What do you think?

[rancidrancid]

Keep in mind I am by no means able to afford a Fender Jazz.
I play punk/funk/ska/reggae/blues/and a whole lot more,and I already have a decent p-bass.

I am currently considering this jazz bass(http://www.rondomusic.net/sjb57.html)
and replacing the pickups with these matching bridge and neck pickups(catalog numbers-PUF62,P-PUF61 at Invalid Link Removed)

At first,I was considering getting the standard jazz bass from Squier(http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=bass/search/detail/base_pid/510627/),but I heard it has agathis wood,and I read at a few forums that agathis wood is "buttwood".

So my questions are:
What is the difference between alder and agathis wood?

-and-

Which do you think I should get?(keep in mind that if I get the Squire,I would be changing the pickups a little farther down the road,and if I get the SX one,I would do it as soon as i get them both)

 

[srxplayer]

I have heard good things about the SX basses. I have never played one but I have used Squire products and they are hit & miss. I just bought my 10 year old daughter a Squire Telecaster for Christmas and I had to go through four different guitars before I found one that was acceptable.

Examples of bad work was:

Crappy fret work, frets not filed at the edges.
Necks were bent or not set in the pocket correctly.
Bridge not completely screwed into body.

You are probably better off with the SX.

Alder is a denser wood than Agethis(don't know if I'm spelling this correctly). Agethis is usually a wood from Asia and is lighter than Alder or Ash. It's usually cheaper because of it being domestic in Asia. Although I think there is a type of Alder grown domesticly in Asia I think Agathis is still less expensive.

 

[Petary791]

I don't have an answer to the first question, but I would definitely reccomend the SX over the Squire for sure.

 

[cdef]

Here is the lowdown on agathis (with further links):

http://www.agathis.info/guitars.php

But why wouldn't you keep playing your decent P-bass? It's a good bass for all the styles of music you listed.

 

[rancidrancid]

But why wouldn't you keep playing your decent P-bass? It's a good bass for the styles of music you listed.

well,I am getting tired of the two tones I can get from it,and I just want something new,for i have had this generic brand(Austin) for 3 years now,it's my first,i got my second bass amp in November(Behringer Ultrabass BX1200)and I want to increase my tone range,and I like the thinner necks.

 

[embellisher]

I have a $99 SX P bass copy. Very good bass for the price, and much better than your average Squier.

The only issue mine had was some sharp fret ends in the second octave. Since it didn't cost me very much, I took the opportunity to learn to dress fret ends.

That's the only mod I have done. It sounds and plays great stock, so I left it that way.

 

[rancidrancid]

Thanks alot guys,

I am going to get the SX Jazz bass,and possibly change the pickups later.

Thanks for the help guys,my wallet will certainly be happier.

 

[HighwayOneJazz]

i say, keep playing your P, till you can save enough for a Jazz.