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

[tb-player]

Great advice.


THIS! Suhr Classic J is probably the most overlooked jazz bass on the market. Better than most anything in their price range, and easily on a par with more expensive boutique jazz basses. They build passive and active versions. It's not hard to find a used passive one for under $2k.

Here's mine. I've owned a large number of jazz basses over the years. This one is, by far, the best of the lot.

 

[luciens]

I love my fender jaco (pic below), but see my complaint over in the hardware/repair forum. That aside, you're probably going for a fretted bass in which case my personal picks would be the Fender American Professional or the MIA G&L JB.
What I like about the AP is the smaller/light tuning keys, which should improve the balance. The G&L has the Leo Fender saddle lock bridge, which is the best bridge ever made. It will also have the G&L aluminum tuners on it that will improve the balance also.

There are other boutique and near-boutique jazz basses that are also super nice, but they're going to be pretty expensive. The Fender and G&L will have among the highest bang/buck ratios for jazz basses.

That's why I'd pick those two. They're both jazz basses so they'll both be super jazz basses.

L

 

[crankypants]

No poll?

+1 for G&L

As already mentioned, they out-Fender Fender most days.

I don't have the JB but I have 2 USA G&Ls and they are fantastic.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Nothing beats just playing a bunch of basses and then getting the one that blows the wind up yer kilt. That’s how I’ve always bought Fenders.
Also, the difference between good and bad is often just a good fret level and setup up job...like Marcus did back in the late 70s with his brand new Jazz Bass, courtesy of Mr Sadowsky.

 

[quilanthegreat]

I own a 2015 American Standard Jazz Bass with stock Custom Shop Pickups, I truly believe it to be one of the best production line instruments I've played. I did install a bone nut and shield the cavity, but now I honestly don't think I could ever part with that bass - it's just great. The American Professional Jazz Basses have different pickups, frets, and neck dimensions so I can't really speak to that model of Jazz Bass. Also, if it helps, I've owned a Lakland Skyline Joe Osborn, a Road Worn Fender Jazz Bass (which was also great but I tired of the Fiesta Red color), and I far prefer my Am. Std.

 

[57pbass]

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

Try to locate one of the early Lakland USA Joe Osborn Basses when they first hit the streets. They show up occasionally in the $1500-2000 range. serial numbers are 0-99..100-200..they’re the real early builds
I had one from that era and sold it a while back and kept my Bob Glaub. Fine instruments. If you can’t find one look for a Suhr.

 

[bobdabilder]

Don't waste money on a fender buy a lakland.

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!

 

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

Check out Kiesel. Made in San Diego, and you could get one for under $2K with some personal color choices.

I love my JB5.

 

[the federalist]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! One of the main conclusions I've come to is there's no shortage of good options. This being the case, patiently waiting for a well-priced used instrument seems to be the ticket. Wait a minute, isn't that always the ticket?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

You're right, I had it mixed up. Got my Precision new on markdown Feb '16.

Same. I purchased both a brand new AmStd Strat and Jazz for $900 each. Both are fantastic and insane value at that price.

 

[bassfreakah]

Just keep you eye on talkbass. This is the best place to buy anything used. Most of the people here are very cool. Cant go wrong lots of jazz basses in these pages.

 

[juancaminos]

To be clear, what's the 'traditional sound'?
Passive vs Active was answered in the original post.
60s or 70s?
Rosewood or maple fb?

D.

That is a good question to which the answer is "it depends". For me it's maple neck 70's in passive. But I prefer active.

 

[juancaminos]

I have a 2013 AVRI 64 Jazz. I would recommend highly.
View attachment 3835998


Or the 50th Anniversary Jazz. Excellent all the way around.
View attachment 3836003

Don't see too many blue pick guards, I like it.

 

[Chad Michael]

Mike Lull, case closed.

Our own Dr. Cheese has a positive sentiment with the Lull bass. I have yet to play one.

One might be careful in saying case closed, one size fits all doesn't really apply to anything IME

 

[hardtop]

I think you're on the right track. There are several jazz bass's I would purchase before a Fender; of the ones Ive owned Sandberg, Lakland, G&L were all better basses to me. Sandberg is German however, but my favorite of the bunch.

 

[Acoop]

The Flea Jazz bass is okay and production has been very consistent. ... Decide what's to purchase limit is first. ... $2.000 is a good spot. ... If you look hard enough you'd find a vintage 70's J-bass at that price. ... Or a used Elite for less. ... A Flea for $800. ... You do the hunting, there's still good deals out there. ... And this economy is ripe.

 

[sawzalot]

I have a G&L JB that I love. I also love the lakland necks, they are really awesome.

 

[Flaked Beans]

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

Blizzard Pearl. Thank you sir.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

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!

A ‘60s J repro. bass won’t let you down, whether it’s a Fender AV/AO or a G&L they will serve you well.
I wouldn’t go for a Fender Am. Pro. unless you find a used one at a good price and are willing to swap the pickups.

 

[Freddy T]

I recommend checking out Valenti basses: American made by Nino Valenti. Traditional styling with amazing build quality. My bass as well as others I've played are very versatile with tones ranging from traditional passive J to modern depending on the pickup and preamp configuration. They tend to be generally lightweight too. They have a Sadowsky feel and vibe at non-rockstar prices, with the benefit that they sound amazing in passive mode, if that's something you're in to. I scoped out the Valenti website and saw a few used and new models in your price range:
Valenti Basses In Stock

I have no affiliation with Valenti but I did meet Nino once and he was a very nice guy. Also, check out the Valenti club here on TB for more (obviously biased) opinions!