Mexican Fender Jazz 5-string

[sjb64]

Do any of you guys think it's odd that Fender decided to put a bridge with 17mm spacing on a bass that has a neck that measures 2 7/8" at the last fret?

I do. Below is a link to the bridge that I put on my bass. It has 18mm spacing and I think it's perfect for this bass:

Link Removed

 

[filibertin]

I played several MIM Jazz 5's in my quest for a 5 string bass.
Out of the many new and used ones I played, only one had a good responsive unplugded acoustic sound to it. All of them had poor floppy B strings. I decided I wanted a 35" scale 5'er, and found a Cort Elrick on closeout.

From reading here on TalkBass, the 34" Warmoth 5 string replacement neck is well made, and could help the sound and definition of a MIM Jazz 5. If you found a deal on a cheap used Fender, you could try and upgrade the neck.

The Warmoth neck will cost more than $400 or $500 dlls I better buy a good used 4 strings American Fender and forget the 5th string IMOP

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

I have every bass I buy set up. New or used it doesn't make a difference. Expecting a bass to be set up to your specs when you buy it is unrealistic. I always put my brand of strings on it as well. As for the MIM and American Std. Fender 5 strings I have owned both and no longer own either. I am not impressed with the pickups , the B string or the weight of either and I am a Jazz 5 player. I currently use a semi hollow Jazz made by USACG and assembled by Dan Atkinson. It uses DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pups and a Hipshot bridge.

 

[pappabass]

to me,,,a 5 string needs to be active, you want a little punch in the sound. The sound guy will turn you down if you lay on the 5th a lot & the only thing that will get you out of the mix is a little punch in the sound. In saying that,consider something active. That will happen to me when I play my 5. If you choose a MIM fender, that is fine too. , play a couple. I had a Fender MIM Jazz 4 that was perfect, always in tune. But I had a Fender MIM P that my Squier VM jaguar looks better & sounds better than it did. If you don't mind ridicule for owning a Squier, the VM series or deluxe are a good deals.

 

[zillo]

I have had a 2006 MIM V for 8 or 9 years or so. It is a good bass. Sounds great, neck is solid as a rock and never needs a tweak, except with a set up and new strings. I use light gauge flats, and the B is clear and powerful. No hum at all, even with each pickup soloed. Maybe I was just lucky, but mine is a keeper.

 

[Traynor_YBA-2B]

I own a red version, and I enjoy it, I like the fact that all the tuners are on one side(I think it looks nice).
I found it used at Long and Mcquade for $150 so I picked it up.
It has a nice neck, needed a small neck adjustment. The pick ups are good, very "middley" which is the way I like it as I play with my amp dimed or with a fuzz/overdrive pedal to achieve my imitation of Chris Squire's tone. These basses are very hit or miss, mine is nice, others are not as lucky, I wouldn't recommend buying online, play before you buy.

 

[micahwc]

I've had mine since 1999 and I'm happy with it. It doesn't have the stock pickups in it anymore. The originals where not bad, but after 15 years or so of use the electronics just where kind of tired. The B string is not the best I've played or the worst either.

 

[james simmons]

Anyone have experience w/these? Wutcha think?

Ive had a few...and I solved the crappy B with a real neck..! I ordered a red maple over maple neck for my MiM V5..and this thing is KILLER...everybody who touches it wants to buy it...Ive had issus with Fende bass necks since the late 89's Its called shitwood....lol Unless you can afordthe custom shop basses, you will never get what you wantftom Fender...

Just sayin...