Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
"Budget friendly" is meaningless. Some people would be hard pressed to come up with $100; others spend thousands on a whim. How much do you want to spend?
Used MIM Fender Standard Jazzes are usually about $300 and are pretty easy to come by. They're perfectly good instruments (especially those made in 2006 or later). I have a 2006. I replaced the pickups not because there was anything bad about their tone but just because I strongly favor noiseless pickups. I'm really happy with it and see no reason to pay the extra money for an MIA model.
Used MIM Fender Standard Jazzes are usually about $300 and are pretty easy to come by. They're perfectly good instruments (especially those made in 2006 or later). I have a 2006. I replaced the pickups not because there was anything bad about their tone but just because I strongly favor noiseless pickups. I'm really happy with it and see no reason to pay the extra money for an MIA model.
I'd go along with that, I didn't like the standard pups at all so I swapped them out for Seymor Duncans, I changed the bridge and the tuners too but now it punches way above it's weight, it's an excellent Jazz by any standard
Whatever you buy, buy used. That tends to be "budget-friendlier" than buying a new instrument. If by chance you don't know what to look for when purchasing a used instrument, enlist the assistance of someone who does. Take your time, and have fun shopping.
I’ll second the recommendation for a post 2006 MIM. I had a 2007 and it’s the only bass I regret selling.
Also a Squier Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe would be a solid choice.
Also a Squier Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe would be a solid choice.
Yes, the MIM Fenders are good, and can be made even better with different pickups and bridges. I used to have a 2010 MIM Standard Jazz, which sounded great with MIA pickups and a Gotoh bridge. It didn’t have the playability and solid necks of my MIA Fender and G&L basses, but it was a good bass.
Speaking of G&L, they’ve recently introduced a Tribute JB, which should be an excellent alternative. I’d probably go for one of those first, in part because G&L Tributes typically have the same pickups as the USA equivalents.
Speaking of G&L, they’ve recently introduced a Tribute JB, which should be an excellent alternative. I’d probably go for one of those first, in part because G&L Tributes typically have the same pickups as the USA equivalents.
Don't really understand the caveat. My #1 is a '94 MIM P-Bass and my Jazz is also a '94 with a '97 fretless neck (which is killer). Both are keepers (7 and 3 years, respectively). Come to think of it, my daughter's is a '97 MIM P-Bass. Hers is pretty good too. It's purple.
The Fender Noiseless pickups are a very worthwhile upgrade. Pretty much the same voicing as stock but without the noise - hence the name, I'm guessing.
