Fender Jazz Bass

2001 Mexican J-Bass Standard. 20 jumbo frets, 4 strings, 2 volume controlls ( 1 for each passive single coil ) & 1 common tone controll.
Poplar body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard. Black finish (as ALL my guitars are).
Pretty basic features, & you really MUST switch out the stock bridge, I put a Badass II on this ASAP & WHAT a difference! The stock single coils are peforming quite nicely so far, but I may swap them for Duncan Vintage J's. Out of the box the set up was ok, but in replacing the bridge it's now balls-on!

I play hard rock & this baby just shines live! I play through a Hartke 3000 head. My cab is 2x12 & 2x10. For effects I use a B-30. Playing in a trio, I tend to go for a slightly brighter tone & this bass achieves that tone effortlessly. I tend to leave the neck (?) pickup on 10, & roll just a notch or so back off the bridge pickup. I float with the tone knob between 50% to 75%. I can get virtually any sound I want with this guitar.
The only thing I didnt like with this bass is it's a little heavy, but after taking it to the stage & playing my first 45 minute set with it, It quickly became apparent to me that the other bass's I've had before where just crap in comparison. So, I just work out a little more, no big deal.
What I love about the Jazz Bass is that at first play I noticed just how much the strings resonate through the body! This was before I even plugged in.

Again, I had this bass worked on by a luthier when he replaced the bridge. he set it up to my specs the way he knows I like it. I will say that it was set up very well out of the box.

So far I've only played out with the Jazz Bass once, but it perfomed like a DIAMOND! I played with no back-up & strongly doubt I will ever need to. Needless to say, I'm selling the piece of shit Ibenez I previously gigged with. I put Schaller strap locks on it because I feel safe with them.

I've been playing bass since 1980 & have gone through some grwat, & not so great instruments. The Jazz Bass has, in it's short tenure, become my # 1 bass! I have always bought used, inexpensive bass's because I am also a guitarist & usually spent the lions share on my 6 strings. I've been in my current band going on 3 years now & the time was right for me to make a purchase. I've played Peavey, Guild, Gibson, and Ibenez bass's in the past.. The Jazz is hands down the top of the heap.

2000 Mexican Jazz 4 string, rosewood neck, standard features.

Was looking for that bright sound - which I got. Bought one without hearing it. I knew what they put out and wasn't disappointed. Tad bit noisy with single coils. They could try a reverse-wound option (like other manufacturers have done) but tone may well suffer. I get the bright tone with a pick and use my fingers for "rootsy" tone.

Finish was flawless. Neck did not need any dressing. The bass fits me perfectly - the contours are just right. More comfortable than anything else I've played. This side of boutique-type or custom gear.

The strap buttons were replaced right away. I highly suggest straplocks for anyone out there (I like the Schaller's). I do have a backup but only for Dropped-D tuning. I can rely on it.

Haven't had to contact the company.

Playing basically standard Rock for 20 years. Using Ampeg head & cabinet. My first thought when I got it was "Why didn't I get one 20 years ago?". Incredible value, especially considering the fine workmanship. I may replace the stamped metal bridge with a Badass II, if I can find one. Had trouble getting a third-party hardshell case...should have gotten Fender's. I like the older style rectangular ones. Bass feels good, action and narrow neck is great, looks cool, price is unbeatable. How can you go wrong? May get another in a different color just for variety. The bass it replaces is a Peavey Foundation (a solid instrument too) - I just like the fit better.

Fender Standard Jazz Bass made in Mexico
Blue Agave cool color it had frets too.

It has the best sound. Fender make the best basses bar none. It has a great sound. From punk to classical.

This was the only problem I had. The action sucks on the G string.

This would be a bass I'd use forever and would last forever. For any gig I would prefer a backup bass though.

They were cool about it.

I bought this bass because no one plays bass in my school and I needed one for my punk band. Fender basses rule buy it.

1995 model, made in Mexico, 21 fret neck, 4 string, bridge and neck pickup volume controls (separate), tone control, and passive electronics. Lacks the Preamp of more expensive basses, but a great amount of features for the price.

I play lots of funk and Primus style riffs, and this bass has provided me with the correct sound for these two styles. Has the signature Jazz Bass tone, has a slight buzzing (maybe because the control cavity is not sheilded), but all around very versatile.

Since I bought it used, I don't know what the factory set-up was like, but when I received it, the action and set-up was perfect, arctic white finish is very durable, everything seems to be in order here.

This bass has withstood a vigourous practice schedule and a few gigs with my band, so in this category it is incredibly Reliable. Strap buttons are solid, never have had to adjust the truss rod, so extremely durable.

