madarnell's Full Review: Fender American Standard Jazz Bass® Electric ...
The Fender Standard Jazz Bass (Mexican)
Fender first introduced it in 1960 as the "Deluxe Mode." Since, Fender’s Jazz Bass has stood the test of time to become one of the most played, most recorded instruments in history. Fender made many "Firsts" with this bass such as the offset waist body, ultra slim fast-action neck and now full-range bi-pole pickups are standard features on the “Standard” Jazz Bass. Fender claims to have taken the versatile Jazz and Precision Bass designs and made them even better! Really? Well…. at least they’ve made an affordable update to their classic designs with all the tried-and-tested P- and J-Bass features. The J-Bass now incorporates two Bi-Pole pickups fashioned after the American Series pickups. These are available in 5-String, Left-Hand and Fretless versions. All are made/assembled in Mexico.
Don’t let the Jazz name fool you, the Jazz bass can and has done it all. From rock, blues, country, pop, funk and of course jazz. This bass is truly great for all types of music. Really a true “work horse” of basses!
Famous bassists such as Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, Geddy Lee and Will Lee (David Letterman) have made this bass their “staple” bass of choice.
THE Factory SPEC’s
BODY = Alder
NECK= Maple, Modern “C” Shape, (Satin Polyurethane Finish)
MACHINE HEADS = Standard
FINGERBOARD = Rosewood (9.5” Radius/241 mm)
NO. OF FRETS = 20 Medium Jumbo Frets
PICKUPS= 2 "New" Standard Jazz Bass Single-Coil Pickups (Mid & Bridge)
CONTROLS = Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Master Tone
BRIDGE = Standard Vintage Style
HARDWARE = Chrome
STRINGS = Fender Super Bass 7250ML, NPS, Gauges: (.045, .065, .080, .100),
p/n 073-7250-005
CASE = None
PICKGUARD = 3-Ply White
SCALE LENGTH = 34” (864 mm)
WIDTH AT NUT = 1.5” (38 mm)
The Sound-In Use
This Mexican Jazz bass amazingly sounds like the real deal. I’m comparing it to an American Jazz bass from 1977 and this Mexican version sounds really good. These new Bi-Pole pickups Fender are using sound clear yet full and punchy. Plenty of sustain and low end! I’ve used this to record with and have gotten great results. I’ve also performed on stage with it through a Carvin 100 watt bass combo with a 15-inch and it sounds great!
The Neck & Action
This particular bass neck feels good but the action is a little high to my liking. Since it’s actually not mine but on loan to me I wont change it. It wouldn’t be hard to adjust it if needed. Regardless it still plays ok and does stay in tune fine.
The over all feel of the instrument feels a little lighter and cheaper made to me. And the finish and construction, for a bass in this price range is fine. It’s nothing to write home about. Once again I’m comparing this to 2 of my friends vintage basses. One is from 1977 & the other from 1978. The older Jazz basses just feel like a solid hunk of wood hanging on ya! So you be the judge of what that means to you.
Conclusion and Parting Thoughts
I feel if you’re a beginning or intermediate bassist, or a guitarist that needs a cheap but good sounding bass to record your demo’s with, you cant go wrong with getting one of these Mexican Jazz Basses. It has the sound & looks and for the most part will do the job that it’s American counterpart would for about half the price! Especially since it really does sound pretty darn good for a $375.00 bass.
And at that price you still will have a little cash left over to get a pizza and have just enough gas money to make it to your next gig and back.
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