Panos Bobolas Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Hi all, My budget is limited to 600-700 euros (620 pounds) max. I need a JB for a 60s psych-rock project. I already purchased an amazing 50s Classic Pbass (your advices helped and I want to thank the BC community for that). But the sound of this monster is not so good for the delicate needs of the psychedelic project. I really loved a mexican road worn JB (rosewood) that I tested in a shop but it's very expensive. So, here are my options: 1) Fernandes 80s (http://restauracja-gitar.pl/instrumenty/fernandes-jazz-bass-japan-1980s-candy-apple-red-2150zl-525eur-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3-2-2-2-3-2-5-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3-2-2-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) 2) Beautiful unknown from Italian luthier (https://reverb.com/item/10466236-luthier-made-jazz-bass-2000s-3-color-sunburst-relic) 3) Japan RI 62 from Japan - but I am afraid of the import fees! (https://reverb.com/item/10148055-fender-japan-jazz-bass-jb62-62-vintage-reissue-alder-usa-pickups-1999-2002-three-tone-sunburst) Any thoughts or advise appreciated. Thanks, Panos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 At that budget I think I'd rather just go for a new Fender Mexican Standard or even a Squier VM70's (and save half your money) over a used bass of unknown provenance from the internet (different if you know the seller or get it used off here). The Mexican basses Fender are pushing out really are pretty good work-horse basses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 The Squier Classic Vibe series are excellent and top value for money. If it was me I'd be trying to stretch to a used USA Jazz. You're almost in that budget anyway. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 I tried that Jack Johnston sig. Squier (I think is based on the Classic Vibe standards). Nice sound, cool looks, but i did't like the feel. Used USA jazzes are 900 euros minimum, as far as i know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Lw. said: At that budget I think I'd rather just go for a new Fender Mexican Standard or even a Squier VM70's (and save half your money) over a used bass of unknown provenance from the internet (different if you know the seller or get it used off here). The Mexican basses Fender are pushing out really are pretty good work-horse basses. Good recommendation, the post 2012 MIMs are really good basses. Our very own Oopsdabassist lent me a MIM Standard Jazz for a while, it was very good, one of those that I really should have bought when I had the opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Panos, I recently had exactly the same dilemma. I play mostly Precisions in blues & rock bands, but recently joined a Grateful Dead tribute, and the Precision sounded too thick. I bought a new MiM Jazz bass and it is just right for the music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Hi Panos, Not sure what the import charges in Greece would be from Japan, but you might be right - they may be pricey, otherwise, I'd say a MIJ Jazz would be great How much second-hand stock is within easy reach for you? Definitely look at the 2nd hand market to get more for your money Alternatively, others have already mentioned the Squier Classic Vibe range. Most of these are now discontinued, I believe, but there are one or two still in shops near me The Squier VM 70's is another good recommendation - quite fancy one of those myself See, you've given me GAS now! Good luck with your search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 3 minutes ago, Marc S said: Hi Panos, Not sure what the import charges in Greece would be from Japan, but you might be right - they may be pricey, otherwise, I'd say a MIJ Jazz would be great How much second-hand stock is within easy reach for you? Definitely look at the 2nd hand market to get more for your money Alternatively, others have already mentioned the Squier Classic Vibe range. Most of these are now discontinued, I believe, but there are one or two still in shops near me The Squier VM 70's is another good recommendation - quite fancy one of those myself See, you've given me GAS now! Good luck with your search Unfortunately there are only 2-3 second-hand guitar shops in a town of 3 million people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 7 minutes ago, Panos Bobolas said: Unfortunately there are only 2-3 second-hand guitar shops in a town of 3 million people That`s a shame, Athens is great, was there a few weeks back, played at Tres, great gig and a great audience, def should be more music shops there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 5 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: That`s a shame, Athens is great, was there a few weeks back, played at Tres, great gig and a great audience, def should be more music shops there. Thomann for the new and listings for the second-hand is the rule here in Greece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 So, no love fot this no-name beauty? Something tells me to trust this Italian luthier... https://reverb.com/item/10466236-luthier-made-jazz-bass-2000s-3-color-sunburst-relic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 