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just looking for some budgeting opinions

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Masterquack, Jul 25, 2009.

  1. Jul 25, 2009 #1
    Masterquack

    Masterquack

    Jul 15, 2007
    hi everyone

    I was just interested to see what you guys would do with these options:

    Buy a Fender american standerd Jazz Bass ($2700 here in Aus)

    OR

    Buy a Fender standered Jazz Bass, and upgrade it with fancy pick-ups, maybe even a pre-amp. (about $1100)

    Im sort of looking at a sound vs feel thing in my head. The american in theory SHOULD have better fretwork and feel in general, plus the standered pick-ups should be good.

    However with a standered Jazz Bass new pickups and peramp could make for a even better sounding bass at a similar price to the american.

    Any-way i just wanted to see some of your guys opinions!
    thanks for any help and sorry for any mistakes! :D
     
  2. Jul 25, 2009 #2
    MIJ-VI

    MIJ-VI Inactive Supporting Member

    Jan 12, 2009
    Can you play them first?
     
  3. Jul 25, 2009 #3
    Masterquack

    Masterquack

    Jul 15, 2007
    uh, yes i can get my hands on both, but its gona be awhile before i can afford either option. oh, also i wont be able to play option two in its entirety, as its something that i will get a shop to do for me (im not confident enough to mod my bass like that).

    for reference the kinds of pick-ups im looking at are mainly seymor duncans
     
  4. Jul 25, 2009 #4
    humpy thumb

    humpy thumb

    Jul 23, 2005
    Sydney Australia
    Warwick bass forum moderator.
    Head over to Bass people & try out everything that's at,& below what you can afford.
    Dont go in there thinking that you must walk out with a fender,or any other brand for that matter.Talk to the guys & tell them what you want in terms of looks,feel & sound.They're very helpful & patient & want you to be happy with your purchase,even if it means you dont end up buying the bass from them.
    Good luck mate.
     
  5. Jul 25, 2009 #5
    Masterquack

    Masterquack

    Jul 15, 2007
    thanx man, I'm actually a regular customer of bass people (what a great place!) and play alot of them. My main bass at the moment is actually an MTD kinston i bought there. I'm looking at fenders because i like them specifically. The only other basses to really catch my interest are Bongs, MTDs (usa), alembics and warwicks. all of which are a substantial bit out of my price range. And while i know theres the second hand option, I'de rather the security of buying a fresh bass from the Bass People (whos setups are always great, and even do minor repairs for free!) and know that no-one else has had thier grubby hands all over my new baby! :D

    I started this thread to get a gage of what people would think is a better value for money option.

    Thanks for the replys guys, keep them coming :D
     
  6. Jul 25, 2009 #6
    humpy thumb

    humpy thumb

    Jul 23, 2005
    Sydney Australia
    Warwick bass forum moderator.
    It's bloody funny,but I almost suggested ya take an MTD Kingston for a spin while you're there.Great minds think alike eh.
    To answer your original question,I'd seriously look at the second option & have some fun with modding the pickups & electronics.With the choices we have nowadays,I think you could end up with some really great results.
    Cheers mate.
     
  7. Jul 25, 2009 #7
    Masterquack

    Masterquack

    Jul 15, 2007
    yah, my MTD has serious groove mojo. It does make me conzider the MTD Z-series ones, but to me they look pretty much the same as the Heir (which is what i have) and i want a gigging bass with some solid passive tone, and vintage looks. The MTD will make a great backup with its rock solid playability and tone variety.
     
  8. Jul 25, 2009 #8
    jordie65

    jordie65

    Jan 7, 2007
    Melbourne, Australia
    hey mate i was in the exact same situation as you a few years back. i bought fender standard jazz bass and added a high mass bridge, dimarzio pickups and an Audere pre-amp. i found that before the upgrades my bass had a bit of a thin sound compared to the American model but afterwards my tone was much fatter..probably in no small part due to the humbucking p/ups i put in. i found that with the upgrades i did to my bass i didnt get the same tone as the American jazz but i still ended up with a tone i was very happy with.
    this was all my experience and like everyone has said before me go into stores and play everything you can get your hands on. ideally you will find a bass you like "as is" and wont need to take the gamble of hoping you can find a different sound with aftermarket parts after you have bought it.
     
  9. Jul 26, 2009 #9
    Masterquack

    Masterquack

    Jul 15, 2007
    did you find a substantial difference between the mexican and the american in feel? (i.e fretwork, neck etc). or was it all in the hardware?
     
  10. Jul 26, 2009 #10
    MIJ-VI

    MIJ-VI Inactive Supporting Member

    Jan 12, 2009
    +1

    Play-before-you-pay to find the right bass which finds you is the ticket, IME.

    IMO if a particular electric bass is a player, sounds good acoustically (resonant & loud with no significant dead spots), holds its tuning well, and employs standardised pickups & hardware then it's a keeper regardless of brand, price, or colour etc.

    I've played enough high-dollar dogs over the years to understand that price does not guarantee musical quality.
     
  11. Jul 26, 2009 #11
    jordie65

    jordie65

    Jan 7, 2007
    Melbourne, Australia
    the American definitely felt better to me. it all just felt a bit more solid. i couldnt find any sharp frets or uneven frets..the fit felt better too. but once you play both yourself you have to decide whether the nicer feel of the american is worth all that extra cash. My personal experience was i sat down and played about 5 different MIM basses and from those i managed to find one that didnt have any problems with the fit or finish. The mexican basses differ from one to the next in quality i have found but if you spend the time trying a few you can find one that feels good to you
     
  12. Jul 26, 2009 #12
    Masterquack

    Masterquack

    Jul 15, 2007
    im not looking paticularly for the prestiege of fenders, i honestly like them feel, tone, and look.
    if i wanted prestiege and price i would go buy a gibson les paul...
    oh snap'
     
  13. Jul 26, 2009 #13
    Uribam

    Uribam

    Jun 4, 2009
    Hey now Masterquack! I got my Gibby for $600!
     
  14. Jul 26, 2009 #14
    Masterquack

    Masterquack

    Jul 15, 2007
    i ment the guitar :p

    my dad got his studio for $2000 so they can be ok, they just in my mind are the ultimate status symbol:D
     
  15. Jul 26, 2009 #15
    NOVAX

    NOVAX

    Feb 7, 2009
    Kalifornia
    Hows the availability of Japanese Fenders in Stralia? Ishibashi? Are the import fees too
    much for the room? I would buy a MIJ/CIJ Fender sight unseen-I'm that confident.
    In your scenario I'd go MIM and hot rod away!
     
  16. Jul 26, 2009 #16
    Masterquack

    Masterquack

    Jul 15, 2007
    MIJ's are available through the bay, im fairly certain their not easy to get shiped here by any actaul guitar store, however i cant say ive really tried so thats something i should definetly look into, thanks Novax!

    The other thing i noticed yesterday while trawling through the internet, is the Highway One basses, does anyone here have one of these. If they are a step up from MIMs then they could be a good comprimise. Buy a Highway one and hot-rod rather then a MIM.

    what do you guys think?