Excellent deal for the price paid, a good bass for any style.

This is a '99 Fender Mexican Standard Jazz Bass in Arctic White(alder body) with a maple neck/rosewood fingerboard. It has 21 frets, 2 volume, 1 tone. One of the cool things that this does is when both volumes are turned to 10, they become humbucking. Everything is pretty standard. I put a tortoise-shell pickgaurd as well as the vintage knobs and an ashtray bridge cover.

I play everything from jazz to funk to punk. This bass is great for the jazz and funk and even rock. It's got a great growl to it. Nice low end, and the highs can really sing. Great mid, too. Can imitate flea or jaco. Don't get one for punk or metal. Not enough punch to it. Buy an ibanez, or a music man. The Fenders just don't swing it all that great (some sound good, so try it out before buying it.)

Actions pretty good. I had to do some intonation fine-tuning, but other than that, it was good to go.

This bass is pretty durable, as far as tone. The finish chips fairly easy, and fades as well. That's great if you're going for vintage look, but if you want new... not so great. The neck needs adjusted about every 4 months, which isn't bad since I play about 30-50 minutes a day, and about two to three hours on sunday and saturday

Fenders great. They do it all. I haven't had this one worked on, but I work in a fender dealer shop, so I know that they pull through and help out if at all possible.

A nice bass. I have another one thats better for punk and metal, but for what I use it for, it gets the job done.

This bass was manufactured in 1977; it is NOT a reissue. It's a 20-fret 4 string with a natural finish ash body (rather heavy) and a lacquered maple fingerboard with pearl block inlays. The pickups are standard single coil passive J-style, one bridge and one neck, with individual volume controls and a master tone control. The pickguard is black except for the chrome control plate that houses the pots, and there are 2 chrome pickup covers--one that arcs over the strings above the neck pickup and a larger one that hides both the bridge pickup and the bridge itself (I am unaware as to whether these serve any function other than aesthetics). Some of my acquaintances who have picked up my bass have complained that the pickup covers are in the way of where they would pluck--specifically the neck pickup cover--but I root my thumb on the neck pickup cover with no difficulty. The bridge pickup cover needs to be removed to change a string or adjust the intonation/string height. It also features a thumbrest, mounted on the bass side of the strings and screwed into the pickguard. The neck is similar in feel to contemporary jazz basses except for the binding, and the roundover (the edge between the fretboard and the neck itself) is softer and more obtuse than most necks fender has made since 1980. It has the typical narrow nut width of a jazz bass, which most people find more comforable than the wider and less accomodating p-bass neck. The Fender tuners are taller and sturdier than the Schallers on many newer jazzes, and there is a string tree for the D and G to ensure a good string angle at the nut. The end of the truss rod, which takes an allen key, is of an odd bullet shape that, to my knowledge, serves no purpose.

My only qualm about this instrument is that the neck is fastened to the body with an adjustable 3-bolt system that, while designed to allow adjustment of the angle at which the neck meets the body in order to complement truss rod adjustments, also allows the neck to move slightly in a lateral direction, so that sometimes the distance the G string resides from the edge of the neck is different at the nut than where the neck meets the body. I do not know if this is an inherent flaw in the 3 bolt system or whether it is a result of age and/or neglect, but my efforts to tighten the bolts have not alleviated the problem. The pickup covers can be a pain in the ass but they're damn sexy.

This bass sounds amazing. With previous instruments I have had some difficulty finding a balance between punch and low end, but with this bass I was able to immediately dial in a warm, punchy tone that still had quite a bit of low end to it. I play large-gauge Rotosound roundwounds with a straight-up two finger plucking style, but am still able to get several tones, all of which sound good. One thing I have found is that the instrument as a whole resonates amazingly well; when I pluck one string, I can feel it in all of the strings I am muting. However, this means I have to mute all the string I'm not playing rather carefully or they will ring out audibly. The instrument is weighted well and feels solid, and despite its weight is not cumbersome or tiring to play.

This bass was 24 years old when I received it, and hadn't been played for roughly 23 of them, so I immediately needed to adjust the intonation, truss rod, and string height at the bridge saddles. None of these adjustments were difficult, and the instrument actually included a manual that described the latter two. After these adjustments, the instrument plays beautifully with no complaints. I fret and pluck fairly hard, but I have the action set as low as possible to avoid fret buzz. All of the materials used to build this instrument are of fine quality, and it shows.

This is without a doubt the most solidly constructed instrument I have ever touched. The finish is as glossy as the day it was manufactured, the hardware is extraordinarily sturdy, and I've broken 3 straps by swinging it around without budging the strap buttons whatsoever. The truss rod and string height stay exactly where i put them, and I haven't needed to adjust them in months.

