Help please. Overwater contemporary Jazz 4 - good or bad

[Black Coffee]

Has anyone played the Overwater contemporary jazz 4 string ?
I played briefly one of the classic OW/TWood jazzes and it was bland but if anyone has any input on the contemporay active version I'd appreciate it.
There are quite a few of these contemporary j basses from overwater for sale at the minute in various places online and as Im looking for a 4 stringer jazz is it too good to be true at that price or is it post Christmas mass realisation of a cheap bass with a 'pricey bass' tag being moved on. Any lower level bass recently Ive bought I have always regretted it and end up moving it on again quickly and buying the dearer one anyway.

I am setting a budget (based on domestic management reccomendations) around £400 to try to pick up the best 4 string jazz deal I can and currently I could buy one of these contemporary J's for just short of £350

Just dont wana regret it.

Help.

[louisthebass]

I played a 5 string version of that bass at Guitar Works (when it was open) in Reading. I can honestly say you won't be disappointed - I've got an OW 5 string custom jazz, and would say that it plays and sounds just as good.

[Mornats]

I use one as my main bass and rate it very highly. So has everyone who's played it too.

It's set up pretty good, and was set up pretty good in the shop too. I only picked it up for a quick go, spent 45 mins playing on it and bought it. Didn't even ask for a discount! It plays very very well. It's a little larger (i.e. longer) than a Fender Jazz and a little heavier but it feels very solid. It's very easy to play but I do wish it were a little lighter as I'm used to very light basses (Bass Collections if you're familiar with those).

Sounds wise it has a John East designed pre-amp that he designed specifically for this range of basses. A lovely range of sounds from a P to a J - the J being particularly sweet. The pre-amp is great IMO. The 5khz boost pull-switch on the volume control is a nice addition too to get a bite of bite coming through.

I've got the trans black one and it looks fantastic IMO. Totally a contemporary jazz.

I used my Overwater on this:

http://soundcloud.com/mornats/into-a-dream

[Mornats]

In fact, the only basses I've played that I liked more were one example of a Fender American Standard Jazz (but none since I played the one in question) and Pinball's battered Sandberg. Oh, and the 70's P I played at the SW bass bash. So it takes a very special bass to make me put down my Overwater.

[Mornats]

[quote name='louisthebass' timestamp='1357394374' post='1922002']
I've got an OW 5 string custom jazz, and would say that it plays and sounds just as good.
[/quote]

A fair few people say that. Main differences being build quality and finishing. The British made ones being perfect ofc and the Tanglewood made ones being mass produced with the usual tolerances.

[Machines]

I had 2 (first was returned for a finishing flaw). They are Jazz bass in appearance but that's where it ended. A very clear sounding bass like other Overwaters but I struggled to get a nice warm fat time from it. It sounded very neutral whereas I think for me I need an instrument to have a bit more character in sound. That said, the build and overall quality was very good.

[Black Coffee]

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1357400347' post='1922112']
I had 2 (first was returned for a finishing flaw). They are Jazz bass in appearance but that's where it ended. A very clear sounding bass like other Overwaters but I struggled to get a nice warm fat time from it. It sounded very neutral whereas I think for me I need an instrument to have a bit more character in sound. That said, the build and overall quality was very good.
[/quote]

I was kinda afraid of someone sayin this. I think im spoilt by the sound im used to from my dingwall and the options available pazzive and active. Thanks to all for your replies. Im gonna be patient and wait for a full usa jazz at a price i can afford. I know i wont get one for 400 so i will wait.

[redstriper]

I tried a lot of new Jazz basses last year and by far the best at any price for me was this:
[url="http://www.dawsons.co.uk/farida-fjb6-electric-bass-guitar-maple-neck-white"]http://www.dawsons.c...aple-neck-white[/url]

Have a look at this video review from basschatter allthumbs:
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Aks3fSHA1jU"]http://youtu.be/Aks3fSHA1jU[/url]

I sold my Mex Fender and Squier CV Jazz after getting this and I've seen used ones go for about £100.

Having said that, it's very subjective and I would recommend playing before buying any bass.

Steve.

[Mornats]

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1357400347' post='1922112']
It sounded very neutral whereas I think for me I need an instrument to have a bit more character in sound. That said, the build and overall quality was very good.
[/quote]

Yeah, I'd agree with this actually. My only real gripe (other than weight) is that's quite studio-like and lacks a bit of character. Mind you, popped through an Ashdown 220 Touring amp, it gains some character. Ignore the sloppy start to this one as I was trying to catch them out and didn't know they'd join in and play it up-tempo! http://soundcloud.com/mornats/money-band-rehearsal-with

[spencj12]

I guess this is a dead thread, but if any owners of a Contemporary J Ow by Tw could point me to a gig bag or case that would fit it I'd be grateful, Chris May suggested the Hiscox, but as I picked it up second hand I'm loath to spend almost half of what I paid on a case...great bass and good sound.

Cheers

[TheGreek]

You could get a fairly decent Hiscox case for around £50, a good gig bag for about £30.

As for the Tanglewood/ Overwater collaborations, those I tried at the LBGS a couple of years ago certainly felt like you were getting a lot for your £400...

[Mornats]

I've got both the Contemporary J and Classic J (the Tanglewood ones) and the Contemporary J is almost an inch taller than the Classic. It's a big bass and barely fits in my Rok-sac gig bag. I asked Overwater if their rebranded Hiscox case would fit the Contemporary J and they said it wouldn't fit in so it's strange that they recommend the Hiscox cases.

[Machines]

Yeah mine never fit in my gig bag and I had to stick a sock over the headstock when transporting it .

[All New Neil Morrell]

Know this is an old thread, but I've just replaced a cheapo Stagg case I had for mine with a Gator GPE-Bass-TSA. More perfect fit than you could ever imagine, and at £86 (but depending on exchange rate) from Thomann. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/gator_gpe_bass_tsa.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/gator_gpe_bass_tsa.htm[/url]

[All New Neil Morrell]

Heres a pic

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3Q2iliJ1IHNlIxSkVyZmVRTEk/view?usp=sharing