Which Fender Jazz or not at all?

[El_Charro]

What kind of music are you playing?

I voted for the Spector because it was the closest to what I play (ESP AP-4).

Nothing wrong with the rest of your list, but that one seemed like the one that wasn't like the others on your list...

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.
1. Fender American Jazz Ultra
2. Fender American Original 60's Jazz
3. Fender American Original 70's Jazz
4. Fender American Professional II Jazz
5. EBMM Stingray
6. Ibanez Premium SR 2400 W/Aguilar pups
7. Warwick Thumb
8. Spector Euro 4
Looking for positive and negative reviews if anyone has had the pleasure to own any of these.

It’s even more crazy at age 68 and no gigs... but other than that, #5, a 5 string with a double buck.

Although it’s not on the list, and it’s not a Jazz bass, but my last 90’s American Fender PJ (N series) is one of the best sounding JBs on the market. It was set up really well before I got it in 2004, and it plays great, and the voice is awesome. Just dime the dials and let it rip.

My son has a 2001 American PJ (Z series discontinued, 2001 was the last year), but it has much more of a PB flavor to it. He happens to visiting this week, so we took the opportunity to to do some long overdue ( like 16 years worth) maintenance on it. Removed a significant bow in the neck and repaired a cold solder joint on the Jack that was disconnecting intermittently.

It also gave me some time to do a side by side with my PJ. Played without amplification, as said, his sounds more like a BP, it is much louder, and slightly heavier. With amplification w/same EQ, his punched more but has a less refined tone, with just a little more gain. I think mine overall sounds a little more polished, less extreme. Comparing the two, mine is like a well trained saddle horse, and my son’s is more like a bucking Bronco. Both are incredible instruments.

 

[Gyver]

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!!
View attachment 4107574

Agree completely, the USA Geddy Lee is easily the best Jazz I have played.

As far as the poll goes I voted for the MM Stingray (Stingray Special to be specific) because I already own the Geddy Lee Jazz!

 

[Harold Runyan]

I currently have 2 Jazz Basses, a 2004 American Deluxe and a 2008 MIM that I just put a new fretless neck on. Both very good basses that I like a lot and intend to keep, but if I were choosing something with jazz style pickups it would likely be a German made Warwick. I'd bide my time and buy a good used one. Really nice Corvettes can often be had for less than 1K. I like them more than my Fenders by a pretty large margin. You have to be careful if weight matters to you though as they can be very heavy. I currently have a Bleached Blonde Thumb from 2003 that is light weight and awesome.

 

[jwoiton]

Go to a store and play them. Then decide which one is best for you.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

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.
1. Fender American Jazz Ultra
2. Fender American Original 60's Jazz
3. Fender American Original 70's Jazz
4. Fender American Professional II Jazz
5. EBMM Stingray
6. Ibanez Premium SR 2400 W/Aguilar pups
7. Warwick Thumb
8. Spector Euro 4
Looking for positive and negative reviews if anyone has had the pleasure to own any of these.

I too Searched for the "Goldilocks" bass( Por J?) during my search I acquired a MIJ P/J , not as the "Grail",but kind of by accident, It slowly evolved into my #1 the perfect bass, I modded it to the tone I was after only to learn it was a perfect blend, of the P & J. Iknow many will disagree, but I painstakenly adjusted my technique & eq to get there It was not Easy to get there, but I eventually got there! I tinkered with everything( strings,PUPs, capacitors,Amps, pedals,&bridges) you name it I tinkered with it! it was slow, painful & expensive, but I finally Have it! I dont believe the Holy Grail is sitting on the shelf or hanging on a wall in a store or shop. Isnt it more poetic & spiritual to think, its probably in your lap! You need to adapt to it!
The answer we all seek has been said before as an evident Truth."Tone is in Your Hand"
You want Geddy's or whomevers tone? Study him,Practice like him, learn like him. I know this isnt the answer you want to hear ,but the question you ask isnt easy it's Hard. Its going to be hard, not easy. Yeah we all want to just go in a shop & buy a bass that makes us sound GREAT, but that isnt Reality! You are going to have to put in the Time & Effort to get to that level! If you could just buy it it probably it's sold out or fake trickery, an illusion! My "goldilocks" bass isnt perfect It's close but I am Always evolving with it and it is always evolving!
I guess I'm saying try a P/J but adapt to it. knowing you are having to adapt too.

