market. Same goes for Carvin/Kiesel.

 

[Indiana Mike]

if you like green look at an Adam Clayton.