Which Fender Jazz or not at all?

[InnerBass]

Buy a used American Standard Jazz 2012-2016 and plek it. The custom shop pickups in these models are absolutely outstanding and the build is spectacular. I’ve run through a ‘69 Jazz and ‘83 Fullerton ‘62 RI Jazz and this 2012 slays both of them, IMHO.
My $2

 

[ModuMan]

You know what was great? Going to a really good music store that had a lot of great basses and playing the whole wall. I miss those days.

Anyway, Fender USA Geddy is tough to beat if you want a Jazz. Music Man is a Classic (ahem) for a reason. If you are treating yourself you should really try a few things.

Or, spend less than $1000 and get the coolest bass I've played all year, the Nordstrand Acinonyx.

 

[Ancientwhale]

US Geddy is one of the nicest feeling basses I've ever played. I can play it for hours with very little fatigue. The neck is beautiful as well. I get a great range of tones out of mine.

 

[baileyboy]

The absolute best Fender Jazz I’ve ever encountered has failed to make your list. I’ll count it as an oversight and be the first to suggest it. I submit to you the mighty .... Fender US Geddy Lee!!

Yup, was wondering the same thing. Are you opposed to the signature basses? Some of them are mighty fine. I sold my '73 Jazz because my USA Geddy blew it away.

 

[godofthunder59]

My situation is the opposite of yours, I've spent thousands. I am a 60's Thunderbird player but I found myself in need of a Jazz bass for my Zeppelin tribute. I went through a CIJ Geddy, '08 American Standard, AVRI '62, '05 CIJ, CIJ 60's, new American Original and probably a few more. I finally found the one in a '19 Roadworn Jazz Bass, it just had the tone and feel I was looking for. Go figure.
I think the USA Geddy is pretty hard to beat.

 

[aproud1]

Acid Jazz???

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[Bassbubble11]

........ necks that came on the 1st Geddy Lee models that were made in Japan. Those are notorious for warping and twisting due to being so thin.

This is not true at all

 

[bordinco90]

I voted other. As others have stated the USA Geddy Lee Jazz is probably the best jazz I've ever played. Great bass!

 

[pie_man_25]

I've got an American deluxe Jazz V, the equivalent to the contemporary American ultra. It's a fine bass, all things considered, you're just paying a premium for slightly nicer hardware, active electronics, and a bound and blocked neck, I think with graphite reinforcements. All of which I wanted, but you know, otherwise it comes off the same factory line as the American standard or whatever it's called now.

If you don't care about those features, the standard would do you just fine. I'm surprised at how popular the Geddy is, too, but honestly even if you don't like Rush, it's just a great Jazz.

Second edit: and if it helps at all, my "main" bass is an old Mexican Squier series Jazz. I actually like it as much as the American deluxe, and it's the cheapest thing you could get with fender on the headstock.

 

[Bret Music]

Nordstrand Acinonyx

Pretty cool, looks like a Ric kinda. At first thought those were some crazy positioned thumb rests till i watched the Andy Irvine demo. Neat pickup switches. Trying to research the Italian bass it was inspired by.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

This is not true at all

I didn’t mean all of the Japan models. It was either the first years or from a certain period. I specifically remember reading about it several times when I was researching for a purchase. It was one of the major reasons I went with the US Geddy instead.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

None of the above. Aerodyne Jazz for the win! If you havent played one, they are excellent sounding and the light weight is something you will really appreciate over the long term.

 

[Tieiririyi]

If you could find a used Sadowsky Metro Express (the old Japanese ones, not the current Warwick made in China ones), it would probably smoke every bass on your list.

 

[TrevorG]

You will find some basses in each range will be incredible. Many will be average. Some will be bad. I don't think it comes down to the model at all. It's down to you and which particular bass you get your hands on. I think all suggestions here are neither wrong nor right. I think they're about who got lucky with what. I've played basses in the same range as mine that I would never buy but the one I have I will never sell. Go figure. Good luck.

 

[David Vector]

It can depend on the specific basses in question. Sometimes you run across a particular bass that, for whatever reason, seems to have that little something extra. I stuck with my Lakland Skyline JO4 because nothing I did a recording/in-context A/B with a handful of other Jazz-type basses, including some mentioned here, and none of them had quite the same degree of midrange bark/attitude that punches through the mix so well even without any overdrive. I have no idea if I would have similar results with another example of a Skyline JO or if it's just something about that specific one.

 

[lizardking837]

I would either go with the USA Geddy or the AO 70s.

However I chose the Spector Euro for the money and that will be my choice when I buy my next bass

 

[Skullheadrac]

I have several Fender American Jazz basses, and each sound different, of course. Two american standard Jazz basses (97 and 2008) as well as the 60th american anniversary edition, and 70s american original. My favorite is the 60th Anniversary edition. It really has the tone of an American Original 60s bass, but with the stacked knobs. I thought that was going to be the end all for me, but i came across a good deal for the American Original 70s and jumped on it. I'm happy with that one, but that one is the most unique out of the other Fender Jazz basses i own. More punch and bite to it. Sometimes too much for what i like.
There's several great review and demo videos on youtube from Empire Music. I found those to be dead on before and after purchasing each of these basses.


So it comes down to taste, of course. I voted American Original 60s though. Very underestimated bass and overlooked quite a bit. It's worth spending the extra cash if you're planning on buying a new American Jazz bass.

 

[HardNHeavy]

too many fender choices, which is a turnoff-- and you never know until playing any of them, if they're right for you....so i choose spector. lol

 

[gpTron]

Since I already own a Warwick Thumb my next choice would be the Spector.

 

[chris_b]

I have never owned a bass that cost more than $1000 and i'm thinking its time at 51 years old to do something crazy and spend some money on a once in a life time bass.

If you want a quality Jazz bass, check out used Sadowsky Metro's. The original Japanese made ones. They are fantastic instruments.