redstriper Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 I thought my bass buying days were over and I haven't been near Basschat for years... But just when you think you're out, they pull you back in I suddenly want a Mustang and I've narrowed it down to 3 main contenders - Squier Classic Vibe, Fender Vintera or Fender JMJ signature. Does anyone have experience of any or all of these basses? Is the difference in quality justified by the relative prices? My gigging days are probably over, it's mainly for recording reggae and dub music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 (edited) If your budget will stretch, go for the JMJ, mine is fabulous. The Squier is great for the money, but has a J type nut width (something I’m not keen on). The Vintera plays nicely and sounds good (I believe the JMJ is a basically a customised Vintera, but I wouldn’t swear to it). The JMJ neck is super comfy for me and the Seymour Duncan pickup is a serious upgrade to the one in the Vintera. The relic job is clearly a template with repeated ding patterns, so not the best, although, being nitro, will wear nicely (if this is your kind of thing). Downsides of the JMJ would apply to all 3 Mustang versions from my POV: one fret short of perfect and the neck joint is somewhat restrictive, joining the body at about the 13.5 fret mark. Edited September 12, 2021 by ezbass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 This is one bass I’ve never played but I like the look of them, there was a nice one on here a while back with the racing stripe that looked great 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Another thumbs up for the JMJ. I've had a few Mustangs, Squier and CIJ and the JMJ has been the best of the bunch. The pickup is excellent and has a great variation in tone. As ezbass says, the relic job isn't to all tastes but it's executed fairly well (it's nicer than the Limelight Jazz I used to own) and it does make the bass feel more playable (the finish on the neck is very comfy). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 This was the one that I remember, it might have been your one martthebass, really nice 👍 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 It was mate, a CIJ reissue from about 2002. It was a really nice bass but I found I was using my Mikey Way Mustang more than this one so I eventually let it go. Still tend to use the Mikey Way most but that's more because it feels like a pair of comfy slippers on a gig...oh and the large flake silver glitter finish lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Quick! Fill your boots @redstriper. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 1 hour ago, ezbass said: Quick! Fill your boots @redstriper. Thanks for the heads up ez... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adee Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 JMJ all the way, I've had a lot of the variants, couple of Japan re-issues, Mex PJ, American Performer and the JMJ is the keeper, feels, looks, sounds superb ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 I love my JMJ. Changed the pickguard to the black one. Fab neck 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 Or go Japanese ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 there's a blue JMJ just come up in the classidieds at a good price 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff90guitar Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 This was mine. I’m never happy. Sold about 10 years ago 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted October 13, 2021 Author Share Posted October 13, 2021 Thanks for everyone's input. I decided to resist the temptation and carry on with my old Jazz bass for now. A black JMJ is top of the list if I am drawn back... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Open E Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 If you are still tempted, the American Performer is great for ex Jazz bass players. It’s got a jazz bass pickup on the bridge and if used with the Mustang pickup it sounds fantastic, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 I'm looking for a 2nd black JMJ Mustang for my wife. She loves mine and wants her own 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 3 hours ago, police squad said: I'm looking for a 2nd black JMJ Mustang for my wife. Sorry but that really does read like a trade! Seriously though I can see why, they really are great basses. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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