Which Fender to keep? Having trouble deciding..See pics

[FishDub]

Ok so this is NOT a for sale post:
My amp is on the fritz yet again and so Its time for the new amp soon so please don't say "keep both" ..
I enjoy playing these both equally, both sound and feel great and really hard to find.

-1985 Fender Jazz Special, all original and sought after painted neck. OR
-Squier Classic vibe precision that has a Fender 58 vintage pickup in it.

This is tough so please help!!
Thanks

 

[Crusher47]

Standard TB Answer --> Keep both and buy one more

That is a really tough call for sure, but if it were me and they both sound and feel great and absolutely had to get rid of one of them, I would keep that gray one

 

[electracoyote]

If that Jazz Special is active, that would be my call.

In fact, even if it's passive, I'd tend to favor it if the Jazz rail actually contributes tonally in a useful way.

 

[CallMeAl]

Which plays better? Which sounds better? What else is in your stable?

looks is easy, keep the Squier

 

[SteveC]

Keep the P.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

The Squier looks better - but it's much newer, and I'd wager much easier to replace in future. It'll likely cost you more than you paid for it, but they're around.

If the Special is sought after, as you say, and all original, and nearly 35 years old, that's a no brainer IMO. If you like it and play it, keep it.

What would I do if I loved both equally? I'd get a new amp on 0% finance, pay a little off every month, and keep the basses I love. But that's just me.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I have a Squier CV 60s P identical to the one pictured. I've upgraded the electronics, but not the pickup. The original sounds great to me. It is one of my favorite basses. That is the one I'd keep.

 

[FishDub]

If that Jazz Special is active, that would be my call.

In fact, even if it's passive, I'd tend to favor it if the Jazz rail actually contributes tonally in a useful way.

Its passive but really sounds kinda active..The jazz pickup adds some bite for sure when both pups are on but alone its not that great..

 

[FishDub]

The Squier looks better - but it's much newer, and I'd wager much easier to replace in future. It'll likely cost you more than you paid for it, but they're around.

If the Special is sought after, as you say, and all original, and nearly 35 years old, that's a no brainer IMO. If you like it and play it, keep it.

What would I do if I loved both equally? I'd get a new amp on 0% finance, pay a little off every month, and keep the basses I love. But that's just me.

I may just charge the amp and say screw it, and keep both lol

 

[electracoyote]

Its passive but really sounds kinda active..The jazz pickup adds some bite for sure when both pups are on but alone its not that great..

I tend to gravitate toward active P/J's, but it sounds like your passive P/J has that extra something special going for it. My gut says keep that over a fairly standard Precision, but of course that is based on my playing experiences and preferences.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[4sight]

Jazz Special gets my vote, but I'd keep the pickup from the Squier, you never get the full value of mods when you sell

 

[MoeTown1986]

Keep the one you like the most. Or both!

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I may just charge the amp and say screw it, and keep both lol

That is what I would do. You would regret letting go of a bass you really like. Either would be hard to replace if you wanted to. Surprisingly, there are not a lot of Squier CV 60s Ps out there.

 

[abarson]

Finance the amp purchase and spin it as "building your credit". Vive la capital!

 

[FishDub]

Jazz Special gets my vote, but I'd keep the pickup from the Squier, you never get the full value of mods when you sell

That's true but luckily I have the original

 

[brianrost]

The Squier is worth much less than the Fender and would be easier to replace later. So, keep the Fender.

 

[tb4sbp]

agreed, if both feel good to you keep the Fender as the value will rise

 

[The Deep]

Definitely keep the Fender JBS.

No question.

 

[nickpc]

Straight logic says keep the more rare/harder to replace one, which would be the Jazz Special. In 3 years you can replace the P, including the pickup, pretty easily, if you decide you want it back, but that Jazz would be "The one I should never have let get away" in your future posts.

When confronted by a decision like this I "try on" the options and see how I feel. Spend a day or two acting as if you sold the P - put it in a closet that you don't go in. Out of sight, out of mind. So you just have the Jazz Special - it's all you can play, all you can see, it's the only one you have. How do you feel with that decision? Then reverse it - hide the Jazz, how do you feel only owning the P?

If it's a tie then you're the one saying "keep both," not me!

 

[Hardbassjunkie]

I'd have to say keep the Fender. More versatile and will hold its value better. Although we may be saying the same think about those crafted in china squiers in a few years. Ideally, find a way to keep both.