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Retiring my '66 Jazz bass

#61
Mike Goodbar said:
Hey Crew:

I'm one of those geezers who's pretty much had only one bass for most of his playing life. Mine happens to be the '66 Jazz bass my dad bought me back in 1978 or so. With the exception of a period of about 2 years during which the bass went missing (stolen, recovered, sat in insurance agent's office) it's been my main gigging bass.

I'll never sell it, but I'm getting leery of taking it out on gigs; a lot of players are getting their gear stolen right off the bandstand in this town. Thinking about retiring the Jazz and going in a different direction, and needing some guidance.

Style-wise, I mostly play and sub in cover bands that cover a wide range. I shoot for a well rounded tone with lots of warmth and a good amount of punch. I play upright as well, so I don't really have an issue adapting to different neck shapes and thicknesses.

I play only semiprofessionally, and I can't see spending a whole lot more than $1000 - a price point that would not be too painful or hard to replace if the thing went missing. Here are some the models I've been looking at:

Cort Rithimic 4 string: Heard some great things and not-so-great things about them. I like it's simplicity, and I'm also a fan of JB's playing. The YouTube demos I've heard have been promising, but some have described the tone as "anemic." Anyone have personal experience with this bass?

Cort B4 Plus RM: I play a bunch of different styles, so versatility of having the active option intrigues me. Cort seems to be a well-respected brand, usually cited as giving a lot of bang for the buck quality-wise.

Fender Vintera: Sounds like it would be very close to my '66; it's even offered in my bass's custom color, Firemist Gold Metallic. Would probably be a very smooth transition from my present bass.

Squier Classic Vibe Jazz bass: Another "clone" of my present bass and very economical, though it sounds like these are usually heavily modded with replacement hardware.

I know Ibanez is often listed as having good options in this price range as well (are they made at the Cort factory as well?).

I guess what I value most out of the instrument is good playability and a warm, punchy sound as its baseline. I have not been bass shopping literally in decades - enlighten me!
Click to expand...
If you can find an Ibanez with Nordstrand pickups you'll never look back.
 
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#64
Small world, I also own a 66 Jazz. I love it but have not played it out in many years due to the value/risk.
In 2017 I was googling best bass guitars and this one kept coming up with great reviews.
Made in Mexico (MIM) Fender Special Edition Deluxe Ash Jazz Bass, Regular Natural Ash Finish, Tortoiseshell Pick guard, Rosewood Fret board.
Went to Guitar Center and played it and liked it. Also played an American Jazz but preferred the MIM.
Was $699 but found on sale for $599.
Replaced the standard tuners with Hipshot tuners and replaced the flimsy bridge with a BABICZ FULL CONTACT bridge.
Also replace the 1/4" female jack with a Switchcraft Jack. So into this bass for about $800.
This Bass works great for me and if stolen or damaged I would be "OK" as I could replace it.
Not sure if the exact model is still for available as it was purchased in 2017.
 

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#65
Between 2013 and 2015 Fender put out an AVRI 64 jazz bass. I played a few of them and they were all VERY good. They pop up now and then... you used to be able to grab one for about $1500, but the prices seem to have gone up a bit. More than the $1000 you are looking to spend, but a worthy instrument as a replacement for your '66.
 
#66
@Mike Goodbar -
My first Jazz (in the 80's) was a '66 as well. Lollipops with blocks but had been stripped & stained. This was the gateway drug to my love of Jazz Basses.

I tried the Vintera but I did not care for the tall, thin frets that are stock on the bass. I found a 10 year old American Standard on Craigslist which I like quite a bit - it has a very comfortable early 60's feeling neck with rolled edges and larger frets. Lightweight, comfortable- Very nice indeed.
 
#68
Mike Goodbar said:
Hey Crew:

I'm one of those geezers who's pretty much had only one bass for most of his playing life. Mine happens to be the '66 Jazz bass my dad bought me back in 1978 or so. With the exception of a period of about 2 years during which the bass went missing (stolen, recovered, sat in insurance agent's office) it's been my main gigging bass.

I'll never sell it, but I'm getting leery of taking it out on gigs; a lot of players are getting their gear stolen right off the bandstand in this town. Thinking about retiring the Jazz and going in a different direction, and needing some guidance.

Style-wise, I mostly play and sub in cover bands that cover a wide range. I shoot for a well rounded tone with lots of warmth and a good amount of punch. I play upright as well, so I don't really have an issue adapting to different neck shapes and thicknesses.

I play only semiprofessionally, and I can't see spending a whole lot more than $1000 - a price point that would not be too painful or hard to replace if the thing went missing. Here are some the models I've been looking at:

Cort Rithimic 4 string: Heard some great things and not-so-great things about them. I like it's simplicity, and I'm also a fan of JB's playing. The YouTube demos I've heard have been promising, but some have described the tone as "anemic." Anyone have personal experience with this bass?

Cort B4 Plus RM: I play a bunch of different styles, so versatility of having the active option intrigues me. Cort seems to be a well-respected brand, usually cited as giving a lot of bang for the buck quality-wise.

