Please recommend: an active "super J" for a passive player

[India_Sierra]

A Cort Rithmic is now $1200. Prices have gone up.

A great bass in it's own right. Far better than what most would expect from a Cort (I know, I own one). Isn't that the problem though? Cort make some really fantastic high quality instruments these days, but the fact that people are aghast at their current pricing shows they still have some way to go in cultivating their brand with the market at large.

 

[Killing Floor]

Kiesel?

Or honestly get a J you like and load it with a John East J Retro preamp, it will change your world.

 

[Tomek Worek]

Just adding a preamp to a passive jazz bass does sound like an good idea, although not a one I have cosidered will definitely check out John East, and how about a Sadowsky onboard bass preamp? Is it a good option as well?

 

[MartialDylan]

I was really impressed by the Fender Player Plus Jazz Bass at my local store. Those Jazz Basses are getting reaaaal close to American quality feel. The copper finish gives it a new look.

 

[SJan3]

Just adding a preamp to a passive jazz bass does sound like an good idea, although not a one I have cosidered will definitely check out John East, and how about a Sadowsky onboard bass preamp? Is it a good option as well?

I believe the Sadowsky outboard and inboard preamps are identical sonically.
I have the outboard version so I can use it on all my passive basses as needed. It's a great little box.

 

[fishdude101101]

How about you keep the passive j bass you presumably have and just get an outboard Sadowsky preamp...

As a passive J player that uses outobard preamps all the time, it doesn't sound the same as an onboard pre. Just my opinion/experience.

 

[juancaminos]

John East makes a great preamp that’s a straight drop-in for nearly any passive J bass you like. Beyond that the Sire preamp is outstanding, any one of their basses would make you pretty happy I think. Sandbergs are amazing. It sounds like you want 70’s spacing as well, that means the bridge pickup is a little closer to the bridge getting you a bit more aggressive sound. Best of luck!

This right here. Install the J Retro and you will never look back!

 

[sonicnuance]

I'd check out Wilkins Guitars. He makes some killer J and P bass styles

https://www.wilkinsguitars.com/

 

[Snert]

Cort has joined with Elrick basses to make an overseas Indonesian version of the NJS basses, new jazz standard.

As FSOs go, that just about ticks all my boxes. Just don't want or need one, but if one shows up nearby, I'll definitely stop in to have a look and fiddle.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

Sire V5 Or V7 Great basses and you can go active or Passive and they sound and play better than any Fender I have owned including the Ultra Jazz

 

[Tom Bomb]

One of these comes pretty close,
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Details are listed here. I have the five — got it for almost a third of the price, from U-box. All class
​

 

[chris_b]

I'd be looking at Sandberg or Maroochick (?). Great basses at reasonable prices and if you can find a used bass you'll have change!

 

[bassplayer1960]

Seems like a Lakland Skyline AJ (Indonesia) would be a good choice and would be in your price range.

 

[Sub-hoo-fer]

I'd be looking at Sandberg or Maroochick (?). Great basses at reasonable prices and if you can find a used bass you'll have change!

Beat me to it. Maruszczyk will build you what you are looking for in your price range. Plus, they are in your back yard (ish).

Public Peace - Maruszczyk Instruments

 

[OldShark]

Just adding a preamp to a passive jazz bass does sound like an good idea, although not a one I have cosidered will definitely check out John East, and how about a Sadowsky onboard bass preamp? Is it a good option as well?

LowEndLobster has done a YT series with several on board preamp comparisons (including Sadowsky and John East) starting here:

 

[mngnt]

Just adding a preamp to a passive jazz bass does sound like an good idea, although not a one I have cosidered will definitely check out John East, and how about a Sadowsky onboard bass preamp? Is it a good option as well?

If you're exploring that route, check out Audere preamps. I put one in my Jazz Deluxe and it was amazing. Active blend is a great feature few preamps have. And a passive style tone knob, which you'll already be familiar with...

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[Willie5String]

Hey there, I am looking to get myself an active bass. Since I've been a passive player most of my life, my knowledge on the matter is somewhat limited. The idea is for it to have:

- preferably a Jazz Bass style shape, although I guess I could consider different ones
- a sound like a "super J" or a J on steroids - I want a deeper, aggressive and punchy tone without going super modern with it. I play alternative rock with funk and psychedelia influences, so I want to have some of that old school vibe while at the same time being able to lay down a RATM-like hard groove or slap line.
- preferably just a two band (treble and bass) eq, something you can adjust on the fly in a live situation. I like simplicity on my basses, while some cool additional features like series/parallel switch and whatnot would be welcome, I'm just not rly convinced about having a full blown equaliser on my bass. I feel like having too much options I'll end up running the same setting all the time.
- being Japanese made is also a big plus. I don't mind if it has some age on it, I know in the 90's these kind of builds were popular, maybe something from that era?

My price range is about 800-1300 usd but for something really cool maybe I could go a little higher. Also I'm in central Europe so the pricing here is sometimes different, but I just want to hear your suggestions - if I really like something I could arrange getting it from overseas, put together more money or just wait for a deal to pop up. Since I'm quite green on the subject every recommendation should be helpful in researching. Thank you in advance

I have a couple of 92 Jazz Bass +. I highly recommend them.

 

[OldShark]

Sire V5 Or V7 Great basses and you can go active or Passive and they sound and play better than any Fender I have owned including the Ultra Jazz

A V7 Vintage has 70's spacing, which seems to be important to you. Note, the V5 is a passive model. The V10 is also within your price range.

I guess you could buy at Thomann with their customer friendly return policy...

 

[Nighttrain1127]

My Bad I thought the V5 was active/Passive but I stand corrected

 

[2F/2F]

I know you said you don’t want a midrange knob, but you really should check out the G&L M-2000. It was made as an Indonesian Tribute model as well as a U.S.A. model. Full time active, with volume, blend, treble, mid, and bass knobs. You can just ignore the knob you don’t want/need.