I don't particularly care for Jazz bass, so NOT!
What do you prefer?
Why don't you like the jazz tone?
Just curious. Thanks!
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Which fender jazz would you prefer? Or not?
- Thread starter duderus
- Start date
What do you prefer?
Why don't you like the jazz tone?
Just curious. Thanks!
I prefer the sound of P-Basses, specifically the original single-coil, and the '58 and '59 models.
I do not link the pinch and resonance of Jazz pickups.
With a vintage bass you've got to factor in peace of mind. I had a '73 Jazz bass for close to 15 years. And as it got older and vintage instrument prices started to creep up, I got a little more concerned about gigging with that bass. More and more I was hearing about vintage instruments being stolen. And it got to the point where I just wasn't comfortable taking that bass to a gig anymore.
The issue of the pickup coils needing re-winding is another issue I've been through. If you're going to use a vintage instrument, you need to have a good repair person to go to, and not the dude at the local Guitar Center.
Based on the price of the 2012 instrument you mentioned, I gather that it's a Fender American Special Jazz? I've tried one out, and it was okay. It was a serviceable instrument, but I wasn't crazy about it, though YMMV. As American made Fenders go, I prefer the American Standard and American Vintage series basses.
The issue of the pickup coils needing re-winding is another issue I've been through. If you're going to use a vintage instrument, you need to have a good repair person to go to, and not the dude at the local Guitar Center.
Based on the price of the 2012 instrument you mentioned, I gather that it's a Fender American Special Jazz? I've tried one out, and it was okay. It was a serviceable instrument, but I wasn't crazy about it, though YMMV. As American made Fenders go, I prefer the American Standard and American Vintage series basses.
I agree with a couple of posters already, but will go ahead and flap my fingers anyway 
In my opinion the 70's Fenders were very hit and miss, and very heavy as well. Some were fantastic, and some were frankly terrible instruments that should never have been sold at all. If you get a good one, great! In my opinion those are in the minority. I think for a '73, if what you want is a great everyday player, it is more important to try it before you buy it than it is for a new one. Also, for 2100 you can get a lot of non-Fender Jazz, just sayin'.
As for the 2012 USA Jazz, if it is an American Standard then I would go for that I think as those are really nice Jazz basses and the price is excellent there.
In my opinion the 70's Fenders were very hit and miss, and very heavy as well. Some were fantastic, and some were frankly terrible instruments that should never have been sold at all. If you get a good one, great! In my opinion those are in the minority. I think for a '73, if what you want is a great everyday player, it is more important to try it before you buy it than it is for a new one. Also, for 2100 you can get a lot of non-Fender Jazz, just sayin'.
As for the 2012 USA Jazz, if it is an American Standard then I would go for that I think as those are really nice Jazz basses and the price is excellent there.
Get the new one. I have a '73 Jazz bass....or rather, what's left of it being a '73. Back around '94 the neck pickup started sounding real, real weak and then it just quit. Replaced both with a set of EMG's and two years ago I replaced those with Seymour Duncan Antiquity II's. Then the neck developed a real bad warp so I had to replace the neck. Got a Warmoth. It's now a bass that I very seldom touch only because of it's weight. It's close to 10 pounds and that does not agree with my back these days.
I also have a 2009 American Standard Jazz bass. Fantastic! For my likes it blows my '73 right out of the water in everyway.
I also have a 2009 American Standard Jazz bass. Fantastic! For my likes it blows my '73 right out of the water in everyway.
I own an 84 jazz which I am the original owner. Also have a 67 jazz that I picked up in '87 and paid 400 bucks for. Last year I bought an American Special jazz at GC for 700 bucks and has better tone than the other two.
Bassist4Eris
Frat-Pack Sympathizer
Look at those prices again and ask yourself, is a 73 Jazz really going to be three times better than a 2012 Jazz?
a) It must have four strings. b) It must have proper intonation on it's neck. c) The rest are just price negotiation details.
the newer one will sound better. the neck on a newer one will be straight. it won't have high frets or fret wear. it will play much smoother and better. pretty easy decision unless you are just buying a bass to add to a collection to put on a wall or in a museum.