I play in a very enthusiastic indie/emo rock band, and my bandmates and I have a pronounced tendency to crash into each other and stationary objects (drums) while playing and leaping around. This means that, in the several months I have owned this bass, I've subjected the bass to several cracks in the varnish and chipped the back of the neck a bit. However, this damage occurred in EXTREME situations, i.e. falling onto the bass and banging into the unrounded end of a cymbal stand. Less solidly built basses would have fallen to pieces; I would know, my last bass (an Epiphone EB-3) has a fingerboard that is separating from the neck and other hardware damage that this bass has resisted. This thing has withstood the trevails of playing live, and then some. I don't bring a backup to gigs, for I cannot even conceive of the incident it would take to put this bass out of commission.

I've never dealt with Fender.

These basses are not cheap; I got extremely lucky finding one in near mint condition for half of what these instruments go for everywhere. However, based on my experience with this instrument, it is certainly worth the money, and I would have paid much more to get my hands on it. I've been playing for 6 years, and I can't imagine ever wanting another instrument. If it were stolen or lost I would hate to have to touch another bass. Since purchasing this, I've made it a point to play every Jazz Bass I can get my hands on, and of the Jazzes sold now I'm yet to find one that compares.

This one is an early Mexican Jazz - '94 or '95 I think. It's just a good ol' 4 string Jazz bass with Candy Apple Red finish and rosewood fingerboard. As soon as I lifted this thing off the stand in the guitar store, I knew it was different. It's heavier than other Mexican Jazz basses and the wood grain on the back of the neck is really pretty. It originally had a white pickguard which I replaced with a white pearloid. I changed the pickups with Fender Vintage Jazz Bass pickups. These came with so much extra cloth insulated wire that I was able to re-wire the entire thing with this heavier stuff - cool! The volume pots and tone pot are original as well as all other hardware. I work on guitars for a few local guitar shops so I know how to make subtle neck and set-up changes that make a big difference. I filed smooth and polished the fret edges, polished the fret crowns, and waxed and buffed the back of the neck. Best feeling bass neck I've ever played - bar none! This may have been a "plain-Jane" when I got it, but with $145 and a few hours time, it has turned into a real jewel. There's no fancy features - just what is needed to be a joy to play and sound great!

I've always played Fender basses - but before this Jazz, it was always a Precision. My first was a '71, then a '76 that was my main axe for 15 yrs. with a few others along the way. Several years back I switched to a 5 string Ibanez with active electronics. It had a much more pronounced mid-range and recorded beautifully. I have had the opportunity to work with several musicians through the years that have gone on to the "big time". Two of the most notable (I WILL NOT name drop!) play Jazz basses exclusively and have monster tones both recorded and live. This is what prompted me to take my Mexican Telecaster into the guitar shop and trade it for this red Jazz bass. I can safely say that I'm converted to the Jazz for life. I know that the pickup change and wiring change is what gave this bass it's killer tone! If you have the bucks - go for it! The vintage pickups just sound warmer and smoother than the stock - but not darker. The high end is clear and defined. The mids just absolutely "talk". I'm currently plaing through a Hartke 5000 head, 4 10's, and 1 18. I use compression and sometimes on a solo I use a phaser. It's a very simple set-up. I've never in my musical career had so many compliments on my sound. Awesome bass!!

If you want a bass that comes from the factory with impeccable quality, perfect set-up, and great sound that costs less than 3 grand, you should get a Carvin. If you're willing to get the work done or do it yourself, a Mexican Fender can be "transformed" into a fantastic bass for a very reasonable price. After my work on this thing, it compares well with custom shop Fender basses. Anyone who has played it cannot believe it when they see "Mexico" on the headstock. The raw materials for a great instrument are there - it just takes time and money to bring it out. If you're going to keep the stock electronics and leave the frets undressed and unpolished, it will be a mediocre bass at best for a relatively good price.

I gig with this bass every weekend. I usually have backup - but have never needed it. I've "tweaked" the set-up twice since my original overhaul 2 years ago. It holds tune perfectly. I'm more confident with this instrument than any I have ever owned. With normal care, it should last for many years.

I like Fender - always have. They're a great American company and I've had many positive experiences with them - no negatives.

I've been playing over 30 years. I have enough other gear to fill a small barn - but you don't really care. If this bass were lost or stolen, I'd be devastated - then I would go out and buy another one off the shelf and work on it. If it came out as nice - great, I've got another "keeper". If not, I'd try another, and another, etc. These are so cheap, you just can't lose. GREAT VALUE FOR THE MONEY!!

