toneseeker74
New member
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
How about a Fender FSR Ash Jazz Bass?
How about a Fender FSR Ash Jazz Bass?
Affordable Jazz Bass
- Thread starter blueman335
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Liko
New member
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
Fender's Mexi line are pretty good, and shopping used you can usually find a good one for $200-$250. I personally stay away from Squier, preferring to save up for nicer names even on axes I plan to rice out, but I've also seen and played some really nice Squiers, so if you don't mind what's on the headstock and you're willing to do some shopping around for a good example, they get the job done.
If you're looking to go ultra-cheap, Rondo Music sells the SX brand; you can get a J-Bass clone for $115, and everything I've heard about these are that they're solid planks of wood, perfect for ricing out with pickup and hardware upgrades, but right out of the box they're not quite gig-ready.
Fender's Mexi line are pretty good, and shopping used you can usually find a good one for $200-$250. I personally stay away from Squier, preferring to save up for nicer names even on axes I plan to rice out, but I've also seen and played some really nice Squiers, so if you don't mind what's on the headstock and you're willing to do some shopping around for a good example, they get the job done.
If you're looking to go ultra-cheap, Rondo Music sells the SX brand; you can get a J-Bass clone for $115, and everything I've heard about these are that they're solid planks of wood, perfect for ricing out with pickup and hardware upgrades, but right out of the box they're not quite gig-ready.
Liko
New member
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
I would not call a Lakland a "cheap" bass; even the Skylines are $800-900 basses. You could get an MIA Fender Special series for about that price. Yes, they're still half the price of American Standards, but there are also really good instruments down in the $400-$500 range and even lower.
I would not call a Lakland a "cheap" bass; even the Skylines are $800-900 basses. You could get an MIA Fender Special series for about that price. Yes, they're still half the price of American Standards, but there are also really good instruments down in the $400-$500 range and even lower.
d1dsj
Cornographer
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
My bandmate (drummer lol) has a G&L tribute and I have to say it's awesome. The playability, sound and finish are superb, in fact now I've finally started playing my bass I've been looking for a similar used G&L.
My bandmate (drummer lol) has a G&L tribute and I have to say it's awesome. The playability, sound and finish are superb, in fact now I've finally started playing my bass I've been looking for a similar used G&L.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
Test drive any Fender American Special series instrument against its nearest American Standard, Deluxe or Vintage Re-Issue equivalent and you should immediately appreciate the difference. If you need class, pay the price for it. If you want playability for modest money, go pre-owned MIM or BNIB Squier VM then Seymourise it.
Only last week, I attended an open mic night, taking only my Fleabass with Blackout humbucker and STC-2a EQ. Even through a cheap Laney Linebacker 100 bass combo, the sound was professional.
Test drive any Fender American Special series instrument against its nearest American Standard, Deluxe or Vintage Re-Issue equivalent and you should immediately appreciate the difference. If you need class, pay the price for it. If you want playability for modest money, go pre-owned MIM or BNIB Squier VM then Seymourise it.
Only last week, I attended an open mic night, taking only my Fleabass with Blackout humbucker and STC-2a EQ. Even through a cheap Laney Linebacker 100 bass combo, the sound was professional.
post toastie
New member
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
i'd recommend a Fender Modern Player of some kind. every one i've played has been awesome.
also second Peavey. lot of sweet basses made there over the years.
i'd recommend a Fender Modern Player of some kind. every one i've played has been awesome.
also second Peavey. lot of sweet basses made there over the years.
Donatello69
New member
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
I'd czech out some Ibanez bass's, can't go wrong with a Japanese bass, the vintage modified squires are amazing two
I'd czech out some Ibanez bass's, can't go wrong with a Japanese bass, the vintage modified squires are amazing two
njstoehr
New member
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
I know that Squires are good instruments but I just can't get with them. They are making really good quality stuff theses days so by all means give them a look if you are wanting new.
If you don't mind used (and you really shouldn't because the used market is always good and the prices are great) you can pickup a used MIM Jazz Bass for what a new Squire goes for. Keep an eye on Craigslist and eBay and you will eventually find a great deal.
I was unbelievably lucky myself. I scored a late '90s American Standard Jazz Bass off of Craigslist locally for a steal ($400). It needed a little TLC, but aside from needing to be thoroughly cleaned and a broken handle on the original HSC, it was perfect. Moral of the story: if you are patient and keep looking, a deal will come your way.
I know that Squires are good instruments but I just can't get with them. They are making really good quality stuff theses days so by all means give them a look if you are wanting new.
If you don't mind used (and you really shouldn't because the used market is always good and the prices are great) you can pickup a used MIM Jazz Bass for what a new Squire goes for. Keep an eye on Craigslist and eBay and you will eventually find a great deal.
