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Next bass, Semi-Hollow or Fender Jazz?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Lanzy, Jan 2, 2015.

  1. Jan 2, 2015 #1
    Lanzy

    Lanzy

    Dec 5, 2014
    Hi everyone. Ive been wanting a second bass for a while now, and won a fantasy football league, giving me money towards one.

    I recently saw and heard some semi-hollow basses, (Ibanez artcore, Fender star caster, Fender coronado.)

    However, i was going to buy a mim fender jazz bass, as my only bass right now is a no name p bass.

    Thoughts on these basses, what to do, reviews on the semi-hollows, thoughts vs a jazz?

    Thanks
     
  2. Jan 2, 2015 #2
    MrAtomic

    MrAtomic Friendly Robot

    Dec 29, 2014
    Austin, TX
    Just a thought, but whether you choose a semi-hollow or a MIM Jazz, if you buy a used copy, you could probably play it for a bit and then sell it on if it's not to your taste. Personally, if I were in your position I'd buy a used semi-hollow bass (maybe in a short or medium scale), just for the chance to own something really different. That way, you get a new sound, a new neck length, and a potentially lighter body to experiment with. If it's your thing, great; if not, sell it and buy the MIM Jazz.
     
  3. Jan 2, 2015 #3
    Lanzy

    Lanzy

    Dec 5, 2014
    ......True, my bass is very light now, but it feels like a toy. I love the fender sound, but i like the looks of a semi hollow. I use my p with flats in jazz band, and will probably use it in marching band, so thats covered. I was thinking, though, of getting a new mim jazz since the used ones i tried just didn't do it for me, though the FSR from guitar center felt great new....heavy though.

    That being said, i think something different is good, but i think the versatility of a jazz bass is also good. Thoughts on a potentially, almost jazzy like, fat tone semi hollow bass? I completely love the look....

    EDIT: I think light basses are good, but i do have a basswood body now, its only 5ish pounds...
     
  4. Jan 2, 2015 #4
    Lanzy

    Lanzy

    Dec 5, 2014
    Also

    I think that i may be able to go for a squier cm or vm jazz model, and an ibanez artcore, for both, although i don't think thats allowed by my rents'

    Thanks for the input
     
  5. Jan 2, 2015 #5
    MrAtomic

    MrAtomic Friendly Robot

    Dec 29, 2014
    Austin, TX
    Just curious, but if you don't like the used MIM Jazz basses you've tried, why do you think a new MIM Jazz would be any better? There's no shame in preferring a P to a J.
     
  6. Jan 2, 2015 #6
    Lanzy

    Lanzy

    Dec 5, 2014
    I loved the FSR mim, which i tried new. It was too heavy, and the colors were bleh. But the feel, and the sound were amazing. I could only find 3 used mim jazz basses around here, and each had something wrong with them. One was very rattle, though the action could have been low. One had a warped neck. And one had faulty electronics.

    A P is fine, but i find it hard to get a full, fat sound, a poppy/slap sound, out of it. I can only seem to get either rock, deep, or dead (With flats, which makes me happy) Now that being said, it could be the flats, or my playing.....
     
  7. Jan 2, 2015 #7
    WayToHip

    WayToHip

    Oct 4, 2014
    I own a Epiphone Jack Casady, it's a hollowbody and my main bass. They sound like hollow P basses. So, it won't be much different than what you have now but you could string one bass with roundwounds and the other with flats.
    I tried an artcore bass, but its body is big (3 5/8" thick) and I couldn't get comfy with it. YMMV
    I advocate getting a jazz bass.
     
  8. Jan 2, 2015 #8
    Lanzy

    Lanzy

    Dec 5, 2014
    Thanks! that was super helpful. Flats make my p bass sound kinda hollow.... i don't have a lot of spare cash, and i want a different, fatter sound. I was thinking fender mim jazz, or FSR jazz, with rounds, leave the p with flats.

    Then leaves the question, which to use for jazz band?

    Im using the p now, and i will use it in marching band as it is a cheaper bass with good sound. If it gets dinged or scratched or something happens to it, i won't be completely devastated.


    Still open to opinions, or to jazzier sounding semi hollow basses.

    I want a fender, because of the sound.
     
  9. Jan 2, 2015 #9
    Jughead6

    Jughead6

    Jun 19, 2014
    Melbourne, Australia
    I guess the Fender semi-hollowbody options are, like you have identified, the Starcaster and the Coronado.

    The Starcaster looks awesome (IMO), and I have been gassing for one for ages, but it has those two big humbuckers. If these pickups are the same as in the Pawn Shop Mustang (which I have) then they have a big boomy sound that is definitely not Jazz-like. Also, it is shortscale, so the lower string tension will probably mean less of that lovely Jazz-like "twang".

    I have no real opinion on the Coronado. I'm sure it's a good bass, it just doesn't appeal to me.

    A Jazz bass is a really safe bet. You can't really go wrong, and you can find heaps of parts to modify if you need/want to.

    Interested to hear what you choose. Please post a NBD thread when you have taken the plunge.
     
  10. Jan 2, 2015 #10
    joebar

    joebar

    Jan 10, 2010
    best of both worlds-

    find a Korean warwick star bass-
    PU's are single coil in jazz location.

    you wont be disappointed
     
  11. Jan 2, 2015 #11
    Lanzy

    Lanzy

    Dec 5, 2014
    Nbd?

    And thanks I'll xheck out star basses