Description of a Jazz Bass - what would you do?

[BassAgent]

I'm in the process of checking out a bass that is for sale about an hour and a half from where I live. To prevent a long drive, I've asked the luthier who built it about the pickup spacing; I'm pretty meticulous about the bridge pickup spacing in a Jazz Bass. I've sold all but one Jazz with 70's bridge pickup spacing because somehow I don't work well with that sound. So, for this bass, I asked what the spacing was.

 

The reply of the luthier: "The spacing of the bridge pickup is between 60's and 70's. The distance between the neck and bridge pickup is like a 70's Jazz. So both pickups are placed about 4 mm further forward compared to a 70's Jazz. With this you get the deeper sound of a 70's Jazz, but more low end on the bridge pickup. Works very nicely."

 

What would you do as a 60's Jazz fan with a description like this? Still check out the bass and risk a 3 hour drive (return journey) for nothing, or let it go? It is a beautiful bass and I know the luthier very well.

[Steve Browning]

Personally? I'd go and check it out. 3 hours is nothing in the scheme of things and it may exceed all expectations. 

 

If it's not for you, you've had a bit of a drive. Nothing really lost.

[bubinga5]

Erm.. Price.? And nothing else but playing it matters if your that meticulous. 

[andruca]

Is it too off the charts to ask for some sound clip? It'd be easy to judge the kind of "jazzbassness" that particular instrument brings listening to a simple clean sample of both pickups plus each on their own.

Edited December 30, 2024 by andruca

[BassAgent]

3 hours ago, bubinga5 said:

Erm.. Price.? And nothing else but playing it matters if your that meticulous. 

Well the price is absolutely excellent. I can and want to afford it.

[Buddster]

Then go and try it. What's to lose. 

I drive 1 1/2 hours to work everyday. 

[FunkyDude]

Yup, it's not too far really. Go try it out feel the actual bass is the best solution. Good luck!

[Owen]

If you do not try it, it will become the one which got away. "Knowing" is real. "Guessing" is just unrequited GAS. 

[Terry M.]

Check it out. Figures can mean very little in the real world once you get your hands on a bass. Go with an open mind mate 👍

[Doctor J]

😉