I know,No one wants to Hear it, but save your Money & work on Your "hands/Yourself"!
How many times have you Gassed for something, convinced it would make you sound awesome. only to finally get it and use it & say "It sounds like me playing a whatever" Its YOU that needs to change! Its not the Sexy answer but the truth. Go ahead & scour the planet, you'll be back home saying, "Its sounds like me!"

 

[ShawnG]

BTW, downside on the Geddy: No idea what the situation is now, but I'd expect worse if anything.

Even just a few months back, folks were waiting a while to get one. When I ordered mine over a year ago, I placed the order ~Oct 2019 and received maybe Feb 2020 on a special order.

My two Jazzes are a Geddy and a Sadowsky ML RV4. I love them both, but they are two very different animals.
The Geddy has a very unique, beautiful tone and the neck is truly killer. Sounds exceptional when soloed.
The Sadowsky is more “polite.” When played by itself, it isn’t as intriguing as the Geddy. But, when played with other instruments the Sadowsky is something special. Whatever magic dust Roger sprinkles on his basses to make them sit perfectly “in the mix” really works. I know many feel that describing Sadowskys as exceptional “in the mix” is overdone, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
Workmanship on both basses is excellent, with the nod going to the Sadowsky, but not by much. Thicker headstock on the Sadowsky is great and I can’t understand why more don’t move in this direction. Super stable and notes up and down the neck are super even, more than the Fender, which is no slouch.

 

[REV]

First of all I will say that concerning Jazz basses I am biased toward the Geddy Lee Jazz bass. I don't think the MIJ Geddys are available anymore but the USA Geddys are fantastic basses. Along with being the best Jazz bass that Fender makes (IMHO), the ones I have played have been very consistent.

 

[Stephen Pretti]

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

What is this “plek” you guys are talking about? I’ve played bass for 40+ years and never heard this term (except rarely as short for plectrum).

 

[JoshS]

My two Jazzes are a Geddy and a Sadowsky ML RV4. I love them both, but they are two very different animals.

Interesting.
There are some tonal differences (and the obvious active/passive), but I think they're far more alike than different, and far more like each other than either are to my 5-24 or any of the Rics, which is the extent of my stable (or current interests, thankfully). I would actually say my MV5E is no more different to the Geddy than my MiM FSR Jazz is to it. In other words, the 3 are unique in a subtle way, but all three do all the classic Jazz spectrum or at least what I think of for that Jazz sound. What I really wanted was a 5 string Geddy, and the 5 string Fenders just left me so disappointed, but the Sadowsky 5 JJs really fit the bill for me. I truly think it is what Fender should have been.

Can't comment on a Geddy in a mix, admittedly, I haven't tried that. I don't intend to either; I wanted the Geddy (and the 5-24) just for my own personal enjoyment and pet projects in the shed. I did record with the 5-24 once for a church project when the tone just worked so much better than anything I could figure with a jazz or a Ric. I did do about half of the rest of that project with the Metro, though.

 

[Hounddog409]

Lots of basses not listed liken G&L, amongst a host of others, that IMO are superior to Fender.

And depending on budget, can get a hell of a bass under 1k used.

 

[ShawnG]

Interesting.
There are some tonal differences (and the obvious active/passive), but I think they're far more alike than different, and far more like each other than either are to my 5-24 or any of the Rics, which is the extent of my stable (or current interests, thankfully). I would actually say my MV5E is no more different to the Geddy than my MiM FSR Jazz is to it. In other words, the 3 are unique in a subtle way, but all three do all the classic Jazz spectrum or at least what I think of for that Jazz sound. What I really wanted was a 5 string Geddy, and the 5 string Fenders just left me so disappointed, but the Sadowsky 5 JJs really fit the bill for me. I truly think it is what Fender should have been.

Can't comment on a Geddy in a mix, admittedly, I haven't tried that. I don't intend to either; I wanted the Geddy (and the 5-24) just for my own personal enjoyment and pet projects in the shed. I did record with the 5-24 once for a church project when the tone just worked so much better than anything I could figure with a jazz or a Ric. I did do about half of the rest of that project with the Metro, though.

