Fender American Standard Jazz Bass

2008 American Standard Jazz Bass, purchased late August. All standard Specs, Passive electronics, Alder Body, Maple Fretboard, 3 Colour Sunburst, All usual accessories (Case, strap, cable, alan keys etc)

Well equipped, came with all necessary parts although the case was questionably scuffed and had traces of what looked like glue on it. no complaints beyond the condition of the case in terms of equipment.

Good variety of sounds available from the classic passive pickup setup, with a volume switch for each pickup and tone selector for choice between jazzy smoothness, trebly punch and all the fun between. I play mostly progressive rock and blues, so it suits the tones im looking for, warm and bright, although at times the sound is noticably flat and lacking richness. Furthermore, the pickups are rather noisy and buzzy, although i plan to install some Seymour Duncan "Hot for Jazz Bass" pickups at some point in the aim of noise reduction and a more full sound. This is not to say the standard pickups are bad as such, but their problems are noticable.

The bass did not arrive properly set up, and it took extensive work to get it up to standard, although i'm still experiencing problems with fret buzz despite the high action, much higher than i'd normally play with anyway. Also the A string when played open buzzes badly. I will send it to a tech at some point, but having spent ??850 on it, i expected it to at least be set up properly or enough for me to be able to just tweak it, but the problems have been beyond simply adjusting it. The finish at least looked great, however, like the case, the pickups and scratch plate had some kind of gluey residue on them. Overall i was very disappointed considering Fender's reputation and the cost of it.

Due to the problems described earlier i dont think this bass could withstand consistent live playing before other problems would arise. The hardware seems solid enough though, the bridge being very strong and solid and the pickups feeling well planted. The finish, after only a few plays at home and one live show has already shown signs of wear with scratches and little dents appearing seemingly from nowhere considering the care i try to take over my equipment. I wouldnt not depend on this bass without a backup or having to make adjustments all the time.

I tried to contact Fender about the problems but had no reply at all. This is an area Fender seriously needs to consider.

Overall i was very disappointed considering Fenders reputation and the price i paid. I've been playing for roughly 6 years and own a Warick Corvette and Mexican Precision Bass, and i wanted this bass to become my new front runner but after the problems ive experienced i doubt i could trust Fender again or use this bass extensively, even if i do take it to a tech. While i like the look and sound of it even these have their problems due to the somewhat flat sound and easily worn finish. If it was stolen i definitely would not buy another. Overall i would advise caution when purchasing a bass like this, even if you get a good one be prepared to make frequent and time consuming adjustments.

I have purchased a new 2008 model. It's olympic white w/tortous pickguard and rosewood fingerboard. Fender has gone back to the standard electronics (no more push-pickup switch that didn't belong on a jazz)Fender is really promoting the changes on the 08 models and they really are improvements. The polished rolled edge fingerboard just looks good and feels better(compare it to a 2007 neck and it says "class")The new heavy mass bridge puts an end to saddle height slipping and thin bridge design. You shouldn't feel compelled to run out and buy a Leo Quan. You also have the option of running strings through the body or through the bridge. The paint undercoat is said to be thinner in order to allow the body to resonate more freely. I only know this 2008 Jazz sounds great and I did a side by side with a 2007 when I bought this one. It also has new light weight hipshot tuners for less neck dive (great quality). Classy old school bass that Mr. Leo introduced the year I was born (fate I guess),1960. I know it is another passive Jazz bass, but I give it a 10 because of her improvements! The high dollar Jazz style bass makers are gonna have to step it up!

This bass takes care of the "old school sound" that I like to have at my disposal (I've always preferred the Jazz over the P-bass). Nice to have the passive electronics and that classic "fender Jazz" tone. You can get a lot of sounds out of the bass by balancing between the two pups and playing with the tone knob. It doesn't have the active sizzle in the high end but I have other basses for that.I play in an 8 pc. contemporary praise and worship band cover many music styles. This bass works great.

The basses action was too high for my liking but they always are. A truss rod tweeking and saddle lowering was all she needed (I like to noodle with my babies anyway) The only gripe I had about this bass was the fret ends (they were ROUGH!). A shame because otherwise the neck and fingerboard edges feel so great. I suppose it was due to temp. and humidity changes. Instead of trusting the store to take care of the fix, I brought the bass home and carefully filled, angled, and polished the fret ends just the way I wanted them. I haven't seen another 2008 with this problem yet (shopped in four cities), but this was the bass I wanted. No problem with noise other than it is a Jazz. I give this bass a 7 because of the fret ends (otherwise she would get a ten)

I would trust this bass anywhere. Don't NEED a backup but might want other (active) tones available. Built like a tank. I installed straplocks (always do)- better safe than sorry.

I've played for 30+ years and have had a lot of basses. Wished I had kept my early 70's Jazz! O' well,this one is quieter and more handsome as well. I've always had a soft spot for the Fender Jazz. I like the looks and sound (any bass go enough for Jaco...). I think it's cool that Loe Fender introduced this line of bass in 1960 - the year I was born. I may consider dropping an aurdere preamp kit inside of her at sonsome later date. I understand it can purchased for around 150.00. If something happened to this bass I would want another one. If your thinking about a Fender Jazz, be sure to try a 2008 before purchasing an earlier year. The new improvement just might blow you away too!

