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Post subject: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:36 am
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I'm just wondering what your thoughts would be on this.

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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:31 am
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My only gripe is that both the Highway One and American Special Jazz Basses are not available in fretless and 5-string fretted versions.


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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 3:29 am
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It appears that the American Specials are a bit more expensive than the Highway 1s.


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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:32 am
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The good thing is both Hwy 1 and US Special basses feature graphite-reinforced necks for improved stability.


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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 5:03 am
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I didn't try the Jazz, I tried the P. The bass was very nice, but the price is ridiculous! If you buy one, you still have to turn around and buy a hardshell case. That makes it only slightly less then the American Standard. But you get the lame old-style bridge and no string-through option. The GreaseBucket circuit has mixed reactions (although I kinda liked it). If this winds up being the catalyst to raise the Am. Standard price, it would be a very dirty move, indeed.


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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 5:38 am
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I recently ( 2 weeks ago ) bought an american special Jazz. It is very similar to the Highway one I had last year. It plays very well and has awsome punch.The fret work is exelent and I like the grease bucket tone circut, I like the tones you can get by slightly rolling off the bridge or neck pups. It really has great tones for all styles of music but my fav. is how it can get down and get that 70's funk vibe.

Compared to my '04 Am Deluxe well two different beasts !

I did get a good price on mine I ended up paying 100 over what a Higway one would have cost.( one advantage to giving all my bussness to one shop is that I get great deals).

I'm happy and this bass will get all the gigs from now on.

:D


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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:08 pm
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fpbass wrote:
I thought they would be a bit higher priced. Didn't expect about $200.00 more. And they still use those Vintage Bridges. Bent sheet metal.

A lot of people prefer the vintage bent metal bridges over the high mass ones. I'm one, I much prefer the tone I get from them, and I know there are plenty more like me. The very fact that the American Specials have the vintage bridges has me thinking I might eventually get one over an American Standard..

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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 11:27 am
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Bathead wrote:
A lot of people prefer the vintage bent metal bridges over the high mass ones. I'm one, I much prefer the tone I get from them, and I know there are plenty more like me. The very fact that the American Specials have the vintage bridges has me thinking I might eventually get one over an American Standard..

Get the Am. Standard and swap on a vintage bridge, then sell the HMV bridge. JMO


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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:08 pm
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I'm basically a lazy guy, that sounds like too much work. :)

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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:17 am
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SlamminSam333 wrote:
I'm just wondering what your thoughts would be on this.


The neck on the American Special Jazz bass is thinner front to back (unlike the American Standard) which makes for very easy playing for someone like me with smaller hands and stubby fingers and has the same Posiflex Graphite rods.. Also, I like the thin Satin finish on the back of the neck. Smooth and hands glide easily. The Greasebucket circuit sounds pretty good to me and the last 1/3 position of the American Standards tone control is muddy and useless sounding to me. You get a nice gig bag and the bag of goodies including the T bar trussrod wrench same as the American Standard. The bridge is useful but I put a ClassicZ bridge on mine. All the electronics are USA made with Fender CTS Pots, solid shafts and black knobs with set screws. I love mine. I played the American Standard and American Special Jazz basses side by side along with an MIM. The two American's sounded the same but the MIM neck feel and tone was not as good.
Whatever you choose (American Standard or American Special) you will be proud of it.

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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:39 pm
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I tried one and liked it. As the owner of an American Deluxe Jazz, I thought it compared nicely given that it's a cheaper instrument. Having said that, I think in this price range you're better off getting the Reggie Hamilton. Not only do you get more versatility for less money, but you also get a gig bag. The only big difference between this bass and the Special is the graphite reinforced neck. Not sure if the RH has graphite bars or not but it is more bass for the buck.


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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 1:45 pm
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It seems to me to be made of the same build quality as the US standard models but the hardware is one area which is of lesser quality(tuners & bridge)Also only comes with a top load bridge opposed to the option of through the body stringing is another feature left out.
The finish is up for grabs,some like the thinner type which is more resonant but prone to even the slightaest of handling while some prefer the more durable thicker type of the two finish'es.
The electronics some feel on the American Special lack depth and sound and are a bit more "twangy",They come with the Greasbucket tone circut that eliminates the highs without compromising any of the low-end girth.
I would'nt skimp the extra 100.00$ and go with it,To me the few bucks saved dont justify the the losses in question,BUT on the other hand some really dig their tones and if you are in that catagory that dont mind its sound then the rest of the features lost in the cheaper price are'nt enuff to make a diff New tuners and a better bridge are things down the line that can be adressed should the need arise. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 9:23 pm
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I've tried both the American special Jazz & precision basses in my local music store & they're both very nice playing instruments......very nice necks, they feel solid & sound nice.

I also just bought an 2010 American Deluxe Jazz 5 string with a natural finish & all I can say is WOW!!

I was initionally going to get a Marcus Miller 5 string ( I already have the Marcus Miller 4 string) but had a bit of an issue doling out the extra cash for this bass when the 2010 American Deluxe was $700.00 cheaper & in my opinion has some carried over features from the Marcus 5 ......IE: HMV Bridge, active passive switch, & contured heal
I also like the fact you can dial in a nice sound in either active or passive mode
& I also like the N3 noiseless pick ups.

The neck on the 2010 American Deluxe Jazz 5 is slighly wider than the Marcus 5 but is still very nice playing, I have no problem playing ( Rush or Jaco) fast up & down the neck.

If you can pay out that little extra for an American Deluxe it will be an investment you won't regret, that being said the American special are nice playing guitars,... I did how ever find some of them hit & miss with regard to action & set up in my music store.

My rule of thumb is (& I've been playing for 33 yrs....hey I'm not that old I'm only 47 lol)
when you play a bass & it feels good & you feel like one with the instrument grab it!!
even if you have to put it on hold & come up with the cash (you won't regret playing a bass that feels & sounds good)

Good Luck


Last edited by James Coderre on Thu Jan 30, 2014 9:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:01 pm
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There are some issues I have with some of the posts. While mostly minor they still bug me as an American Special Jazz owner.
1. This bass does come with a nice Gig bag
2. The finish on the Body is the same thickness and type as the American Standard. The neck is where it differs on the type of finish satin and "seamingly thinner".
3. The Electronics (minus the greasebucket circuit) are exactly identical USA quality pots, jack, and pickups as the American Standard.
4. I A/B'd 2 American Standards and 4 American Specials. The tone is basically the same until you get to the last 1/3 of the tone control. At that point the Standard (as with other Jazz Fender Jazz Basses seemed a bit muddy while the Special did not. Having said that I would like the Specials Greasebucket circuit to go slightly lower in tone. Some day I may put a tone pot with push/pull or push/push to electronically enable/disable the Grease Bucket portion. Not a bit deal as I can EQ the amp and get the range of tones I like even with the Grease Bucket. I guess it takes some getting used to.


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Post subject: Re: Any one try the New American Jazz Special?
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:57 pm
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fjbass wrote:
Standard Vintage Alnico Magnet Jazz Bass® Single-Coil Bridge Pickup (Am. Spl.)
American Standard Jazz Bass® Single-Coil Bridge Pickup (Am. Std.)

Not the same pups.


Your correct on the pickups. My mistake.


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