civilian_project Posted August 31, 2016 Posted August 31, 2016 I realise this is probably a polarizing question. But who does everybody believe makes the best jazz bass? I'm talking£1000-£2000 Mark New or used. I'm not particularly bothered about the electronics just the overall build quality. We looking at fender,maruscyk, lakland, sandburg, mayones? What's everyone's opinions? I've only ever had fender jazzed but would love to hear others thought. Cheers people Quote
Acebassmusic Posted August 31, 2016 Posted August 31, 2016 I used to have a Fender Jazz FMT which was the best Fender build / finish I have seen. However my Mayones Jabba blows it away Quote
RickyV Posted August 31, 2016 Posted August 31, 2016 Never played and not able to afford one but I think I would be very tempted by a Celinder jazz. Beautiful looking basses. Quote
Grangur Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 I'm getting really tempted to try to find a jazz with a nice natural wood body,,,, so no good looking at Fender. For me maruscyk is a natural choice to look at for value for money on a great bass. Quote
M@23 Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 Celinder, AC, Stenbeck and the like are probably all out of reach and not too common second hand. Lull, Sadowsky and Xotic are all where I would look. Quote
xroads Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 (edited) What is your definition of a good Jazz sound? 70s Ash/Maple or 60s Alder/RW? Active/Passive? 4-string/5-string? Graphite rods in the neck or not? For a traditional JB the recent Fender AVRIs are pretty good. Edited September 1, 2016 by xroads Quote
Cato Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1472692549' post='3123408'] I'm getting really tempted to try to find a jazz with a nice natural wood body,,,, so no good looking at Fender. For me maruscyk is a natural choice to look at for value for money on a great bass. [/quote] I've not tried one but the natural bodied Fender Elites (and before them the Deluxes) look very pretty to me. I'm a bit undecided about the merits of active basses though, particularly active Fenders. Edited September 1, 2016 by Cato Quote
Sparky Mark Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 Also consider the USA made Spector Coda Deluxe. Quote
Grangur Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 [quote name='Cato' timestamp='1472714647' post='3123473'] I've not tried one but the natural bodied Fender Elites (and before them the Deluxes) look very pretty to me. I'm a bit undecided about the merits of active basses though, particularly active Fenders. [/quote] Me too. I'm becoming more convinced that all you need is a good setup and pickups. The preamp often over-boosts IMHO. Quote
chris_b Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 [quote name='civilian_project' timestamp='1472681813' post='3123336'] who does everybody believe makes the best jazz bass? I'm talking£1000-£2000 Mark New or used. [/quote] I would suggest any Mike Lull or Lakland and always buy used. My experience of these basses is very positive but I couldn't decide which is best, or if are they better than other basses in this class of instrument. At this price point you're looking at different flavours of great and personal preference would be the only deciding factor. "The jazz debate"? For me there isn't much to discuss. Since 2003 my main bass has been an active US Lakland 55-94 and it's been joined, for the last 4 years, by a passive Lull PJ5. I've bought a couple of other basses in that time (Fender Jazz and Rob Allen) and while they are good they've never made it out to more than a handful of gigs because of the competition. I've been checking out Sadowsky Jazz basses lately but it is more than likely that my next bass (if there ever is another) will be a Lull or Lakland. Quote
cetera Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 [quote name='Sparky Mark' timestamp='1472715060' post='3123480'] Also consider the USA made Spector Coda Deluxe. [/quote] THIS! Quote
Funky Dunky Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 I'd be tempted to investigate Lakland and Sadowsky. Quote
thebassist Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 I like post-2012 passive American Standard Fenders - hard to find good ones though in my opinion. Quote
naxos10 Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 Have a look at ACG in the Affiliates section - he I showing a Custom J type on his website. Going by the short scale ACG I have it will be an excellent playing bass and built in the UK to. Quote
bubinga5 Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 (edited) I think Xotic make a very good argument to buy there jazz basses over others .Amazingly versatile, Not massively expensive,especially second hand. Supreme Jazz basses. They will be my next Jazz bass. Edited September 1, 2016 by bubinga5 Quote
TheGreek Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 The only Jazz I've ever owned that I got on with was a Overwater custom - had too many basses around that time so decided to sell it - huge mistake - the neck was fantastic, balance was spot on and the range of tones far exceeded anything with the "F" word on the headstock. Not sure what the cost would be today but they were certainly well priced back then.. Quote
zero9 Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 Difficult to define 'best' when to comes to a Jazz, or any other bass for that matter, as it's highly personal and therefore a very woolly definition. What I think is best, may not be best for you. If you know what you want, you can narrow down the options, or go the custom route for a 'best' fit. GLWTSearch Quote
IanA Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 For that kind of money the Lull is a safe bet, they are constantly light, play fast, well balanced and well put together. Quote
JTUK Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 Not impressed by Fender for their money so I'd always buy second hand... and even then I think others do it so much better, IME Quote
Sibob Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 For me, if you're just looking for suggestions on basses that look and sound like jazz basses, I would be looking at Xotic, Lull, Sadowsky, Lakland.....in that order of (my) preference. I'm having a particularly fun time with my Xotic XJ-1T 'Lightweight' 5er. If you want something that sounds like a jazz, but doesn't necessarily LOOK like a jazz, well then your options grow exponentially! Si Quote
Lozz196 Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 [quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1472729403' post='3123709'] I like post-2012 passive American Standard Fenders - hard to find good ones though in my opinion. [/quote] Yep, the Custom Shop pickups in these make them sound very nice indeed. Quote
chris_b Posted September 1, 2016 Posted September 1, 2016 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1472749480' post='3123921'] The only Jazz I've ever owned that I got on with was a Overwater custom - [/quote] The Overwater J's sound very, very good but they all seem to be on the heavy side (around 10lbs to 12lbs on their website) so, sadly, I'll never own one. Quote
xroads Posted September 2, 2016 Posted September 2, 2016 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1472755955' post='3124000'] Not impressed by Fender for their money so I'd always buy second hand... and even then I think others do it so much better, IME [/quote] I am quite impressed by the recent AVRI models - on the used market the price is fair. Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted September 2, 2016 Posted September 2, 2016 I love my modded usa Fender Jazz V, it was probably luck over judgement so I'll add a +1 to Bubinga5's xotic. Quote
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