My Jazz Bass is a '92, so it has 22 frets (as far as I know this was only done from 89 to 92), it had the standard non string-thru bridge and pasive Am Std jazz pickups with knurled pots, but after a few years of heavy use, they were replaced with the EMG active Jazz bass package (Kudos to EMG for having these readily available) and a Badass II bridge. Ash body, rosewood fretboard, and maple neck with skunk stripe. No graphite reinforcement, but that wasn't offer til aound 1995. SKB hardshell case, and set for Schaller straplocks which were replaced with Dunlops. I'll give it a 10 due to its production year. It seems kinda silly to do a review on a Jazz Bass, but nobody seems to have any knowledge on these, so I thought I'd offer what I could.

It's got the nasally Jazz Bass, and the EMG's cleared up the traditional buzz from offset volume pots. I've comptimplated replacing the neck J with an EMG P pickup, but due to the odd body design, I don't want to router it. Jazz Basses always sound like Jazz Basses to me with their original electronics. They work for every style of music, but they're not do everything basses Like Spectors tend to be.

Action's been changed a few times, finish is very worn, but there's a huge difference with how nitro cellulose finish wears to how the other laquer wears, from the 80's on the finish doesn't get that wear the Custom Shop "Relic" basses mimick. Thusly mine looks at first glance like a 5 year old Mexican, rather than a 14 year old American (the Fender logo was changed to the Speghetti style in '95, and mine has the logo the Mexicans use today).

It's been through 2 rainstorms, 14 Wisconsin winters, 14 years of hard use, and the only complaint I have is the original bridge, which was replaced in year #3, because the original rusted to the point that it couldn't be adjusted anymore, before that, vibrations would cause the sadle screws to lower. My '97 Precision does the same thing. I generally look at new Fenders as bodies and necks, the rest can go any direction I want (I'm considering taking Geddy Lee and throwing Duncan 1/4 P and J pickups into it, and maybe an Aguilar Preamp).

Customer service with Fender usaully goes completely with the store said instument was perchased, and they treated me well.

It's a Jazz Bass, and with a little hot rodding, I call it my Jazz Bass. Many have been happy leaving them stock (and I do relize this effects resale, but after 14 years, I don't see myself selling it). It may be retired some day, but never truly replaced. I've tried other New Am Std Jazz Basses, and they feel chuncky to me. The '75 Reissue or the Geddy Lee seem much more similar.

2003 Fender American Standard Jazz bass with S1 switch. Great tuners, nice optional strings thru body bridge. Great satin finish on neck. Body finish could be way better. Pickups can be noisy.

I bought this because it has a warm rich growl. With the S1 switch I can get even more bottom and have a master volume. Pickups can be noisy, I'm talking noise with both volumes on full in SERIES. Fender is just down right cheap..they should shield the control cavity etc. Unneccessary noise is not acceptable at this price point.

Hardware is excellent. Neck has a great satin finish a nice contour. I like the rolled edges on the fingerboard. The body however could be finished better. My Mexican jazz and Japanese Geddy jazz have way way better finishes on the bodies. You can slightly see where the body pieces are glued together (grain) on the back and my bass has a black finish.

Fender basses are players.

Emailed them no response.

Plays great, feels great, sounds great but can be noisy. Finish could be better. Japanese and Mexican jazz basses have better build quality for the price. With a little extra detail to the electronics and overall body finishing this would be a better value. I bought it slightly used (almost mint)but it's not worth the price new.

1983 Fender American Jazz Bass. Pickups have been replaced with EMG P/J setup. Two volumes and a tone. Crimson-burst finish. Maple neck, not sure what the body is, but it's heavy for sure. Came with hard-shell case.

It suits me just fine. I play primarily jazz and funk, but dabble in just about everything. It sounds great. There's no buzz or hum whatsoever. It's got a wonderful bright sound, but has also got a beautiful smooth tone. I play through an SWR Workingman's 15, and I don't mess around with effects. I can pretty much get whatever sound I need from the two combined. I can't really think of anything I dislike about it.

This bass came set up and in fantastic shape. It's got a few scratches, but nothing major. I know everyone frowns on "The CBS years" of Fender, but I can't find a damn thing wrong with this guitar.

It's a tank. It's been going strong for almost 22 years now and shows no signs of quiting. I bring a backup, but I've never had to use it.

n/a

I've been playing for about 5 years now, and I've owned some really crap basses as well as a few nice ones. I currently have a Schecter 004 Elite, and have previously owned a MIM P-bass special and shamefully a Rogue. If it were stolen or lost, I would cry like a bi*ch, then scrimp and save to get another (assuming I could find one, I haven't come across too many). I absolutely LOVE this bass.

