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Which fender jazz would you prefer? Or not?

duderus

duderus

Supporting Member
Dec 5, 2012
280
64
#1
So, I have a crush on Two fender jazz basses. I have a debate in my head on what to do or whihc one to get.

73 jazz: beautiful bass. The neck pickup is weak and would need recoiling. No pickup or bridge cover. two previous owners. Rosewood board. It would match my 76 P bass which is in great shape. He is pretty banged up. Around $2100

Or

USA fender jazz 2012: new, $695. No issues. Rosewood board. Not a sunburst but classic looking with the brownish burst and white guard.


I had a USA jazz before with maple and loved it. Wish I never let her go. I use her with a nice set of rounds and did much slap and pop. However, I like it to cut through on jazz tunes as well. I have a modulus vertex that can fill the void, but I like jazz bases. What's your thoughts and opinions? I need input.
 
#3
There is something to be said for a 73 jazz bass. To a collector a 73 is a better bass to have. And you have a 76 P-bass. But for a player, and for the money; go for the new jazz, then slap some high end pickups in it.

I would much rather have the 73.
 
#5
I agree I would much rather have the 73. However, just know that if you rewind the pickup that will become a playing bass and the sale of it down the road if you ever want to sell it will be more difficult. It doesnt really decrease the value but people will ask more questions and it will take some more time to sell.

On the other side $700 for a MIA jazz is a really nice price and will be a great bass for the money.

Although I would still go for the 73 is you have the funds because I can speak from experience as I have a 73 jazz, the new ones dont even come close to the originals. Sound, build, and feel are just miles above on a good vintage Fender. Just make sure the neck is straight and the rod has some play because if a vintage neck is off and the rod doesnt adjust well it reduces the neck to garbage because after a neck is set it is really difficult to get it to move out of that position. For example, I have my jazz for 4 years now and in that time I have adjusted the neck 0 times.
 
#6
if you have money and weak pick up is only issue with 73, buy it. install a set of bartolini,(keep the original ones in case you put it for sale),and enjoy. like someone said, vintage fenders has that vibe that's hard to beat.
 
#10
IMHO the 70's jazz basses never impressed me. They always feel slow and muted. I had a 2009 USA jazz with a male neck that was amazing. I think the new jazz basses are the best they've made in a long time. Only thing better world be a Custom Shop NOS 63 it an actual 60s jazz.
 
#13
HMZ said:
The 2012 is going to be a much better bass quality wise. The 70's era basses where not the best.
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/\ This
Better quality, better price = better value.

That being said, it's about the individual bass, maybe the vintage Jazz is one of those outstanding gems, if you have the money, get it.

Sounds like you have a bit of collector view point if you are thinking about matching 70's era basses. Personally, I just want the best sounding and playing bass I can find. The rest does not matter to me. IMO of course.
 
#16
tranceFusion said:
I feel like the black sheep around here, but I don't get the appeal of vintage basses. There'd be nostalgia if it was mine, but to pick up someone else's kind of feels like wearing their old ripped up underwear.
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Great viewpoint. Two previous owners and not knowing where it has been makes me iffy on it. My p had one owner and I know where it has been.
 
#20
HMZ said:
The 2012 is going to be a much better bass quality wise. The 70's era basses where not the best.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. My 1973 Jazz blows away any current American Standard or pre-CBS Jazz I have played/owned. of course, I had to play 6-7 '70's Jazz basses before finding one that didn't weigh 12 lbs and didn't sound thin/crappy.

These are hit or miss basses for sure, so ordering sight unseen is a terrible idea IME.

OP, if you have played the 1973 and you love it, the price isn't terrible IMO. New Fenders are great basses, but a dime a dozen. A 1973 is still a classic that is desirable due to Geddy Lee, Marcus, and many other top bassists still using them.


137h4lone said:
2012 j It would be much more reliable too .
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How so? Sorry, a passive Jazz is about as basic as it gets electronics wise. 1962 or 2013. Basically the same components for over 50 years.
 

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