Who makes a great J right now?

[PeteOlig]

Brady Muckelroy makes his version of a J. Contact him through Facebook or through his website: Link Removed
Entirely handmade, customizable to your specs, and hands down, the best basses I've ever played. I own two of his HMC models, and am just floored by the sound, feel and biild quality.

 

[Paul MItchnick]

Well I happen to think that anything Jazz with quality and value has to lead you to Nino Valenti. I got mine a few months ago and it is an absolute dream to play. My brother and I are born again players. His fantasy was a Les Paul; we paid the same money. Mine is admittedly, by him and myself, far superior in build quality and attention to detail. Mine plays like butter, had tone to die for and looks beautiful. Nino will make you whatever you want. I picked it up at his house and he is a really good and supportive builder.
As a born again player I take bass lessons and my bass teacher plays it himself for the last 5 minutes of our lesson. Check out his site and check out the TALKBASS classifieds for used ones. Can't go wrong.

 

[Tommy P]

Go Check out a New Player series Jazz Bas. You won't be disappointed. MIM 9 1/2 neck radius and 1 1/2" Nut with. Fastest neck I ever played on a Fender so far. 650.00

 

[allexcosta]

Brady Muckelroy makes his version of a J. Contact him through Facebook or through his website: Link Removed
Entirely handmade, customizable to your specs, and hands down, the best basses I've ever played. I own two of his HMC models, and am just floored by the sound, feel and biild quality.

What have you played?

 

[Timpano Drake]

if you want a good craftmanship and a bass build to outlast you, i would recommend you Sandberg. Someone above mentioned them already. One Thing is that, in the case of regular J-Bass Style "California" models of Sandberg, they use mostly alder and not ash (i think). But they have also a very good custom shop.

 

[Jable]

Elite and the American Original are very high on my list to try. Can't get away right now—working my ass off.

I thought long and hard about getting an American Elite before I pulled the trigger on a Sire v7 Vintage 5 String.
I initally went with this because it was going to be my first 5 string, and I really wanted the 70's pickup spacing... Well I'm super glad i "settled" for a Sire v7 Vintage, I've played Elites before and i prefer the v7 Vintage sound... and it's really not even close.

Can't say enough awesome things about it. Another bass player actually thought it was a Fender Elite after playing a set with it and never looking at the head stock, and that dude was a bamf!

 

[BergerHead]

This thread is to become an endless treadmill on personal favorings ...
Imagine all the time applied in practicing; that's where the good bassists spring out!
Ehm, did i mention a Steinberger XL2 ... and all's solved for once & forever.
Btw, i had a lotta Ps, and never really liked the JBs though.

 

[herrdruhl]

Suhr, Wilkins, Lull, Sadowsky satin series, Sandberg, etc.

 

[bassadvisor]

Have a look at Alusonic. Surprisingly good jazz. And reasonable prices. Made in Italy. I love their headstocks too.

 

[Luigir]

Have a look at Alusonic. Surprisingly good jazz. And reasonable prices. Made in Italy. I love their headstocks too.

Are tuo referring to the Alusonic Django?

It sounds great but it is not really a jazz:


it is true that you can activate only the jazz coils, only the mm ones or both but it's a more versatile instrument.

 

[ebozzz]

Are tuo referring to the Alusonic Django?

It sounds great but it is not really a jazz:


it is true that you can activate only the jazz coils, only the mm ones or both but it's a more versatile instrument.

 

[liquidfingers]

I am completely biased (*disclaimer*) but I love my Marco TFL (completely handmade in the USA by a master luthier starting at $1600). The N1 series is also amazing (more classic with 34" scale, starting at only $1200). And his handwound pickups are downright incredible (you can get a very "active" sound even in passive mode, or roll the tone off for a more vintage feel). Here's some pics, and feel free to reach out to me any time with any questions on these!!

 

[guitarbrent]

LowEnd LEJ 6 is one of the best basses ever.

 

[ELS011]

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.

I bought a Marcus Miller P7 bass and I am very happy with it. It is very comparable to the $2,000 Fender Jazz Bass. Mine has the Ash body, Maple neck with block inlays (that do not look like black electricians tape) and is 18 volt active.

 

[generalduncan]

View attachment 3133981

I bought a Marcus Miller P7 bass and I am very happy with it. It is very comparable to the $2,000 Fender Jazz Bass. Mine has the Ash body, Maple neck with block inlays (that do not look like black electricians tape) and is 18 volt active.

I thought you meant a V7 by that looks.

 

[GTx2]

I can twist up a hell of a J....

 

[Keith Mack]

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.

 

[ELS011]

I thought you meant a V7 by that looks.

Yes! It is a V7. I read it wrong. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] I think it is a great bass and very affordable.

 

[Architeuthisrex]

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.
View attachment 3125852

I would avoid g&l. If you want a standard jazz then try one. If you start getting into an L series you're rolling the dice in my opinion.

This is not a knock on the OP or g&l, I just haven't had a great experience.

I just picked up a reasonably priced Warwick $$ with a swamp ash body. That was sort of a rare find.

One thing I might reccomend, and I know I'm late to the game so someone probably suggested this, but maybe you should look at a Corvette standard with jazz pickups. You can find early 2000s on Ebay for good deals. I have had nothing but good luck and good quality for what is becoming vintage by date.

The only problem is that they are usually bubinga which ways a ton. The sound and the neck are worth it.

I have also been looking at the sires. I think they may be the best value. On another note, if you want a serviceable bass for a reasonable price there is a brand called Wolf. I have a 6 string 3 band and it plays very nicely for the price.

Hope this helps.

 

[Michael Carson]

Well, I figure this. No bass luthier or manufacture makes the best. It's really how well you play to make that instrument do and sound what your exactly looking for. I mean,...woods, preamps, pickups, strings fretboard material, amps, preamps, effect pedals, room ambience, etc. The list can go on. Look, Marcus Miller plays an off the wall 77' jazz for over 30 years, Killer tone. Its not a "HIGH END" axe. He can just play his butt off. (Lol!)

Thanks,
Coop'
Bass "4" Life . : )

I love Marcus Miller, and the killer tone you are describing is a Sadowsky pre-amp that Roger developed to Marcus' wishes.