Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Stephen Ward
Manufacturer	Fender
Model	American Jazz Bass Deluxe
Price	$879.00 plus tax

Neck Type	bolt-on maple neck
Fingerboard	Rosewood, 22 frets
Body Type	Alder core w/ Ash veneer top and back
Finish	Antique Burst
Pickup(s)	Two new Fender American Custom Jazz Pickups
Controls	Master Volume, Blend, Bass Boost/Cut, Mid Boost/Cut, Treble Boos
	t/Cut

The American Jazz Bass Deluxe is truly an exceptional model. It has a very modern feel with a vintage sound, if controlled right. The neck is very stiff, due to graphite strips that are inlaid into the neck. The action is typical of a Jazz bass but with 22 frets instead of 20, there is a little more room for creativity. The new pickups are really phat but at the same time almost virtually noiseless. The pickups sound a little more modern due to the 1/4" slugs (a typical Jazz bass has a bi-polar design with smaller pole pieces). The finish was very beautiful and the tortoise shell pickguard accented the antique burst quite well. This bass has truly everything to offer a modern bassist and any vintage bassist who wants a new sound.

Construction	100%
Playability	95%
Appearance	100%
Sound	100%
Value	100%
Cust. Service	100%
Overall	100%