Jazz bass suggestions needed

[TeleGeir]

Hi all. My first post on the BASS place.

I am thinking about buying a bass. Not to become a bass player, it won't be my main instrument, mainly to be able to play a bit of my own backing in my planned home studio.

And because it is cool! 8) And to me, cool equals a Jazz Bass!!

So with that in mind, what do I want? Not a vintage one, I am not about to spend a lot of money. So of the recent models, which one is a good buy? Assume I will buy used on eBay. How much would I be prepared to spend. (How do they compare to Tele prices?)

Music is a little of all, probably quite a bit of blues.

Oh and any gotcha's with used Jazz basses to be aware of? (Neck problems, other..)

TIA,
Geir :)

[Mark Davis]

I love my 60's Classic Jazz BASS.

Its the top of the line MIM model all the same hardware as the USA version same wood Alder and other than poly finish and pickups the exact same guitar for 1/2 as much as the USA version.

[brock29609]

I say buy a 80's MIJ (about $340 used) or a post-2001 MIM (about $275 used) and put some used replacement pickups in it if you don't mind spending another $75.

[4mal]

A couple of thoughts ... A MIM with Duncan's SJB's. The Duncans run 60 to 80 in the used market and have a very traditional (60's) J bass sound. I use them in my J's and like them a lot. The post 2001 thing is largely due to a short bridge pickup on those models. You can retro-it a *normal* Jazz p/u but it takes some work and time. I have a couple of MIM J's at the moment and they work just fine.

Another thought, See Rondo Music for their SX line of basses. Some of the guys at www.TheDudepit.com are high on them and it might be a cheap alternative to get started.

J Basses can be pretty noisy in the wrong rooms. Those sgl coils aren't real RF forgiving so you can forget about soloing the pickups a bunch unless you go withnoise cancelling. But most of those (that I've heard anyway) sound like ... not very good. If you're going to pop for an inexpensive bass and do the pickup swap, consider an under-pickguard route, a new pickguard and go P/J. That is a very versatile setup, much thumpier than 2 J's. The P bass pickup is generally much quieter as it is two sgl coils run together. and it really packs a lot more puch than the ever so refined J neck pickup. IMHO, the J bridge pu wit a bit of the high's rolled off is an awsome tone, the J neck is sort of lackluster, the pair do OK. The PJ combines best attributes of both.

I'm in the process of migrating one J over to P/J should be ready to rock'n'roll in a couple of weeks. Can't wait.

[Bob Rogers]

The MIM J-basses are great deals. The later models have CTS pots and a slightly bigger slot for the bridge pickup - same as MIA and MIJ. Older models have the neck and bridge pickup the same size. The difference in cavity size is about 1/16". A little careful work with a file (or haphazard work with a chisel) will allow you to use any aftermarket J pickup in an older MIM. I believe the body constrution was (and remains) multi (5?) piece with front and back veneer. Finish almost always looks great and many of these basses sound great. (There are people in this world who will look down their noses at the body construction and then have wet dreams about a thru neck bass with the wood of 18 extinct trees sandwiched on either side. Go figure.)

Here is my formula -

MIM bass $300
Pickups $ 80
Setup/Fret $ 75
J-Retro $250
Strings $ 35

Worlds best J-bass for under $750.

[TDPRI]

I agree with the 60's Jazz Reissues and the MIJ's and the best combo of them all is a Noel Redding Reissue.

It's a MIJ spot-on mid 60's Jazz Bass with Noel Reddings signature. The first 1000 actually have pickguards signed by Noel. Mine is number 700 or so, but a previous owner sold or kept the pickguard with the signature.

I paid $550 for a totally mint one with tweed case and all the case candy. I see them in this price range frequently.

When getting a bass amp... throwout all you know about guitar amps. You want power, even for bedroom playing you want WATTS! Lots o'watts. I started with a 50 watt Ampeg with 12 speaker and traded up to a 100 watt Fender Bassman with 15" speaker and 2" horn and I wish I'd gone even bigger. Mind you I never play out. The bass just requires TONS of wattage that a guitar would never need.

Paul

Here's my rig:

[Mark Davis]

My 60's Classic needed zero mods.

$950 retail $650 street price.

[TeleGeir]

Thanks guys!

Food for thought. More questions coming soon.

Geir :)

[Russinator]

MIM bass $300
Pickups $ 80
Setup/Fret $ 75
J-Retro $250
Strings $ 35

Worlds best J-bass for under $750.

Got a 2003 MIM Fretless J for $350.00 new.
stock pickups are good $0.00
Did my own setup/fret/fretboard rounding $0.00
Don't need a pre-amp $0.00
Comes with 9050 flatwounds $0.00

Worlds best J-bass for $350.

You may not want a fretless for your only bass - unless you are good or confident about your fretting accuracy. It does have it's advantages and sounds and plays terrific though.

[Bob Rogers]

I agree that the stock MIM is an incredible bargain at $350. (Remember the pieces of crap we used to get at the equivalent price range back in the 70's?) And while you don't neeeed to swap pickups, strings or put in a preamp - I found the Fender CS vintage pickups to have a much warmer tone while maintaining the vintage growl – The J-Retro really helps with punch and clarity (especially on a fretless) – I love TI flats.

P.S. I do my own setup work as well, but I just thought it was fairer to throw it in to the price.

[4mal]

And .... the MIM's are all over the place used for $ 200 to $ 250 ... Are the MIM Tele's this good ?