J bass recommendation

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Any chance you could tell us where you score bodies for around $100?

Mine are all solid Rosser custom ash. He's on hiatus right now, but will be back up and running soon, he tells me. There are also loads of others that run custom cnc shops on eBay. I just talked to one the other day about my next idea. It's gonna be baaad.

taurowoodworks on eBay

 

[bassnyc1]

Mine are all solid Rosser custom ash. He's on hiatus right now, but will be back up and running soon, he tells me. There are also loads of others that run custom cnc shops on eBay. I just talked to one the other day about my next idea. It's gonna be baaad.

taurowoodworks on eBay

But for around $100?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

But for around $100?

Yes $100

 

[ERIC31]

This is the one I want! Bite Guitars!
BITE Guitars - Build your custom bass guitar

 

[wyleeboxer]

I think sometimes more important then what brand, but more about the details that make a bass really fit and feel like the money your spending is worth it. All brands mentioned are great builds. However, I’d consider more so the fretboard radius, is the bridge pup in 60’s or 70’s position (I play over bridge pup mostly), passive or active, single coil or humbucker, neck shape, type of finish especially on the neck, weight, and one of my biggest issues “neck dive”… these are things that have made keep or sell a bass no matter what the cost or brand.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

G&L. I have a $400 Tribute JB and a $1600 G&L custom JB and I love them equally.

 

[Dudaronamous]

I’m very happy with my Mike Lull jazz. Easiest playing bass I’ve ever played, weighs less than 9 pounds.

 

[bassnyc1]

Above all, I want to suggest Nino Valenti but maybe a bit out of the OP's price range.

 

[pepj]

Depends on so many things.

I am looking for same and I've found various price points offer various compromises and it depends on what you can live with.

I've swapped out 'rubbish' hardware on a CS so it is not always on the cheaper basses where they save money.

I'd want good core parts like Hipshot, maybe Ag pre and pickups and then I'd want nice wood and paint.

That would bring me into line with BassMods, Sadowsky etc and north of 1500 either new or used, I'd expect.
If I wanted Custom, I'd look at the more Eastern European makers.

Builds from the West have high labour costs and that is in the price.
Many outfitters get wood and build from the Pacific and assemble closer to home.

All depends where you want to put your dollars

 

[Mili]

If I had the money this could be the fastest buy in the history...
Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones DJ-4 Bass $1,506.00

 

[Windreaper]

Bacchus Woodline (Handmade series), no contest. Had a mid 2000s passive J/J and P/J, both were flawless and played great.

 

[Fabio_MIJ]

FGN made in Fujigen? That's where they made japan fenders, est.1960
Link Removed

 

[carlosjrf]

I think sometimes more important then what brand, but more about the details that make a bass really fit and feel like the money your spending is worth it. All brands mentioned are great builds. However, I’d consider more so the fretboard radius, is the bridge pup in 60’s or 70’s position (I play over bridge pup mostly), passive or active, single coil or humbucker, neck shape, type of finish especially on the neck, weight, and one of my biggest issues “neck dive”… these are things that have made keep or sell a bass no matter what the cost or brand.

I think sometimes more important then what brand, but more about the details that make a bass really fit and feel like the money your spending is worth it. All brands mentioned are great builds. However, I’d consider more so the fretboard radius, is the bridge pup in 60’s or 70’s position (I play over bridge pup mostly), passive or active, single coil or humbucker, neck shape, type of finish especially on the neck, weight, and one of my biggest issues “neck dive”… these are things that have made keep or sell a bass no matter what the cost or brand.

Frentboard radius is my main issue and maybe weight. Ive read schecters are pretty good. I played one but freatboards way too flat for me. When someone mentions a brand or specific model i'll go look and see if it works for me.

 

[groove pump]

Would anyone recommend Michael Kelly in this situation?

I've sampled one or two in a shop and while they were okay, they didn't fit me well. They were hefty and the necks were too narrow - something that's become a significant issue for me.

