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WHICH Jazz (or Jazz-like) bass?

S

sstillwell

Nov 20, 2008
462
589
#1
Looking for a Jazz to gig with. I have a passive Squier Jazz (Vintage Modern MII), and a MIM Fretless Jazz (with a ton of upgrades), but I'm feeling the need for something a bit more upscale (but not necessarily boutique or money spent for the sake of money)...

Needs:

4-string
Fretted
Excellent fit and finish
$2k or less budget

Wants:

Maple fretboard
Block markers
Lightweight

Nice-to-have

Drop-tuning tuner like a Hipshot on low E.
Higher-end pups and electronics - my fretless has Fralin pups with a John East U-Retro preamp and it's a monster...if only I were a better fretless PLAYER.
High-mass bridge

Don't want

Through-body strings

Undecided

Passive vs Active...although I probably have a bias towards active.

Where should I start looking? There are no right or wrong answers here, I suspect...just looking for input.

UPDATE: added budget, bad oversight on my part.
 
Last edited:
#4
Check out the G&L's
 

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#6
TrustRod said:
New neck for the fretless?[.
Click to expand...

That's a possibility...and I could actually Frankenbass my way there with existing guitars by taking the Jazz neck from my Passive Precision Special (Maple w/black block markers), but that leaves me with a fretless Precision Special that I'd probably never play...but then again, I don't play the fretless J much either. Not as satisfying as having a NBD, but a heck of a lot cheaper. Hmmm...
 
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#14
sstillwell said:
Joking aside, you're talking about the Sire basses?
Click to expand...

I'm not confirming nor denying but... I've read way too many threads with that go something like Apples vs Oranges and people would be suggesting a Turnip.

I suggest that you try every single bass in the store regardless of what the name on the headstock says and the pricetag and see what feels good in your hands. You can always change the way it sounds a lot easier than the way it feels.
 
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#16
bordinco90 said:
Fender USA Geddy Lee or a Carvin J 4. You can customize the Carvin anyway you like for less than the Geddy Lee.
Click to expand...

The problem I see with Carvin is that you are stuck with it whether you like it or not when ordering new.

I've read / watched several interviews of players talking about their signature instruments and every single one of them had multiple prototypes because there were no standards across brands. A Fender modern C shaped neck may be a labelled "modern C" but feel like a Fender U shaped neck.
 
#17
5544 said:
The problem I see with Carvin is that you are stuck with it whether you like it or not when ordering new.

I've read / watched several interviews of players talking about their signature instruments and every single one of them had multiple prototypes because there were no standards across brands. A Fender modern C shaped neck may be a labelled "modern C" but feel like a Fender U shaped neck.
Click to expand...
This is not true about the Carvin. I ordered a PB5 bass about 5 months ago. I could not get used to the spacing. You have 10 days to send it back after you receive the instrument. I received a full refund. The quality of the bass was top notch, I just did not like the string spacing.
 
#18
sstillwell said:
Looking for a Jazz to gig with. I have a passive Squier Jazz (Vintage Modern MII), and a MIM Fretless Jazz (with a ton of upgrades), but I'm feeling the need for something a bit more upscale (but not necessarily boutique or money spent for the sake of money)...

Needs:

4-string
Fretted
Excellent fit and finish

Wants:

Maple fretboard
Block markers
Lightweight

Nice-to-have

Drop-tuning tuner like a Hipshot on low E.
Higher-end pups and electronics - my fretless has Fralin pups with a John East U-Retro preamp and it's a monster...if only I were a better fretless PLAYER.
High-mass bridge

Don't want

Through-body strings

Undecided

Passive vs Active...although I probably have a bias towards active.

Where should I start looking? There are no right or wrong answers here, I suspect...just looking for input.
Click to expand...
Fender American Jazz Elite!!!
 
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#19
I'd suggest you start trying Fender American made Jazzes of the last 8 years. Until you find "The One".

I had a 2009 Am Std Jazz which was a good instrument. It could have been a go-to bass for me if it was 1lb lighter and I also own a Lakland and Lull and Sadowsky Jazzes.
 

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