I got a 2002 American Jazz Bass a few months ago. I've put this bass through severe testing! It goes through several shows a week in verying climate conditions (e.g. humidity and temperature changes that can influence the neck bow). The neck has held up better than most necks of other basses, but gets a bit dead at the 7th fret. Tonally, it has that nice, punchy mid-bass J Bass sound with both single coil pickups on. The bridge pickup is lacking by it self--it's a little noisey. The neck pickup, while it does give a great bottom end tone, is still a little weak but usable. Overall, i couldn't ask for a better everyday bass. It's got tons of tone options to dial in, the string-through/top-through bridge is great for string excursion, and alder is still one of the best tone woods!

The Jazz Bass is great for a traditional sounding punch in your mid-bass frequencies--which i get from mine. I use it quite a bit for slap and pick styles. For finger styles it's not a versatile, though. Without active pickups, the lower output pickups can get your sound lost in the mix when playing live. In the studio, they have an amazing "chunk" to them. I have found that the best cabinet mix for playing slap style on this Jazz Bass is: 1x15 + 2x10.

Like any Fender from the factory, the setup/action wasn't awe inspiring. But it wasn't bad. My tech only spent 5 minutes tweeking it to spec. There's a 3 tone sunburst (and a tortise shell pickguard that i added to replace the factory white one). I got lucky: many of the sunburst finishes in the last 15 years of Fender have been kinda' cheap looking, but mine is dark and even. I can't complain.

In a live setting, the American Jazz does great. The neck stays put and doesn't give me any buzz, even with a low action. I've had to make on minor truss rod turn this year. But this normally has to be done to any bass when going from the heat and humity of summer to the drier, colder weather of fall/winter in Ohio.

I work in a music store that stocks Fender products, so my support is pretty good. I haven't had to use it, though.

I've been playing for about eleven years and this was my dream instrument. Overall, i'd say that it's been about 90% of what i expected. The other ten percent is the lacking of output volume and off balanced headstock to body weight ratio (it can be weird to play standing up with it). I love the tradional tapering at the nut, giving a narrower neck up top. The only thing that i truly wish was different was the pickups: they're a bit noisey and low output.

A 1992 American Standard Jazz Bass. Fender started making these "first" Am. Std's in late 80's, probably in 1989. In about 1994-95 they stopped making these basses and introduced the second generation of American Standard series, which were totally different from those in late 80's-early 90's.

Features: alder body (three pieces), unique body contours (slightly smaller than regular J-bass bodies, with a long upper horn), dark blue color, Shaller strap-locks.
22 frets one-piece maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. Bolt-on (4 bolts with micro-tilt adjustment). The neck is very slim. It has a dead spot on the 9th fret of the D string. No graphite reinforcement (which is used on Am. Std's made since 1995)
I bought this bass in 2002 and had to change the nut with a bronze one. The stock nut which was made of plastic was in poor condition.
Pickups are single-coils, pssive electronics. Not the stongest signal, great amount of hum when one pickup is on. But the overal balance is pretty nice.
Controls are standard: Volume, Volume, Tone. Strato-type knobs (I don't know, whether they are stock or not).
Pickguard is white/black/white.

I'm a big fan of Jazz music and usually play in jazz-oriented styles. The sound this bass produces is not a standard J-bass sound. It's more modern, but not "too" modern like Tobias, Modulus or even newer Fender Deluxe basses. Probably 'cause it's passive. I've already wrote about the hum & weak sound from the pickups. Also it may be a problem to get a funky (Pastorius-like) sound with the bridge pickup soloed. But with all its good and bad sides, it's a universal instrument. It's suited for many styles. Especially for rock. Its best side is great pick tone, also nice slapping and solo tones.
It has a good tone balance. And this its main feature: not every Fender Jazz Bass has such a good balanxe of lows & highs like this American Standard.

As I have mentioned, I bought this bass in 2002, so it's more than 10 years old. I don't know, how it was set up. The bass came in perfet condition.

I played this bass and recorded with it several times. A very reliable instrument.
I changed the nut and polished the frets. The one thing I didn't like was the bridge. It was too wide, the string-to-string distance was wide than standard Fender, I could not get used to it, and at last decided to change with a standard or vintage one (like on most F-style basses). The one problem was that the newer bridge has five holes and the stock bridge had only three. I did not want to drill newer holes in the body and put it on three bolts leaving two another holes free. I don't understand, why Fender put such a bridge on its basses in late 80's-early 90's, it just did not fit the neck well.
"F" engraved tuners are really nice. Solid and very reliable. Strap-buttons are Straplocks made by Shaller - a great plus for any instrument.
I live in an area, where the humidity level changes very often. Sometimes I have to adjust the truss rod, but not very often. I had a one-piece maple neck MIJ '75 RI J-bass in the past (review is also published) and had problems with truss rod adjustment - sometimes, especially in autumn I had to adjust it every day!. At last I got rid of it and sold that bass.

Never dealt with them.

I'm playing bass for six years. I played various basses, including Fenders, Yamahas, Gibsons, Warwicks, Washburns, Samicks and some others. I like Jazz Bass. My favourite basses are 70's Fenders made of ash. But they cost really high and it's hard to get one with great sound and in good condition. Though this Am. Std. bass is not a typical Jazz Bass, but is also a great instrument for the money.
Newer Am. Standards are totally different basses, I played a few, I did not like the neck shape - it's too beefy (probably because of graphite bars installed into it). They are nice basses, too and that was the only thing I did not like.

