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Recommend me a Jazz w/ Block Inlays

#21
For a little more ($1,500), you should be able to pick up a used Fender Custom Classic Jazz. It's from their custom shop.

I think the build quality and materials are as good as anything out there. I didn't care for the preamp but a quick stop at Audere solved that.

I think because their new cost is so high, most folks don't ever consider it. Their used price however, makes it a great value.

LeonD
 
#23
If you want the slim fast neck, the Geddy is the way to go. I dont care if it is made in Greenland or Botswana, it is one of the best buys out on the market. Buy it used and have it painted the color you want. Fender Japan makes alot of stuff that is very comparable to the USA. Then take the rest of your money and buy something else cool.

You cant go wrong with a Lakland or USA Fender but it will cost you more and the neck may not be what you want. You may have to try them both out to know for sure. But for the money and your requirements, I would go used Geddy all the way. It's like not buying the perfect house because the walls are white. Just have it painted a different color.
 
#24
mrhardy said:
I can see your point about not wanting a black bass. If black does not do it for you ok. However, your next statement leaves me puzzled.

The Fender CIJ products are very highly regarded for their attention to detail, and overall quality. You thumb your nose at a Geddy, but would consider a lakland skyline that is made in Asia as well? Are you prejudiced towards japan in general but not the rest of Asia. How do you feel about Mexican-Americans? Fender MIA is staffed with a large workforce of Mexican-Americans. Don't look at Sadowsky metro series basses as well. There made in Japan as well.

I dont think your racist, but your statement does leave a "?" as to your thought process.


The blocked and bound basses are for the most part 70's specs with the wider pickup spacing. If you switch bodies are you still going to have the tone your after, or is this totally a visual thing?

Fender American vintage series 75 reissue bass. Available in maple blocks and rosewood blocks. 1900 new, look for a used example. See the link for some specs.

Invalid Link Removed

If pickup spacing is not the issue for you, then you could always just put a good aftermarket blocked maple neck on a jazzbass of your choice. You could even get a new MIM 70's classic and do that as well.
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First of all, i can see what youre saying but this is how my thought process went.

For an american quality instrument from fender. It costs ~1000 dollars. That's "Made in America" for fender. And this is their highest line of basses. I don't want to buy a Geddy and think, oh ****, for like just a little bit more money I could have had a MIA fender which is in MY EYES the best fender makes.

For a "Made in America" Lakland, it is MUCH more. And it is much more because it is regarded as Lakland's best work.

I think you can now process how my brain works.


While i didn't know that CIJ basses were actually highly regarded in detail, i was comparing CIJ to MIM. A Skyline is for sure nothing close to a MIJ in build quality. And now i know that a MIM is nothing close to a CIJ. Still, do you think a CIJ is better than a MIA from Fender?

And yes, block inlay is purely visual. Is that a problem? I see people vintaging their basses for more $$, it certainly doesn't add to tone. Or using more expensive exotic woods that are not your most efficient "tone" wood.
 
#26
While i didn't know that CIJ basses were actually highly regarded in detail, i was comparing CIJ to MIJ. A Skyline is for sure nothing close to a MIJ in build quality. And now i know that a CIJ is nothing close to a CIJ. Still, do you think a CIJ is better than a MIA from Fender?
Click to expand...

wait.... what?
 
#30
I price-spec'ed out a fully custom built Warmoth bass a while back with delux everything - it came to $1600 but that was for the full-on maximum delux J bass (quilt maple top, dye/burst finish/Nordstrands & nordstrand preamp/hipshot hardware, maple fretboard w/blocks)

You could shave a few bucks off of that by doing a simple finish or cheaper hardware and be right in your price range...

Or get a used Geddy and save big bux.
 
#32
TLW said:
While i didn't know that CIJ basses were actually highly regarded in detail, i was comparing CIJ to MIJ. A Skyline is for sure nothing close to a MIJ in build quality. And now i know that a CIJ is nothing close to a CIJ. Still, do you think a CIJ is better than a MIA from Fender?
Click to expand...

I'm really trying to follow this, but I don't get it.

Anyway, a Geddy is pretty much the same quality in craftsmanship as an MIA in my opinion. There are differences in hardware and pickups, but I don't see it as one is better than the other, just different.

I share your dislike of the black body, but as others have said, you can change the color with a new body or a paint job.

I'm not trying to talk you in to a Geddy, though. I always feel it's best to buy a bass you are happy with from the start, and not one you'll have to tinker with.

Lakland might be a good choice. I'd also look around for used stuff, or something on sale. There is a new MIA Vintage '75 Fender Jazz with maple neck and blocks on sale at a local store near me for $1250. The usual street price is more like $1800. In today's economy, you might be able to find a deal if you look hard enough.
 
#33
I know they've already been mentioned, but here's another vote for a used '75 MIA Reissue. Great bass. They're selling for $1,899.00 new now, but you can find them used occasionally for close to your price range.

Another option would be the relatively new Classic '70's Jazz. They sell for $699.00. They're made in Mexico, but people who have them seem to like them, and they look great. Only available in sunburst or black. You could always upgrade the pickups and still be within your budget.

Or, you could save up some more money and get a used Sadowsky UV70. They're outside of your budget allowance, but could be an option if you want to be patient and save up some more money.

100_0837.jpg


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#35
Jeff K said:
Another option would be the relatively new Classic '70's Jazz. They sell for $699.00. They're made in Mexico, but people who have them seem to like them, and they look great. Only available in sunburst or black. You could always upgrade the pickups and still be within your budget.
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Agreed - and I'm surprised nobody has mentioned them up until Jeff. I got mine a couple weeks ago and have been loving it. She fought me a little on the initial setup but I shimmed the neck pocket, tightened the neck joint down better, re-did the setup and put some Labella flats on -- been solid ever since. Stays in tune and offers great tone with the stock pups. I know the OP is looking for a maple FB but here's a gratuitous shot of mine anyway...

3202532074_a4eb4d4518.jpg


If you have the dough, I'd go with a Lakland though.
 
#37
Lakland basses over Fender all the way. NO contest IMO. Even the Skylines are superior to me. The DJ is great, and you can't find a better bass for the price. And if you go for a US model, then they separate themselves even more from any Fender IMHO.
 
#39
SOrry for my confusing post, I fixed it. I meant MIM not MIJ.

I had just woken up for class and was in a hurry.

Anyway. Please stop suggesting repainting a used geddy lee jazz. It is expensive to repaint, why not just buy a new bass or even a used bass with a color that i'm comfortable with.

I'm not trying to be rude, its just that the whole suggestion "repaint it" is to me like buying a car in a color i don't like and repainting it. WHy not just get it right the first time you know?

shakerattleroll said:
I am so confused. You should probably stick to Squier.
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Really? I have played many squiers and IMO they were pretty lacking. If you blind tested me at GC and handed me a Squier and also a MIA i can assure you that I could feel the difference, and most likely hear the difference.
 

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