Jazz Basses

[SteveXFR]

I'm looking at buying XFR Jr a new bass for Xmas since she's getting more and more awesome and the old Peavey International struggles to cut through anything. 

Other than the obvious Fender MIM Jazz, what should I look out for used around £500 -£600?

Jazz style neck is essential. Ideally passive. Durable enough for daily use and loads of gigs

[Bassman Sam]

Sire for sure.  Or a Bass Collection. Both give great bang for the bucks. Right in your price range. 

Edited November 3, 2024 by Bassman Sam

[OliverBlackman]

Sire V5. I have one, it’s awesome and would have saved me a lot of wasted money had it been around when I was a youngster! Only negative is weight, my mex P feels a lot lighter.

[Steve Browning]

I'd be looking at the Fernandes JB55 in the classifieds. The quality of the basses of this era is exceptional. Great value IMHO.

[Boodang]

Squier jazz maybe? I had a MTD Kingston that I thought was excellent, only got rid of it because I had a cull of my collection, one of those would fit the bill nicely.

[Cairobill]

Given that secondhand bass prices are increasingly challenged these days I would keep an eye out for a decent and lightish MIJ Fender jazz that gets close to that price ball park. I've owned a couple over the years and always liked them more than any American standard I've owned.

Edited November 4, 2024 by Cairobill

[Steve Browning]

I see @FinnDave has reduced his 60s Vintera Jazz to £550. Slap bang in the middle of your budget, and a very fine chap to deal with to boot. 

[Burns-bass]

1 hour ago, Steve Browning said:

I see @FinnDave has reduced his 60s Vintera Jazz to £550. Slap bang in the middle of your budget, and a very fine chap to deal with to boot. 

These are exceptional basses and the price is phenomenal.

[tauzero]

Push the boat out a bit, there's a Sei Jazz for £950 in Basses for Sale at the moment.

[SteveXFR]

4 minutes ago, tauzero said:

Push the boat out a bit, there's a Sei Jazz for £950 in Basses for Sale at the moment.

 

That may be pushing the boat out a bit far.

[Cairobill]

Another option could be that neon-purple 1991 soundgear S1000 in the classifieds. Skinny neck, quite the plumage and in your price range. Not trad, but pretty rad. 

Edited November 4, 2024 by Cairobill

[tauzero]

33 minutes ago, SteveXFR said:

 

That may be pushing the boat out a bit far.

 

Buy once, never buy again. 😁

[dave_bass5]

16 minutes ago, tauzero said:

 

Buy once, never buy again. 😁

Said no one on Basschat....ever 😂

[ead]

Jet JJB-300, awesome for the money.

[Supernaut]

Cort, Aria, G&L Tribute will all serve you well. 

[asingardenof]

I can happily recommend a Sire V7

[Jackroadkill]

The Squier 40th Anniversary basses are superb, although they're knocking on the door, price-wise, of a used MIM (which seem to be dropping these days).

[dave_bass5]

Another vote for the Squires. I’ve got on of the origial CV60’s and it has outlasted other Jazz basses ive had. Squier are well made these days and the necks are really nice. 

Id vote against the Sires. As much as i loved my frist Gen it was heavy with a chunky neck, and as the briefings mentioned preferably passive id say look for passive basses rather than active and not use it. 

[OliverBlackman]

13 hours ago, dave_bass5 said:

Another vote for the Squires. I’ve got on of the origial CV60’s and it has outlasted other Jazz basses ive had. Squier are well made these days and the necks are really nice. 

Id vote against the Sires. As much as i loved my frist Gen it was heavy with a chunky neck, and as the briefings mentioned preferably passive id say look for passive basses rather than active and not use it. 

Not all squiers are good - the VM I had little to gloat about and was heavier than my Sire 5 string.

The Sire V5 is passive only.

[skidder652003]

All good recommendations.

For me it would be a used Jap Fender if you could find one in that price bracket.

[SteveXFR]

5 minutes ago, OliverBlackman said:

Not all squiers are good - the VM I had little to gloat about and was heavier than my Sire 5 string.

The Sire V5 is passive only.

 

I'd probably avoid Squier after the P bass I had which was just never nice to play and wouldn't stay in tune.

[SteveXFR]

Just now, skidder652003 said:

All good recommendations.

For me it would be a used Jap Fender if you could find one in that price bracket.

 

I'm looking but they're all a bit out of budget

[Steve Browning]

If it's a Japanese bass you want, I'd again shout out for the Fernandes. In many instances, they were made in the same factory as the Fenders.

[Beedster]

20 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

Buy once, never buy again. 😁

 

20 hours ago, dave_bass5 said:

Said no one on Basschat....ever 😂

This ^

[ezbass]

Vintage and Cort do J types at new, reasonable prices. However, this just caught my eye…

 

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/200129355041008--sadowsky-metroexpress-standard-jj-4-string-tobacco-burst-morado