Fender American Jazz Bass

Bone nut, strings through body bridge, standard appointments: where's my S-1 switch?
That's what I get for buying a '98 model. No S-1. Bah.
On the other hand, this has a beautiful, 2 piece ash body, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard.
The ash has a cuple of knots in, and somehow it just seems to work for this one.

I tried about a hundred or so basses before settling on this one, and for some reason, it just works.
Fenders are CNC'd and mass produced these days, but the properties of some woods really vary, ash in particular. This one is just right, somehow.
Sound engineers have asked if it's really 'just' a Fender.
I am tempted to put some Bartolinis in it to see if there'd be any improvement, but it just seems to work nicely as it is, and suits me perfectly.

Action was alright, and I adjusted it to taste. There are few of the sloppy flaws that one sometimes finds with mass produced guitars.
Fender's strings are fairly poor, though.

I've had three problems with this, all minor. I believe that one may have been a consequence of the wood being knotted (I'm not complaining about THAT, as mentioned, knotted wood seems to work for me).
In short, the grub screw on one of the volume knobs sheared, the tuner on the G keeps losing grip despite adjustment and one of the strap buttons left home.
Not too bad a return for so many gigs, but then again, I've had cheaper guitars which stood up better.

No cause to get in touch, save registration.

I've been playing for more than fifteen years, and had my grades all done after four of those. This bass suits me. Whether because of sentimentalism on my part, or knotting in the wood of this bass, I find it unique amongst Fender Jazz basses. I'd surely try another ash J-Bass before settling on an Alembic to replace it if I couldn't find a match.
Scoring this is difficult, as I found 'my' bass among the throng of Fender Jazz basses, but I can't say that I'm utterly convinced of Fender's craftmanship in general.

Switching options provide nice mix of Jazz and Precision Bass sounds. If you can't decide between the two, consider one of these or a P Bass Special (which has a P split-coil pickup near the neck, and a J single-coil pickup near the bridge). For basic specs, see other reviews.

Sound is great, and very versatile. Play one of these against a Standard (Mexican-made) Jazz Bass, and you'll notice how much richer the US-made model sounds. I'm not sure if the difference is the American J Bass's better pickups, strings-through-body tail, superior materials and construction, or all of the above. But if you play professionally, you'll probably want to save up your boxtops to buy one of these.

As with all Jazz Basses, the two pickups provide a wide range of sounds. Bridge pickup alone + tone down = unusual bassoon-like sound. Bridge pickup alone + tone up = Jaco-style, metallic, slightly phased sound. Mix in the neck pickup for a more conventional bass sound.

Unusual on this model is the "S-1" push-pull knob. Depressing it switches the two pickups from parallel to series, yielding a thicker sound more like a Precision Bass. In this mode, the bridge pickup's volume knob has no effect -- the neck pickup's volume knob controls both pickups as a unit.

The action is delightful. The setup and workmanship on feel a bit more solid than on US-made Fender *guitars*.

Feels very solid and durable.

No experience; read other reviews.

A wonderful instrument with rich, versatile sound; great action; and very solid construction. Not quite the mystical experience I got from playing a Rickenbacker -- but more affordable.

2004 or 2005 - anyway bought in Feb 2005 - made in Corona USA - alder body BLACK, maple neck and maple fingerboard. Not much else to say, pretty standard US made Jazz Bass with S-1 switching system

Well if you like the J-Bass sound, it works. If volume are not set to max, this (mine) is rather noisy. S-1 system add to sound palette and again you like or you don't, not a matter of good or bad sound.

In the store, action/set-up/finish were great. I finally bought the bass after keep trying it for a couple a weeks (at the store). Paid it, took it home (I live in Canada, Quebec)on a fairly cold and damped mid-February afternoon.

Got home, let the instrument rest in its case to slowly warm up to normal room temperature. After few hours of resting I grab it played a little and after 30 minutes the neck went so warped that I could easily fit the 2005 Fender catalog between the neck and the strings in middle of the neck! No freaking joke! Next day; the store expert absolutely refused to even try tweaking the truss rods and insisted to send the bass to Fender - that Store (Archambault Musique of Gatineau) also refused to replace the bass and even refused to lend me another instrument while my bass would be sent and get fixed at Fender????To make it short, that same day I went to another store where the folks almost fixed the problem (at my expenses). After a couple of weeks, the neck went on warping againg but not as bad as the first time. During this current year, I went 3 more times to different experts to make this instrument as fun to play as it was before I took out of that so-called Music Store where I bought it. So, not impressed neither by Fender, neither by Archambault Music. I live in constantly rought and extreme wheather conditions I agree - but my other J-BAss US made fretless, bought the same year and put trough the same rigirous climate, never shown any sign of neck warping...

Never bother, as I said in another review (Fretless US Jazz Bass)I live with my bad decisions . Can't give a score for this category.

How do you rate a product that has only one problem , but a hell of a one...

The serial number is 2004, bought in 2005. It's your basic Jazz Bass layout: black body and pickguard. maple neck and fingerboard with a very good looking figuring in the wood...almost flamed. It's got an alder body, which in fairness has more of a midrange presense in comparison with the ash bodies on some of the transparent finish Jazzes. Vol(S-1 Switching)/Vol/Tone, Polyurethane coat, fender USA standard Jazz Bass Bridge, Schaller tuners with a lovely Jazz bass neck...no where near as thick as the P-Bass necks which feature an almost baseball thickness to them! I got a free Fender hardcase, manual (which of course, you won't need ever), truss rod adjuster etc. etc. It's your standard Jazz with the S-1 in it.

First amp I played this though was Ashdown's EVO II 300 and their 4x8 Mini Cab.

