Which bass would you chose?

[singlemalt]

At least take a look at the Dingwall Super J 5.

Try the “build your Dingwall” tool at FretNation.com. Pick your options, complete with current pricing.

 

[moon-bass]

Sadowsky, without a doubt. The F Bass would be a close second. All IMO of course. I've owned versions of all of the above and many others. I've sold most of my fivers, but still have two Sadowsky NYCs. That being said, the F Bass five that I had was the last to go.

 

[billiard]

Mid 90's Sadowsky if those are the only choices. Very well made instruments they were.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I want to buy a jazz bass, 5 string, 34" scale, 21 or 22 frets, 19mm spacing, 1-3/4 to 1-7/8 nut width, I like modern jazz tone, I dont like passive only/vintage sounding....

I have $4k - $5k to spare

I'm not buying any bass or recommending any bass at anywhere near those prices that I haven't played- especially if I can't give a recommendation grounded in playing ALL of them, expressing a preference of one over the other four basses. Sorry.

 

[retslock]

I want to buy a jazz bass, 5 string, 34" scale, 21 or 22 frets, 19mm spacing, 1-3/4 to 1-7/8 nut width, I like modern jazz tone, I dont like passive only/vintage sounding....

I have $4k - $5k to spare

None of those. I'd buy a Serek Lincoln.

 

[RobertAuCoin]

However, if we get to order "off-menu" I'd be looking at a Mike Lull or a Dingwall Super J.

I had a Super J that I got second-hand; it has since been moved along. Couldn’t connect with its tone, unfortunately. The newer ones from Dingwall reportedly have a more “vintage” sound, but I haven’t heard or played one of them.

 

[zortation]

BN5

 

[RobertAuCoin]

Sadowsky, without a doubt. The F Bass would be a close second.

This NYC Sadowsky Jazz 5 has been truly a joy to play. I have also played an NYC Modern 5, which is a totally different experience (equally awesome, though).

 

[CoughSyrup]

F Bass looks and sounds amazing, but I'm not sure how I'd get on with their preamp. Seems like something I'd either love or hate. Sounds great on paper, but 6 knobs is a lot for me.

 

[Aussie Player]

I'd shop for a used Alembic.

 

[BeyondFiredUp]

I want to buy a jazz bass, 5 string, 34" scale, 21 or 22 frets, 19mm spacing, 1-3/4 to 1-7/8 nut width, I like modern jazz tone, I dont like passive only/vintage sounding....

I have $4k - $5k to spare

Carrots.

 

[bassnyc1]

Nino Valenti. Great guy, fantastic builder who will build you exactly what you want at a fair price. I love mine!

 

[JonathanPDX]

I can't wait 3 years for a bass LOL

It depends on the luthier. Chris Stambaugh built my first bass in about a year, the last one fell behind and took about a year and a half, but that one had some pretty involved and time-consuming design elements.

I just don't understand why calling around wouldn't be an option for you with that kind of budget. If you go research basses at boutiques or Reverb or whatever you may spend months waiting for the right high-end bass to come along, and if you're picky there's a chance you have to send it back, wait for a refund to process, and start the the whole process from scratch.

I suppose it you're constantly flipping basses for fun it makes sense, but if you're looking for something to be your main player for the next 10-20 years it just seems more efficient and cost-effective to me to be speaking to boutique luthiers.

 

[ragetoca]

Interes

Nino Valenti. Great guy, fantastic builder who will build you exactly what you want at a fair price. I love mine! View attachment 7202755

I had one but after owning many sadowskys (never a NYC yet) I felt like it was not up to par with Rogers, so I sold it.

 

[DaveParker39]

Spector NS-2 (or NS-5/DW-5) used

 

[Jugghaid]

The only one I can't comment on is the NYBW. I own/have owned the other brands as well as several others.

My favorites to date for a modern jazz are Lull and Wilkins . But you can't go wrong with any of the choices you listed.

 

[RobertAuCoin]

I already have a modern sadowsky (Blue on my wall) I want a jazz

May I ask, what is the dark red jazz-looking bass on your wall? Your thoughts about it?

 

[baxter_x]

Hard to chose, but Sadowsky is always my choice.

 

[ragetoca]

May I ask, what is the dark red jazz-looking bass on your wall? Your thoughts about it?

That is a Japanese Sadowsky Jazz 5 that I ended up trading last year. The neck is a bit chunky and the weight was in the high 9s - worth around $2300

 

[Gervais Cote]

Well, it's hard to include 2 used basses (just how used are they?) alongside 3 brand new axes.

IF I had to decide, I'm a big fan of Mr. Furlanetto's F Basses. You're looking at variations on the theme of a Jazz Bass, all of these would/could work, but F Bass would be coming at this from a slightly different viewpoint as these are not the traditional F Bass models they made their bones with. As an aside, I don't know what the tariffs may do to his products on this side of the Canadian border, if anything, or maybe a lot, I don't know.

View attachment 7202627

Not to mention some version of a Jazz Bass is made by many, many builders, easily the broadest range of choices for a traditional bass model.

(Grrrrrr…………..….now I have to change my vote for F Bass !)