Which J Bass should I consider???

[Phreaky Phriday]

How about an ibanez soundgear with nordstrand big singles?

 

[pbass2]

Hear is the answer you require...


GEDDY LEE MIJ

Hard to beat for sure. I actually prefer the 60's PU placement, but I keep my CIJ Geddy(my only JB)--it's simply too good a Jazz to let go.

 

[ctmullins]

First generation Peavey Foundation. A killer sounding US-made bass that will only require half of your budget.

 

[PapaBearBass]

How about one of Leo’s last design tweaks for the J? G&L JB2.
View attachment 5150150

Thank you! I have a G&L L2000 Tribute and love it. How do the JB2 pick ups compare to those MFD beasts?

 

[PapaBearBass]

Stop and ask yourself if the reason it feels cheap is the "made in mexico" part. If the answer is yes then its about you not the bass.

Nah… it’s not that. I think it just sounded thin and dull.

 

[PapaBearBass]

I like the way Jazz basses sound and the offset look is appealing to me. But I find the classic J bass body to be too large with a couple of the proportions a little overwrought. I didn't feel this way until I saw a few builders offer a downsized J body that really addressed the issue well.

Fender itself used a downsized body for the American Deluxe Jazz bass series between 1996 and (I think) 2009. Those were active USA basses, well thought of as long as you're OK with the electronics approach (or are willing to change it). They come up for sale here and there and are in your price range.

Nino Valenti uses a downsized J body. Out of your price range new and at the high end of it used. But I have one and it's been my #1 gig bass for 15 years.

Sadowsky. Yes, way beyond your reach. But maybe not - the MetroExpress range is getting a lot of buzz for having been pretty good to begin with and has just received a redesign that might make them into a very attractive option at the ~$1200 price point. If it says "RSD" on the headstock, it's an old one. If it says "Sadowsky" it's a new one.

Finally - I do like the Lakland Darryl Jones as a downsized J option. The body shape is a bit more significantly reduced than the others I've listed but it looks cool. In the Skyline series those are in your budget. But they are usually around 10 pounds.

Thanks for those suggestions. Appreciated

 

[PapaBearBass]

First generation Peavey Foundation. A killer sounding US-made bass that will only require half of your budget.

Ok cool I’ll check it out. Thanks

 

[PapaBearBass]

I would go with a used MIA Fender. I also know it's a thing of personal preference and taste, but I have a MIM Fender parts jazz that is my most played bass. I can't say it feels cheap at all after all...

View attachment 5150202

That one looks sweet

 

[PapaBearBass]

Not to me. The MIA's have nicer wood, finishing touches, and arguably better pickups compared to the MIMs. But pickups and every other component that makes up a Fender is easily replaceable by design. A screwdriver is the only tool needed. So I don't know what going with a USA model would get you if you decide to stick with a traditional JB.

You’ll have many choices for a JB style FSO with your budget range. It all comes down to personal taste. My own preference for a JB is one with 60s era pickups and pickup placement. And I prefer the feel of a rosewood fingerboard on the narrower JB neck. The on the headstock decal and country of manufacture doesn't matter to me. But that's me and the older school JB sound and feel I like. What are you looking for?

Definitely leaning towards a narrower neck.

 

[jnewmark]

It was just meh… just felt kind of cheap. I want something with a little bit more substance, if that makes sense

The Road Worn Jazz has an old school feel to it, the best MIM Jazz ever, imho. You can usually find them for less than a grand.

 

[PapaBearBass]

How about an ibanez soundgear with nordstrand big singles?

Any particular models you would recommend ??? It always feel like Ibanez has like 50 versions of everything… not a bad thing just lots of choices

 

[PapaBearBass]

I like the Bacchus suggestion, and also Japanese made is the Atelier. It has a very solid feel it sounds like you would like, and also the finish is so oddly smooth it gives quite the impression of quality. Also Maruszczyk is super high quality for in your price range (the Elwood).

I’ve never played any of those so yeah thanks - I’ll check it out. Appreciate the insight. Trying to find names I am not familiar with

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Just sold a Fender MIM Jazz to clear a space in the axe rack, and will ultimately replace it with another bass with the Jazz PU configuration. Open to either Maple or Rosewood fretboard. Open to either Vintage or Modern vibe. Open to either Active or Passive. My budget would be around $1000 - $1500. So… TB Hive Mind… Which model should I check out? I’m all ears.. thanks

IMO, Lakland makes the best J style bass for many many reasons. I’ve played quite a few different J’s (Fender US, Vintage, mim and mij Fender, us and Skyline laklands), and Laklands always play and sound great. Another thing though, is that they never give you any trouble (imo of course). I’ve done literally thousands of gigs on them and they don’t even go out of tune…in and out of vehicles, trailers, airplanes, you name it. They’re durable and road worthy

 

[TTPbass1]

First generation Peavey Foundation. A killer sounding US-made bass that will only require half of your budget.

Those Foundation are pretty amazing basses (1st Gen), sadly you can't find them around my block.

 

[TTPbass1]

IMO, Lakland makes the best J style bass for many many reasons. I’ve played quite a few different J’s (Fender US, Vintage, mim and mij Fender, us and Skyline laklands), and Laklands always play and sound great. Another thing though, is that they never give you any trouble (imo of course). I’ve done literally thousands of gigs on them and they don’t even go out of tune…in and out of vehicles, trailers, airplanes, you name it. They’re durable and road worthy

Lakland are amazing basses, sadly on my budget I just can get to the Skyline line and they trend to be on the heavy side, at least on my personal experience.

 

[selowitch]

How about a Modern Vintage J?

 

[woodyng2]

Thank you! I have a G&L L2000 Tribute and love it. How do the JB2 pick ups compare to those MFD beasts?

The pickups are alnico and are made to be like 1960s vintage sound-so, they are quite good, but nowhere near as powerful as an Mfd. they are warm, full, and crisp sounding though.

 

[getBAK]

There are a million options out there.
If you are willing to explore a 'modern' J-Bass with a thin neck, there are few instruments out there more compelling than the Cort Rithimic Jeff Berlin Signature model. Probably the fastest neck I've ever played, and dead in your budget

 

[Topkat13]

Sounds like you have formulated your list of considerations.

 

[kbraker510]

RW Flea bass, lovely bass, solid as a rock. LMK, I know a guy...