Reviewer John
Experience 4
Review date September 14 2002
Manufacturer Fender
Model American Series Jazz Bass
Price $700
Item owned for 1-6 months

Bass type 4 string fretted
Neck join Bolt-On
Neck construction One piece maple
Fingerboard Rosewood
Body Alder
Finish Black
Pickups 2 Fender Jazz
Hardware Chrome, Fender
Electronics Passive, Vol/Vol/Tone
I got this bass around February or March of 2002 to replace my dying Squier P-Bass Special, which was becoming unplayable. The truss rod had broken, so I couldn't adjust the neck, the jacks were coming out of the wood, as were the strap pegs. It wasn't pretty. On my quest, I owned briefly and returned the following basses: A Fender American Hot-Rodded P-Bass, a 1996 EB Stingray 4, a Fender American Series Jazz Bass with an alder body and a maple fretboard, and this bass, a Fender American Series J Bass with alder and rosewood. Here's what the new J Bass has over all of those: It beats the Hot Rod because the neck is more playable and it has a better low-mid tone;, it beats the Stingray because it is more focused, even, and far more playable, has a wider variety of sounds in a band setting, and you don't have to worry about those darn knobs; and it beat the maple board J bass because it had a sharper brightness to it while being deeper and more resonant. I was definitely being very picky about what I was going to end up with, because it was quite an investment and I needed it to be perfect. The guys at Guitar Center Boston were very friendly, helpful, and patient, so I should say thanks to them too. In closing, this bass is rock-solid with a graphite reinforced neck and a lifetime warranty to back it up; the neck is extremely fast thanks to the thinness and great low action; and the sound is perfect - from hard rock/reggae thumping using the neck, to Jaco/Descendents grinding tone from the bridge, to a unique jazz bass growl using both pickups, there is nothing left to be desired from this bass.

Construction 100%
Appearance 100%
Playability 100%
Sound 100%
Customer Service 90%
Value 100%
Overall 100%
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