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This seem decent?

I missed the point about a “packaged deal” bass and amp, and a budget. I haven’t had my morning coffee either so apologies. Best wishes on a successful mission, but I will say there are basses for sale 24-7-365 just waiting for your check. So don’t have to worry too much about a missed deal, there is another one just around the corner.

oh no, you didn’t miss anything. I originally came here looking for opinions on a bass head because my very old one I’ve had since I started playing stopped working. One thing lead to another (I really don’t know how it got here) and now I’m a very short distance from buying a new bass and currently don’t have a head to plug it into! This has been a wild trip since I just joined the site yesterday!
 
Very sharp bass!

Fenders vary enough that if you found one you like this much, get it and don't look back. The used one might not do it for you.

I'd add that when he goes back to play the instrument on the wall just to make sure it's the same one you played. I ended up with one that wasn't the same after about 6 hours one time. Got home and was immediately disappointed because it wasn't the same instrument. Had an uncorrectable ski jump in the neck. Took it back and had them bring me a handful of the same model until I found the one. They tried to sell my return to a kid who was getting his first bass for his birthday. I talked with his parents and said look, I just returned that exact bass, if he really likes it I can help find one that doesn't have that problem. GC manager wasn't too happy with me but hey, it's this kids first instrument and I wasn't going to let him take my return that I knew wasn't correctable.
 
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oh no, you didn’t miss anything. I originally came here looking for opinions on a bass head because my very old one I’ve had since I started playing stopped working. One thing lead to another (I really don’t know how it got here) and now I’m a very short distance from buying a new bass and currently don’t have a head to plug it into! This has been a wild trip since I just joined the site yesterday!

Welcome aboard! Yeah, sometimes when posting a question it’s best to be prepared to be drinking from a fire hose.
 
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yeah, it is really good looking. My wife’s not into music at all but she happen to go with me to the music store and even she said it looks really nice and sounded good. Just contemplating if I should get that new one or I found one used on the Guitar Center website that’s like $130 less.

The problem with Fenders of ANY price point is that they are WILDLY inconsistent. You played one that you feel is a great instrument. They are out there and you found one. Congrats. You didn't buy it - OOPS! Someone got rid of the used one you see and they let it go for ---- $300 or thereabouts. Why? Maybe rich guy trade in. Maybe life circumstance. Maybe it is a dog and the seller cut his losses. You don't know but I'd bet it has an issue. IMO get the one you know is great for 20% more and get a warranty with it. If you risk the used one and the great one sells (it will) then you may have to weed through another dozen or more to find another great one.
 
my 2 cents— Check the fret ends. Play through an amp and compare with an MIA model for reference. If it compares favorably it’s probably a good one.

I bought a used player P and didn’t notice the sharp fret ends. Spent an extra $100 to get them smoothed out but they still protrude a bit. I also replaced the pickup as I didn’t care for the original. So now I have at least $200 into it. Still a good bass and still a good deal (ie cheaper than a normal new price), but not as great a deal as I thought when I bought it.

I have played 2 Player Jazz basses at two different stores and both were so bad I was embarrassed for Fender. Neck pickup sounded off like it was wired wrong or something. Less output than the bridge and just weird sound overall. But they were similar to each other. Maybe they were defective but they are 0 for 2 for me. So I am wary of player Jazz Basses.
(I have 3 Jazz basses plus a higher end J style bass so I am familiar with how they sound).
 
Well boys, I did it! Here she is. Got a nice soft case to go with it as well. Plugged it in. Played it again. Looked at all over and I don’t see any problems. The tech at guitar center looked it over and adjusted the truss rod a little bit.
 

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Well boys, I did it! Here she is. Got a nice soft case to go with it as well. Plugged it in. Played it again. Looked at all over and I don’t see any problems. The tech at guitar center looked it over and adjusted the truss rod a little bit.
Congrats! I really like that particular finish. And you got a good deal as well!
 
Well boys, I did it! Here she is. Got a nice soft case to go with it as well. Plugged it in. Played it again. Looked at all over and I don’t see any problems. The tech at guitar center looked it over and adjusted the truss rod a little bit.
Awesome! Congrats on your NBD! Nice case too, I have one of those and it will protect your bass well. Still considering the GK head? If so you'll have to share your impressions when you pair the two. Enjoy!
 
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Congrats! I really like that particular finish. And you got a good deal as well!

Thanks man… that finish definitely stands out and has a maple neck which I’ve always wanted.

Awesome! Congrats on your NBD! Nice case too, I have one of those and it will protect your bass well. Still considering the GK head? If so you'll have to share your impressions when you pair the two. Enjoy!

yeah, that case is really really thick. It’s nice. I’m glad the guy showed it to me when I was there. Yes I am getting ready to send my PayPal to the other member on this site who is selling the MB500. Man I looked at so many over the past week my head has been spinning, but Im really hoping this one is going to be decent. Nice thing about it, it only weighs 3 pounds!
 
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Well boys, I did it! Here she is. Got a nice soft case to go with it as well. Plugged it in. Played it again. Looked at all over and I don’t see any problems. The tech at guitar center looked it over and adjusted the truss rod a little bit.
Congrats! You're going to enjoy that bass. I fell in love with my blue one, and when I had the chance to grab the green one, I did, and wasn't disappointed in it either. Love both of those basses. It definitely helps when you can walk into the store and put your hands on one.

You need to go join The Fender Jazz Bass Club, it's a pretty big group, they're on part 7 :laugh:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-fender-jazz-bass-club-part-seven.1060573/
 
Well boys, I did it! Here she is. Got a nice soft case to go with it as well. Plugged it in. Played it again. Looked at all over and I don’t see any problems. The tech at guitar center looked it over and adjusted the truss rod a little bit.
Congratulations. Well done for getting it quickly. It may not have lasted very long there. Let us know how it sounds with the amp when you get it.
 
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