Even with the EQ set completely flat, it was one of the best basses I've played. Rolling off the front pickup and the bass yields a superb, biting and punchy as hell sound, which is consistent though even the worst amps. I usually roll the neck pickup off almost all the way, but even with both pickups on, the bass has a serious low end and a high mid range that cannot be beaten for slap work. It's what I love about US Fenders, you know exactly what you're getting. The US pickups are good too, which to say the least, I was suprised about. I still might swap them out of Lindy Fralin's, but I'll decide next gig I play. The tone control is sensitive, and I usually keep it half way back to avoid unnecessary (and annoying) sqeaky fingernoise and eye wateringly bright highs.

The S-1 really deserves a review of it's own...it's very deep indeed, I rarely engage it unless I'm in dire need of some serious low end, but it SLAYS for dub and reggae, especially if you were to throw some flats on there.

I doubt very much Fender set up their guitars, but it came with factory setup quite high, which I lowered. No problems with the truss as of yet.

No questions, solid as a rock.

Haven't dealt with Fender...not entirely sure I have to.

USA Standard Jazz Bass w/maple neck and S-1 switching. Passive electronics and 2 jazz bass pick ups. Great neck plays very well. Solid tuners and bridge. This instrument is a workhorse, with the exception of the S-1 switching, no real bells and whistles, but solid parts and construction all around.

Rock, Country. Good variety of sounds. I like the S-1 switch. It gives the bass a fatter sound. Gives me the solid bass sound I'm looking for. Using it with a SWR workingman's 10 for studio use.

The bass was set up well from the shop. No flaws or indication of poor craftsmanship.

This bass seems to be a rock. I've heard of problems with the S-1, but haven't had any personally.

I was looking for a standard bass that played and sounded well with out a lot of extra junk to break. It works very well as a studio bass and I'm sure it would be fine on stage.

I bought this 2004 Fender Jazz New in March 04. Its a USA model, 4 strings, 20 frets, solid body in silver with 3 ply black-white-black scratch plate, 2 jazz pickups and also the new S1 switching system (enabling to switch from 1 pickup to the other) it is string thru body, rosewood fingerboard on maple neck and comes with Flightcase, strap and a few other bits.

I cannot fault this bass. I have played hundreds of basses before and since this 1. some more expoensive, some cheaper...none have eer matched the beautiful tone i get from this baby! Has a very ballsy tone, excellent slap tone and very punchy. I think this bass could be used for pretty much anything as i play funk as well as Sonic Youthesque rock!I love the sound, i love the look and the action was super low whyich was great! I play it through a Gallien Krueger amp with a big muff, Boss ODB3, Boss Bass horus and Reverb

Very well made, super low action, perfect condition. Pickups were nice and low into the body - great considering how low the action 1. Alot of consideration and care was put into this bass and i am very proud to be its master

This bass will be getting its first gig in 2 weeks in front of 400 so heres hoping. its been used in the studio and is my main bass these days. i use strap locks as it doesnt have locking strap buttons itself. i will take it to my bass tech to be checked over before the gig but never needed any work beofre other than strings. nothing has come lose or needed adjusting since ive had it.

Not had to deal

Ive been playing a few years. i use a cort curbow 5 string as well, gallien krueger and peavey amplification, behringer rack gear, boss and electro harmonix pedals. i compared it with Musicman, Precisions, Rickenbackers etc but nothing won me over like this. If it got stolen its insured so i would buy another tomorrow - im even considering buying a sunburst as a spare.

My Fender Jazz 1999 is a typical American made Fender Jazz, two original pickups, original bridge, original tuners, 20 frets (obviously bolt on neck). You take a look on it and it shows that is a carefull made instrument.

The sound of my Fender.... oh, god. It sounds amazing, full of low end and very rich top, no noisy. The bridge pickup sounds like the Jaco sound, and the neck pickup seems to be a Precision one! You put this bass on any amp and it will sound great. When I bought it, I tested a couple of Mexican Fenders, OK. But when the sales man gave this, I played the fourth string open, and inmediatelly I asked for the price. Terrific!!

It was a little hard to adjust, I spent 6 monthes for adjustment, but the hardware respond very well to the adjustment, and no more problems there. The finish is too not perfect, a smal piece of finish was broken some time ago (and it is not my main bass).

It looks like it was the first day! I take care of my basses. And I think I never use it on stage. The hardware is really good!

Never tried

Great bass!

Made in 2002. Pretty standard. 2 single coil pickups.If you need anything else look at the other submissions.

This thing has got a great Classic Fender Jazz sound. i play jazz, country, rock, and this thing is suited for all those and probably more.
I find that the Jazz has a bit better tone than the P-bass and that it also is much more versatile. It does, however, give a tiny amount of buzz when one pickup is cranked all the way and the other is turned down and when the tone is turned all the way up. I've had many people tell me after shows tell me how good my bass sounded. It can sometimes come short on the low-end if you want a big beefy tone sometimes, but it can come close.

The action was a bit low for my tastes when I got it from the factory, but I prefer mine on the high side so nothing bad about that. It has a beautiful black body with the clear high gloss coat. and the white pickguard. It does seem to get fingerprints on it kinda easily, but really, who cares?

As with pretty much all Fender basses, this thing is built to last. I have dropped this thing and thrown it around, and gotten kinda crazy with it on stage and I never have had to adjust it. or anything. It came with a set of strap locks so this thing isnt going to come off anytime soon.

Never had to deal with Fender because they make great instruments.

This really is one of the best Fender basses you can buy. It is a tad bit pricey and even though you can get a similar one that is made in Mexico for about $400 less, you are getting a guranteed better bass here. But pricing aside if you can get this by all means get it. I've had an Ibanez and a Yamaha before this and all I want to know is why I didn't get a Fender sooner.