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

[matybigfro]

We're talking tone and quality,
names don't bother me at all I want to not spend too much but get a instrument that can stay with me for some time

Let here your thoughts

Edited August 20, 2012 by matybigfro

[Truckstop]

Squier CV Jazz.

About £250 new? Around £175 second hand a worth every penny!

Truckstop

[Lozz196]

I`ve read that Farida basses are rated very highly. And as Truckstop says, the Squier CVs are quality instruments.

[JTUK]

Good luck.

[ROConnell]

Squier Classic Vibe as said above or a Squier Vintage Modified. The VMis cheaper and has Duncan designed pick ups but I do also like the CV as do most people. Either really.

[OliverBlackman]

Tokai Tokai Tokai! Mine beats most jazz basses I've played in terms of quality and ridiculous tones. Psychoandy just sold one for under £300! I payed £360 for mine and it was completely worth it

[LiamPodmore]

Squier Vintage Modified would be my choice.

Liam

[brensabre79]

Either of the Squier CV or VM, perfectly good basses, usually great necks on the VM series and you can swap with Fender parts later if you want to upgrade.
But at this price range make sure you try before you buy!!

[LemonCello]

[quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1345404192' post='1777177']
Squier Vintage Modified would be my choice.

Liam
[/quote]

Aye! They under promise but over deliver in almost every way.

[Grand Wazoo]

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]

Edited August 19, 2012 by Grand Wazoo

[bubinga5]

Farida jazz basses will blow away Squires imo... i played one next to an American jazz bass and it was way more aggressive and punchy.

Edited August 19, 2012 by bubinga5

[OliverBlackman]

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.

[bubinga5]

"Custom Shops don't compete with the tones that come from the Tokai."


each to there own, but i really doubt it..

Edited August 19, 2012 by bubinga5

[Coilte]

Without hesitation, I would go for a G&L Tribute JB2.

[url="http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/TributeSeries/basses/JB-2/index.asp"]http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/TributeSeries/basses/JB-2/index.asp[/url]


You should be able to pick up a used one on your budget, but if you put in a little extra cash you could get a new one. Worth the extra money IMO.

[Raslee]

Wasn't there a Fender MIJ jazz recently in the For Sale section under £300???...that'd be my choice for under £300

Edited August 19, 2012 by Rasta

[Mornats]

If the Squire jazzes are as good as the precision VM I played then they're really worth trying.

[LukeFRC]

Farida...
and it's a PJ but the overwater/tanglewood thing is worth a look too

[OliverBlackman]

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1345409699' post='1777255']
"Custom Shops don't compete with the tones that come from the Tokai."


each to there own, but i really doubt it..
[/quote]

I've played 3 custom shop jazzes. An Oly White, Shoreline Gold and Dakota Red. All these sounded boring and lacklustre in comparison. My Tokai's got more growl, more defined mids, boomy lows and lovely low action. I will never sell it. Might have to take it to the south east bass bash at this rate.

[matybigfro]

Is this the Farida FJB-6, it's shame if they are that good that you can only get them in Red or White, neither of which appeal to me and FJB-20’s seem to be going above £300 now even S/H
Also the G&L shape doesn't hit the spot for me either

I tend to favour tobacco sunburst, black or darker coloured basses
I already have a mexican P&J so I’m just looking for pure J setup at the moment.

I'd probably look to upgrade the pup's ony any cheap bass but not to interested in doing hardware upgrades unless absolutely necessary so the Squire CV's look liked they would pip the VM's .

Interested in the Tokai (sounds too good to be true) would like to hear more about those particularly where I could pick one up

keep the idea's coming

[brensabre79]

[quote name='OliverBlackman' timestamp='1345412862' post='1777307']
I've played 3 custom shop jazzes. An Oly White, Shoreline Gold and Dakota Red. All these sounded boring and lacklustre in comparison. My Tokai's got more growl, more defined mids, boomy lows and lovely low action. I will never sell it. Might have to take it to the south east bass bash at this rate.
[/quote]
Glad to hear you have a bass you're really happy with and will never sell! Those 80s Japanese instruments really are very well made.
Although if their website is to be believed they are the best musical products in the world. Which makes me somewhat dubious...
I'm not sure they make the Jazz Sound any more, and I'm not sure they make them in Japan any more either!
The Jazz copy on their site is £350 though, I'm not sure its the same one as your Jazz Sound, it has an Agathis body!

[deefer_dog]

As I posted here, I recently got a Stellah SJB800. Couldn't be happier with it! 129e for a bass that sounds and plays great.

I love the grain too

My .02 cents

[Mornats]

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1345412063' post='1777297']
Farida...
and it's a PJ but the overwater/tanglewood thing is worth a look too
[/quote]

I'm a big fan of the Overwater/Tanglewood basses and didn't think to mention this! My Contemporary J4 is superb.

[OliverBlackman]

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1345477968' post='1777932']
Glad to hear you have a bass you're really happy with and will never sell! Those 80s Japanese instruments really are very well made.
Although if their website is to be believed they are the best musical products in the world. Which makes me somewhat dubious...
I'm not sure they make the Jazz Sound any more, and I'm not sure they make them in Japan any more either!
The Jazz copy on their site is £350 though, I'm not sure its the same one as your Jazz Sound, it has an Agathis body!
[/quote]

No I wouldn't buy a modern Tokai but they come up on Ebay and on here form time to time.

[KevB]

There's a Tokai jazz sound here claiming to be an 80's model which are supposed to be the good ones;

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tokai-Jazz-Sound-Bass-/190714107165?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c6772551d"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2c6772551d[/url]

Top end of the OP's budget though.

Edited August 20, 2012 by KevB

[Pinball]

Just watch this site for a month or so, there are some great deals on here!