• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Swapping out Fender Jazz for something cheep and cheerful

What should I replace the Fender bass with?

  • Keep it you fool!

    Votes: 75 56.8%

  • Get the Sterling SUB

    Votes: 24 18.2%

  • Get a different inexpensive bass (leave comment!)

    Votes: 33 25.0%
  • Total voters
    132
scottfeldstein

scottfeldstein

Roots and fifths and a little extra.
Jun 20, 2011
6,544
4,412
57
San Marcos, California
endlessblue.bandcamp.com
#1
I bought a 2002 Fender Deluxe Active Jazz V (MIM) a couple of months ago. It was my intention to use it as my daily driver, my "best bass." I was going to knock my Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$ down to "backup bass" status.

Problem is, I did some work and setups on both of them, and now I definitely like the Warwick better than the Fender. That's good news for my Warwick, which now plays like a dream. Not so good for the Fender, which is now too good to just have sit around as a secondary instrument. That's not how I intended to use that money.

So...I just put the Fender up for sale on Craig's List for $500 with a hard Fender case and some extras.

If it sells quick (and I think it probably will) maybe I'll go cheap and cheerful and pick up a used Sterling SUB5. I see used ones going for under $300 and they're supposedly pretty good. That or something like it. Good but inexpensive.

Am I nuts?
 
  • Like
Reactions: RexxRokket, PennyroyalWe, dramatwist and 3 others
#3
I’m torn, I voted ‘other inexpensive bass’ then changed it to SUB, then changed it back again.

I’d stick with that choice because the Stingray is a much nicer bass than a Jazz in general, but there are a load of cheaper instruments around that price point that sound as good, are more versatile, and feel better.

The Ibanez SR series are great, for example, taking the Jazz template (twin pickups, fast neck, similar control layout) but improving it.
The Stingray is different again, but also a solid choice and I’d be happy with either if I were in your shoes.

There are some that’ll insist you have to have a Jazz, or keep it because it’s a Fender, or whatever. I wouldn’t worry about that, do what you want but don’t just follow trends for no reason. There are loads of good choices out there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BBassBassington, dfloresjr and thabassmon
#6
The Fender V neck is very different than a Warwick neck, and with the difference in string spacing I can see why it’s taken a back-seat if you prefer the Warwick.
Suggest a Rockbass Corvette Basic 5 or Streamer Standard 5?
Or do you want something totally different?
 
#7
eastcoasteddie said:
The Fender V neck is very different than a Warwick neck, and with the difference in string spacing I can see why it’s taken a back-seat if you prefer the Warwick.
Suggest a Rockbass Corvette Basic 5 or Streamer Standard 5?
Or do you want something totally different?
Click to expand...

That's a really good question. I think I definitely want something that's at least a little different sonically. I would consider another Warwick–I just don't want to pay for one as a backup instrument.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EmuBass
#8
If the Fender plays well and you like it, keep it. Why sell it for $500 and then buy something cheaper ($350?). Will you be losing money selling at $500? It already has a case and whatever extras you are selling with it. Unless you really, really, REALLY need the extra $100-150, why dump it? After about 6 months, $150 will be moot and you will still have a nice Fender. Keep the Fender for a few years and now the difference between it and some cheapie is pennies per day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BBassBassington, Evil Funk, Kubicki Fan and 9 others
#9
bwildt said:
If the Fender plays well and you like it, keep it. Why sell it for $500 and then buy something cheaper ($350?). Will you be losing money selling at $500? It already has a case and whatever extras you are selling with it. Unless you really, really, REALLY need the extra $100-150, why dump it? After about 6 months, $150 will be moot and you will still have a nice Fender. Keep the Fender for a few years and now the difference between it and some cheapie is pennies per day.
Click to expand...

A legit point of view, and one I haven't completely ruled out. But the problem isn't just having a few hundred extra dollars tied up in an instrument I'll rarely play. It's also that it doesn't make me 100% happy. The tone is great, but the signal is very weak. It's heavy and I have a very bad back. (I recently started playing sitting down 90% of the set, a new thing for me.) And, I can't get the B string quite as low as I'd like without buzz. (I like very low string height and I know how to dial it in to the best of the instrument's capability.)

So, it's extra money tied up in an instrument that I'll rarely play, but also one that does not fit me as a player very well in some ways.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Watchootognbout, Williethump, kodiakblair and 2 others
#15
ChrisBowsman said:
I bought two inexpensive basses, then got a Warwick. I play it 95% of the time.

For a beater... why not another differently appointed Rock Bass? Should be available for about the same money as your Fender, might even be able to swap.
Click to expand...

That's not a bad idea. My one and only Warwick that I have ever owned came to me in a state of severe neglect. A music store told me it could not be fixed, bent neck. It sat like that for 2 years until I decided to either fix it myself or get rid of it. I fixed it. It's brilliant. Probably the best bass guitar I have ever owned. It plays effortlessly and has a nice middy character to the sound.

Maybe I should list it for sale/trade here. Someone might really dig it and I don't need to make any money off it even though I put some work/parts into it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kodiakblair and ChrisBowsman
#16
pappabass said:
I bought a sterling sub for practice, now its my main player. Mine is the latest version with updated electronics. Side note, dumped my fender jazz 20 years ago. Just did not have a big enough sound...
Click to expand...

How do you tell the latest version? I see a lot of Sterling Sub5 basses on sale new and used on Reverb. But none of them have that big SUB on the headstock. What gives? Older models?
 
#18
Nothing wrong with liking the Warwick better than a fender jazz.

Sterling SUB 5 will give you some other sound options.

I like the SR series but unless you get the models that have nordys I don't think you gain enough difference soundwise. They do have very slim neck and closer string spacing which make them super easy to play and most of them are light.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Watchootognbout and Yonni
#19
Get a used G&L Tribute SB-2. :thumbsup:
8691A2DA-A714-4E20-96C6-6FA8DF9F64A2.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Heavy Blue, Constantine, Hurricane Jimmie and 3 others
#20
buldog5151bass said:
I wouldn't sell this unless you know you will like what you are getting as a replacement. It would suck to sell that for $500, and then spend $300+ to get something you don't like. Think about it.
Click to expand...

Think about this. I live in city of 35,000 people. There aren't that may bass guitars to try here. And what would it hurt me to sell the Jazz bass for $500? I won't have lost any money on it. Unless you count the new strings, my time doing a setup, and the aftermarket pickguard. My take: Pfffft. Let my loss be someone else's gain for a few bucks. I need it gone. It's just not "me."
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Williethump and kodiakblair

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back