Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

Diminished Triad

Diminished Triad

New member
I'm going to score one more bass guitar and have narrowed down my choices to two guitars: First is the current deluxe, and lots who have tried it swear by its very quiet tone...it has a tapered neck.

Second bass below is the vintage '74 with a 7.25 radius neck.

Which would you select and why?

Here's the site to the Fender American Deluxe Bass:
http://intl.fender.com/en-GU/basses...aple-fingerboard-natural-3-ply-bwb-pickguard/

And here's the site to the Fender Vintage '74 Jazz Bass:
http://intl.fender.com/en-GU/basses...ntage-74-jazz-bass-maple-fingerboard-natural/
 
Re: Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

Purely on paper, I would always go for present day Deluxe American instruments over anything from the CBS era. Build quality and finishing are so much better.

From a sound and feel perspective, you simply have to try both and choose whichever better suits your tastes.

If it were my money that were being spent, I would split the difference with the American Vintage Re-Issue '74 Jazz Bass.
 
Re: Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

Funkfingers said:
Purely on paper, I would always go for present day Deluxe American instruments over anything from the CBS era. Build quality and finishing are so much better...I would split the difference with the American Vintage Re-Issue '74 Jazz Bass.
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It is a reissue.
 
Re: Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

Don't know which I'd choose. I had the real deal '74 Jazz in '76 or '77. Those years are kind of fuzzy, as was I.

It was a heavy mofo. Mine was cream, though.

Btw, there's one at a local pawn shop, natural like in the link. Don't know if it's a reissue or not. I almost want to say it's an older reissue, because for some reason I'm thinking it's MIJ.

Can't remember if it has a case or not, but it's in really good condition. I'm pretty sure it's only $700. If I had the cash, I'd jump on it.
 
Re: Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

Are you set on those clear finishes with maple boards?
 
Re: Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

Working at guitar center I have had the pleasure of playing many different jazz basses regularly. Between your choices, I would go for the american deluxe. I must ask, however, if you have ever tried the USA Geddy Lee jazz bass? If you havent I encourage you to try and play one. For my tone and playing preferences that bass and the american standard are my favorite jazz basses. Happy hunting!
 
Re: Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

Diminished Triad said:
My preference but no, not set on either the color or the fretboard.
What do you think is best?
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As long as you can stray away from the natural finish and all maple neck, I prefer the '74 reissue. The curvier fretboard is far more comfortable to me, the vintage-style electronics are preferable to me, and I think it overall looks better (the covers look killer, for one). Sunburst, black, or white with rosewood boards are the way to go in my opinion.
 
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Re: Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

The Am deluxe in the link is a 5 string, is it supposed to be? If so, I would be thinking that would be a major deciding factor. Noiseless active modern and flatter compound board vs straight up vintage. Part of me loves the vintage because of it's simplicity but the deluxe seems like it would be much more useful. I's probably go with the deluxe I guess. Especially if it is a 5 string since I don't own one.
 
Re: Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

I too misunderstood. Thought it was between a new instrument and a vintage one. Clicked in to say this is a no-brainer, what, are you crazy? Then I realized they're both new, just that one is a reissue.

No opinion, except to comment (in my best grumpy-old-man voice) it's pretty misleading to be calling a reissue "vintage." Sure, the attorneys (for those hot-shot corporate whippersnappers) would point out that technically it's just the official name of the model. But I'd say it's confusing even if it isn't legally actionable.
 
Re: Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

eclecticsynergy said:
I too misunderstood. Thought it was between a new instrument and a vintage one. Clicked in to say this is a no-brainer, what, are you crazy? Then I realized they're both new, just that one is a reissue.

No opinion, except to comment (in my best grumpy-old-man voice) it's pretty misleading to be calling a reissue "vintage." Sure, the attorneys (for those hot-shot corporate whippersnappers) would point out that technically it's just the official name of the model. But I'd say it's confusing even if it isn't legally actionable.
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Do most prefer something other than a maple fretboard?
Is there a preference for a specific fretboard or is it primarily just a preference for not maple on maple?
Thanks!
 
Re: Fender '74 Vintage Jazz Bass or Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

Diminished Triad said:
Do most prefer something other than a maple fretboard?
Is there a preference for a specific fretboard or is it primarily just a preference for not maple on maple?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm sure there are many that prefer the feel or tone of a rosewood fretboard, but for many others, it's a simple preference based on looks. I prefer a dark fretboard. My best bass has a wenge fretboard from Warmoth, but my main pub player has a maple neck and fretboard, so I apparently don't feel too strongly about it.
 
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