Looking for a modern J-Bass

[MrWolf14]

Whenever I hear "Modern Jazz Bass", I think Sadowsky. I mean, Will Lee and Marcus pretty much the defined the sound of the modern, active Jazz Bass.

Yes sir. It would be nice indeed ... but definitely outside of my range.

My vote would go for a used Geddy (I'm not sure if MIM has the same neck as MIJ) and add a Sadowsky preamp. It would set you back about $1,000, but you'd have exactly what you want...
And the original Geddy remains original!

Good idea. But I still would like to have something "different", possibly "as good as" but still different. (impossible to achieve? maybe, but worth a trial in my opinion)

 

[mellow yellow]

Domenico, Cort Gb74JJ is IMHO a very good modern Jbass: 21 frets, active, single coils, lightweight tuners, modern fretboard radius, lightweight and well balanced.
I don't use Sire so I cannot speak about those basses.
Cort GB74JJ has started my little personal "modern JBass revolution"
Right now I'm using a beautiful (and more expensive than GB74JJ) Jazz CS, basically a Custom Classic.
The only complaints are about the internal pre, a cheap electronic that easily can be upgraded.
Hope this helps
Ciao from Italy
Roberto

@Chef & @Jimruth : thanks for the suggestions. I don't want to start a discussion on "passive + external EQ" vs "active basses", but I would like to get an active J-Bass. Not saying that I am sure it will be "better", but I want to try.
And my Geddy will stay untouched: it can't get any better than this. I am just looking for something "different".

@nilorius : Lakland... I was thinking this a different budget. Of the options listed until now the most expensive was the Sandberg, going around 750 Euros. Won't a Lakland be much more than that?

 

[Jeff Scott]

If you could up your budget a bit, look into Mike Lull basses.

 

[MrWolf14]

To be clear, if you were to add an onboard preamp to a passive bass to make it active, everything about the electronics would be the same as if you left that bass passive and used the equivalent outboard preamp, except the additional 1/4" cable in the signal chain between the bass and the preamp. In other words, "passive + external preamp" = "active basses." Neither better nor worse, equivalent. Again, ignoring the extra cable.

(I knew we were eventually going into an active-vs-passive debate)
Actually "ignoring the extra cable" could make a lot of difference: a cable adds capacitance and acts as a low-pass filter. The external preamp won't have a chance to rebuild the signal. Once the highs are gone... they are gone.
(of course we speak about subtleties which go totally unnoticed to my untrained hears).
Another point is the "quick access" feature: knobs on the bass can be quickly/easily adjusted in the middle of a song.
Something like... "ouch... I need more bass-freqs for this song... but the amp is almost 4 feet away... I won't ever make it..." (think Omer Simpson sitting on his sofa reaching for the remote... that's me staring at the amp).

...but most important than anything else:

But maybe you just want a new bass and want it to be active. In which case, nobody here can throw stones much.

AND YES!
I want a new bass... and I want it to be active!

Ciao, Domenico

 

[MrWolf14]

Domenico, Cort Gb74JJ is IMHO a very good modern Jbass: 21

And this is a good new entry: my first bass was a Cort, so I have a special feeling for the brand.
It does not look bad at all.

I see that it has an Omega bridge, which if I am not mistaken is "inspired" by the BadAss-II which can be found in the Geddy. Good signs... good signs... only problem will be to be able to test one.

Thanks for the input Roberto!
Ciao, Domenico ( saluti teutonici da un italiano emigrato da ormai troppo tempo )

 

[Dimbass777]

That one very good modern jazz

 

[Judge Nickels]

If I were you, I'd buy the bass linked here and be done.

Thomann has some left and OP lives in Germany. Bought one for my son, great bass, 18v preamp, modern yet different from MM Sire sound. But I agree other alternatives proposed here should be considered.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

EDIT : I guess it's the last one and the price is 150€ less than what I paid in march...

 

[Judge Nickels]

Personally, I picked up a CV Squier Jazz for 2 bills locally and am planning to drop an Audere in there. I also want an active jazz to futz around with.

 

[Altitude]

Actually "ignoring the extra cable" could make a lot of difference: a cable adds capacitance and acts as a low-pass filter.

At the cable length we're talking about, the effect would only be academic. But, again, it may be more about the new bass.