I reviewed mine some time ago. Now that I've had it 6 years I still love it but I gotta say... If you're the type that leaves strings on a long time or busts them, then I recommend swapping out the stock "through-the-body bridge" for one of their convertible bridges, thus allowing you to string it from the base of the bridge (vintage style). Once I got rid of that 90 degree through the body bend on the string I got rid of the strings breaking. Yay!

I just purchased a 2001 Jazz Bash. Natural Ash, maple neck.
I got a great deal on it becuase there is a small ding on the head stock, which sucks but helped get the price way down.

You know the rest as I'm not the first one to review this thing. But I give it a 10 because it may not have as many bells and whistles as some of the more modern bass styles but if it ain't broke don't fix it. I mean let's face it: nobody wants an Ibanez.

Came w/ case etc.

My other bass is a Epiphone Viola which looks good and sounds pretty good, but this thing destroys it.
The sustain and tone blow me away. It was between this and the Geddy Lee, the looks of the Geddy neck were pulling me in, so I left it up to tone and sustain and with the through body string set-up solid peice of ash and maple neck this won the contest in a big way. A BIG way. The tone can be tweaked out to what you need and the mids are great really cuts through the mix when I play with my band.
Yeah the p/u's are a little noisy but, meh.

I've always wanted a natural finish j-bass. Luckily I was able to get a great deal on this one. Looks flawless except I'd prefer block inlays as opposed to the black dots..but that's just being picky.
No flaws other than that ding on the head stock. This thing was made with pride. This becomes evident in the playability and in the aesthetics.

Oh yeah, the action is incredible. No buzzing, just enough fight.

I'll be playing live for the first time with this thing on the 16th of April. Wish me luck but I'm sure I'll have no problems. It is built solid and not as heavy as I thought, goos thing.

It came with strap locks which is a nice touch as I don't want to smuck it up yet. I won't be bringing a back up (sorry viola).

The truss rod is easily adjustable, just remove the pick guard. That was another thing that won over on the Geddy which has to have the neck removed to adjust the truss, good call on that one Fender.

Life long warranty is good.

But I have no idea how smooth things will go if I need them to. My last fender never required any service and it was a Squire. So I'm not expecting any issues here.

I've been playing guitar off and on since I was 6 (15 years ago) and bass off and on since 13 but I've really gotten back into it recently. Hence the need for another bass.

I couldn't ask for a better instrument for the money. This is the sweetest bass I've ever played. Yeah the Geddy looked cool but black bodies suck as everyone has one. And yeah Geddy is a good player but the guys a cheese dick.

If it were stolen I'd be really choked. It was a university graduation present from my loving parents so I wouldn't be able to afford it myself and it has sentimental value now. But I'd definetly want another

1998 model, bought in 1999, came with case and strap and wrenches.

Black with maple fretboard

can play it in many styles, started off in a wannabe alternative powergroove kinda band, always kept new DRs on it for a bright and punchy sound, lots of effects, it had good tone, also played it in powerpop band, and played blues and surf and rockabilly in theband im in now, which has now melded into a rock and roll band, I dont use effects anymore, and I went to flatwound strings, its very fat and warm now, but with different strings and tone settings, it can sound very modern

I always have to make adjustments, I raise the action and straighten the neck a bit, a very solid bass

SOLID, been knocked around, holds up, can use it without a backup, and i have many times, however, 3 years ago when i first got it, I kept the factory strings on it, and broke the taperwound low E string, but thats the only time I have broken a bass string live, I usually dont like taperwound strings, and wont buy them. Only compalint was after a couple of years, the front straplock button gets loose and needs to be tightened after each time, but I put some napkin in the hole and that keeps it tighter for now, I would rather do than than resort to a bigger screw, that just makes the problem worse over time

jljf'jkr'g kr';g'k fender!

I like this bass, I still like this bass after 3 years, I also like my warwick basses, but in a different way, this bass = solid and old school, warwick = solid and new school. Its good to have both, I think its dumb to be a fender hater, or a warwick hater, save up for both, and have both! But compared to a fender or warwick, ibanez and yamaha basses seem cheap

1998 Am Std Jazz Bass., Alder body, metallic purple finish, passive vintage spec. pickups, strap lock ready, graphite reinforced maple neck, maple fretboard, string through body bridge. Made in USA. incl. case.

The one bass any bass player needs in thier collection is a Fender Jazz. This bass will accomodate any music style. I chose the maple fretboard for it's "brighter" sound. Growling lows and punchy mid-range. Good slap bass as well. Covers all spectrums. i chose this bass for its versatility.

The bass I purchased 2yrs ago was set up excellent when I played it at the store. Action is great, solid build quality, quiet pickups. Open A string has a little buzz since the day I purchased it but I never bothered to have it fixed. I love the feel of the Jazz neck. I've played other Am Std Jazz basses at this and other stores and the set up was totally different. Have the store set up the bass to accomodate you if you are serious about purchasing one. If they won't do that for you go somewhere else.

This bass is a tank. I can not say enough about my confidence in the reliability of this bass.

