Who makes a great J right now?

[Malak the Mad]

Quite right. Fetching around $1,400 on the used market, and seems to be masquerading these days as the American Original. Definitely on my list.

Well, do bear in mind that the Fender (Vintage-In-Name-Only) Original's neck-spec's are much more modern. If you want a vintage-style neck, just like the Sires are built with, go for the Fender Vintage '75.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Fender Elites feel and sound great.

 

[600 Ohms]

Fender Elites feel and sound great.

I never quite know if I'm the vintage purist type—because I often prefer vintage sounds—but I appreciate the modern fixes for old tech that can be bettered, like higher-mass bridges and better tuning keys. Elites might be a good compromise for me. Looking forward to getting my hands on a few.

 

[Luigir]

I'm not sure if this has been posted before but Suhr Jazz bass seems really good.

 

[600 Ohms]

I'm not sure if this has been posted before but Suhr Jazz bass seems really good.

Definitely high on my list. I have a guitar Suhr amp that I love and I rate their stuff highly. I think this could be my 60's/Alder/Rosewood J—Phase 2.

 

[garp]

I own MIA, MIM and CIJ Fender Jazzes, and love them all.

That being said, last week, I played an Allen Eden Disciple and was quite impressed with it. I haven't had the opportunity to play any of the Sire Marcus Miller V7 models, but imagine the Allen Eden to be comparable with the Sire brand. Further proof, I suppose, that one needn't spend $1K+ these days in order to get a "great" J.

 

[BuffaloBass]

Assuming you're not jumping into the 2K + category, and you have a Galub Skyline, I may recommend you consider the older JO or DJ Skylines. Great basses. Near 1K or less. Over 2K your choices grow exponentially. A quick search for "skyline" in our classifieds picked up a bunch.

To me, all the 2K+ basses are equally killer, yet I dont prefer the too smooth sound of the Sadowsky. Yet, that's to my ear, not yours, so.....enjoy the fruits of the MOST copied bass in history, Leo's jazz bass. Many wonderful examples.

 

[Smit_Dogg]

Maruszczyk Elwood. Best Jazz I've ever used in terms of playability, tone, QC and workmanship. Wipes the floor with any Fender I've tried .

 

[mojomike001]

I too am of the philosophy that if you want the best, build it yourself. You pick the parts. You choose the color. You decide the weight. You may or may not save any money, but you will wind up with a unique instrument that is truly your own.

 

[joellay]

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.

Which model Sire? V3, V7? They also have some more exotic with flame maple tops.
IMO, the preamp alone is worth it and being able to switch from active to passive.

 

[albinokiller]

Alleva

 

[SeattleBass]

Mike Lull. I have a T5 (Thunderbird) that he built for me. His basses are amazing. Tightest low B on a 35” scale ever. From a classic 60’s or 70’s J to a contemporary or total custom, Mike can build it all.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[jgolfer]

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.

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.

 

[jimgrinnell]

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.

Can’t go wrong with Sadowsky!!

 

[SpectorCirrus]

I just picked up the amazing J from Bass Mods in SoCal, and the price is great too.
You should check them out.

 

[Joe Santavicca]

Presently my go-to is a US made Fender Jazz Elite... I like the fact that it has active and passive tone... the strings run through the body at the bridge for max resonance and sustain... there is a lot of versatility in tone as well... and you can't beat the neck feel of a Fender Jazz. Take a good look at that instrument. Another would be the Fender P-J special... do not confuse that with the P bass with a P & J pickup setup. The PJ special has passive tone control but a very wide tonal range and a Jazz neck. Good Luck.

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.

 

[jgolfer]

Dragon Fly, it gets no better. 5-6 month build time though :-(

 

[GearHead_513]

Most of the customs builders are top notch. Mas Hino, Pavel, Dingwall, Sadowsky, Alleva C. You almost cant go wrong.

Assembly line, I've been really impressed with the Fender Elite line. It's just has a solid sound and feel. Lakland never disappoints.

 

[BergerHead]

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

Thanks for suggestions.

Why don't you let you find by a good axe, that's how i did get my gear by. ;-)

 

[Munjibunga]

Sadowsky.