A 1983 American made . I got it when it was 10 months old .It was my first real bass . It had 20 med frets , which I removed while watching Live Aid in 1985 ( I am dating myself!) Heavy Alder body .
I epoxied the finger board , which gave it a brighter voice than bare wood . ( I am a Jaco freak ) It was originaly white ; I stripped the finish and gave it a Tung oil finish . I also took steel wool to remove the gloss from the back of the neck . I hate glossy neck finishes . Everything else is totally stock. This is the years that Fender made the super heavy bodies . I hate wearing this thing on a strap . I rather play my 1994 Mexican with EMGs , which is fretted .

Typical Fender Jazz Bass sound . It actually has gotten a more vintage vibe due to it's age . Very mellow and dark . The pickups are
pretty nice . I wouldn't replace them , unlike my Mexican , which had terrible pickups.

This bass isn't the best example of Fender work . In fact , I think the early to mid 1980's are the worst for Fender . The finish was bad when I got it . The neck pocket wasn't very tight , and the routing around the pickups are terrible . The soldering was pretty lame too .
There seemed to be no attention to deatail . They were seriously living off they're past .

Since 1984 , I've never had any problems , and as a teen I used to throw this thing around like Sid Vicious ( That was easier than learning to play ). I think you can kill someone with it and it will still play in tune .

I have never dealt with Fender.

I would buy another Fender Jazz Bass , But either a newer one or an older one . This one came from the CBS owned Fender in its last years , poor quality . The best thing CBS ever did was sell Fender to its employees . The only reason it sounds decent is due to the weaking of the pickups magnets .

This review is on a 1972 Jazz Bass that I no longer own. American made, maple bolt-on neck with bound rosewood fretboard, nice frets, big square inlays. The necks on these things flare out ridiculously - too thin at the nut and too wide at the body. This was the primary reason why I abandoned this bass without regret.

I played rock with this bass in the early to late '70s, and as a backup to my Gibson T-Bird. Always tuned standard, and kept it stock including keeping the huge chrome tailpiece & pickup covers intact when I played it, mostly with a pick. I never played slap, but in retrospect feel that the bass would have much better suited to slap with the wide string spacing at the body and relatively high action. A good, clear tone, but unimpressive by today's standards. (Well, by anyone's other than Fender, that is.)

This bass was as well set up as any Jazz I have ever played, which was a bit too high for my liking. The black finish was very good, but I was never hard on it. The bass was mint when I finally let it go in 1985, albeit for a little pot noise that was from lack of seeing action. I kept the bass as long as I did mostly because it looked so good. IMO the best looking Fender bass ever. I played a P-bass also, but it was so incredibly ugly and big by comparison to the Jazz.

The bass was durable in every respect, but even the case was in perfect condition when I sold it. I always had a backup, but there would be no reason to suggest that one was actually needed for lack of reliability. So I will give it an (untested) 10.

Never dealt with, but have never heard good things about them. Especially now that they make such poor quality instruments.

The Jazz was the first high-end (well, for it's time anyway) bass I ever owned. It was soon replaced as my primary instrument by a '72 T-Bird, and then both saw their demise when I discovered Rickenbackers in the mid '70s. I let go of it because there was no comparison between it and my Ric. It was heavier, the string spacing was too inconsistent, and the sound was unimpressive. For a Fender, it was nice looking though. I have mostly used Rics for the past 25+ years, my current main instrument is a Ric 4003S/5 (5 string), and I use 8 string basses more than fours. I would not keep a bass if I couldn't give it an overall rating of 9.

My left handed fender jazz bass is a 99' and made in the mexico plant.Maple neck w/mahogany insert,beautiful rosewood fretboard,2 standard passive jazz pu's,2 vol. 1 tone knobs,and a beautiful midnight wine finish.For some reason,people have a problem with the bridge on these,but this one is perfect for me.

When i first got the bass,i thought it was too dark,but when i started playing around with it,i got some really good tones.Really dark,rich tone.I love it!

Since i bought it used,i dont know about the factory set up.it was about a year old when i got it,and it had some rust on the pickups.The rust does nothing the the sound quality.I love the finish.

With reliability,all i have really done with it was play around the house.I've dropped it a couple times,and got scared that it would chip or ding,but to my suprise,it was perfect.

n/a

I've been playing for around a year,and this bass fits my needs perfectly.I play punk,rock,and metal and it can definatily handle it.If it were stolen or lost,i'd cry,because i cant afford another one at the moment.But if i had the cash,i'd definatily buy another one.