Whats the best Jazz Bass I can buy for under £300

[Conan]

The Faridas are great, but yes the colour options are limited.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aks3fSHA1jU&feature=player_embedded"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aks3fSHA1jU&feature=player_embedded[/url]

Tokais are brilliant, but don't come up that often (not the eighties ones, anyway).

The VMs come with the "Duncan Designed" pickups - which are certainly better than the stock Squier models, and may not require upgrading. Definitely listen to them first.

I've played some Squier Affinity basses that were as good as some "proper" Fenders - but there are some pretty awful ones out there too, so you definitely have to try before you buy.

I bought a nameless Jazz copy on here a couple of years ago - mainly just to have a proper try at the J format to see how I got on with it. At £100 is was great! Lovely neck and just a nice weight. Out came the pickups (which were very loud and growly, but a bit microphonic) and in went a set of Wizard Hammers. Now it's a great bass, and even if I decided to get it refinished in purple (which I am seriously thinking about!) it would still have cost WAY less than £300 in total.

Take your time. Look around. Try as many as you can, but get ready to jump quickly when you find one that you like. However, it may not be the one that others tell you is "the best"! Trust your own judgement.

Edited August 21, 2012 by Conan

[Prunesquallor]

I'm learning on a Squier VM Jazz, and I couldn't be happier.

I went to buy it with a friend who knows something about basses. My instructor later picked it up and said 'This is a Fender...'. He's also urged me not to get rid of it when I buy a second bass.

I've heard CV jazzes are good as well - but I prefer the looks of my VM (call me shallow... ) Quality varies, though, so if you don't know much about basses (as I didn't) go with a friend who does (or your instructor) to help pick one out.

[GuyR]

I have a slightly scruffy 80's Tokai Jazz sound, which has a really fat, rich tone, and the longest sustain of any Jazz bass I have tried. Cost me £250. Well worth searching one out. If you look at the Tokai registry website, you will find just enough information to make sure you are geting an 80's example. I have a few Jazz basses, my Tokai is often the first one I pick up.

[ead]

Does anybody have any experience with this Overwater Aspiration - it even has J/J p/ups. If they are anything like the rest of the range they will be excellent value at £230.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Overwater-Aspiration-Standard-4-String-Bass-Guitar-in-Metallic-Red-/150875736812?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2320e50aec"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Overwater-Aspiration-Standard-4-String-Bass-Guitar-in-Metallic-Red-/150875736812?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2320e50aec[/url]

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1345584622' post='1779229']
Does anybody have any experience with this Overwater Aspiration - it even has J/J p/ups. If they are anything like the rest of the range they will be excellent value at £230.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Overwater-Aspiration-Standard-4-String-Bass-Guitar-in-Metallic-Red-/150875736812?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2320e50aec"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2320e50aec[/url]
[/quote]
looked at it in shop. rolled fingerboard which the more expensive tangle woods didn't have. Didn't play it though- did look good

[Pinball]

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1345586151' post='1779259']
looked at it in shop. rolled fingerboard which the more expensive tangle woods didn't have. Didn't play it though- did look good
[/quote]

Played Momats and that is a really nice bass, great sound. I can't imagine that is a sub £300 though?

[Mornats]

Yeah, they're Overwater's budget basses. Judging by the quality of the £600 J4s I would hope that it's very decent indeed, even at that price.

[pault]

[quote name='OliverBlackman' timestamp='1345409098' post='1777250']
is it just me thats played the tokai jazz sound? Forget american standards, Custom Shops don't compete with the tones that come from the Tokai. The philippe dubreuille jazz bass is the only bass I've played where I've thought, "yeh thats worth £1000 more" than the Tokai.
[/quote]I've had a Tokai Jazz Sound fretless (Jaco copy) since new in 1985. I put EMG's on it - as we all did then - and it's a great instrument. Getting a bit tatty now, mind...

[OliverBlackman]

[quote name='pault' timestamp='1345800728' post='1781645']
I've had a Tokai Jazz Sound fretless (Jaco copy) since new in 1985. I put EMG's on it - as we all did then - and it's a great instrument. Getting a bit tatty now, mind...
[/quote]

let me know if you ever think of selling it

[AndyTravis]

The Farida FJB's are the bollocks.

I have 3. One is a FJB-6 which I dropped Seymour Duncan quarter pounders into.

The other 2 I have are a bit special as I started working with them on a bass a few years ago, I have the 2 prototypes.

To be fair I've owned 100's of basses, and my avatar is the best Jazz I've ever owned and played; a £2500 custom shop fender.

But, I've sold that now, my main fretted Farida with SD Classic Stack pickups in is certainly the 2nd best Jazz I've ever played.

If you find an FJB-6 just buy one, and ignore the colour thing, or, of you get it cheap enough get it refinished!

I'm trying to persuade the powers that be to get more FJB basses into the UK.

'trying' isn't doing much though.

[yepmop]

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1345406180' post='1777215']
As everybody already said, Squiers or Farida, but... if you want a fretless pretend Jaco on the cheap, there is this:

[url="http://www.guitarmagazine.co.uk/reviews/vintage-icon-series-vj96mrjp-fretless/"]http://www.guitarmag...6mrjp-fretless/[/url]


[/quote]
I have one of these and they are amazing, lovely to play and everyone that hears it, comments on what a great sound it has.

The "Out of the box" action is a little high for a fretless but that probably adds to the sound.

These can be bought used on flea bay for around £175

[WalMan]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/184944-overwater-by-tanglewood-classicj"]THIS?[/url]

[funkyspuke]

I recently purchased a Squire 60's CV from a fellow BC'er for under £300 and I fell in love with it the second I played it (well, after it had a good set up). the neck is amazing and for a passive bass (I'm used to a good active sound) it was cracking .. no complaints at all! looks mint in olympic white as well

[miles'tone]

[quote name='yepmop' timestamp='1345930180' post='1783371']

I have one of these and they are amazing, lovely to play and everyone that hears it, comments on what a great sound it has.

The "Out of the box" action is a little high for a fretless but that probably adds to the sound.

These can be bought used on flea bay for around £175
[/quote]

I did indeed pick one of these basses up last week for 172 quid.
It is outstanding value for money, sounds the real deal, a joy to play!
Bomb-proof Wilkinson hardware too.

[thebrig]

What's going on?

In March, Dawsons are selling the [b]Farida FJB-6[/b] for [b]£149[/b], now they are [b]£299[/b], and at Amazon, they've got a [b]used[/b] one for [b]£700!!![/b]

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B003SQ5C2Y/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used"]http://www.amazon.co...&condition=used[/url]

Edited August 31, 2012 by thebrig

[Jah Wibble]

Not sure about the Farida's, but I think the bass collection's 'Jive' bass are f**king great for the money.
Wasn't really a big fan of Jazz basses till I bought mine, but the one I've got ("King Crimson") sounds unbelieveable and the selection of finishes are unbeatable at that price

http://www.basscentre.com/bass-collection.html