I have been playing for 13 years. The previous basses I have owned were a Squire Jazz(payed $280 in '89 - so, so bass), a 1990 USA Jazz 5 string w/Lace Sensors(Got it for a steal used-decent bass) and the '98 Am. Std Jazz. I love the '98 Am. Std. Jazz. I play it through a Trace Elliot AH250 SMX head, 4x10 cab. and 1x15 cab. For the money this bass is kicks ass. If this were stolen or lost I would buy a Fender Jazz USA in a second to replace it. This is an all around bass. I chose this bass for it's versatility and price.

Fender Jazz USA Maple Fretboard 1990. 22 Frets. Body is made of Alder. Standard Jazz Pickups/Electronics make this bass awesome.

Really versatile bass! From Low down pounding hardcore, to funky ska, This bass does it all. The hum isnt that bad, Just watch where your playing.

Setup was great, Bought used though, Had a few dents

This bass is really durable, like a rock, I'd use it without a backup, But I dig in really hard, so I might break strings.

N/A

I'd defintly buy this again, I love the look of it, The flamed maple neck is orgasmic. A very sleek lovely bass, I really need to get a gig bag for it, It hurts getting the tuning pegs in your eyes in bed.

American Standard Jazz Bass
Made in the USA, 4 string, rosewood fingerboard, three tone sunburst body, white pickguard, one tone knob, two volume knobs, two passive single coil pickups, string through body, etc. You know the rest or you wouldn't be reading this, right?

Mine was made in 1999.

It gets a 7 because it has all the features necessary and a few more features than most - but it sure is missing a great deal to be found on more expensive basses.

I play country,blues, rock, and country-blues-rock, and some other styles here and there. Playing about 80% fingerstyle, the rest of the time is devoted to a pick.

The Jazz Bass is a versitile machine for the above styles. It does all of them well. It probably wouldn't do metal or heavier styles all that well without some help from effects and an amp, but that's what them there Iban??? are for.

Right now, I am using Fender amps with this thing and the results are excellent. I do not use effects other than a compresser. Effects aren't all that helpful to my chosen styles of music. A naturally good sounding bass and a solid amp are - that is what I have.

The Jazz Bass is not as deep sounding as it's sister, the Precision Bass, but it has a midrange growl that stands out more. It is noisier than a Precision, depending on your relation to your amp and assorted things in your playing enviorment. However, that is the nature of single coil pickups - like it or not. Also, if you turn up both pickups full, any sort of noise present will disappear.

Likes - one of the best feeling necks on the market, nice body shape, reasonable amount of tone shaping ability, tone burst and rosewood, and the overall look.

Dislikes - stock pickups could be more aggressive sounding. Sometimes difficult to find a nice balance when strapped on your shoulder. Could have more bottom end.

This bass came set up beautifully right from the store. I think they probably set it up when it arrived, though. There wasn't a scratch on it.

It was a nice piece of equipment the day I bought it.

I've used it live - no problems. It stays in tune reasonably well. It will definitely make it through a set no problem.Everything seems very basic and dependable. I would say it needs about 3 adjustments a year.
I would use it at a gig without a backup, but I wouldn't if I didn't have to. It doesn't matter how great a bass is, things like beer, jumping drummers, misplaced objects on stage, etc. can take their toll on any instrument.

Never liked the input jacks on any Fender, however. Even on their guitars, they usually seem outdated and flimsy.

Never had to deal with them yet.

I've been playing for several years now, and I've owned a lot of gear. I've finally got my "collection" toned down to this Jazz Bass, a Stingray 5, and an American Stratocaster (for those rare moments when I "play" guitar).

I pretty much knew what I was getting before I bought this bass. I'd tried it out a long time earlier. I really like the Jazz bass and the Precision bass. If I had to replace it, I'd really be stuck between the two of them or one of those Precision Deluxe's with the J pickup in it. I think a Fender is a necessary member of my music setup, but choosing which one was a chore. The look and feel of the Jazz bass won me over, even though I prefer the P Bass's sound.

I really like the feel of the Jazz bass compared to others I've owned (with the exception of the Stingray 5).
I'm at the point where the sound of a bass alone doesn't do it for me - if my hand feels like crap at the end of a 3 hour show, it isn't worth it.

I might change the pick ups in this thing in the coming years, but that would be about it.

2001 American Standard Jazz Bass,
20 frets,
2 volume, 1 tone,
2 Passive J PUs,
Alder body, Graphite reinforced maple neck,
String-Through body,
Toothpick neck, with incredible rolled edges,
Came with molded hardshell case, strap, all the necessary tools, strap locks, and a lifetime warranty.

Of course, you already knew this.

I cannot say enough about the sound of this bass. Simply incredible, the sustain, the Jazz growl. However, it has only one kind of tone, the Jazz bass tone. No wide variety, no great changes, just one Jazz tone. You either love it or hate. Personally, I love it. It's warm and articulate when played fingerstyle, sharp and quick flatpicked, and snappy when slapped. I don't think there is one thing I dislike about the sound.

