JV jazz basses. Thoughts

[foxyFuze]

I thought I saw one on sale here but perhaps I was imagining it. 

They seem to have a very good rep (the early to mid 80s ones at least). 

Thoughts on value and how they compare with something of similar price like a used US Standard?

Thanks 

[therealting]

My general feeling is that they are very good basses, that were astounding value up until relatively recently when they became fairly priced... some of the ones I see advertised are, IMO, a little overpriced for what they are. The subsequent MIJ Fenders are, IMO, probably better value at this point. £900 or more for a JV Squier is getting up into AVRI or non-export MIJ territory.

[Lozz196]

Yep, not sure how the trend is going to go, if they keep gaining value then spending even £900 is worth it as an investment. I`ve played a couple of JVs, they are great basses to play, not sure I`d want to gig one if I`d bought it as an increasing-value investment though, however as a home player would be a nice bass to have.

[PawelG]

All the JV's I played/tried were superb.

My JV PBass to me is as close to the pre-CBS Fender as it gets. The only P Bass that instantly felt better to me was a 66 P Bass that belongs to Steve Browning. What a bass that is...

I used to have a JV Jazz too and it's superb. You don't even need to plug it in to feel that it has this lovely 60's jazz growl/burp. Awesome. And the finish on the neck is very much to my liking too. I'd pay attention to the pickups - the original ones are spot on.

[Steve Browning]

That's very kind but I think a JV represents rather better value as an instrument. I have owned a couple of JV's over the years and I have played a few and I haven't encountered a duff one yet.

 

[Cuzzie]

JV Squier 82-83 are sublime if Fender is your thing (even if it’s not!)

I’ve played a couple P’s and loved them, Jazzes are rarer, and as guys here say, their value is relatively constant so I would say if you find a good ‘un at a good price, go for it

[TheGreek]

I know the 80s ones are very well regarded but what about the new ones?

[foxyFuze]

Thanks so far folks, most useful. The reason I ask is that I was offered a trade for my Limelight P (which I'm not overly keen to move on, truth be told).  It could well be a BC member but I don't know!

[Cuzzie]

If it’s an 82-83 JV Squier I would go for it, but it’s not my bass!!!!

I still say handle it and see, then You’ll know

Edited February 15, 2018 by Cuzzie

[therealting]

9 hours ago, TheGreek said:

I know the 80s ones are very well regarded but what about the new ones?

The new MIJs are very good. The JVs were only made in 1983-84 though. 

[Steve Browning]

Tough call, I would say. I have not played a Limelight but I have dealt with Mark and I know many people swear by them (as JV owners do too). I am not convinced that the JV's are pre-CBS investments in the making so my decision would be on which you enjoyed playing the most and don't pay too much attention to the 'aura' around them.

[foxyFuze]

31 minutes ago, Steve Browning said:

Tough call, I would say. I have not played a Limelight but I have dealt with Mark and I know many people swear by them (as JV owners do too). I am not convinced that the JV's are pre-CBS investments in the making so my decision would be on which you enjoyed playing the most and don't pay too much attention to the 'aura' around them.

Yeah this Limelight feels great, really does. Just when someone popped up offering a JV it made me think....

[Steve Browning]

Ah, the sweet smell of that greener grass!! The JV will always be more highly thought of (they seem to be the pre-CBS of the post CBS age), but that doesn't make it a better bass for you.

[foxyFuze]

And it's a P for a J bass, not like for like. Think I'll keep hold after all :-)

[Pea Turgh]

I really love my JV P-Bass. I was noodling this morning, listening to the resonance (unplugged) and thinking “bloody hell this is nice”.

Its getting a bit battered these days though, and I’m not a roadworn/relic fan!

[karlfer]

Be EXTREMELY careful buying anything proclaiming to be a JV.

Counterfeit parts/logos/plates etc are easily available. You MUST (imo) see the bass stripped down.

[itsmedunc]

I think Ash from this very forum has a JV Jazz. I would imagine that he would be a good contact for any advice.

[GuyR]

Jvs are good, but not worth £900. They were a budget instrument - in the context of their time of manufacture, they were excellent, showing up the poor quality of some contemporary USA fender product. The Jazz basses were also the first reissues with a dot neck. I think a tokai from the same era is as good. I have 2 jv jazzes. One I bought at a year old in 1983 and another I bought new in 1984. I have a mid 80s tokai jazz also. At £5-600 a jv is a good buy imo.

Edited February 17, 2018 by GuyR

[Burns-bass]

Agree with the poster above. Nice instruments but they’re really stretching the notion of vintage at £900. At that price you’re about £100 away from a Fullerton reissue of the pre-CBS Precision basses which are wonderful instruments, with US quality.

I’ve got a fair few Jap jazzes and Precisions and had possibly 20. Again. The quality can vary too, so don’t buy on spec but give it a go.

[foxyFuze]

22 hours ago, GuyR said:

Jvs are good, but not worth £900. They were a budget instrument - in the context of their time of manufacture, they were excellent, showing up the poor quality of some contemporary USA fender product. The Jazz basses were also the first reissues with a dot neck. I think a tokai from the same era is as good. I have 2 jv jazzes. One I bought at a year old in 1983 and another I bought new in 1984. I have a mid 80s tokai jazz also. At £5-600 a jv is a good buy imo.

I purely by chance tried a Tokai JB85 the other day; I was very impressed! I also see there's JB45 for sale near me, might have to have a look once I make some space....

[Rumple]

I'm rather fond of my JV Squier instruments, I have a Strat which I've owned from almost new and a medium scale Jazz that I got last year, both are excellent but I don't think I'd pay 900 notes for either.