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Which Fender Jazz and Why?

#42
I ask myself..... What Would Leo Do?

The Geddy Lee is a cool bass. I might go that route if I was in the market. The 75 RI was kind of the same idea...

The Road Worn series would be my first choice.

Other than that, for under a grand... Wouldn't even mess with it.
 
#44
I've said it many times over and I'll say it again. The Classic 60s Jazz is one of the best basses I've played in it's price range (or higher). The Roadworn is also a good choice, plus it is lighter than the Classic.

Here's the thing, I manage a guitar shop and have had the privelage of trying many of the mid-high end basses (excluding boutique). What I've noticed is that the Classic 60s can hold it's own against its American counterpart. I've even had some working bassist prefer its tone over higher priced USA made basses. I asked my boss who is a vintage nut what makes certain MIM likee the CS and RW sound so good. Basically he said, it is because they are made to spec from that era. Yes, the wood is not aged (yet), but I feel that you get a better build quality then 30 years ago. Hence, no need for shims.
 
#45
Cygnus X-1 said:
I've said it many times over and I'll say it again. The Classic 60s Jazz is one of the best basses I've played in it's price range (or higher). The Roadworn is also a good choice, plus it is lighter than the Classic.
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my only gripe about that one would be the truss rod nut. I may be wrong but from the picture on the Fender web site, it looks like the neck needs to be removed to adjust the action. If not, then good. I'd look that way. If I have to remove the neck, I'm not looking at it.
 
#46
Youngspanion said:
my only gripe about that one would be the truss rod nut. I may be wrong but from the picture on the Fender web site, it looks like the neck needs to be removed to adjust the action. If not, then good. I'd look that way. If I have to remove the neck, I'm not looking at it.
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IMO, you shouldn't be having to adjust the neck on a bass very often at all. if you do, then it has an unstable neck. in most cases, with the adjuster at the heel, you don't have to remove the neck, but might have to remove the pickguard to get to the adjuster cleanly.
 
#47
johnk_10 said:
IMO, you shouldn't be having to adjust the neck on a bass very often at all. if you do, then it has an unstable neck. in most cases, with the adjuster at the heel, you don't have to remove the neck, but might have to remove the pickguard to get to the adjuster cleanly.
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This is correct if you do not have the Fender T-Bar with bevelled head at the end of the Hex Key that allows proper turning even at an angle.
 
#48
It's personal taste, but I don't think I'd go MIM. I have a buddy who LOVES his, but the truss rod broke in my MIM and I never could get a decent sound out of it with my GK.

In the less expensive, I liked the Geddy Lee and the Highway 1. I also liked the "Classic Vibe", but couldn't handle the pink! ;-) The MIJ stuff is better, IMO. I tried a Custom Shop American Deluxe that I fell in love with, but it was $2200.

But, hey, YMMV.
 
#51
Muttleybass said:
It's personal taste, but I don't think I'd go MIM. I have a buddy who LOVES his, but the truss rod broke in my MIM and I never could get a decent sound out of it with my GK.

In the less expensive, I liked the Geddy Lee and the Highway 1. I also liked the "Classic Vibe", but couldn't handle the pink! ;-) The MIJ stuff is better, IMO. I tried a Custom Shop American Deluxe that I fell in love with, but it was $2200.

But, hey, YMMV.
Click to expand...

I really liked the Classic Vibe series and had 1 of each (50's CV P, 60's CV P and 60's CVJ). I had the Fiesta Red on the 60's P (which you didn't like). I had a Fender 50's Classic P I ordered in Fiesta Red and when I got it all I saw was Hot Pink. It went right back and I hated the color and wasn't going to even think about another, that is until I went into Guitar Center and they had the CV 60's P in Fiesta Red and it was much more Red (except with a flash on a camera then it was Pepto Bismal in color). My favorite was the CV 60's Jazz in Olympic white. Didn't care much for the Oly white until it hung on my wall a few days and my mind started to change somewhat. Anyway I agree, it was better than an MIM in feel and tone. I was happy until one day I was in a local mom and pop shop and played several G&L's (reason I went there in the 1st place). Then I made the "mistake" of picking up a newly arrived Fender American Special Jazz in Oly white. I was smitten and just had to have it but it was more money than the G&L tributes so I traded all 3 Classic Vibes along with $302 cash and it came home with me. I also agree the MIJ/CIJ stuff is better also.
 

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