Anyone out there have experience with a Korean made J-Bass? I'm curious if it's worth my trouble.
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.
Korean made Fender Jazz Bass
- Thread starter TheBishop
- Start date
It depends which one you are talking about. I believe there were some made in korea a decade+ ago, as well as one that is currently made in korea. I think it is the 24 fret model, or something to that extent. Deluxe something or another.
If you are, indeed, talking about the "24", unfortunately, the folks that I have talked to (I haven't played one) aren't real happy with them.
The one guy that I know personally says that the craftmanship is "way less" than the price of the bass....However, that is fairly subjective.
Like anything else, you might find it to be just the opposite...
"Try before you buy" would probably be great advice..
The one guy that I know personally says that the craftmanship is "way less" than the price of the bass....However, that is fairly subjective.
Like anything else, you might find it to be just the opposite...
"Try before you buy" would probably be great advice..
I have played it, as welll, and was not impressed. Playability = crap. Fretjob was pretty terrible.
- Mar 22, 2005
- 3,718
- 6
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Lakland Basses
I owned a 24 fret Jazz w/ quilted maple top and it was an excellent bass! The only reason I sold it was becasue the neck profile was slightly larger than a normal jazz bass AND it had a onboard preamp...I prefer passive basses anyday over active ones. But as far as the quality of the bass it was excellent!
I've got a 1993 Korean "big Fender, little Squier" P-bass, and it rocks. Hotter pups than either my MIA P/J or SR4, no dead spots, nice neck made even better by applying gunstock oil/wax ala EBMM. The only flaws are that it's a little heavy, the frets are a little rough at the edges, and the black finish is a little streaky. In terms of feel and sound, it's fantastic. For $200 new, a great bass.
Let your ears and hands be the judge.
Let your ears and hands be the judge.
I had a Korean-built Fender Jazz bougth new in '98. It was pretty sweet, but didn't last long when I traded it (along with a ton of other stuff) for a used Pedulla MVP.
I also own the Korean Jazz-24 and I like the sound, playability, and overall quality. I tried out 3 before buying mine and they all were pretty solid and sounded quite good. Not like a traditional jazz by any stretchm, but still pretty good.
I also own the Korean Jazz-24 and I like the sound, playability, and overall quality. I tried out 3 before buying mine and they all were pretty solid and sounded quite good. Not like a traditional jazz by any stretchm, but still pretty good.
I have the Jazz version my only gripe was a high fret that was preventing lower action, I fixed that.
I still use it and it compares pretty well to my MIA.
I tried a 24 fret Jazz last week and thought it was pretty nice for the cash. Only real gripe was that the pots seemed pretty flimsy.
I played one for about 60 seconds. it was setup pretty decent, and didn't feel bad but I thought it was a poor attempt to make a "so called slap bass" slap switch and all! I also think the bass felt cheezy and cheap, almost like a average squire on steroids. 
I have a 1996 Korean Squire Jazz Black/Tortie , it plays like a dream , ive been playing for nearly 30 years and "owned `em all " , this is my main bass now . Im not sure if its had a pickup upgrade at some stage but if all Squires sounded like mine everyone would have one . 
Attachments
maybe i just got one of the good ones(jazz24V) mine is a superb example. i love my jazz 24 5 string...for the price you get a very well made guitar that most people i have showed it to think its an MIA, BECUZ its that nice. I changed out the pickups and preamp just the other week, but nothing was wrong with the duncan designed pre amp and SD single coils, o and hipshot ultralights, HMB...it would take a major financial crises to make me sell that thing.
I have a 92 Korean P bass. I put a set of EMGs in it and it plays and sounds like a champ
Great neck, decent work on the frets, it came with schaller tuners and I put a Gotoh bridge on it. It's my main backup behind my USA P.
Great neck, decent work on the frets, it came with schaller tuners and I put a Gotoh bridge on it. It's my main backup behind my USA P.
I just got a '96 Squier Korean jazz bass mint w/molded case. Haven't had a chance to play it yet but looks pretty sweet. Anyone know what wood it's made out of?
I had the twin to Makatak, only in a P bass .. neck profile was nice, and it was super light (as in 7# range) ... pups and electronics were marginal, but it was actually a decent little bass that I picked up for $100 at a swap meet ...
BTW, laminate bodies were common on these (plywood), that is probably why it was so light ... but if its cheap enough, I would sure consider another ... this is pretty much case by case on these I think, so try before you buy if possible ... JMHO
BTW, laminate bodies were common on these (plywood), that is probably why it was so light ... but if its cheap enough, I would sure consider another ... this is pretty much case by case on these I think, so try before you buy if possible ... JMHO
Maybe, like boamedt, I got a good one. My Jazz 24 has a great neck, frets, and pots are solid. The pickups sound great, and the preamp is pretty good but could be better. Overall it is well worth the money I paid for it. It was made at the Korean Cort factory from what I understand.
I am pretty sure the 24 fret models were made by Cort for Fender. Great bass if you get a good deal.
