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I have recently come to realize that I am a better bass player than guitarist, and - subsequently - am generally happier playing bass (in a band situation, at least). I sold both of my basses - a US J-bass and a Squier P that I'd had since college - a couple of moves ago and have been getting by with borrowed 4-bangers. Until now. I'm keeping my Jaguars but divesting myself of the other 6-strings (or attempting to) in order to focus on that big bottom.

So, what's the best-for-the-money in a Jazz bass out there these days? Should I just go to GC and play everything? Are there hidden gems on the used market? Budget's probably around $500 but I could conceivable double that for a deal-of-the-decade vintage piece...

So... whatcha know?

fever606 wrote:I have recently come to realize that I am a better bass player than guitarist, and - subsequently - am generally happier playing bass (in a band situation, at least). I sold both of my basses - a US J-bass and a Squier P that I'd had since college - a couple of moves ago and have been getting by with borrowed 4-bangers. Until now. I'm keeping my Jaguars but divesting myself of the other 6-strings (or attempting to) in order to focus on that big bottom.

So, what's the best-for-the-money in a Jazz bass out there these days? Should I just go to GC and play everything? Are there hidden gems on the used market? Budget's probably around $500 but I could conceivable double that for a deal-of-the-decade vintage piece...

So... whatcha know?

I would be looking for a used US Jazz at that price, or a used MIM with new pickups and stuff. I have a Squier Classic player that's fucking awesome though? Definitely plays better than the MIMs I've tried.

this is 895 new, if you like the concept

https://www.thebassplace.com/product/fe ... jazz-bass/

I mean I love my MIM Fender Jazz to death but I nabbed it in 2005. The higher-end Squier stuff nowadays is totally worth your time to try out in store.

And yeah for a style this common it's worth your time to just annoy the GC employees and play everything they've got in your price range.

I have a warmoth jazz bass that I bought used at guitar center. I love it. it's just plain maple and natural alderish body.

I know it's not a jazz bass but I recently got a Squier VM Jaguar bass. It has a P bass neck pickup and a J bass bridge pickup. I changed the bridge to a high mass and it sounds so much better. Not that it sounded crap in the first place. In a few weeks I plan on changing the pickups to Seymour Duncan quarter pounder pickups. I'm sure they will sound much better than the stock pickups. Probably when finished it will be a decent bass for not a lot of money spent. But yeah Squier make some really good jazz basses too. I just thought the Jaguar looked better and had the perfect pickup combo with the P and J in it.

Definitely have my eyes peeled for one of the MIJ Jaguar basses, I always enjoyed playing those (and pretty much exclusively play Jaguars in 6-string format)... I dig the look of the Squier VM 70s Jazz, so maybe I'll go annoy the GC shlubs by playing a few of those (assuming they have any... GC inventory around here is seemingly garbage unless you're a wannabe DJ).

Good to know about the MIM basses... thanks everyone, and keep the ideas coming!

I would love one of the 60s Classic Vibe Squier Jazz basses. They look quite decent for the price. Still more than I had to spend. Plus it looked like everything was already done I like to mod. That's why I went with the Jaguar. I new it was a good starting point to mod and maybe get something cheap and made to my needs.

Are you totally set on a Jazz bass? At that $500 budget you could find a lot more interesting basses out there.

That being said, my main bass was a 60's vibe jazz for a long time and it treated me pretty well. Maybe upgrade the pickups, but that's good advice for pretty much any Squier.

Offset comfort + those pickups = yeah pretty much a Jazz... Not that I wouldn't love a StingRay and a P and a 4001 also, but for just getting back into the game I figure it's best to stick with what I know best...

What constitutes "more interesting"?

There is a Squier with no pickguard has active and passive electronics and comes in sunburst with what looks like an ebony fretboard... we had one used at work and it was pretty killer.

fever606 wrote:Offset comfort + those pickups = yeah pretty much a Jazz... Not that I wouldn't love a StingRay and a P and a 4001 also, but for just getting back into the game I figure it's best to stick with what I know best...

What constitutes "more interesting"?

Bass VI? Or is it too guitar-y?

I've always wanted an Aerodyne. Maybe look for a used one?

neonblack wrote:Bass VI? Or is it too guitar-y?

I've always wanted an Aerodyne. Maybe look for a used one?

I have a nicely-upgraded Squier VI on near-permanent loan, basically until such time as I can wrangle a vintage (or custom shop) one... perfect middle ground between bass and guitar, but I channel Robert Smith way too much when playing it when I should be Simon Gallup-ing... or Peter Hook-ing... or Alexander Hacke-ing... or...

Can't say the Aerodyne Jazz does anything for me, though I'd have one of the Teles in a hot second...

neonblack wrote:Bass VI? Or is it too guitar-y?

I've always wanted an Aerodyne. Maybe look for a used one?

I have a nicely-upgraded Squier VI on near-permanent loan, basically until such time as I can wrangle a vintage (or custom shop) one... perfect middle ground between bass and guitar, but I channel Robert Smith way too much when playing it when I should be Simon Gallup-ing... or Peter Hook-ing... or Alexander Hacke-ing... or...

Can't say the Aerodyne Jazz does anything for me, though I'd have one of the Teles in a hot second...

PumpkinPieces wrote:There is a Squier with no pickguard has active and passive electronics and comes in sunburst with what looks like an ebony pickguard... we had one used at work and it was pretty killer.

Not super into active basses (Jag notwithstanding)...

Don't even bother with GC around here, they are absolutely horrible in every conceivable way. If you want a nice vintage piece go check out Action Music in Falls Church, or if you want huge variety across cost spectrums take a day and head up to Atomic Music in MD. Guaranteed between those two places you'll find something that will tickle your pickle.