48 minutes ago, Panos Bobolas said: So, no love fot this no-name beauty? Something tells me to trust this Italian luthier... https://reverb.com/item/10466236-luthier-made-jazz-bass-2000s-3-color-sunburst-relic Difficult to tell, without actually seeing it and playing it.... That's a "heavy relic job" - of course, if that's to your taste - fine Is there any way you could find out the origin of some of the parts? Might be a great bass... but mightn't be that good too BTW. It does look good to me, but then I quite like (some) relic basses. The Fender Roadworn J and P basses being among my favourites.... along with every Limelight I've played Let us know what you decide Panos - and see if you can get a reply as to who the Luthier was, and the origin of the parts. Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 33 minutes ago, Marc S said: Difficult to tell, without actually seeing it and playing it.... That's a "heavy relic job" - of course, if that's to your taste - fine Is there any way you could find out the origin of some of the parts? Might be a great bass... but mightn't be that good too BTW. It does look good to me, but then I quite like (some) relic basses. The Fender Roadworn J and P basses being among my favourites.... along with every Limelight I've played Let us know what you decide Panos - and see if you can get a reply as to who the Luthier was, and the origin of the parts. Best of luck thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 3 hours ago, Panos Bobolas said: So, no love fot this no-name beauty? Something tells me to trust this Italian luthier... https://reverb.com/item/10466236-luthier-made-jazz-bass-2000s-3-color-sunburst-relic I guess I'm missing something blindingly obvious here, but it appears to be left-handed? Difficult to say really - can't really tell much about build quality from the clip. I'd think it easier to find a buyer for a known quality instrument like a Fernandes or a Japanese fender when you come to sell. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panos Bobolas Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 25 minutes ago, pete.young said: I guess I'm missing something blindingly obvious here, but it appears to be left-handed? Difficult to say really - can't really tell much about build quality from the clip. I'd think it easier to find a buyer for a known quality instrument like a Fernandes or a Japanese fender when you come to sell. It's a mirror view 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 For that budget I’d try to find a used Blade - best Jazz I ever played! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timhiggins Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I have had all the bass's mentioned so far and think all would work nicely i would also strongly recommend the Sire v7 which are the most versatile of all https://www.thomann.de/gb/marcus_miller_v7_alder_4_ts.htm?glp=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkcLzu8Ts2QIVLrHtCh0ySwuVEAQYBSABEgIlAPD_BwE 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Get a Squier Jazz (CV/VM) and upgrade the pups. Fender's are horribly overpriced for what they are. Sandberg is a decent shout too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Geddy Lee sig Jazzes are awesome for the money. You can usually pick up a used one for around £550 (sometimes less). There is little real difference between the CIJ/MIJ and the MIM versions (other than snobbery!). I have owned four of these, and all have been great basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, The59Sound said: Fender's are horribly overpriced for what they are. Not if you buy used. And I'd add Maruszczyk to the list too. My Elwood is excellent and I payed around £750 for it brand new (well, ex-exhibition so "nearly new"). https://public-peace.de/bass-guitars/maruszczyk/elwood/4-string Edited March 15, 2018 by Conan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 1 hour ago, The59Sound said: Get a Squier Jazz (CV/VM) and upgrade the pups. Fender's are horribly overpriced for what they are. Sandberg is a decent shout too. I think the MiM Fenders are decent value for money. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Spector coda or Sire Jazz should be within your price range and perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki_Sixx Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I’d be very dubious of anything labelled as “luthier-made”, without giving the name of the luthier. Could just be a bloke in a bedroom buying cheap bits off eBay. I always recommend the Squier Vintage Modified range, my VM Jazz is absolutely fantastic and you’ll have plenty of cash leftover for other bits like pedals and pizza! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Please tell us more about the pizza.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 If you're considering a Jazz, you're pretty much spoilt for choice - lots of good basses out there in your price range but it's only you who can really make the decision - you really need to try as many as you can before handing over your hard earned Euros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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