Which jazz bass and why?

[MCS4]

If I were right-handed and wanted a Fender j bass, I would scout out all the local music stores and try to find the best J I could get my hands on within my price range, rather than trying to pick a model based upon specs, and leave picking a specific model online as a backup option if I couldn't find one I vibed with.

 

[ComicBass]

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!

That really sucks. I know Fender has had some quality control issues.
I tried a Cobra Blue Ultra Jazz at guitar center and it had a knob thqt wouldn't do anything.
All of my Fenders have been wonderful. I am a lucky guy.

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

If I were right-handed and wanted a Fender j bass, I would scout out all the local music stores and try to find the best J I could get my hands on within my price range, rather than trying to pick a model based upon specs, and leave picking a specific model online as a backup option if I couldn't find one I vibed with.

This is the best answer. Ideally, i would play every jazz bass regardless of name on headstock. I had a big desire for a J last fall and built my own, but only after playing a lot at GC to help identify what i wanted

 

[BassicJazzy]

This is the best answer. Ideally, i would play every jazz bass regardless of name on headstock. I had a big desire for a J last fall and built my own, but only after playing a lot at GC to help identify what i wantedView attachment 7376107

I love that fretboard!

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

I love that fretboard!

Thanks, i got the neck from reverb for ~130 bucks, made body from black limba (planed to 38mm to cut weight), and emg pickups. I updated from vvt controls this year to an emg 2 band pre

 

[TonyP-]

I tried a real '76, a circa-2000 MIJ an ESP copy and a Nash, settled on an Allparts neck with Warmoth body and Lollar pickups.
The J-bass is a great design – truly my favorite. But IME the ingredients really have to be right.

Good point, it really a bass a design the can be built cheaply with quality parts. I really like the older MIM basses and for those who like light they are never that happy.
With that benign said, I like a good Warmoth Jazz as well.

 

[Mshraderbass]

Standard and change the pickups if necessary.

You do realize that the Standard is now made in Indonesia,which leads me to think cost cutting measures were put in place

 

[HelpImaRock]

You do realize that the Standard is now made in Indonesia,which leads me to think cost cutting measures were put in place

Yes, I do know the Standard is made in Indonesia. I’ve played a bunch at the local GC. They’re great.

 

[Yahboy]

Long story short--I'm in the market for a Fender Jazz bass.
Why? Because I currently don't have one, and "every real bassist needs both a Precision and a Jazz bass".
And it has to be a Fender, because....well, it just does.
(Don't argue the assumptions. Let's just assume them to be true.)

That said, which jazz bass would YOU get? And why?
(I did a similar poll a few years ago, but prices have changed--as has my understanding of the instrument.)

Any insight into the actual differences between the models would be appreciated.
(EG - what's the difference between "vintage" pickups and "V-Mod II" pickups?)

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I been own few Fender mexi and Squier J in past, Now a day, a Bacchus BJB1M already well build and stock Alnico V pickup just sound like Jazz bass .

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

You do realize that the Standard is now made in Indonesia,which leads me to think cost cutting measures were put in place

One of the cost cutting measures is labor cost, there is nothing special or magical about building an instrument that makes someone living in a higher wage country better at making a bass than someone in Indonesia. If anything, your qc budget goes farther when your labor cost is smaller because qc is human

 

[DJ Bebop]

You forget the Laura Lee - Ultra Jazz pickups and a stack-knob control arrangement in creamy aged white with a rosewood fingerboard and reverse tuners. What's not to like?
View attachment 7375357

I would go for the original and add the stack-knob plate and DiMarzio pickups on my own

SX Ursa 2 RN C VYW

Love This : SX Ursa 2 RN C VYW

www.rondomusic.com

 

[Aric Bjorn]

One of the cost cutting measures is labor cost, there is nothing special or magical about building an instrument that makes someone living in a higher wage country better at making a bass than someone in Indonesia. If anything, your qc budget goes farther when your labor cost is smaller because qc is human

For my built bass myself, if I had paid myself by the hour the costs would have skyrocketed. My calculated cost of $600 was just for parts. It was a labor of love though, as I could multitask and work at my own pace too so that's much more fun as well as satisfying. That's a good point though about how a big part of the overall cost of buying a bass is for the labor.