J-bass on a $600 budget

[scottfeldstein]

Let's say you're in the market for a used four string j-style bass with two single coil pickups. Your budget is $600 (plus reasonable shipping). And you do not want anything with Squier on the headstock. What are you looking for? What would you jump on if you saw it in your price range?

MIM Fender Jazz?
PRS?
Sire?
G&L?

 

[dabbler]

Although I have not played J pup versions of all of those brands, Sire gets my vote.

 

[lokikallas]

Used MIM or MIJ if you are lucky.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

My advice is to be patient and you will find a good deal.

 

[bholder]

Currently sold out, of course, but here's what you want:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Best bang-for-buck J anywhere, period, IMHO.

 

[patrickhowell]

CIJ: Fender JB-62 Jazz Bass Reissue MIJ 1995-96 3TSB | Reverb

 

[Heat]

Sire V5 or G&L JB2

 

[alack]

Put black tape over the Squier logo.

 

[Eddie Jones]

Vintage brand VJ-74 Re-Issue. I have one and brand new it is less than a Squier, better components, and plays and sounds awesome.

 

[Flatwound]

CIJ: Fender JB-62 Jazz Bass Reissue MIJ 1995-96 3TSB | Reverb

That one!!

 

[Lava]

Fender MIM or MIJ, for sure.

 

[Aloe]

briefly tried a PRS, wasn't impressed. YMMV if you don't like your pickups hum-canceling when soloed. liked the Sadowsky Design MetroExpress tho.

 

[scottfeldstein]

Currently sold out, of course, but here's what you want:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Best bang-for-buck J anywhere, period, IMHO.

Wow. Even the new price is doable. It's telling, maybe, that there aren't any used ones on Reverb.

 

[Lesfunk]

Sire V5
If you get a fender you’re paying a premium for the name on the headstock

I had a v3 and couldn’t believe how nice it was for low bucks

 

[bholder]

Wow. Even the new price is doable. It's telling, maybe, that there aren't any used ones on Reverb.

Yeah, virtually all of the Gen 2 models are sold out everywhere, used ones pop up here and there but disappear. I love my 5 Gen 1s, but I had to try a Gen 2 so I got a D5 to see what the fuss was about - oh yeah, I get it now. Gen 1 was wonderful, but day-yum, the neck on the D5 leaves me speechless.

Anyway, yeah, the only problem is finding / ordering one. They're building them as fast as they can, but selling them even faster. Moments like this determine whether a company can scale up while maintaining their quality / value proposition. Many companies fail just as they're becoming a hit (because they can't scale up). Fingers crossed Sire's ready for the next big step...

 

[rogerbmiller]

If you are looking for a straight Jazz bass, I would do a MIM Jazz all day long.

If you want a proper J bass that does even more, I would reccomend a Sire V7.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Sire V3/V5/V7

 

[bholder]

If you are looking for a straight Jazz bass, I would do a MIM Jazz all day long.

If you want a proper J bass that does even more, I would reccomend a Sire V7.

I would too, except it's out of his price range, so I went with the V5 recommendation. But a used V7 would certainly do the job too.

 

[rickwebb]

I have two MIM Jazz Basses that are just amazing.

 

[rogerbmiller]

I would too, except it's out of his price range, so I went with the V5 recommendation. But a used V7 would certainly do the job too.

In general, I always suggest a used bass over a new one, but new V7s are under $600 as long as you can be patient. With Tax I suppose they can get a little north of $600, but close enough for rock and roll...

Sire Marcus Miller V7 Alder 4-string Bass Guitar - Antique White