Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Forgive me, but I fear that I am about to sin…

I have serious GAS for a Fender Jazz bass. I sold my ’04 last year because I just couldn’t get the tone out of it that I was after, it was just too squeaky clean.

My short list is ’75 reissue Japan or USA, ’62 reissue Japan or USA, 1983 Fullerton, or a beaten up ’72 (ish) .

I know this is the RIC forum, Rickenbackers are and always will be my #1 bass, but I need a Jazz as well.

I know some of us own Jazz Basses and any feedback would be very welcome.

Forgive me…………..

There's a good thread in "The Others" section on Jazzes.

Geddy!!!!

It's only squeaky clean when you want it to be... I have Chromes on mine and she still growls when I want. And the neck, oh the neck...

She'll never be as cool as my 4001, but a damn close second!

I've got a mim 60's jazz that was supposed to be CIJ, but they moved them to Mexico, has cts pots and I love it. I had to have a tool and die buddy make me a spacer to fit over the threads of the truss rod so I would not run out of thread when I tightened the truss nut( I broke the first nut on a defective neck) and now It's great.

I'd also recommend the Geddy Lee signature Jazz Bass. I owned one and it was great. Pencil-thin necks, if you like them. You'll feel at home with the lacquered fretboard. It's basically a '72 reissue, made in Japan, very high quality and attention to detail. The black-block position markers are painted-on, not inlaid. The only thing I'd recommend changing about it is replacing the BadAss II bridge with stock (bent) Fender bridge, that will give you more bottom end. And we all know one famous Ric player that likes them... his signature is tastefully hidden behind the headstock (unlike the Sting P-bass, that has his signature inlaid in the 12th fret - a.k.a "the Stinglay").

Richard - Fender makes a washer just for that purpose (maxxed-out Jazz bass truss rods). In fact, Geddy's original '72 Jazz has a washer like that, its truss rod also maxxed out, possibly because he had it shaved down so thin. I don't have the part number but you could post a question in the Fender Forum.

EDIT: found it -

From Fender's Mark Kendrick's post on the FDP from Sept. 12, 2001:

"In '94, I participated in the revamp of Fender's bass line. In order to alleviate future wood compression in the bass necks, we decided to use a brass washers against a steel stop installed against the truss rod adjustment nut. At first the nut had tendency to bind so we then decided to install a nylatron washer in front of the brass. It did and does continue to work very effectively. That Fender part # is 004869000. My suggesttion for using the washer on the vintage rod for the GL is, it too is effective in correcting the compression problem."

I'd recommend the 72, it's where it's going to be already and they still made some good ones in 72 and it will only appreciate in price, and best of all it's a real one, not a reissue. 72 J basses are a desirable bass now, you should be able to get a dirty tone out if it if you want, the pickups should have mellowed a bit in 30+ years.

Ilan; Interesting that Fender makes the part, but does not fix the issue. I put in a spacer about 1/4" and it's worked out fine, mind you I'm slightly hesitant when I crank on the nut tho, but I've now got the neck pretty straight and it plays very well and is a nice sunburst. I'll have a look over at the fender forum and see if I can find what they've done.

I'll second the GL bass, although you need to watch the necks on those - the first one I bought was twisted. Fortunately Fender's warranty service is excellent, and the bass was replaced with no hassles whatsoever.

Count a vote for the USA '75 RI. I've got one and with the right strings (Dean Markley Will Lee's...) it just nails Geddy's later F****r sound (think the 'Grace Under Pressure' CD). Although quality control can be an issue from instrument to instrument, mine has a nice, thin neck profile.

Bob A, I may have a MIJ 75 RI for sale this weekend. I just bought my second Fender FSR 70's jazz bass, and I had a MIA 75 RI before. I keep coming back to the J bass. I must say my current MIJ 75 RI is as nice as the other American's that I owned. If this new one is as nice, or better than I'm selling the MIJ.

MIJ 75 RI

MIA FSR 70's J bass

Wow, I thought I might be drummed out of the forum for mentioning the ‘F’ word, but it seems that I am amongst friends.

The Geddy sounds like a good deal, but I just don’t think I would be happy with printed inlays. I’ve got used to Rickenbackers’ quality. The Geddy would be a cost effective way to go though.

Bob, your Japanese ’75 RI looks the business, I would certainly be very interested in it. Send me an email if you are looking to sell it, thanks. The only thing is that I live in the UK and with shipping and import duty it may not be a viable route.

Thanks for all your help, Bob

No, a lot of us like Fenders too. I have always loved the Jazz Bass and P basses are cool too.

BTW.. Ilan..thanks for digging that up...R

I've got an '88 MIJ Jazz that is a fantastic bass. I dropped some DiMarzios in it a few years ago & it's a really great bass. Very even, very balanced. A clean or growly as you'd like. I've had it since new & it's got some scars & could tell A LOT of stories!

Plus I have a MIA P-bass on the UPS truck right now!!

I've got an Oly White '83 US Reissue Jazz, which is amazing, and every bit as good sounding and playing as my now-sold '63 Jazz. For real. Also have a '94 Japan '75 RI, which is also excellent. And a '94 Mexi Jazz which is very good. Departed: the Geddy which I had no luck with tone-wise, and a C.A.R. US '75 RI which also was a bomb. Bottom line, if you can get a good Japan RI for under $600, there's no better bass for the money.