As a side contribution on this topic - there is a device called a Creation Labs Redeemer Circuit that acts as a capacitance buffer in passive instruments. It's an onboard device and does use a battery but not a preamp in the sense that it does not process the signal audibly, other than what it does to manage cable capacitance and buffer loads. I have one in each of my two passive Skjold basses. They sound great, which may have nothing at all to do with that device.

 

[FunkHead]

Great recommendation, but might not be easy to find. I don't see it listed on G&L's site, so I'm not sure it's in production but the site isn't always complete. They left the USA M-2500 off the site for several months, even though it was obviously still in production.

Here's one that says it's brand new. Price may be above the budget a little.G&L MJ-4 Tribute Brand New G&L Authorized Dealer Free Shipping!

 

[madbass6]

Dear TB community,
After some years playing almost exclusively 6 string basses, I am now back to my real love: 4 strings.
My main player is a Fender Geddy Lee J-Bass (CIJ).
I love everything about this bass: the look, the sound and ... most of all... the neck.
This bass is a dream to play. I really love it.
But now I am looking for a more modern sound, possibly with an active EQ.
And since I don't want to touch a thing on my current bass, the quest starts!

What I have on my radar so far:

- Squier and modify it (maybe Delanos + Noll electronic).
- Mexican JJ + same treatement as the Squier would get (which will lead to a more expensive bass...but it may still be doable)
- Sandberg Electra TT4 (never played one, but I read good thing about them).
- ESP LTD J-204 ... but I have read they have a "fatter" neck, maybe not my thing.
- Sire V7 (EDIT: added ... thanks to @SpazzTheBassist)

Anything else?
Any thoughts on the basses I mentioned?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Ciao, Domenico

Can't go wrong with a Sadowsky!

 

[scowboy]

Get a Sadowsky outboard preamp, and use that with your Geddy that you like so well.

^This^

 

[Doug Parent]

Thanks a lot for the input. As I said, I will never touch my Geddy. But this may be a valid mod once I put my hands on the next bass ;-)

EMG pickups only require one 9 volt battery. If your new bass can accommodate that then your options open up. good luck.

 

[sawzalot]

Look at a G&L MJ-4:

 

[amphlett7]

Get another Geddy and put a preamp in it!

 

[FunkHead]

There's some interesting active Squiers out there now. I'd grab this in a heartbeat.
DEMO Squier Deluxe Jazz Bass Active IV - Black (730)

 

[fhm555]

Get a Sadowsky outboard preamp, and use that with your Geddy that you like so well.

I was about to say the same thing just not brand specific.
I spent a couple years and a lot of money trying drop in preamps purpose built for a standard Fender Jazz control
Pocket rout and none of them really blew my dress up. They had both good and not so good points but none of them stood the test of time. I’ve since tried several outboard preamps and they are hands down the way to go. So much choice and so much freedom, not to mention your bass can be used straight should the need/desire arise.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Keep your Geddy and add a preamp like this:

John East J-Tone Preamp - BestBassGear

 

[jd56hawk]

Dear TB community,
After some years playing almost exclusively 6 string basses, I am now back to my real love: 4 strings.
My main player is a Fender Geddy Lee J-Bass (CIJ).
I love everything about this bass: the look, the sound and ... most of all... the neck.
This bass is a dream to play. I really love it.
But now I am looking for a more modern sound, possibly with an active EQ.
And since I don't want to touch a thing on my current bass, the quest starts!

What I have on my radar so far:

- Squier and modify it (maybe Delanos + Noll electronic).
- Mexican JJ + same treatement as the Squier would get (which will lead to a more expensive bass...but it may still be doable)
- Sandberg Electra TT4 (never played one, but I read good thing about them).
- ESP LTD J-204 ... but I have read they have a "fatter" neck, maybe not my thing.
- Sire V7 (EDIT: added ... thanks to @SpazzTheBassist)

Anything else?
Any thoughts on the basses I mentioned?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Ciao, Domenico

Tried one off these a few weeks ago. Very impressed.
Basically unaware of the brand before I saw this one, but wow!

 

[Bassist30]

The American Pro Jazz is my choice. Other than that you are getting into the more expensive bass like Sadowsky NYC. Alleva Coppolo or Fodera.