Those MIJ P/J basses are awesome, best Fender I've played in a long time. I'd be all over that one if I were you.
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Need help deciding on a Fender
- Thread starter dolomick
- Start date
LOL. I vaguely remember some guy posting about a "Percussion".. or was it a "Precision"? Something.
Maybe split the difference and get an MIJ Jaguar...? Not quite a PJ, but still has a bunch of tonal options.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I too was a Musicman and Warwick guy, wanting to make the Fender connection. I got me a P Deluxe, believing it would bring me the best of all worlds. Wrong. Dead wrong! Hated it, didn't have anywhere the ooph, burp, punch or growl of the Ms or Ws. Got me a few other Fenders, including a vintage 70s and didn't connect with any of them. Still longing, I picked up a Jaguar when they were blowing them out at Musiciansfriend. I think they were going for a little over $400 at the time. Had I known then what I know now, I'd have bought 10 of them. I love that bass. The passive sound is thick, punchy, and organic (for lack of a better word), and when I feel I need a little extra oomph I love that I can click and dial in a heap more bass and treble. There's a pretty significant tonal difference btwn series and parallel (at least I think that's what those switches do 
). Anyhow, the newer MIA is P/J, and if you shop wisely I'm pretty sure you can get one just over $1000. Musiciansfreidn will always knock off 15%, guitar center often 20% (online). Or forget the P part and find yourself a used MIJ. You can always throw a P pickup in there if you want anyhow. My $.02.
). Anyhow, the newer MIA is P/J, and if you shop wisely I'm pretty sure you can get one just over $1000. Musiciansfreidn will always knock off 15%, guitar center often 20% (online). Or forget the P part and find yourself a used MIJ. You can always throw a P pickup in there if you want anyhow. My $.02.
I too was a Musicman and Warwick guy, wanting to make the Fender connection. I got me a P Deluxe, believing it would bring me the best of all worlds. Wrong. Dead wrong! Hated it, didn't have anywhere the ooph, burp, punch or growl of the Ms or Ws. Got me a few other Fenders, including a vintage 70s and didn't connect with any of them. Still longing, I picked up a Jaguar when they were blowing them out at Musiciansfriend. I think they were going for a little over $400 at the time. Had I known then what I know now, I'd have bought 10 of them. I love that bass. The passive sound is thick, punchy, and organic (for lack of a better word), and when I feel I need a little extra oomph I love that I can click and dial in a heap more bass and treble. There's a pretty significant tonal difference btwn series and parallel (at least I think that's what those switches do
I've had the same experience, I think starting with active punchy basses like those has made it hard for me to truly love my American Jazz in the way I thought I would. When I brought my Musicman to band practice the first time, everyone commented on how good it sounded, and I had never received such comments on the nights I brought the Jazz. The tonal variety and active/passive option are huge pro's in the Jaguar's favor for sure... Thanks for your input, I think we might be coming from a similar POV.
Do you just email these retailers and ask them for their lowest price? I usually buy off Craigslist so that's a good tip!
I played a Hot Rod 70's Jazz the other night at Guitar Center. The thing felt great! Smooth, thin neck. And it looked great. I think they had $1500 price tag on it?? I Don't remember very clearly. I thought it sounded good. Very punchy but smooth. Sounded like a p/j bass. If I had the extra cash I probably would've bought it.
**EDIT** I forgot to mention the bass was used!!
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From what I've heard about Jaguars is that their active circuits can be quite noisey. So if you know a solution for that or if you don't mind I reckon a MIJ Jag is a great value bass.
On the other hand there are the Japanes Aerodyne basses which are supposed to be great value for money too.
And there is also the option of looking at other brands that sport that configuration of pickups, like Sandberg. But that brand is possibly out of your price range (though they are very popular in the EU).
If you're handy with a soldering iron you could always buy a Mexi P-bass deluxe and mod it to be a passive beast.
But yeah, the try-before-you-buy approach has, as far as I know, resulted in some very happy bass players.
-Perry
On the other hand there are the Japanes Aerodyne basses which are supposed to be great value for money too.
And there is also the option of looking at other brands that sport that configuration of pickups, like Sandberg. But that brand is possibly out of your price range (though they are very popular in the EU).
If you're handy with a soldering iron you could always buy a Mexi P-bass deluxe and mod it to be a passive beast.
But yeah, the try-before-you-buy approach has, as far as I know, resulted in some very happy bass players.
-Perry
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
With musiciansfriend I always call. Used to be able to get 20% with no problem, it's a rare occasion now that I can get that. 15% sales they have every other week, so that's never any trouble. At least on anything over $200. Guitar Center sends out 20% off coupons a couple of times a year.... hmm.... actually, that might be Sam Ash? Don't remember. Bottom line is it's a good idea to get on all 3 mailing lists. Then you'll get all the coupons and sales.