I would agree that they are both Jazz basses, and therefore more alike than either a Ricky or a Sad Modern would be, but to me they both have their own, unique personalities.
I have wondered if one of the things that gives the Geddy it’s unique voice is the combo of the Alder body with a maple neck, which isn’t found that often?
I’m sure there is more to it than that alone (custom-wound pickups, 70s placement, unique neck profile, etc.), but whatever it is, it stands out, in a good way, to my ear. I expect you’ll love it for your purposes and that it will have been worth the wait!

 

[wishforbass]

I am not a fender fan at all.Jazz bass body is too big for me and usually they are a little bit heavy for me.
If I wanna a jazz bass sound I pick up my Ibanez SR1300 with nord big singles.It has a power sound close to jazz bass but more fatter and more mid focused.
I would like to try Euro4LX/5LX but couldn't find one in my region.I think they can be good match although I think maybe it won't be a good match duo to the curve .I usually wear my bass a little bit low so I think the balance may have a problem but still like to try one and see.

 

[BaltBass5]

Have you played one?? You can get them for less than 3k.

I have played one. I’ve played Sadowsky, Nash And a few others in the price range....to me...after about $2K it becomes diminishing returns. That’s just my opinion though.

 

[Slater]

What is this “plek” you guys are talking about? I’ve played bass for 40+ years and never heard this term (except rarely as short for plectrum).

What is Plek?

 

[JoshS]

I would agree that they are both Jazz basses, and therefore more alike than a either a Ricky or a Sad Modern would be, but to me they both have their own, unique personalities.
I have wondered if one of the things that gives the Geddy it’s unique voice is the combo of the Alder body with a maple neck, which isn’t found that often?

I've wondered this myself. My FSR is also a weird-but-opposite combination being an ash body mated with a pau ferro (but very morado like) neck. It creates a warmer sound, but I far prefer maple necks (on everything). In thinking through potential or "dream" builds, I always wonder about alder / maple like the Geddy.

I’m sure there is more to it than that alone (custom-wound pickups, 70s placement, unique neck profile, etc.), but whatever it is, it stands out, in a good way, to my ear. I expect you’ll love it for your purposes and that it will have been worth the wait!

I actually have it already. I had to wait about 5 months, but got it early this year. I wanted it as a 10-yr cancerversary present for myself (which would have been Jan), so I placed the order in fall, but it came by Feb or so. I don't play it tons, but I just wanted it & like it for its own sake. Strictly for enjoyment playing. The Sadowsky metro is not my favorite bass, but my newest and it is just a versatile workhorse I'm (pleasantly) amazed how often it is in my hands. Had I bought it earlier, I think I'd have several fewer basses.

 

[drumvsbass]

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!!
View attachment 4107574

This is such an undeniable truth it's almost funny. It's probably the best jazz they have EVER made.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

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.
1. Fender American Jazz Ultra
2. Fender American Original 60's Jazz
3. Fender American Original 70's Jazz
4. Fender American Professional II Jazz
5. EBMM Stingray
6. Ibanez Premium SR 2400 W/Aguilar pups
7. Warwick Thumb
8. Spector Euro 4
Looking for positive and negative reviews if anyone has had the pleasure to own any of these.

I suggested the Fender American Original 60's Jazz even though it doesn't have the same neck that the 60's Jazz Basses had. No idea why Fender insists upon calling this "Original 60's Jazz" when it uses the modern 9.5" radius on the neck instead of the 7.25" radius that these 60's Jazz Basses came with.

I had a 1965 Jazz that I bought in 1966 and among other things toured with it for three years in the early 70's playing 5-nights a week, 50-weeks a year. So I got to know that neck really well. My '65 was stolen in 1976 and it wasn't until 1985 that I found another MIA Jazz with the same 60's slim C-shape neck with 7.25" radius. I bought that and have been playing it for the last 35 years.

So I'm an extreme case. And if you haven't already developed a preference for a 7.25" radius Jazz neck, the flatter 9.5" radius will probably be fine for you. The Slim C-shape neck is a wonderful neck and the easiest of all their shapes and profiles to play. Hard to go wrong with the sound of those vintage pickups too. The one thing that drives me a little nuts on that bass cosmetically though is the "grounding strap" running from the bridge pickup to the bridge...there never was such a thing, at least not up through 1965. They think it looks cool, I don't think so. But it plays nicely and sounds good.