What if you wanted a jbass (i want one) but wanted to get something other than a fender (i'd like to try something else) would you go Lakland or G&L? or another builder?
Maybe you have about $1500 (saving is awesome) and used is acceptable.

With $1,500 to spend and you're also open to the used market, a little patience should land you something that will give you a little perma-grin.

Agree with out pals concerning both Sandberg and Bacchus. I have a Bacchus Model 24 (Japanese build with a pair of JJ humbuckers) and it's an absolute honey. Even though its neck is clearly too narrow for me - 37 or 38mm at the nut - I can't bring myself to unload it yet. Its sounds and construction are just superb.

The Bacchus basses that are their "imports" are terrific bang for the buck instruments (Global series are made in the Philippines), but the ones I've sampled or owned were nowhere near the quality of those built in Japan.

Sandbergs from Germany generally have a different neck profile that's a little wider than a traditional Jazz - their website lists their 4-strings as having a 39.5mm zero fret (just inside the nut) width. I haven't tracked down one of these for myself yet, but that itch just won't go away. Sandberg's Electra models are more affordable, but those have more narrow necks with a 37mm nut width.

I recently tracked down a Lakland Skyling 44-02 and this is so far working better than expected. Neck is moderately wide (40mm at the nut), weight is a manageable 9 lbs., and it sounds rather decent with a J/MM pickup layout (similar to a Sandberg TM). I like the passive tones from the pickups and while the on-board preamp works okay, I'm considering swapping in an Aguilar OBP-3. This bass checks off my J-bass wants because the MM bridge pickup will switch to single coil mode and get me into that neighborhood of tone. Solo'ing the J pickup at the neck makes rockin' good sound, too.

 

[carlosjrf]

While there are many experts on Talkbass giving you excellent information about bass guitar brands, I sincerely wish someone had advised me about resale value. While I never thought I would ever get rid of my bass, well things have changed and now I'm considering selling equipment. In my area (deep south) Fender guitars are the most popular and are the easiest to sell or trade.

I understand the thing about resale, but to be honest that doesn't bother me too much. If you get a decent used bass from a decent brand, i may loose some but not too much. I dont keep swapping my instruments too often so i take it as the charge for the used time.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Thought about this for years.
Finally found the right one.
View attachment 4295456
Even people who aren't jazz bass fans like this.

What's the string mute on that? That looks mighty cool.

(Sorry for the derail.)

 

[jd56hawk]

What's the string mute on that? That looks mighty cool.

(Sorry for the derail.)

Gruve Gear fump.
Only works if the neck has a flat radius.

 

[pepj]

A 5st Jazz I'm after is singles, 4+1. 21/22 frets. 19mm bridge spacing.
70's pickups but not a total dealbreaker.
46.5mm plus nut.
String load bridge so strings slot in for quick change. (Sadowsky and Sire don't do this, and not sure if they have drop in replacements)

Active. Nice patterned woods and paint. I don't want a coffee table extreme though.

I'll keep looking :lol:

 

[Zak TMD]

Tons of great recs above - you have a lot to pick from. IF I was going to buy another JB right now, I'd likely buy this exact one (and was really close to doing so when I bought my '04 JB75):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

2019 FGN (Fujigen) Neo Classic. Basically a modern MIJ 70's JB reissue. The only thing I'm unsure about are the pups - but at $1199, you're 300 under budget and could likely get whatever pups you want if you don't like these - just spitballing

+1 FGN

 

[carlosjrf]

Tons of great recs above - you have a lot to pick from. IF I was going to buy another JB right now, I'd likely buy this exact one (and was really close to doing so when I bought my '04 JB75):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

2019 FGN (Fujigen) Neo Classic. Basically a modern MIJ 70's JB reissue. The only thing I'm unsure about are the pups - but at $1199, you're 300 under budget and could likely get whatever pups you want if you don't like these - just spitballing

+1 FGN

View attachment 4296372

I do have a lot to pick from. One thing is that im a sucker for bound and inlayed necks. Also would like rosewood fretboard. My pbass is maple and if/when i get a j i may put flats on the p.
I have to look into these fujigens.