Fender Vintera: Sounds like it would be very close to my '66; it's even offered in my bass's custom color, Firemist Gold Metallic. Would probably be a very smooth transition from my present bass.

Squier Classic Vibe Jazz bass: Another "clone" of my present bass and very economical, though it sounds like these are usually heavily modded with replacement hardware.

I know Ibanez is often listed as having good options in this price range as well (are they made at the Cort factory as well?).

I guess what I value most out of the instrument is good playability and a warm, punchy sound as its baseline. I have not been bass shopping literally in decades - enlighten me!
Click to expand...
Squier CV J if I'm choosing with my money. Good Luck!
 
#70
Get
Mike Goodbar said:
Hey Crew:

I'm one of those geezers who's pretty much had only one bass for most of his playing life. Mine happens to be the '66 Jazz bass my dad bought me back in 1978 or so. With the exception of a period of about 2 years during which the bass went missing (stolen, recovered, sat in insurance agent's office) it's been my main gigging bass.

I'll never sell it, but I'm getting leery of taking it out on gigs; a lot of players are getting their gear stolen right off the bandstand in this town. Thinking about retiring the Jazz and going in a different direction, and needing some guidance.

Style-wise, I mostly play and sub in cover bands that cover a wide range. I shoot for a well rounded tone with lots of warmth and a good amount of punch. I play upright as well, so I don't really have an issue adapting to different neck shapes and thicknesses.

I play only semiprofessionally, and I can't see spending a whole lot more than $1000 - a price point that would not be too painful or hard to replace if the thing went missing. Here are some the models I've been looking at:

Cort Rithimic 4 string: Heard some great things and not-so-great things about them. I like it's simplicity, and I'm also a fan of JB's playing. The YouTube demos I've heard have been promising, but some have described the tone as "anemic." Anyone have personal experience with this bass?

Cort B4 Plus RM: I play a bunch of different styles, so versatility of having the active option intrigues me. Cort seems to be a well-respected brand, usually cited as giving a lot of bang for the buck quality-wise.

Fender Vintera: Sounds like it would be very close to my '66; it's even offered in my bass's custom color, Firemist Gold Metallic. Would probably be a very smooth transition from my present bass.

Squier Classic Vibe Jazz bass: Another "clone" of my present bass and very economical, though it sounds like these are usually heavily modded with replacement hardware.

I know Ibanez is often listed as having good options in this price range as well (are they made at the Cort factory as well?).

I guess what I value most out of the instrument is good playability and a warm, punchy sound as its baseline. I have not been bass shopping literally in decades - enlighten me!
Click to expand...

Get an used AmSt J. It will sound like your 66? Of course not but you'll get used with it with time. And won't risk your vintage instrument.
 
#72
Vintera and Cort are great choices, especially a Cort with MarkBass preamp.

You should be able to demo those easily.

Flea Roadworn is one of the best basses Fender's ever made, in any era at any price point, IMO… if you can dig the relic work and single color option.

The '74 anniversary MIM basses from a crew years ago may appeal to you too.

Good luck in your search!
 
#73
I've got an early '66 J and picked up a MIJ "JB65" [sic] which is an early '66 copy - dots and binding. It feels very, very close - main difference is the MIJ ones were finished in poly rather than nitro - this one was stripped and refinished in nitro and I think it's close to interchangeable now. Nice really dark rosewood board, too. I paid close to your budget for it including shipping from Japan (of course, there was the risk of not being able to try it first).
 
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#74
Vintera '70s J in Inca Silver.

It is a damned fine looking axe, and built better than any of the '50s or '60s based Vintera models I have tried. Something about the plastic fret ends seems to have led the factory workers to do a better job dressing the fret ends than on any of the '50s or '60s ones I have played. A few less than stellar areas on the metallic finish (sanding marks in the silver color coat), and I really wish they had made it three-bolt with Micro-Tilt, a veneer board, a thumb rest, and chrome covers...but it's a great bass otherwise (and I added the rest and covers).

I love mine...and I have many much "better" basses, on paper. I got it for under $680 delivered from Cream City Music, as a floor model with zero issues that I ever found. Quite a bang for the buck. I used the savings to procure a nice hard case for it, had the headstock finished in a color match by Pat Wilkins, and still ended up under your budget.
 
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#76
Mike Vee said:
The problem with the Vintera is the Pau Ferro. I'd go for a used American Special Jazz bass. Less than Vintera, American made and good ol' rosewood fretboards. Some of the best Fender has ever made.
Click to expand...
I've got MIM jazz necks with rosewood and pau ferro and I can't hear or feel any difference, and the only way to tell visually is to put them side by side and the pf is a tiny bit lighter. The pf board necks came from Deluxe J basses and was described as an upgrade before rosewood was dropped from standard MIM necks.
 
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#78
Here's another vote to consider a G&L JB. I recently bought a new Tribute model. Paul Gagon, who worked for Fender, modeled the G&L JB pickups after the '60's Jazz Bass pickups. A new G&L Tribute JB might have a sound very close to your retiring Jazz. If you're able to find a G&L Fullerton Deluxe JB in the price range that might work well, too.
 

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