Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

after getting a 60's reissue J bass, and the first one that came in had sanding gouges in the headstock, and frets that hung out over the sides of the fingerboard, the next bass that came in to replace it, supposed to be mij, and now is mim, I can't fault it, only problem is, I can't put down my c64, it sounds incredible, plays incredible, and just looks incredible.IMHO

Yeah, Jag bass; cool idea. Now, this is me personally, but, I think if you're going to have Block inlays, you Must have Bound fingerboard, otherwise, just put dots on it.Whatever...

I'm already thinking of colors on this one. Imagine it in Oly White with a brown tortoise guard...yum!!!

+1 Paul, I think this series would be much cooler with more finish options. For example, Sonic Blue with a gold andonized guard and matching headstock...Oh yeah!

no hard shell case ?

I don't believe that Fender are making a OHSC for the Jaguar IV Bass.

My bass is due to arrive early next week and I was expecting to buy a generic hard shell case for it. None of the stores that I received prices from even mentioned one.

I'll let everyone know what the story is when my bass arrives.

Thanks, Jon. I'm interested in that. I have a MIM Jazz that I like the feel of but I'm not crazy about the tone. It is a serviceable backup (which is why I got it) and a nice diversion when I want to channel some Verdine White vibes. Admittedly, I haven't looked harder at Fenders, but something about the Jaguar look makes me take more interest. I'll look forward to your review.

I picked up my Hot Rod Red Jaguar Bass early last week. Here's a picture of it.



I was able to take it into the studio a couple of days ago, where it sounded awesome.

If Fender doesn't sell thousands of these, there's something wrong. It's outstanding value for the money IMO.

BTW, Fender didn't have a hard shell case available, I had to buy a generic one.

Very cool Jon! I still don't understand why the black model doesn't have the matching headstock like your red one.

I love it! Nice score Jon.

Jon, that is one COOL bass! Damn it, now I have another axe to add to the list! How would you describe it's tone, more like a P bass, or more like a J bass? Or does it have it's own sound altogether? Love those BLOCK inlays!
I see too, that Fender is doing a limited run on the Bass VI! Wish they would've based it more on the 1968 model with the block inlays. Oh well, at least they're making them again!

This is a very nice bass. From a tone point of view, it's difficult to describe what it sounds like, because it's so versatile.

This is the first bass of over 100 that i've owned so far in my lifetime that has had dual electronics (passive/active). With the flick of a switch I can be in either mode and each are very different sounding. For slap the active circuit sings as does the passive circuit for non-slap. You also the parallel/series switch for the pickups that is available to use in either passive or active mode.

When using it in the passive mode it fattens up the sound, making the bass sound like a Precision.

The active mode gives you a dial-in bass boost as well as tone (dial-in treble/bass) control. Then you have the common to both circuits overall tone control knob on the main input jack panel.

Besides all of these, you also have individual pickup on-off switches for both pickups. The versatility is incredible.

Here's the only somewhat negative thing that I can find on this bass. Unfortunately, because the pickups are controlled by switches they are either on or off, you can't blend them together like you can on a Rickenbacker. Personally I don't find that to be a problem, but others might.

I did add the bridge cover to my bass to complete the look that I was after. I don't like uncovered Fender bridges.

Now I ordered my Jaguar without having ever played or seeing one in person. If you haven't guessed by now, i'm not in anyway disappointed with it. I doubt anyone else would be either.

I plan on keeping this bass for a long time which means I might sell my April 73 Burgundyglo 4001.

JC

Dibs on the burg!

If you check out the Fender website, they are re-issuing the Bass VI for 2006.. Totally cool!!

I bought a black Fender Jaguar Bass last week and have used it on two gigs already, in addition to some practice time.

I love the versatility of the electronics. You have essentially 3 options: passive-parallel like a Jazz bass, passive-series like a P-bass, or active. All 3 options are good sounding and usable. My favorite is the passive, series wired pickups option. It has balls, richness, bark... I love it.

The most amazing thing is the low price, considering how versatile this bass is with all the sonic options.

The action and intonation were excellent right out of the box. The lack of a standard case is an issue - I am using an old bass case I've had forever for it; it fit in my Jazz bass's case, but tightly. This is an issue that I wish Fender would address.

My black Jaguar bass was $700, has an easy Jazz bass neck, no dead spots, and can sound like 3 different good basses, and then some. I love it. Highly recommended. If I had to find a fault with it, other than the case issue, it's just the side marker dots are a little hard to see in low light stage situations. (I know, that's nitpicking....). This is a great new bass. It looks bitchin, too - the photos don't do it justice.