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

[marchone]

A discontinued used or new old stock Kikuchi Sadowsky Metroline will run twice your high budget. Best feature is passive pickups with the Sadowsky onboard preamp allowing for true bypass to passive operation.

But the advice to get a Sadowsky stomp box is solid. You should find a Sadowsky SBP-1 in the Classifieds for $200 or so.

 

[Aqualung60]

The Cort GB74jj is a very good Bass, you can find them used for under $500.00. Swamp ash body,maple neck and fretboard, Hipshot Ultra light tuners, two band EQ and an Omega high mass bridge.

 

[dougjwray]

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

Exactly my recommendation.

 

[lermgalieu]

It’s a little expensive and complicated for your stated requirements, but man I love my Ultra Jazz.

 

[Dynacord]

Echoing some of what's been said (and as it sounds like we're probably in the same Central European country and that MIJ is a plus for you), I recently picked up a MIJ Jazz that the previous owner swapped the electronics on to essentially Sadowsky specs - DiMarzio UltraJazz pickups and Sadowsky preamp - I really like it and it bridges the active/passive thing nicely by retaining the passive tone roll-off (and that the preamp can be bypassed - and still retain the tone control). I'm really pleased with it as it feels like it has the best of both.

 

[getBAK]

This is a little outside of the spec, but for a flexible J-ish bass IN EASTERN EUROPE
The Cort GB74 Gig.
Cort Bass, GB74GIG, Lake Placid Blue | Reverb

 

[-Asdfgh-]

my 2 cents...

- G&L jazz band with MFD jazz pick ups.. I think this is a custom option, I know they exist, but it won't be stock.

That's about 1.5 times the top of the OP's stated price range.

 

[Malak the Mad]

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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I was going to suggest a different Audere drop-in preamp. Specifically, this one…

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It would have the V/V controls he’s likely familiar with, a simple, 2-band EQ and the various Z-modes as a possible stand-in for series/parallel switching. Then, all he’d need is any Jazz-shaped bass he’s comfortable playing, ja?

 

[Adam Wright]

A used Atelier Z M245 jazz like this. Really impossible to beat in this price range IMO. ATELIER Z M-245 (NAT) -Made in Japan- /Used | Reverb

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Well I'll be a son of a gun... WOW. Alrighty then.

Lakland Skylines have $1,500+ for years and are made in Indonesia.

 

[DrewFolkadelics]

Repeating what many have said here: go with a MIJ Sadowsky Metro (if you can increase your budget), if not drop in a Sadowsky Onboard on a jazz you like, if not go to a Sadowsky Outboard without modding a jazz you like (Aguilar has a similar 2 band pedal now too).

Also haven’t played one but Sire is getting lots of praise and the rolled fingerboard edges and roasted maple necks are starting to call to me…

 

[DrewFolkadelics]

Also, there’s a Sire with a Sadowsky pre in the classifieds right now for $600.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Another suggestion to check out the new Fender Player Plus. Great J tones right out of the box. Passive and active modes. Stock preamp and pickups sound great, and Fenders are easy to modify if you want to try different pickups or preamps. Price is in your range.

I got mine a few months ago and there were two identical ones to choose from. Both had great fit and finish, I played them for an hour or so to decide which one was coming home. Truthfully, either would’ve been great. I did swap out the white pickguard.

Obligatory eye candy:

 

[Kevin Hailey]

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

If you can find one the Fender Marcus Miller bass is a great instrument that ticks most all of your boxes.