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Need help deciding on a Fender

dolomick

dolomick

Oct 24, 2012
55
7
#1
So I've decided I want a PJ fender bass and I'm torn between a couple of models. This will be my only Fender, and my other basses are a Warwick Streamer Pro-M 5 string, and a Musicman 30th anniversary.

Someone is selling a Fender FSR 2013 candy apple red PJ bass (MIJ) in my area for $850. The old Sweetwater description describes them as custom alnico single coil jazz pick ups, so I'm not sure exactly what the deal is with those. Anyone with experience on that model?http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JBass75RWACAR/

I also like the looks of the American Standard Jaguar but it's more expensive ($1300) and I wish I could blend the P and J pick up. The tonal variety would be nice though, and it has a jazz neck which I really want.

The final option is a deeply discounted fender American vintage 70's hot rod jazz bass. I could get one of those for about $1300. It has a compound radius fretboard, but you have to take the neck off to access the truss rod, and I'm not sure it's worth $700 more than the first model I discussed that's for sale in my area.

Any thoughts or opinions on features that I should be focusing on to help make my decision? Maybe there's something I'm overlooking that can help me make up my mind. Thanks!
 
#4
aproud1 said:
Play it. If you like it, buy it. Always better to be able to play the bass you're buying.
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Good advice... I am still hoping someone has played the American Standard Jaguar and Hot Rod 70's Jazz and can provide some insight into those two models. I've searched the forums and there isn't much on the Hot Rod 70's Jazz in particular - other than people saying it was too expensive. But now they are being blown out for much much less money. I like low action, but have never played a compound radius neck, not sure if that is worth another $700 on the Hot Rod Jazz, for example. It also has different pickups than the local MIJ FSR model, any insight on those would be welcome too.
 
#7
I'm of the opinion that a good Fender bass is a good Fender bass. Meaning if you can play one and it sounds and plays great you should buy it. Regardless of where it is made (though that definitely can impact resale value).

Buying anything online is a crap shoot. Though Fender quality has improved, you can still get duds.

The MIJ Fenders are highly prized by many on this board if that helps at all. The original Jaguars were cool but I didn't really care for all the switches. They tended to be noisy too. I prefer a straight vol/vol/tone setup any way. I also don't care for compound radius boards for some reason, I am in the minority on that opinion though.

So If it were me I'd go play the bass locally and if you really like it, buy it. If not then don't.
 
#8
dolomick said:
The problem is that no stores currently have the Jaguar or Hot Rod in stock, so I can only play the FSR MIJ model in person... hence the thread, seeing if any others had played those models.
Click to expand...

Ah, I see. Well there was a thread on here where someone had a NBD with an American Jaguar recently and Jaguars have always been very versatile well made instruments. The American hot rods are also beautifully made things, so being as you want the Jazz neck, it's down to those two really.

So really, it depends on whether you want the clever active electronics and switching system or the more traditional Jazz with a more balanced P&J sound.
 
#10
OutToPlayJazz said:
Ah, I see. Well there was a thread on here where someone had a NBD with an American Jaguar recently and Jaguars have always been very versatile well made instruments. The American hot rods are also beautifully made things, so being as you want the Jazz neck, it's down to those two really.

So really, it depends on whether you want the clever active electronics and switching system or the more traditional Jazz with a more balanced P&J sound.
Click to expand...


After googling NBD, Urban Dictionary said that means "no big deal", which I don't think is correct in this context... pardon my ignorance but what is an "NBD"?
 
#15
NBD here means "New Bass Day". No problem, dolomick.

But on the subject of "nomenclature" I have a question for everyone on this thread; Isn't "FSR" a different designation from "Limited Edition"? I know they both generally mean the same thing, but in the brass tacks of proper company designations (as well as accurate web searches), I think they are two separate categories.
 
#18
But back to the point of the thread; MIJ basses generally, maybe even "overwhelmingly", have a great reputation for overall fit, finish and quality control. The fact that you could get one for $850 is pretty damn sweet. Just to hold it up by comparison, a brand-new, current MIJ Limited Edition 1975 Jazz (non-hot rod) would cost you about $1000 + shipping/customs.

EDIT: Mind you, you could also get a sweet Export Edition Fender Aerodyne P/J for $800, brand-new in The States. Used ones go for about $400 to $600, assuming you're here in the U.S.
 
#19
Malak the Mad said:
But back to the point of the thread; MIJ basses generally, maybe even "overwhelmingly", have a great reputation for overall fit, finish and quality control. The fact that you could get one for $850 is pretty damn sweet. Just to hold it up by comparison, a brand-new, current MIJ Limited Edition 1975 Jazz (non-hot rod) would cost you about $1000 + shipping/customs.

EDIT: Mind you, you could also get a sweet Export Edition Fender Aerodyne P/J for $800, brand-new in The States. Used ones go for about $400 to $600, assuming you're here in the U.S.
Click to expand...

This is good info... although two of these MIJ limited edition basses have gone for under $700 recently - one here and one on eBay, so it's maybe not quite as good a deal as originally thought.

The Sweetwater page I linked to calls it a limited edition, not FSR, although the local seller called it FSR so who knows. He did say there are only 75 of them, but now the Amercian Vintage 70's Hot Rod Jazz is basically the same bass with the additions of specifiying the exact model of pickups instead of the vague "single coil alnico" listed for the locally sold bass, plus it has a compound radius fretboard. Never played one of those and no local models to try. The downside is the hard to access truss rod, and it's more money than the local MIJ. I've been able to find the least amount of discussion regarding the Hot Rod Jazz, has anyone played these in person?
 

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