Nash basses, are they worth it?

[T-boneParish]

I really wanted to love Nash bases. I love tasteful relics, Lollar pickups and the old-baseball-glove feel of a well worn instrument.

A few years ago when I was visiting Chicago I went to Chicago Music Exchange and they had (I think) 3 Nash P basses and 3 Nash J basses. I played them all one by one. For me, the feeling was... meh.

They look cool. But they felt like parts basses. Others certainly love them, but I didn't connect with any of them. YMMV.

If I was searching for a Fender-type bass with $2k to spend, I would play a Nash bass first rather than buying one unseen. In fact, I would take my time and play a bunch of basses and be patient. That's a good chunk of cash and for that amount you should get a fantastic bass that feels just right in your hands.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I'm very fond of my light relic J-63. No negatives. Built to perfection and sounds great with a band. Some of Nash relic basses are a bit over the top, but mine just has a nice, worn-in feel.

 

[Stevorebob]

Mine is a fantastic bass. Far better than my MIA Fenders.

 

[smurfco]

I have a Nash Tele thinline inbound. Will report back.

 

[quilanthegreat]

I absolutely love my Nash PB63 - it's all in the feel of the neck for me. It feels like it was tailor made for my hands and it's by far the most comfortable instrument I've played. Lollar pickups sound great, the light relic looks great and it is unbelievably lightweight. I sold an American Standard P-Bass when I got the Nash, and I also play my Nash over my 75' P bass. If possible, you should try to play one prior to purchasing because the non-existent finish on the neck isn't for everyone, but it's most definitely for me.

 

[Dave Leighton]

As far as the original post. It's all about perspective, personal taste. For me yes. I've had two Nash basses. Now owning 1. I love everything about my 70's JB.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. The one I’m looking at is light relic and I like that since it’s mostly on the next which seems functional. How well regarded are the Lollers?

Now about the Lollars. My Nash has them and I replaced the PU's in my MIJ 65 Reissue Jazz as well as my MIM 70's Jazz. And I have them in a JB parts bass.

I'm sold

 

[REV]

I ones I've played I liked and I think their QC is better than Fender's at that price point. I personally don't think that their relic jobs are that realistic.

 

[phillipkregg]

I like them so much that I relic'd the back of my Fender JMJ roadworn Mustang to look like the back of the Nash necks:

 

[tb-player]

Nash basses, are they worth it?

Yes

 

[jimmydean]

You buy Nash because you want a relic/worn looking bass . Nash makes good instruments , never played one I didn't want to buy after playing them for a minute . The prices are steep , but Fender Custom Shop will cost more . Make yourself happy and don't look back .......

 

[friskinator]

I like them so much that I relic'd the back of my Fender JMJ roadworn Mustang to look like the back of the Nash necks:

Nice - how did you do that?

 

[twc1313]

Lots of good replies here, thanks again. I’m thinking the Nash isn’t the answer to my wants considering the money.

What I Like About Nash:
1. Quality build/pickups/sound
2. Cool case
3. Good looks (but don’t like relic)
4. Nitro

What I Don’t Like:
1. Relic (the one I’m looking at is light Relic, but I had two Fender CS Relics and it just doesn’t do it for me)
2. Reverse tuners
3. No truss access (huge deal breaker)

I guess what I’m looking for is good quality for price in a solid passive Jazz bass. The Am Pro2’s have the features and looks I like, but the pickups are meh to me and the build quality is hit or miss.

What other options are there in the 1900-2500 range for a good quality passive jazz?

 

[Mark Karwan]

Lots of good replies here, thanks again. I’m thinking the Nash isn’t the answer to my wants considering the money.

What I Like About Nash:
1. Quality build/pickups/sound
2. Cool case
3. Good looks (but don’t like relic)
4. Nitro

What I Don’t Like:
1. Relic (the one I’m looking at is light Relic, but I had two Fender CS Relics and it just doesn’t do it for me)
2. Reverse tuners
3. No truss access (huge deal breaker)

I guess what I’m looking for is good quality for price in a solid passive Jazz bass. The Am Pro2’s have the features and looks I like, but the pickups are meh to me and the build quality is hit or miss.

What other options are there in the 1900-2500 range for a good quality passive jazz?

I have a flea roadworn jazz that I like A LOT but it has a lot of your cons- relic (never had one before, kind of like it actually), reverse tuners (not really a big deal after a week or two), and the "period correct" no truss rod access thing, which I also really dislike. The other one I was looking at at the time was the Fender Adam Clayton Signature, right at your price range. Maybe research that one a bit. It looks amazing if you like green.

 

[twc1313]

I have a flea roadworn jazz that I like A LOT but it has a lot of your cons- relic (never had one before, kind of like it actually), reverse tuners (not really a big deal after a week or two), and the "period correct" no truss rod access thing, which I also really dislike. The other one I was looking at at the time was the Fender Adam Clayton Signature, right at your price range. Maybe research that one a bit. It looks amazing if you like green.

I don’t hate relic, it’s moreso just not a big pro or con to me. The Clayton one has caught my eye many times, it always looks and sounds great in the videos I’ve seen.

 

[Mark Karwan]

I don’t hate relic, it’s moreso just not a big pro or con to me. The Clayton one has caught my eye many times, it always looks and sounds great in the videos I’ve seen.

Nice- Yeah I was just looking for a 60's style jazz and went with the Flea because it was more affordable, also I think the stack knobs are fun. Maybe also check out Marco basses. There's a Marco Jazz style in classifieds right now (zero affiliation, just another interesting custom builder). Looks he could easily do a custom passive jazz in your price range.

 

[FirewalZ]

I’d say it’s subjective. If you’re super into the crazy vintage looking relic’d vibe and well constructed / lightweight builds, Nash will probably be right up your alley.
You can literally see why the aesthetic won’t suit everyone’s needs. But all of the Nash basses I’ve tried have sounded amazing and have felt great to play, super cozy.
I’m more into modding $300 used Classic Vibes myself, maybe someday I’ll snag a cheapie Roadworn J or P. The Nate Mendel Signature bass I had was probably the best feeling Precision I’d ever owned.. better feeling than any Am Pro II/III / iiixxiv whatever number they’re on now lol

I’ve never owned a Nash, played on one for a bit and like others say, it’s a great bass. However, I have an Am Pro P…with SPB-1 pups, it’s a great P bass….I really love the neck feel and finish is top notch

 

[Grinderman]

You buy Nash because you want a relic/worn looking bass . Nash makes good instruments , never played one I didn't want to buy after playing them for a minute . The prices are steep , but Fender Custom Shop will cost more . Make yourself happy and don't look back .......

That's not why I bought mine.

 

[hennessybass]

I've played a few, and they are very nice. The heavy relic is not my thing, but the light is OK.
They just feel like really worn-in fenders.

I played a Nash P bass in Chicago once, and it was one of the nicest basses I've ever played. I just felt fantastic from the second I picked it up. Wife asked if I wanted to buy it and like a fool said no - I don't need it.

 

[sylvanbass]

I had a mid-2000's Nash P that came with Dimarzio's, and was back before he started doing his own headstock decal. I bought it new from Brian at Lowend. It was magical, and is one of only a few in my 32 years I truly regret letting go of, but times were rough and had to.

 

[DaDo625]

My line is: "every Nash I've tried has been hard to hand back"
And at some point in the not too distant future the plan is to not hand it back...