Straight out of the box, this bass was set up pretty well. The action was very low, yet did not rattle about on the frets. The pickups were a bit high, but that is easily adjusted. The finish was perfect, and the wood had no flaws on it.

Built like a rock, you could smash it into a wall, stomp on it, and chew up the neck, and it would still play. I would trust this with no backup, if it weren't for the fact that things outside of one's control do happen. However, in a perfect world, I'd play this with no backup.

Haven't had to deal with Fender, don't see myself as ever having to.

I praise this bass enough, Fender really has got it perfect. Out of all my basses, I always pick this one up. It is simply a treat to play. If it were stolen, I'd find the bugger who stole it, and begin a violent bloodbath. I'd then replace it quickly.

This bass is a must for all players (who like the Jazz tone anyway)

I bought this American Standard Jazz new (made 2001). It's white blonde ie. semi translucent over an ash body. Rosewood fretboard over a maple neck. Standard passive J-p/u's and controls.

I play funk/soul/gospel and should have bought one of these years ago, but was swayed by the snobbery that says you must buy a VINTAGE (which means too much money). No way - I've played a few and they are variable at best and often lousy compared to the new ones. It really is out of touch snobbery. The sound is beautiful - warm, gutsy, loads of character. I had a Warwick Streamer Jazzman 5-string but it just didn't have the personality. Like decaffeinated coffee. Having said that, there's only so much tonal variation in a Jazz- it always sounds like a Jazz bass - so either you love it or you don't

Mine had been set up by the shop and plays well. The neck is excellent - smooth, slim. Pickups a good height.

Seems very solid. I doubt the machine heads will have a lot of use. Comes with straplocks which is a good thing, although my fat padded strap only just squeezes in the locks.

No call so far.

I've been playing for 18 years and have had a few basses - Wal, Ibanez, Warwick, but nothing comes close. You can pile on effects and get the best rig in the world but if your bass doesn't have the character to start off with, nothing can add it. For me, the Jazz tone is unbeatable and I can see this one lasting a lifetime.

Approximately 1998-1999 model. Parts and labour done in the U.S.A. Passive bass with controls for bridge and neck pickups, as well as tone. Fingerboard is made of rosewood, body is of ash.

I play, for the most part, rock, pop-rock, alternative, and jazz music. Generally, the sound is very good. For the record, I play this bass through an Ampeg SVT-3 Pro, hooked up to an Ampeg Classic 1x15 cab. The sound from the stock pickups is fairly full. Playing at the neck pickup gives you a very nice and warm sound - very full and punchy. The bridge pickup, when the guitar is set up properly, can be both punchy and fairly full, but when the difference between pickup volumes is too large, you will get a lot of unwanted noise, as well as a horribly unbalanced sound. Plain and simple, you're either going to be using the neck pickup for bass and depth to the tone, while the bridge pickup will give you a less than satisfying thin sound. The tone control gives you a wide variety of acoustic depth, but most of the upper range of the tone control is too sensitive for regular playing due to the unwanted noise interference. If you're looking for depth AND punch in a bass, look at a Precision - or better yet, at names like Ernie Ball, Modulus, and Lakland. You WILL get many dead notes on this bass, other than the famous dissappearing C. Anything on strings 3 or 4 past the 10th fret will dissappear into the mix, despite your settings. Sound will vary a lot from venue to venue though, and generally, it sounds nice.

The action came fairly high for me, and it never lowers to an acceptable level. Bringing the action down to an even reasonable range brings some nasty fret buzzing above the 12th fret. Also, the input jack likes to unscrew itself, so every three or four sessions, I have to screw it back on to keep the patch cable stationary. The pickups were set up well for the action, but I had to bring them down when I lowered my action, obviously. They were nice and even, so I had no problems there. As I said above, the bass has a good amount of dead spots on the fretboard - try before you buy.

This bass is built like a tank. I've used it live many times, and I have had no problems with its construction which would impede a live show - yet.

This bass is a workhorse. Not the nicest sounding bass out there, but also, at its price, its only other real competitor is Ernie Ball, and that would fall down to an issue of musical taste. It works for the music that I play comfortably, but make sure you try it and make sure that its standard sound is the sound of the music you like to play, plain and simple.

'98 or '99 American Standard Jazz Bass, Inca Silver, great fit/finish, solid hardshell moulded case. Killer Jaz Bass - what else is there?

Suits many varied styles righteously. I use it sometimes with some compression, through a variety of amps/rigs but mostly through an SWR Basic Black or an Ashdown ABM 500. The sound was gerat, but not all it could be so some custom-wound Seymour Antiquity IIs solved that problem - and how !!! Sounds great in the studio - friends have borrowed it to make albums and the albums sounded excellent.

Setup etc. was damn fine from the factory. I had to adjust the strings and action to taste of course. No flaws.

Wow does this thing take a heavy pounding. Atta girl !! I almost never have a backup unless I'm concerned about strings breaking - no worries abou the bass.

Never needed to cal them, likely never wil.

The pickup swap has made this a bass that totaly rules. Works great for everything from jazzy stuff to all-out heavy rock. I get cnosistent coments on my sound. Thanks Jazz Bass !!

