It's GC…get your money back.
If you really need a bass, try out a few you may have never considered before.
You wanted the Jaguar because you liked the way it looks, right?
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Severely Underwhelmed by New Bass
- Thread starter _HunterB_
- Start date
If you really need a bass, try out a few you may have never considered before.
You wanted the Jaguar because you liked the way it looks, right?
I personally find that I can't truly evaluate a bass until I gig with it using the right strings.
As much as its embarrassing to say, yes. I did think I'd like the jazz pickups after some bad P bass experiences, but I forgot that I originally got the P cause I didn't like the J. Its not a guitar center, but I may still be able to get my money back. If not, it might turn up on Reverb.
Before I sell on a bass that I would consider to be a “dream bass” I would do everything in my power to make it work for me.
Adjusting the pickup heights can make a seriously huge difference. Put new strings on it; another massive difference. From there, I’d try a preamp pedal to get the flavour I want, there’s lots available for cheap (Joyo American sound is fun for $40). Finally: TRY IT IN A LIVE SETTING. I have basses that I can’t stand playing when alone, in a band setting, they fill out the band so well. Playing the bass by yourself doesn’t give you all of the nuances of a full band.
After that, I’d consider a different amp, then finally I’d either change the pickups or sell it. But there are lots of things you can try before giving up on the dream.
Adjusting the pickup heights can make a seriously huge difference. Put new strings on it; another massive difference. From there, I’d try a preamp pedal to get the flavour I want, there’s lots available for cheap (Joyo American sound is fun for $40). Finally: TRY IT IN A LIVE SETTING. I have basses that I can’t stand playing when alone, in a band setting, they fill out the band so well. Playing the bass by yourself doesn’t give you all of the nuances of a full band.
After that, I’d consider a different amp, then finally I’d either change the pickups or sell it. But there are lots of things you can try before giving up on the dream.
I had a similar experience with an AVRI Jazzmaster several years ago. Had dreamed about one for years and finally had a job making enough to afford one only to end up with an instrument that disagreed with me in nearly every conceivable way.
I kept it for a couple of years and then sold it for a small profit.
I kept it for a couple of years and then sold it for a small profit.
just put it in the closet and forget about it for a year then give it a fresh review
Hey, when a bass catches my eye, I grab it and give it a go. The way a bass looks is extremely important to me, and today, there are simply so many quality basses, I don't feel bad admitting it at all.
I think the Jaguars, especially the Japanese ones, are the best-looking Fenders.
I like hot j pickups, specifically Fralin 10% overwound and whatever they used in 62ri from Japan.
I also owned a legit 1st year Jaguar guitar in my 20’s so I get the whole grail thing.
That got traded off ASAP bc it never sounded good.
Think I ended up with a 2nd year Gibson 330, then it turned into a double cut les Paul special, then something else before I got a tech job and stopped spending 6.5 days a week in dive bars.
I’ve had plenty of stuff I’ve desperately wanted that turned out to just become a $ pit / lab mule for parts and ideas.
Decide if you want to keep throwing $ at it within the 30day return window.
I also owned a legit 1st year Jaguar guitar in my 20’s so I get the whole grail thing.
That got traded off ASAP bc it never sounded good.
Think I ended up with a 2nd year Gibson 330, then it turned into a double cut les Paul special, then something else before I got a tech job and stopped spending 6.5 days a week in dive bars.
I’ve had plenty of stuff I’ve desperately wanted that turned out to just become a $ pit / lab mule for parts and ideas.
Decide if you want to keep throwing $ at it within the 30day return window.
I had always wanted a Rick.... got a sweet deal on a used one in like new condition with all case candy..... hated the way it sounded and played. (nothing wrong with it, just not for me) Flipped it for what I paid and got another bass.
Life happens
Life happens
I'm not much on Stingrays but I do know this. In my hands, I either set up my amp for a 3 band Stingray or I set up my amp for ANY other bass I own. If set up for a Stingray, everything else sounds like poo and vise verse. I can't just set down my Jazz Bass and plug in a Stingray and have everything work. My point is that if you are used to your Stingray through your amp, you may have to adjust the amp's settings ALOT to get the tone you want out of the Jaguar.
I have a Jag shaped bass and had to do a lot of adjusting to get it to be comfortable, sitting or standing. Whenever I get another bass, and that is a long way off, I will prioritize feel over all else.
Jazz pickups, want more low end and not so shrill? Go for DiMarzio ModelJs, preferably wired in series. Now that's a very P-ish sound out of a J pickup.
Get rid of it. You'll regret putting more money into it thinking that'll make it better. It won't. You should buy a real Jazz bass. That's what I did and what I realized I should've done before buying a Jaguar bass. Let us know how this turns out.
Why isn’t this a solution? Rumbles are cheap. Get the 500w combo. The amp is always at least half of the tone equation.
Is it the earlier CIJ run with an active/passive switch like this?
Fender Jaguar Bass Hot Rod Red
If so, yeah, that's not just a dressed-up Jazz, it's a dressed-up Jazz on steroids. So for those who don't particularly like Jazz basses, terrible choice. The two Jazz rail pickups should have been the first clue.
FWIW, my CIJ Jag Deluxe is one of the basses in my stable that gets the most compliments from other musicians and sound engineers. Different strokes and all.
Fender Jaguar Bass Hot Rod Red
If so, yeah, that's not just a dressed-up Jazz, it's a dressed-up Jazz on steroids. So for those who don't particularly like Jazz basses, terrible choice. The two Jazz rail pickups should have been the first clue.
FWIW, my CIJ Jag Deluxe is one of the basses in my stable that gets the most compliments from other musicians and sound engineers. Different strokes and all.
Sell it, OP. Throwing more money at an instrument you don't like will probably not do the trick. Sometimes it just doesn't work out.
