Question about J-Basses

[StudioShutIn]

Hey guys..
As I have alluded to in other threads, I'm seriously considering re-entering the world of bass.

I'm leaning towards a passive J-bass...but I was wondering, are Fender J-basses actually good anymore? Or should I go for a different builder of "J-style" basses?

[kbit]

I have a MIM 08 Jazz and I love it to pieces. Got it for cheap, too. Just play before you buy.

[Achtane]

get dat squier son

[grindonomicon]

get dat squier son

+1 if yer on a budget! Find a Squier you like the feel of, and dremel til' your hearts content. Then add enough pickups to fill the routes. Or choose pickups before the dremel?

[Holy Schnikes]

I snagged a 2006 MIM Ash J-Bass. It's built well and plays great but needs a complete electronics/hardware overhaul unfortunately. Fender used some cheap shit on it.

[jrmy]

I got a MIA J-bass back in 200...4-ish (I think), and it is 100% my sound. No complaints. I put on a Badass bridge, but that's just because I always do that.

[dubkitty]

i recently traded my way into a late 90s MIM fretless JB which i love lots. before i happened on this lucky deal, i was planning to get one of the Squier Classic Vibe fretless JBs, which i have played several examples of and which IMO are great. in general, i think Fender currently has a pretty good consistency level...i seldom see Fender or Squier guitars in the shops that are as god-awful as, e.g., some of the really bad Epiphones.

[Holy Schnikes]

i seldom see Fender or Squier guitars in the shops that are as god-awful as, e.g., some of the really bad Epiphones.

True, Fender has some great QC, very consistent considering the mass production involved.

[Ghost Hip]

My friend got a Classic Vibe Jazz bass and it plays beautifully. Looks like pure sex too.

[Noise...]

The Fenders and Squiers that I've played lately have been excellent. Even those new ~$200 Jag Basses are pretty damn nice.

[kaboom]

I love my 90s standard jazz bass! I replaced the stock pickups and electronics, and I think it sounds and feels terrific.

B/S/T spam: i'm selling it to raise money to replace my main bass that got stolen.

[Seedy]

My MIM Fender Jazz is what I've always wanted. Love the sound and it's all stock. I always prefer passive pups which is why I traded a rare-ish Fender Prophecy for it.

[kbit]

For those who have upgraded your pickups, what have you used and what have your results been?
I wanna replace the pots and maybe a different cap for the tone knob, but not sure if I should do more.

[Achtane]

For those who have upgraded your pickups, what have you used and what have your results been?
I wanna replace the pots and maybe a different cap for the tone knob, but not sure if I should do more.

Dimarzio Model J - BIG.
The Talkbass description (in the electronics section -- J pickups thread) is spot on. These sound massive! A good pickup to blend with others. However, as in that post, it seems like a bit of articulation is lost in the brick to the face that is every note. They aren't "sharp" or overly aggressive-sounding though, they mellow out just fine. I guess the best description is "huge and round".

tee hee.

I like high and low output J pickups though. For P I'm partial to higher output.

[kbit]

In some respect I would like the round sound, but at the same time I don't want to lose clarity. I already use flatwounds and downtune, and really I think my pick ups don't sound bad, but I'm always curious as to what's out there.