2000/2001 (not sure, serial number ends in 0) American Standard Jazz Bass. It is black, with the standard hardware that they come with. The tuning keys are really cool, with a little F stamped in them! It has two single coil pick ups with a bridge that strings through the body. I replaced the stock pickguard with a black/white/black one. It looks really killer!!!! It was made in California, just like me;)

I rate it a 10 because it is simple, just like an old muscle car, no rice, please!

This is the really killer thing. All I can say is that it sounds F@#@##@ awsome. It can crank out anything from old Sabbath to easy jazz. I really think this is the best sounding bass I played in the shop, and I played everything in the store, from those German things (with almost no mid or highs, what a waste) to the newer Leo creations. The Fender Jazz was the most versitile by far. The mexi wasn't bad either, just not finished as well.

Great. No flaws that I can see or feel. Smooth as silk!

I have no idea, but it feels very strong. I play with some people at least once a week (just messing around, mostly jaming in scales and some old school rock), and it rips. It always sounds as good as I can make it sound. The player is really the limiting factor here. Everything on this bass screams well made. The pickups are great also. The are not completely quiet, but even playing from TAB on a monitor, they were quiet. Besides, the have that growl, that Fender growl!

They are really cool. It takes a while to reach someone, but when you do, they are right on!!!

I have been playing bass about 6 years. And way back in high school (over 14 years, eh), I messed around a bit. I also have a Gibson SG, what can I say, I love Sabbath. I play the bass through a Crate BX 100 (which kinda sucks for tone)

I have had a Fernandez (Japan) P bass (really good) and Ibanez Expresionist (complete shit). I have always wanted a Fender American Jazz Bass, and my wife let me get one!

I compared it with every thing from around 1200. I almost got the Warwick, but the passive Corvette is really dead sounding to me. I also played the delux p bass (pretty cool). I think the balance of the Jazz bass would be improved with a longer horn, like the Warwick, but that is it.

If it was stolen, I would hope that the person who did it was doing it to feed his family (I could understand that). But if not, I would cry my eyes out. This is really a one time thing for me, as I am a daddy with 2 little girls. I would get a used mexican one and put the correct pickups in it, and a black pick guard of course, if I could not get an American one.

I work at home, and this bass sits next to me. Just looking at it gets me through the day. Playing helps also.

Oh yeah, one last thing. Geezer Butler is the God bass player of the Universe, or something like that;)

later,

MO

1997 USA made 4 string bass, with all the same features as the other reviews. But, mine is Inca Silver, with a tortoise shell pickguard. What a beautiful finish; one of the coolest colors Fender has put out.

Stock single coils were swappped out for active EMG's with passive tone controls. While the EMG's don't have the growl of the stock pups, they are super quiet. Absolutely no noise no matter what blend of front/back is used. Bright, punchy sound with great sustain, much better than other J-basses I've played; probably due to the string-through-body bridge and graphite reinforced neck.

I bought my bass used, and somebody had hacked it up pretty bad as far as action, pickup height, etc. The body had a few dings in it, and it had normal fretwear. After adjusting everything, it was near perfect. The only complaint I have is that the truss rod adjustment is at the base of the neck, under the pickguard; you have to remove it to gain access to the rod.

This thing is a rock. Mine does have some dings in the finish, but I haven't managed to hurt it in 6 months (weekly jamming, monthly gigs.) One big chip in the paint from the previous owner reveals a pretty thick coat of paint, and it seems to be primed well, because it is not chipping any further from this area (a sign of a crappy finish).

Never dealt with them, but my local shop is an authorized dealer and he is a great guy, so they can't be that bad.

Been playing for 10 years. I have owned or played EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE, because I have worked at a couple of large music stores. My gear list is long and impressive, but I won't bother with the details becuase you either don't care or don't belive me. Anyway, this is my favorite bass, by far. It's not everybody's cup of tea, but I love it. If it were stolen (I would never lose it!), I would cry for weeks and try to find a replacement.

1999, Made in USA, 4 strings, 3 toneburst body, rosewood fingerboard, two J style pups, two volumes, one tone, blah, blah, etc., etc.
If you are seriously interested in a Jazz bass, you know the rest!
It only gets an 8 because there are no batteries required...

I am a reggae, blues, and rock player. Along with the Fender Precision Bass, the Jazz Bass helped define the low end of these musical styles. I am currently using it with a Fender Bassman amp - no effects.

Let's get something straight - the Jazz bass is a love/hate animal. Unlike its sister, the P Bass, you don't just plug this in and get a good tone - there are several different ones lurking inside this bass. Depending on where you are standing, the lighting of the room, etc, your Jazz bass will hum.... it's a side effect of having the single coil pickup sound. In my opinion, well worth it and not something to get into a tiff over. Others would think differently...

This is by far one of the best finished and assembled basses I have ever seen. A great deal of this has to do with the fact the store I bought it at takes care of their products on the floor very well. However, everything was perfect. There wasn't even a fingerprint on it!

I can't speak of the durability of this instrument yet... However, this is the third Fender instrument I have owned (others being a Stratocaster and a Precision Bass). I predict this will only require the usual maintanence a guitar or bass should need. All guitars and basses need care, regardless of brandname, hardware, woodtype, etc...

never dealt with them.

