Help from you FENDER BASS players out there!

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:27 pm

OH boy, were do I start?

Let me preface this by saying that I've NEVER even played a Fender Bass so forgive the lack of knowledge on the subject. All my basses are either Alembics or Rickenbackers. BUT....

I'm looking for a special sound, even though the style of music isn't my cup of tea....

Anyone know the song "I'll take you there" by the Staple Singers? It was played by a bassist named David Hood. He was quoted as using a "’61 Fender Jazz w/all controls on full, recorded direct with a 60-watt Fender Bassman and Concert 4x10 monitor".

Ok, I obviously can't go out and find a 1961 Fender Jazz at the local music shop, and even if I could, well, you know.......I don't own a bank.

There are SO many current models of Fender, I don't have a CLUE where to even begin! My luthier tells me that believe it or not, the new FENDER MEXICAN models are frequently BETTER than the AMERICAN ONES! Now, without opening a can of worms, I've been looking at this bass...
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Bass/Electric?sku=515201
What do you all think? A good place to start or what????

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

For a laugh, check out this 1961 on Ebay...

http://images.instrumentexchange.com/zo ... 1203_6.jpg

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:14 pm

I'm not a big fan of the Mexi-Fenders, but their Japanese stuff is often excellent. Plus, check out the great vintage/unique options to be found here:
http://www.guitarjapan.com/fenderjapan/index.html

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:40 pm

I was thinking of buying another J bass myself Tony.
I have owned a few American, 1 MIM, and a custom shop J bass, and I keep coming back to them for that J bass tone. Chris is right about the Japan made Fenders. I have never owned one, but I hear a lot of good things about them. I was thinking of buying a cheap MIM just to use occasionally.
I was browsing EBay earlier today, and came across this J bass that has been upgraded to a BadAss bridge, and Bassline pickups. For $300 I don't think you could beat it. Now, if I only had a spare $300 laying around.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Jazz-Bass-MIM-Badass-II-Bridge-Bassline-pickups_W0QQitemZ7404272646QQcategoryZ64400QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:20 pm

the mexis play and sound just fine

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:25 pm

the worst fender basses are the signature models ... the mim fender is a good medium quality instrument ... sometimes the mim jazz bass will get the truss rod nut stripped from frequent adjustments ...

brianb · Post by **brianb** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:43 pm

I think the Marcus Miller model was the best of the signatures. Not too shabby for about $500.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:54 pm

I've had 3 Mexis...the first one was a 5 I got from Jeff, liked it a lot but it had been heavily modded, so not really "original", to say the least. (Does any bass leave Jeff's house without mods?

)
Then I had a black Jazz 4 string, loved it, but it was given to me as a gift by a girl who turned out to be...well, of "questionable character and ethics", and therefore, I could not enjoy it any more and sold it.
The last one I just got 2 weeks ago, it is a Midnight Wine 5-string, stock, and I love it! It is my favorite of the 3 by FAR.

So...my only recommendation would be to play it first if possible. The ones I have gotten have been good ones, but I was able to test them out first.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:16 pm

I'd love to own a Fender. Just to have a different sound. The Rick sound is amazing, but occasionally I want something less aggressive and more smooth. A P or a J might get that done, but also in case my Ricks are out of order, that I could get the Fender close to the sound. Geddy does that with his J. Close, but not exact. Sure, I could get a smoother sound with my 4001, but I don't want to spend the time figuring out how to do it.

Those CIJ basses look great, black block fret markers on a P bass, maple fretboards (which I want). I'd get one, but what is the shipping cost?

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:24 am

Thanks everyone,

You've all been really helpful! I'm glad you said something about the signature models Jeff, I was thinking also about the Geddy Lee signature too.

Also, any suggestions about ACTIVE vs PASSIVE pups? Again, I'm trying to get that specific sound.

And lastly, what is this stuff about the letter id for necks? I've heard of a "C" neck, an "A" neck. Which is the smaller of the necks and are they all available? For example, can I order a Japanese Jazz with a "B" neck, or do you just get what they have and look for the others?

Looks like its time to sell another bass so I can go hunting for a Jazz! Anyone interested in a BRAND SPANKING NEW, MINTY FRESH 2005 4003 Monty?

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:55 am

If the sound you're after is from a '61, they didn't have active pups then, so passive is the way to go. Maybe a re-issue Jazz might be a good place to start?
The letters are the radius of the neck, although I dont know what each one means.

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:14 am

WOW!

CHECK THIS OUT! The ACTUAL bassist on that recording (David Hood) responded to my email in less than 24 hours!!!!!! Now how cool is that?!??!?!

"Tony,
The bass used on "I'll Take You There" was a 1961 Jazz Bass (with the stacked tone/volume
controls). The bass on "My Little Town" was a 1973 Jazz Bass. The ' 61 was stolen in 1973
while I was touring with Traffic. There were no effects, pedals or anything, just plugged into
a direct box and run straight into the recording console. No, I have never recorded a solo cd.
I consider myself an accompanist and am happy to remain in a support role with the artists
that I am working with.
Thanks for the email,
David"

Wow, I guess that verifies I'm looking for a JAZZ BASS! THAT IS JUST TOO COOL!!!!

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:18 am

Tony...

Not from firsthand experience, but I've heard of a number of Jazz slingers who get awesome old-school Jazz sounds by swapping for Duncan Antiquity pups. I might put a set in my soon-to-be-acquired Geddy Jazz if I think it needs them...

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:06 am

If I remember that song correctly, it had a flatwound sound to it. And that's almost 100% right, since I think rounds weren't developed until the mid-60's.

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 6:25 am

MIM Jazz owner here (Olympic white with a rosewood fretboard). Mine has Barts, Schallers and a BadAss and it sounds great - lots of growliness and boom. The ONE mod I always suggest is replacing the ****** bent metal bridge for something with more heft, like a BadAss. That eBay $300 Jazz seems like a great place to start.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 6:59 am

I picked up a 60's Reissue Made in Mexico Jazz for about $400 on eBay around a year ago. I highly reccomend this bass. It was Olympic White w/ tortoise pickguard, rosewood board. I installed the ashtray covers and the look as 100% there.

The sound, well, it sounded like a Jazz, which is why I ultimately sold it. I realized that i'm a Rick man, through and through.