I like a number of things about their Original 70's Jazz better, such as no "grounding strap" and the 70's pickup spacing - 4" pickup spacing measured center to center. The 60's spacing is 3.6" center to center. The 70's spacing is a slightly brighter over all sound because that pickup is located closer to the bridge, and it growls very easily if you dig into the strings over the bridge pick-up. The 60's one still growls, just not as easily and without quite as much bite.

I am not a fan of white bar markers on the neck of the 70's bass though I do really like the maple neck. It just needs some contrast. White on Rosewood is good but IMHO you need black on maple. The thing that absolutely kills any chance of the 70's Jazz being preferred though is that it uses that U-shaped neck. The only neck possibly worse than that was the deep-U shaped neck on the 1966 Fender Jazz, which was the first Jazz with design changes made after CBS bought them in 1965. It's absolutely a terrible neck and of course uses that flatter 9.5" radius that modern Fender basses are so stuck on. It is a nice and narrow neck like Jazz necks are supposed to be but with that U-shape, it's fatter than some P-bass necks I've played. It's abominable.

The Fender American Professional II is a pretty nice choice as it has that Slim C-shape neck on it albeit with the typical 9.5" radius. I like the maple neck on it. Not sure the hi-mass bridge really does anything to the sustain but it has a nice look on it too. My maple neck Jazz has the best sustain I've heard on a Jazz and it just has that standard "bent-bridge" which is definitely not hi-mass. I do like the idea of the graphite rods neck reinforcement though to minimize neck reaction to weather and elevation changes. Not sure I'd want the new modern pickups although they do sound good in Fender's video.

So here's what you do. You get the 70's body with the 70's pickup spacing and actually have Fender put a Slim C-shape neck with a 7.25" radius on it and call it done. By the way, the MIM Fenders have the 7.25" radius on their re-issues and if I recall correctly that have the "original" pickups too.

 

[Stephen Pretti]

I'm 54 an apparently cruising the same neighborhood. I recently moved away from a rather heavy (10.5 lbs.) parts Jazz with a rock-solid Warmoth neck. Decent player, but too much of a load to cart around all night.

If you're looking for a rather nice Jazz, the two labels that have wow'ed me as I've looked around are Sandberg and Bacchus. Sandberg might knock it out of the park for me just because the necks on their 4-string basses have a 39.5mm width at the nut (actually the zero fret) which is right between a traditionally narrow Jazz and a wider P-bass. Their "import" Electra models have a 37mm nut width - too narrow for me - but a typical P-bass neck is usually a little more spread out than I prefer.

If you look over a few examples of Sandberg's offerings, you'll probably see that these guys are among the truly serious builders out there. You can spend a LOT of money on one of their brandy new instruments, but their popularity seems to be taking off and affordable Sandy's in the used market seem to be popping up more and more.

Bacchus is a Japanese company that makes all sorts of funky premium J-style basses. They also have cheaper import lines (I think the Global Series and maybe also the Universal), but their instruments that are built in Japan are just smokin'. Again - more narrow necks on their 4-strings, which don't work for me, but so be it. Very glad that I've tried a couple of these.

Also forgot to mention Wilkins. One more Jazz that just might take possession of your soul if you can get your hands on one.

I've owned more than one or two Fenders in my day and none of them turned out to be keepers. Fender is fine - I'm just picky. Anything with a price tag of more than a couple hundred bucks has to give me perma-grin before I give it a home (unless it's from a shop that will let me return it). It's not easy these days, but do what you can to sample anything you have your eye on out there.

On that note... If you've never played a Warwick Thumb or a Spector, proceed with caution. I was seduced by a nice Warwick Corvette some years ago, but the layout of that bass was a recipe for serious neck dive. The Thumb bass does indeed sound awesome, but its stubby little upper horn can be even more troublesome for balancing on a strap. Play one on your shoulder to check this for yourself if you can manage it.

What is Plek?

 

[Stephen Pretti]

What is Plek?

Thanks. I will stick to my luthier. I will learn about this though.