That’s what I did and ended up with a Squier jazz bass ! Still no regrets 5 years later.
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Which jazz bass and why?
- Thread starter Greenman72
- Start date
I bought my new Am. Std. Jazz Bass in 2013. It is a comfortable weight and
has the Fender Custom Shop ‘60’s pickups. The craftsmanship is excellent, and I enjoy
the satin finish on the back of the neck.
The sound is everything a Jazz should
be. I paid ~$1100. I highly
recommend this model if you can
find one used in good or above
condition.
has the Fender Custom Shop ‘60’s pickups. The craftsmanship is excellent, and I enjoy
the satin finish on the back of the neck.
The sound is everything a Jazz should
be. I paid ~$1100. I highly
recommend this model if you can
find one used in good or above
condition.
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Id play as many used American professionals as I could until I found the one.
I played one at GC that blew the pants off the sadowsky they had. $1200 it was
I played one at GC that blew the pants off the sadowsky they had. $1200 it was
This is what I would look for. I haven't bought a 'newer' Jazz in a very long time, but I was wowed by this era Am Std.
Likewise, I have a 2014. Really not sure what more I could ask for in a Jazz Bass. Wish I had gotten two or three at the time.
Ultra. The neck profile is really smooth and easy to play. FWIW I like skinny necks.
None of the above. The only new Fender bass I've tried and really liked was an Aerodyne Special Jazz Bass (it was blue). Fresh looks and vibe as opposed to an attempt to recreate the past. Otherwise, I'm a G&L man.
If Fender is the only brand of basses anyone plays, how do all the other companies who make basses stay in business? The simple answer is that there are other basses that people like better than Fender. I’m one of them. I played Fenders for about 10 years and then found other basses that played and sounded better. Of course it’s your money and you can spend it however you choose. Just choose wisely.
If you shop around, you can get an ultra for $1400 or less. I barely even use the active electronics. Have 4 of them and they are my faves.
2nd place is a Flea. The necks are sooo nice on those if you don’t need rolled edges. You can get used ones for less than $1000.
3rd is the Aerodyne. Great value and the necks are hella comfortable. Probably get one for less than $800.
But if you’re gonna spend the $$, get a CS. To quote Ferris Bueller - “If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up”. My best player is a 64 CS I picked up here on TB for $2300. Pure butter.
2nd place is a Flea. The necks are sooo nice on those if you don’t need rolled edges. You can get used ones for less than $1000.
3rd is the Aerodyne. Great value and the necks are hella comfortable. Probably get one for less than $800.
But if you’re gonna spend the $$, get a CS. To quote Ferris Bueller - “If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up”. My best player is a 64 CS I picked up here on TB for $2300. Pure butter.
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Vintera in lake placid blue
Not a fan of the extra yellow tint on the pro II necks. Pro I’s have excellent necks, and I actually buy those to retro for them to other bodies including the Pro IIs
Not a fan of the extra yellow tint on the pro II necks. Pro I’s have excellent necks, and I actually buy those to retro for them to other bodies including the Pro IIs
You are in the market for a Jazz bass, your post, if I read it carefully enough, did not specify new or used, but your price list seemed to indicate buying new. A lot of people weighed in on buying used. Not sure what you are thinking as far as that goes.
You really have to play the actual bass.
Not a fan of active Fenders either. If you are looking for a J because you want a J, I would not start with an active one.
I mean if you mean that you should play a bunch of the J basses in all of the categories and find the one you like, ok, but they are not at all the same idea in my opinion.
I see a number of people talking about buying the less expensive models and upgrading them. Here and in some other threads there seems to be a theme that suggests that the wood body and neck is the same in all of the models and you can work around the system by buying a lower cost model and upgrading that model with better hardware. Maybe they are correct.
For each of the Jazz basses you listed, especially the less expensive ones, make sure you go on SW and look at the weights of all of the different models, which are made all over the world now. My experience is that some of those basses will weigh a lot more than others. Maybe weight is important to you, maybe not.
If you, OP, really are casting such a wide net, and either don't understand the differences and (potential) advantages of paying more money, then, yes, they can seem to be all pretty much the same idea. Then you absolutely should try out the different models and see what works for you.
A long time ago I bought an American Standard (they don't call them that anymore) P bass. This bass is a fantastic bass and it has garnered many compliments over the years. I had been searching for a Jazz bass myself that was it's peer.
Last year I feel like I finally found a great example of a Jazz in an Am Pro II. I feel that it is a nicer all around bass than the MIM and the Am Special (an older model) that I own. It has a terrific neck, quality fretwork, string through the body which is what I like, and lighter in weight.
Good luck and enjoy your search.
You really have to play the actual bass.
Not a fan of active Fenders either. If you are looking for a J because you want a J, I would not start with an active one.
I mean if you mean that you should play a bunch of the J basses in all of the categories and find the one you like, ok, but they are not at all the same idea in my opinion.
I see a number of people talking about buying the less expensive models and upgrading them. Here and in some other threads there seems to be a theme that suggests that the wood body and neck is the same in all of the models and you can work around the system by buying a lower cost model and upgrading that model with better hardware. Maybe they are correct.
For each of the Jazz basses you listed, especially the less expensive ones, make sure you go on SW and look at the weights of all of the different models, which are made all over the world now. My experience is that some of those basses will weigh a lot more than others. Maybe weight is important to you, maybe not.
If you, OP, really are casting such a wide net, and either don't understand the differences and (potential) advantages of paying more money, then, yes, they can seem to be all pretty much the same idea. Then you absolutely should try out the different models and see what works for you.
A long time ago I bought an American Standard (they don't call them that anymore) P bass. This bass is a fantastic bass and it has garnered many compliments over the years. I had been searching for a Jazz bass myself that was it's peer.
Last year I feel like I finally found a great example of a Jazz in an Am Pro II. I feel that it is a nicer all around bass than the MIM and the Am Special (an older model) that I own. It has a terrific neck, quality fretwork, string through the body which is what I like, and lighter in weight.
Good luck and enjoy your search.
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I loved my MIJ Geddy Lee! The neck was so sweet. Regret selling it..........
My opinion, buy the Player II for the value it offers, buy the American Pro II if you want something better.
I currently own two US made basses and two imports. They all sound and play great! The US built basses (and guitars) I’ve owned all share one thing in common and it is tuning stability. My Fender American Pro II P5 and my Rickenbacker 4003 both hold tuning for weeks, inside or outdoor gigs require no retuning during sets. Just my experience and if I were in the market for a Fender Jazz it would be the American Pro II.
I currently own two US made basses and two imports. They all sound and play great! The US built basses (and guitars) I’ve owned all share one thing in common and it is tuning stability. My Fender American Pro II P5 and my Rickenbacker 4003 both hold tuning for weeks, inside or outdoor gigs require no retuning during sets. Just my experience and if I were in the market for a Fender Jazz it would be the American Pro II.
D
A grand isnt so easy to come by for some of us anymore.
I just got one in Noble Blue! Sadly, the Bridge pickup would not work, it is on its way back for repair! What time I spent with it, it felt amazing!
