21st Century Fender American Jazz Models

[DorsetBlue]

So new(ish) built american models e.g. Standard, Deluxe etc.

Any years to keep away from, any years to look out for?

[OliverBlackman]

2008- now have been pretty decent. Before that I thought they were dogs, especially the s1 switching series and my jazz deluxe was crap to.

[Dingus]

American Standards post-2008 are particulaly good , and post 2012 ones have Custom Shop Vintage 60's pickups , which sound terriffic . The Deluxes have always suffered from having a second - rate preamp , bland pickups and overall uninspiring design , but some people seem to like them nevertheless .

Edited April 7, 2013 by Dingus

[Lozz196]

I do. My Jazz Deluxe sounds great. It`s a very un-active sounding active, which is probably why I like it. I can get sooooo many sounds from it, including the nearest impression of a Precision that I`ve ever heard from a Jazz. It`s a 2006 model, and the only one I`ve ever played, so can`t compare it to anything else, I just know my ears like it.

[Dingus]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1365352896' post='2038405']
I do. My Jazz Deluxe sounds great. It`s a very un-active sounding active, which is probably why I like it. I can get sooooo many sounds from it, including the nearest impression of a Precision that I`ve ever heard from a Jazz. It`s a 2006 model, and the only one I`ve ever played, so can`t compare it to anything else, I just know my ears like it.
[/quote]

I had one of those as my main back -up bass for quite a while , and I thought that was the best model of Deluxe they ever made , with Samarium Cobalt pickups ( which sounded just slightly too refined and polite for my taste , but some will like them ) super - light woods and a really nicley sculptures neck heel , if I remember correctly . It was certainly a lot better than the current model with the blocks that replaced it . I still thought the preamp let it down though .

Edited April 7, 2013 by Dingus

[cocco]

Post 08 USA fenders seem to be the best they have been for a while, before that its a bit of a lottery, as models go I think that's entirely up to the player, I don't think there's anything wrong with a good old passive Jazz bass, I just wish they had a more substantial neck.

[Dingus]

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1365435625' post='2039588']
Post 08 USA fenders seem to be the best they have been for a while, before that its a bit of a lottery, as models go I think that's entirely up to the player, I don't think there's anything wrong with a good old passive Jazz bass, I just wish they had a more substantial neck.
[/quote]

On that point , the post 08 Am St Jazz Basses have quite a meaty neck profile for a Jazz Bass , but still very comfortable . As always with Fenders , there may well be a bit of variation from one example to another , but all the ones I have tried have been a lot more substantial than something like the Jazz Bass - style necks on a Lakland Joe Osborn , which is on the skinnier side for a Jazz Bass neck .

[Musicman20]

Ay, I've had two post 2008 American Standards. The first was pretty good, but I sold it on as I found the maple to be a little too glossy for me, (although now I might quite like it).

Now, I have a 2011 Sunburst/Tort//Rosewood, and this bass sings! It is beautiful. It does not have the new CS pups, but the pups are brilliant.

If I found a similar instrument, P or J, I would buy again, however Fender's QC can be dodgy I'm afraid. Just be careful and check them properly.

[GrammeFriday]

My 2010 MIA Jazz (bought from fellow Basschatter Phsycoandy last September) sounds, feels and looks fabulous. Admittedly, I still keep going back to the 1993-vintage 62 reissue MIJ that the 2010 Jazz was bought to replace, but I think that may just be some variant of the 'old pair of jeans' habit on my part!

[risingson]

I played a new American AM Deluxe 2012/3 model that made me almost go out and get a credit card to make the purchase, it was that good, stood up to a few Sadowskys I've played no problems. I was most surprised at the usability of the actives in the bass, in the past active Fender circuits have left me less than inspired but man, I can't remember I was that excited by playing a bass.