Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Todd Menard
Experience	7 1/2
Email	spazimoto@msn.com
Review date	June 13 2002
Manufacturer	Fender
Model	American Jazz Bass Deluxe
Price	$979.00
Item owned for	1-2 years

Bass type	4 string fretted
Neck join	Bolt-On
Neck construction	Maple
Fingerboard	Maple fretboard/ 22 frets /abalone inlays
Body	Alder body
Finish	Sunburst
Pickups	Fender "Noiseless" Jazz pickups
Hardware	chrome tuners/ black plastic stack knobs/ Schaller strap locks/clas
	sic mint green pickguard
Electronics	active

If you are partial to the Fender Jazz Bass, you need to own one of these! It has that classic Jazz tone, but in an updated format. It plays pretty well and easy fret access make this a fun bass to play. It has a real boomy yet clear tone which makes slapping a joy. The mid boost/cut knob also helps getting in that "just right" tone. There's only one volume control with a blend which I thought was a smart change from the two volume knob configuration. This bass is relatively light in weight which means your shoulder won't be dislocated from wearing a brick. The finish is okay, but you can never really get that glass-like shine like a Musicman Bass. Fender supplies you with schaller strap locks which is a nice bonus. The tuners were those new low profile peg models, so getting good down-pressure on the string is no problem. The neck is the best part of this bass. It was as smooth as a baby's butt, and the abalone inlays were a super-nice touch. Frets were well dressed, and moderately fast. The battery compartment was held in by two screws. I personally prefer the quick-change battery compartments, but that's just me. Sonically it's good, but I could never get mine to cut through in a band situation. Either it was too boomy or had too much high. I sold it and bought another Ernie Ball Sterling. Good bass, just not for me.

Construction	98%
Appearance	95%
Playability	85%
(It never sat that well on me)
Sound	50%
(had a hard time cuting through in a band)
Customer Service	50%
(So large of a company, getting assistance is a joke)
Value	98%
(It's a Fender Jazz. Great value)
Overall	95%
(Good bass; just not for me)