I was unbelievably lucky myself. I scored a late '90s American Standard Jazz Bass off of Craigslist locally for a steal ($400). It needed a little TLC, but aside from needing to be thoroughly cleaned and a broken handle on the original HSC, it was perfect. Moral of the story: if you are patient and keep looking, a deal will come your way.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
Unfortunately, the Squire VM and CV are all really playable and well put together instruments. I would go as far as to say that they beat out most of the MIM stuff from Fender. That 70's Jazz is amazing. I know at one point all of the VM stuff had Duncan Designed pickups, which are not bad by any means either. I think they've gone to Fender pups but still. Stock Fender Jazz pickups sound better to me than most aftermarket ones.
Unfortunately, the Squire VM and CV are all really playable and well put together instruments. I would go as far as to say that they beat out most of the MIM stuff from Fender. That 70's Jazz is amazing. I know at one point all of the VM stuff had Duncan Designed pickups, which are not bad by any means either. I think they've gone to Fender pups but still. Stock Fender Jazz pickups sound better to me than most aftermarket ones.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
I just ordered a VM '70's Jazz bass in natural. Guitar Center had a '15% off everything' sale last weekend, and I had an old gift card, so I got it for 1/3 off. Looking forward to playing it. If I'm not excited with the PU's, I'll put in a pair of Duncans.
I just ordered a VM '70's Jazz bass in natural. Guitar Center had a '15% off everything' sale last weekend, and I had an old gift card, so I got it for 1/3 off. Looking forward to playing it. If I'm not excited with the PU's, I'll put in a pair of Duncans.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
If you can look past the fact that they have the name "Squire" on there, then you will not be disappointed. It's a great bass. The Duncan Designed pups that they had in there sounded great. I don't know about the new ones though. I haven't tried them. My bassist uses a VM in 70's in natural (great looking, I love that maple board) and he said that the DD's sound great. If another one of those basses come up on Fleabay anytime soon I might get it. Especially if it's an older one (I think they changed the pups last year).
If you can look past the fact that they have the name "Squire" on there, then you will not be disappointed. It's a great bass. The Duncan Designed pups that they had in there sounded great. I don't know about the new ones though. I haven't tried them. My bassist uses a VM in 70's in natural (great looking, I love that maple board) and he said that the DD's sound great. If another one of those basses come up on Fleabay anytime soon I might get it. Especially if it's an older one (I think they changed the pups last year).
toneseeker74
New member
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
I found a sweet looking MIJ Fernandes jazz bass, but it had truss rods issues. I ended up with Fender Standard MIM Jazz Bass that I'm pretty happy with.
I found a sweet looking MIJ Fernandes jazz bass, but it had truss rods issues. I ended up with Fender Standard MIM Jazz Bass that I'm pretty happy with.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
I'm sure I'll end up with a couple more jazz basses. Great-looking instruments.
I'm sure I'll end up with a couple more jazz basses. Great-looking instruments.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
I got my '70's Jazz Bass this week. Nice workmanship, really looks good. Not sure of the PU's, but they could be DD's.
I got my '70's Jazz Bass this week. Nice workmanship, really looks good. Not sure of the PU's, but they could be DD's.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
Cool...One of my buds that plays out more than we do,asked me the other night if I still have a bass.Was thinking of maybe getting another so I can fill in when he needs a bass player.As you know,they can be hard to come by.I need to learn how to be a good bass player and stay in the pocket..LOL..I approach the damn thing like a lead guitar player!
Cool...One of my buds that plays out more than we do,asked me the other night if I still have a bass.Was thinking of maybe getting another so I can fill in when he needs a bass player.As you know,they can be hard to come by.I need to learn how to be a good bass player and stay in the pocket..LOL..I approach the damn thing like a lead guitar player!
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Affordable Jazz Bass
+1. Exactly the same here. I want to be good enough on bass to play in a band. Takes more discipline than guitar, a bass has to carry a song and not just add things here and there. Plus you have to have more of a flow in your playing. I also play bass like a lead guitarist, and tend to overplay. But that's not all bad. There's too many bass players in rock that just thump on the root note. There's some great bass players in blues, that do lots of runs; I want to be able to do that. In other genres I like to play thirds and fifths and add color. A good bass player can make the difference between a good song and a great song. He can give it momentum. Classic example is Van Morrison's 'Moon Dance'; the bass work transforms the song.
+1. Exactly the same here. I want to be good enough on bass to play in a band. Takes more discipline than guitar, a bass has to carry a song and not just add things here and there. Plus you have to have more of a flow in your playing. I also play bass like a lead guitarist, and tend to overplay. But that's not all bad. There's too many bass players in rock that just thump on the root note. There's some great bass players in blues, that do lots of runs; I want to be able to do that. In other genres I like to play thirds and fifths and add color. A good bass player can make the difference between a good song and a great song. He can give it momentum. Classic example is Van Morrison's 'Moon Dance'; the bass work transforms the song.
