Who makes a great J right now?

[600 Ohms]

Please, nobody should think I mean "the best," I simply mean, "whose J should I be trying out?".

Looking for a (potentially new) Jazz (could be Fender, could be someone else) in the following configuration:

Ash body
Maple neck
wider 70's pickup spacing
Not necessary, but active EQ could be nice.

My son owns the Sire Marcus Miller J (60's style) and I'm pretty amazed how great that bass plays and sounds, particularly for the $$. I'd be happy with one of those, but I'm looking for something with a higher level of craftsmanship that will age well.

How are Laklands in the post-Dan Lakin era? I have an older Skyline Glaub that's just the best.

Thanks for suggestions.

 

[Rumbledore]

rickenbacker

 

[600 Ohms]

rickenbacker

Yeah, I guess I had it coming.

 

[Cuzzie]

Sandberg

Case closed

 

[mongo2]

You...DIY and get exactly what you want using Warmoth, Guitar Mill & other suppliers.

 

[1bassplayinfool]

You...DIY and get exactly what you want using Warmoth, Guitar Mill & other suppliers.

Best answer yet.

 

[Cuzzie]

Can’t argue with a DIY, I am doing it with a P.
Only problem is resale (if it bothers you) you may have to re-parts it out to get near your money back

 

[600 Ohms]

Never done a DIY. I'm fairly handy, but not sure about ending up with high level of F&F.

 

[Bass V]

even after getting what may be the most bottom out of my L2KT it's still like a J on steroids, same with my Fender Power Jazz Bass Special, they're both fine and inexpensive basses with great potential beyond the J aspects. another superb J is the Cort Curbow Retro, yet gives out a lot of bottom as well via the mid J PU, they too go cheap but are quality basses. the caveat, two of these are not made now. or a Washburn T24 Taurus.

 

[JIO]

"best" is at best subjective - I own a few J's and each offers something unique. Reiterating @mongo2 - all are custom or altered.

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

Ash body = Tick!
Maple neck = Tick!
wider 70's pickup spacing = Tick!
active EQ = Tick!

My search for an active Jazz ended with Sadowsky Metro UV70 ten years ago. Built like a tank and punches like nobody’s business. Sadowsky blue SS strings are great companion to Sadowsky hum cancelling pick ups IMO. Truss rod wheel is a big plus as well.

 

[RobTheRiot]

I do, maaan.... now pass it to the left duuuuude.....

 

[jd56hawk]

Looking for a (potentially new) Jazz (could be Fender, could be someone else) in the following configuration:

Ash body
Maple neck
wider 70's pickup spacing
Not necessary, but active EQ could be nice.

My son owns the Sire Marcus Miller J (60's style) and I'm pretty amazed how great that bass plays and sounds, particularly for the $$. I'd be happy with one of those, but I'm looking for something with a higher level of craftsmanship that will age well.

How are Laklands in the post-Dan Lakin era? I have an older Skyline Glaub that's just the best.

Thanks for suggestions.

You might consider G&L.
Nothing against Fender, I own a very nice P bass and a superb Squier VM Jazz, but even though I might come across some other good basses, G&L is the only one I check for every day at reverb and other sites.
However, no one, NO ONE, gives you as many options as Bacchus.

 

[Nedmundo]

I voted Mike Lull, because every Lull J-bass I've tried has been light, resonant, and beautifully built, with excellent tone as well. I also like his updates to the vintage formula, like higher mass bridges, 12" fretboard radius, and 21 frets. Just perfect IMO.

 

[lfmn16]

If you really want to find the best one, you need to play them yourself. You can try out 10 of the exact same model of Fender Jazz bass and you will like some better than others. The worst Jazz bass I ever played was a Sadowsky. That doesn't mean that Sadowsky doesn't make great Jazz basses, it just means that the one I played wasn't good.

It takes time, effort and commitment to find the right bass, you won't find it on your couch surfing the internet. IMHO anyway.

 

[jd56hawk]

If you really want to find the best one, you need to play them yourself. You can try out 10 of the exact same model of Fender Jazz bass and you will like some better than others. The worst Jazz bass I ever played was a Sadowsky. That doesn't mean that Sadowsky doesn't make great Jazz basses, it just means that the one I played wasn't good.

It takes time, effort and commitment to find the right bass, you won't find it on your couch surfing the internet. IMHO anyway.

True!
I tried out a few dozen Jazz basses leading up to the purchase of mine, Fender and Squier.
Nothing made me reach into my pocket and hurry to buy it until this one.

 

[MoeTown1986]

I’m partial to Fender J’s. I don’t know if they’re “the best”. But, they’re the best for me.

 

[David A. Davis]

4 string - Suhr Invalid Link Removed
5 string - Devon Fine Handcrafted Devon Bass Guitars

 

[armybass]

G&L...... dollar for dollar

 

[rodsnhawgs]

May depend a lot on your budget. LOTS of J-style high end builders out there. If it were me, I'd start with Lull, Zon, and Sakowsky (no particular order)...but not limit myself to those 3 of course.