Fender Road Worn, make sure it has a straight neck and call it a day. The Flea RW would be my next one.. but the standard RW stuff kicks butt too
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Itching for a Jazz bass....which one?
- Thread starter the federalist
- Start date
Good Morning!
I bought a Vintera 70 a month ago and replaced the bridge with a Hi Mass fender, it has a brilliant tone clarity and good build quality, I never had a fender, now I have a JB Frankenfender with Seymour Quarter Pound for "brutality" "of jazz rock and a Vintera to the obscurity of soul music, I find the neck a little stiff but I don't know all the peculiarities of the 70's fender, anyone?
I bought a Vintera 70 a month ago and replaced the bridge with a Hi Mass fender, it has a brilliant tone clarity and good build quality, I never had a fender, now I have a JB Frankenfender with Seymour Quarter Pound for "brutality" "of jazz rock and a Vintera to the obscurity of soul music, I find the neck a little stiff but I don't know all the peculiarities of the 70's fender, anyone?
I replaced my Fender US Standard 4 string Jazz with a US Lakland Classic 44-60 4 string. The Lakland is better built and has a much nicer neck. The Fender was ok but felt mass produced. The neck pocket wasn’t tight. I used the same Aguilar pickups on both (swapped over from Fender to Lakland) so they sounded pretty much the same. The Aguilars sound better than the stock Fender or Lakland pickups IMO.
I’ve owned two US Fenders and one MIJ Fender which was better build. Sold them all once I realised I only wanted them because of the Fender logo on the headstock. However, that logo may be important to some people (it was to me at the time) and basses somehow sound better if you feel good about them! Brand names can have a huge influence and affect your judgement when choosing basses.
I’ve owned two US Fenders and one MIJ Fender which was better build. Sold them all once I realised I only wanted them because of the Fender logo on the headstock. However, that logo may be important to some people (it was to me at the time) and basses somehow sound better if you feel good about them! Brand names can have a huge influence and affect your judgement when choosing basses.
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I say G&L or fender but if it’s a fender play it first ! One nice thing about fender is lots of replacement parts if you are not happy later on.
American Fender Geddy Lee Jazz, the best passive four string Jazz I ever played for sure!
I've bought a '95 Fender American Standard Jazz Bass from a friend a few months ago, just before the quarantine. For the last 20 years I wanted one really bad because it has a really punchy and growly tone. The only downside is that it is really neck heavy. Other than that, it's a great bass, with a lot of character. I'd definitely recommend one of those, if you don't mind the weight.
60’s style I would suggest a Flea or a Roadworn.
70’s is go with Geddy Lee USA.
Outside of Fender I would look at Sandberg .
70’s is go with Geddy Lee USA.
Outside of Fender I would look at Sandberg .
The Fender American Orig 60s Jazz is very cool as well. I picked one up a few months ago as a practice/project bass. Swapped the pups, tuners, dialed in a slick setup... a solid and great sounding bass that won't break the bank - or your heart if you bump it. (8.5 pounds too!)
The Sandberg California range are great Jazz basses, active and/ or passive. Excellent build quality and sound. Handmade in Germany and similar prices to mass produced US Fenders.
I'd shoot for a Fender AVRI '64 or the newer American Original 60s Jazz Bass. Look for used or "open box" from one of the on line stores. These turn up from time to time here on good old Talk Bass at decent prices.
Keep in mind that the 70s style J Basses have the bridge pickup moved about 1/2" closer to the bridge than the vintage ones. This gives a slightly brighter sound which you may or may not like. Also, around 1974, 3 bolt neck plates (no thanks).
For a very short time, I had a MIJ Geddy J. It had the most thin neck I have ever experienced, paper thin. I didn't like that. Being such a thin neck, the truss rod was nearly maxed because of string tension.
Good luck finding yourself a J. Time and patience and you get your price.
Keep in mind that the 70s style J Basses have the bridge pickup moved about 1/2" closer to the bridge than the vintage ones. This gives a slightly brighter sound which you may or may not like. Also, around 1974, 3 bolt neck plates (no thanks).
For a very short time, I had a MIJ Geddy J. It had the most thin neck I have ever experienced, paper thin. I didn't like that. Being such a thin neck, the truss rod was nearly maxed because of string tension.
Good luck finding yourself a J. Time and patience and you get your price.
Personally I would not overlook the American Performer.
Am very impressed with that series
Am very impressed with that series
I’d like to put a penny body with a tort guard and a rosewood fingerboard neck together !
The AO ‘70s jazz basses have got pre 3-bolt neck switch compliant specs. with the most notable exception being constituted by the fretboard radius ... aside for the position of the bridge pickup (which I’m not a particular estimator of), I find the proposed finishes for this line of basses not particularly attractive, even the last batch ..
I did the same to my 2008 MIA jazz, copper foil shielding and a bone nut. I can’t say the bone but made a huge difference but I still am glad I did it ( the curved fender bits warmoth sells are a direct fit in case anyone wants to know ). The shielding really helped keep it super quiet in all conditions.