As for the noisy Jag, yes, they're a mess when it comes to that but the fix is easy. If you buy used there's a good chance the previous owner already did it, also. There's a thread here, I think it's titled "dang noisy Jaguar". It gives crystal clear directions for fixing it that work perfectly. And you don't need any soldering irons or wire cutters. I'm not good with any of that kind of stuff. If you know how to use a scissors, and take a screw out and put it back in, you can do it. The supplies only cost me about $3 on ebay.
I've owned three of the four basses you mentioned and a close friend of mine owned the fourth.
MIJ Jaguar (two jazz pickups) - One of my personal favorites. You get that classic jazz sound but can make it sound like a P with a flick of the series/parallel switch. Plenty of tonal options with the active/passive EQ and pickup switching. They can be noisy. I was lucky and had several quiet ones. Fender re-released them some time in 2012? after a short run. I had the earlier models and loved them. Can't tell you what the difference is though.
MIA Jaguar (P/J) - This guy was a beast. It was fun to play but it didn't quite have the same variety as the MIJ version. It did the P thing very well and it did the bridge J thing very well but the series/parallel switch seemed redundant and I felt the PJ tone was just okay. Neck felt exactly alike the MIJ.
Vintage 70s Hot Rod - Possibly the next PJ ever made. Tone was thick and rich, neck was spectacular. P had that old school thump and J was what 70s jazzes are known for. Couldn't get a bad tone out of it and the nitro finish really felt nice. Between the four, I would go this route without a doubt. And, regular price on this guy was close to $2,200 so getting one for under $1,300 is quite the bargain.
Special Edition PJ - My least favorite of the group. It was okay but sounded sterile. Didn't get along with it at all and didn't keep it very long. They are a limited edition but being the same price as the MIJ Jag, I would go Jag all day long.
Hope this helps. Good luck finding that one special bass!
MIJ Jaguar (two jazz pickups) - One of my personal favorites. You get that classic jazz sound but can make it sound like a P with a flick of the series/parallel switch. Plenty of tonal options with the active/passive EQ and pickup switching. They can be noisy. I was lucky and had several quiet ones. Fender re-released them some time in 2012? after a short run. I had the earlier models and loved them. Can't tell you what the difference is though.
MIA Jaguar (P/J) - This guy was a beast. It was fun to play but it didn't quite have the same variety as the MIJ version. It did the P thing very well and it did the bridge J thing very well but the series/parallel switch seemed redundant and I felt the PJ tone was just okay. Neck felt exactly alike the MIJ.
Vintage 70s Hot Rod - Possibly the next PJ ever made. Tone was thick and rich, neck was spectacular. P had that old school thump and J was what 70s jazzes are known for. Couldn't get a bad tone out of it and the nitro finish really felt nice. Between the four, I would go this route without a doubt. And, regular price on this guy was close to $2,200 so getting one for under $1,300 is quite the bargain.
Special Edition PJ - My least favorite of the group. It was okay but sounded sterile. Didn't get along with it at all and didn't keep it very long. They are a limited edition but being the same price as the MIJ Jag, I would go Jag all day long.
Hope this helps. Good luck finding that one special bass!
I have a Tony Franklin fretted that someone put Lindy Fralin's in and to me it's the best sounding bass I have ever owned and on top of that plays like a dream.
This is great info, thanks! I'm surprised the MIA Jaguar didn't have the same variety as the MIJ Jag which has two jazz pickups - I would have thought the P pickup in the MIA Jag would have given MORE tonal variety, so that is good to know. I've found a MIA Jag today in a local store so I am going to go check it out, but I am now leaning towards a steeply discounted Vintage 70's Hot Rod thanks to all the experienced reviews here. Thanks TB'ers!
Just pulled the trigger on this puppy!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Vint...ack-with-70s-Jazz-Neck-And-HSC-/261746832670?
Thanks for all the input TB'ers!
The seller had Fender put on a jazz neck and black pearl pickguard. Played it for 2 hours at home then got a deal with Lakland, hence the sale. It was too pretty and such a good price to pass up.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Vint...ack-with-70s-Jazz-Neck-And-HSC-/261746832670?
Thanks for all the input TB'ers!
The seller had Fender put on a jazz neck and black pearl pickguard. Played it for 2 hours at home then got a deal with Lakland, hence the sale. It was too pretty and such a good price to pass up.
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I thought the same thing about the Jag and had to try one. With the MIJ, it sounds like a jazz bass but sounds like a P when you hit the series/parallel switch. The MIA sounds like a P. Flip the switch and it sounds like a boosted P. Not much difference tone wise.
That looks really cool. Best of both words too - great looking P body and nice jazz neck. Report back after you've had some time to spend with it. I'm curious what you think.
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