Fender Urge bass worth the extra dough?

delberthot · Post by **delberthot** » Sat May 06, 2006 2:48 pm

I am looking for a comfortable new bass. I currently play a p-bass as well as my 4003. The p feels nice but i also like the sound of the Jazz bass.

Is it worth paying over the odds to get a bass that has both pickup configurations ( The Fender Urge II )or will a MIA Jazz cut it just as well?

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat May 06, 2006 4:32 pm

I have a '97 California P-Bass Special that is really nice in both playability it's sound; you might consider the current MIM version as an alternative.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Sat May 06, 2006 6:21 pm

Check out a new Fender Jaguar Bass if you get a chance, too. It has a Jazz neck, and lots of pickup options, including series or parallel passive, and active. Looks great, too. I'm really enjoying mine.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sun May 07, 2006 5:27 pm

That new Jaguar Bass looks really cool, like the old Jaguar guitar. I never cared for the taper of a Jazz bass neck though.
I tried an Urge bass a long time ago, I didn't care for it much. I'd rather go withan MIM Fender...and I did (Precision), though I had to change out the cheesy pots for CTS ones and the cheesy output jack for a Switchcraft. I like my MIM Precision much more than the '76 MIA Precision that I once had.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:24 pm

Yeah, the Jazz neck is a thin taper, either you like it or you don't (I do). I agree with Joey and Jeffrey that you might oughtta consider the MIM P-bass. I borrowed one for a show a while back and was very pleasantly surprised. I prefer the Jazz neck, but if you like the feel of the Precision, it could be a good buy. From your post, though, it looks like you are looking for a bass with both sounds. The Jaguar bass can get both sounds, but it has a Jazz neck. I don't know if that's the answer, but hopefully it's of help.

Good luck!

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:30 pm

Also, I might add... I have a MIM Jazz bass, and it has some issues that keep it from being gig-worthy. I love the neck and feel, but the pickups hum noticeably near neon signs, fluorescent lights, computer screens, tv's, etc., and they lack some low end punch (I didn't notice that with the MIM P-bass that I borrowed for a gig). That's why I'd recommend the Jaguar bass without hesitation - it has the feel of a Jazz with no hum and lots of variability of sound. Try 'em all if you can...

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon May 08, 2006 1:56 am

The Precision Special has a Jazz neck, which is one of the reasons I like mine.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:08 am

I almost bought a Cal. P bass special 4 or 5 years ago.