I have been playing for several years now and I also own an American Standard Precision Bass and an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray. The Jazz is my favourite.

The Jazz is not a do it all bass.... I don't think it would fit into distortion-heavy music (although it is popular with many punk bassists, so I could be wrong).

I would definitely replace it if it were stolen.

Made is USA in 1998, beautifully grained natural ash body with maple neck and rosewood fingerboard, two passive single-coil Fender pickups, string-through-body bridge, white pickguard, three control knobs - one volume control for each pickup and one tone control, famous Fender Jazz neck, thinly tapered at nut, reinforced internally with graphite bars for stability. Nothing very flashy, but high quality versions of everything you need on a passive bass.

I bought this bass for the feel and the flexibility made possible by the neck plus bridge pickup configuration. Without ever plugging in, you can tell this is a great piece of wood from the acoustic tone of the bass. The stock pickups were fairly versatile, capable of producing everything from a bright, percussive slapping sound, to a warm, fat, bassy tone for fingerstyle playing. Of course, when I turn both pickups up I get that classic Jazz growl. I wasn't totally happy with the pickups, however, as they can get a little too muddy when I dial in generous lows. I replaced them with Seymour Duncan Antiquity for Jazz Bass pickups (see my review in the pickups database.) Now this bass sounds exactly like a vintage Jazz and deserves an 11 rating, but as I'm rating the stock version, I'll give it an 8.

Bass was setup well and came from Musician's Friend ready to play out of the box. Of course, I have adjusted the action/intonation and tightened the truss rod in the three years I've had it and currently it's perfect (for me.) The wood is spectacular and the finish is flawless. They really nailed it on this one. The hardware is totally clean and solid. The tuning pegs were a little loose, but I tightened them easily with a socket wrench. Really an amazing job on a mass-produced instrument.

This bass is built to be nearly indestructible. It's really a marvel of design (which is why everyone and their brother copies it.) The wood and hardware are as solid as can be. I'm sure I could abuse it a lot without suffering consequences, but I'm the careful type. Other than the pickguard, which is a bit scratched, the bass still looks brand new. This is my main bass and I never use a backup. Aside from an occasional broken string, I've never had to do any maintenance at a gig. I did have one problem - the strap button at the bottom came loose from the wood. This is a very common problem in basses due to the weight of the instrument. I simply glued a wooden dowel in the hole with Elmer's wood glue and re-inserted the screw. That was that.

Never dealt with them and don't expect I'll have to.

I've been playing bass for almost 12 years. I've owned an Ibanez, a Washburn, a Fender Precision, an Ernie Ball Stingray, an Alembic Spoiler, and a G&L L-2000. This Fender Jazz is more comfortable to play than any other bass I've ever owned. Since installing the Seymour Duncan pickups, it sounds better than anything I've had other than the G&L and is second only to the G&L in versatility. I love the simplicity of the controls, the durability, the quality, the feel, the sound, the way it looks. There are lots of more "modern" basses out there, but "modern" does not equal "better." I prefer the classic simplicity of my Fender Jazz. I plan on keeping this bass for the rest of my life and if it were stolen or lost, I'd be devastated. Eventually, I'd recover and buy another one.

Check their website for all specs.......I got the teal with maple fretboard and white pickguard. features kick ass.

The sound on this bass is friggin amazing. Moving up from a 200 dollar yamaha to this was like having sex for the first time....I can get the phatest tones out of this thing. Slapping sounds amazing, and finger picking makes a sorta crunchy low tone..I love it. It can lay down a phat groove or some hard rock. It buzzes slightly when the pickups are up to their fullest setting but nothing to bad. It souns great through my bassman 100. I just cant get over the awesome tone of this thing.

When i bought the bass it was set up perfectly how i like it..Low action but not too low to where it buzzes. The pickups were the perfect height for playing and slapping. Everything was set up perfect...no flaws

My bass came with straplocks, which is a big plus for me cause i like to move around alot. The hardware seems able to stand up to live playing....i mean after al it is a fender jazz. this thing is bulletproof. I would use it without a backup cause i know its not gonna quit on me.

No problems yet

Overall this is one kick ass bass..the tone and playability of this thing is great. i love the feel of the neck and the way the bass fits my body. I compared this to a musicman 5 string, a washburn, and a hot rodded p bass,,,,,but i likes this one the most. Buy this bass

my fender jazz was manufactured at Corona,California in the spring of 2000.It's a 4 string for 20 fret.There are 3 controls,2volumes and 1 tone,but are enough for a good sound.the pick ups are 2 fender vintage j-bass, bi-pole,passive.they give to instrument a very clean sound.the bridge is a string-thru body,very good for a good sustain.the tuners are fender, with the "F" over everyone tuner.there is a rosewood scale,the neck is not very thin but not fat.the accessories are; a case (very beauty),fender strap,a fender cable,a truss-road tool,2humidifiers for he case,2 shaller's strap-stop and a fender cloth.

I play my fender jazz in a rock-crossover band. My amp is a marshall h