Which Jazz Bass

[GM60466]

I like the classic '60s

 

[Bongolation]

Aside from the notorious weight of the Miller sig, I don't want an active Fender.

So, it the MIM Classic or the MIJ Geddy left of your four.

Neither would be a first choice for me, but I would probably go for a very carefully cherry-picked Classic.

I wouldn't pay anything like retail for either of these though, as I consider them both substantially overpriced, and rarely on sale.

My current Jazzes are a 3CSB/maple American Standard, which I bought new online and don't like, and a 2011 cherrypicked Highway One I got on sale new for $429, sold the stupid BAII for $150 (leaving me with $279 in the new bass) and spent a lot of bench time on in detailing and setup. I like it somewhat better.

 

[Li'l D]

Love my Victor Bailey 4 string jazz

 

[canadian*eh]

I vote For The 2011 American Deluxe!!....Best Of Both Worlds...and Damn Good Looking!!!

 

[Li'l D]

Yes I also agree the deluxe plays and looks awesome

 

[sethlow3]

Actually I recommend just getting an American Standard Jazz. I am not a big fan of signature models or active pickups on a Fender.

 

[Li'l D]

Active pickups are good in some settings in a case where no preamplifier is present passive are good for a natural earthy tone

 

[canadian*eh]

Well the New Jazz Deluxe Basses Have both active and passive with a passive tone control!!...So when you put it to passive it is the same as the Standard Jazz...It Is pretty Sweet and about time fender Put a Active/Passive Switch!!

 

[Li'l D]

Yes that is a very cool feature especially tapping back into the passive mode! How does neck feel and is it a 20 or 22 fret neck?

 

[waynobass]

Classic 60's and 70's are great basses.

The Geddy Lee is more comparable to the Classic 70's than to the Classic 60's.

I found the neck of the Geddy to be too thin front to back.

 

[rocmonster]

I had a '72 black jazz with block inlays. A pretty beat up (read 'mojo') used instrument I bought on 48th street in NYC during the end of the '70s. I used it for about two years as it was the only bass I could afford. It played like butta but unfortunately at the time I was sort of embarressed to be seen with it so I finally used it as a partial trade for a new '79 Rick 4001 FG at yet another place on 48th street. Never got the Rick to feel or play the same as the Jazz... Now over 30 years and bass-less, the only bass that comes close to my proverbial 'first time' is the Geddy Lee Jazz. Slim neck, plays like butta, and kinda like being reunited with a long lost love.

 

[Vincent P]

Own a Deluxe which is an amazing bass an number one for me in my stable. I also own a Geddy which is my number two player. I selected the Geddy in the pole for the simple reason of money, if this is a concern with you then go this route, if not an your budget can do it, then deluxe all the way.

 

[bottomzone]

Neither one. I'd get a Carvin SB4000/5000.

Carvin SB5000 - YouTube


A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

 

[canadian*eh]

Yes that is a very cool feature especially tapping back into the passive mode! How does neck feel and is it a 20 or 22 fret neck?

The Neck feels AMAZING!!! That New Asymmetrical Neck with the Compound Radius On The finger board Is a Win Win Combination!! The Neck Is a 21 fret neck...some guys dont like it but i dont mind.....all I can Say Is that it plays very very Well!!

 

[Inconnu]

I like the Marcus Miller. You've got the option of keeping the classic J-tone or go for a more modern tone with the active electronics. I tried the Geddy a few times and liked it. Owned a 60's classic and sold it after 1 year, I just didn't connect with it. Another option for you would be the American special, which I tried and loved...

 

[hulchihulch]

Which one and why? I eventually want to buy a jazz bass and would like to spend between $800-$1400. So which should i buy? and would it really be worth the extra money to buy the American Deluxe?

Honestly, I'd buy an American Standard (current year) and love it for as long as you're playing. Passive pickups are a special thing... they let you explore the tube side of amps much more thoroughly than active pickups. You'll be owning a "classic" in the blink of an eye that will always sound amazing.

 

[Catbuster]

I'm a longtime Geddy fan, but his sig bass, while a great instrument, had a couple drawbacks... Mainly the neck. Way to small (IMO- I started on an MIJ P bass with a 1.625" nut and thin front-to-back shape) and shifted way too much. Other than that, it sounded great, even before I dropped a set of '62 RI pups.

My personal choice, however, for $1400 would be a '75 RI if you really want that '70s vibe with a really stable neck, a '62 RI for some really cool vintagey stuff, or an American Standard- The ballsiest Jazz Bass around.

Of the three. I'd probably go eenie-meenie-meinie-moe and pick whichever I pointed at.

 

[Green1]

I would save about $400 more and get yourself a custom Valenti

 

[sunnycal]

I say check out a Godin Shifter which I have and love. The "Shifter" is a switch that has 5 preset sounds plus a pullout knob that gives a sixth sound. It's a great feeling bass with a lot of versatile sounds. It's hand made in Canada with green wood, 3 pick ups and the neck is wonderful. The white body sells for $895 and the Vintage Burst is $995. Check it out.

 

[chuck norriss]

Aftwr playung my friends bass in a loud setting last night I should change my vote to Marcus
It's strengths exceed the others and the active/passive option is basically giving you two basses in one. I take back what i said about passive; active is enormous like a pipe organ & i cant do that w my passve standard
I quickly got over the battery-bias.