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Post subject: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:24 am
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I am thinking of trading my Marcus Miller Jazz for an American Special Jazz

Anyone have any experience on each bass to let me know if it's a bad idea or not? Thanks for your input.

Cheers - MJ


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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 6:06 pm
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I don't know what an American Special Jazz is.

I do know what a Marcus Miller Jazz bass is and I would think long and hard about trading in a MM Jazz bass. It is one of the most useful Active/Passive basses made by Fender.
I am not crazy about the look of the MM jazz but its utility is unquestionable.

That's just my 2 cents.

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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 6:12 pm
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Thx for your input mate


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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 6:43 pm
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For the difference in price, if you can swing an American Standard Jazz, you'll be better off over the American Special Jazz. More options etc. with the Am. Std. over the Am. Spl. Just my opinion.

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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:56 pm
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What exactly is it about your MM that you don't like? I hear nothing but great reviews about them.


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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:04 pm
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too trebly...you cannot use the EQ in passive mode...I have tried different pick ups but to no avail


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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:15 am
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I wouldn't expect anything else from a mass produce signature bass-- I'd go for USA Standard if possible. I've owned a Hoppus, 2 Geddies, a Sting-- I'd be hard pressed to ever get another sig bass. The only one would maybe be a Jaco but I know going in that it's just a facsimile and prob not going to be on par with the real deal. Of course we all know that. The sig basses sell sell sell......that's what it's about.

Controversy...... The sig bass that seems really popular these days outside of the Jedi Leee is the Steve Harris.


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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:28 am
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Thanks Stoker


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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:40 pm
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MJ515 wrote:
too trebly...you cannot use the EQ in passive mode...I have tried different pick ups but to no avail

That's interesting that there is no passive tone control. Personally, I never use passive tone controls - I would use an outboard preamp, the tone on the amp, or my playing technique.

I think the lore is that part of the tone of the Marcus Miller is going to be a tone suitable for slapping - supposedly the placement of the bridge pickup closer to the bridge is part of the equation, and of course the preamp too, allows for brighter high end, and together with the bass boost this can create the scooped midrange.

Again, personally I prefer passive instruments and then use an outboard preamp, or just the controls on the amp.

What kind of sound/s are you going for? What kind of playing techniques do you use? Strings? Maybe a Jazz bass isn't the best choice?

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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 3:07 am
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I have marcus miller jass bass.i think,don't trade it,because marcus miller has a special touch


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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 9:34 am
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I have a 2008 MIJ Marcus Miller Jazz bass with natural finish & would never ever think of trading it,...... is your Marcus Miller Jazz Bass Made in Japan or is it the current model thats made in Mexico? ......... I find the fit & finish of the Japanese Marcus Miller basses (& my Crafted In Japan 2006 Geddy Lee Jazz Bass) to be on par with most American made Fender Basses....IMO & a bit better than the Mexican made ones.......I'd personally keep the marcus Miller Bass & save up for a current model American Standard Jazz Bass,... with HMV bridge, Fender Hipshot tuners, Customshop 60's pickups & Hard shell case,(that's a lot of bang for the buck at $1349.99 avarage street price).......... I've been eyeing an Olympic White American Standard with Tort pick guard & Maple Fretboard....Classy & Classic.
with the American Special you get the old School Fender bridge, standard Alnico pickups, standard tuners & a gig bag,........& let's not forget the grease bucket tone control that rolls off the highs while maintaining low end definition ..which I'm not totally sold on ...... so there ya go....hope this helps... :)


Last edited by James Coderre on Tue Jan 28, 2014 5:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 1:07 pm
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American Special or Marcus Miller...

Is this an even trade, or will you have to add some cash? The Special is a better instrument. I just wouldn't do a trade-in deal with a store or in a private transaction. Why is it a better instrument? I think the MM's finish looks kinda yellowed and tacky, plus the preamp isn't all that. Marcus has Sadowsky stuff in his real bass, which probably cost a lot to add/modify.

I'd pick the Special over the current American Standard Jazz, mainly because of the more traditional hardware. I could be wrong, but I think I read somewhere about the Special's having American Standard pickups(which would make sense, with the newer U.S. Standards now having Custom Shop pickups). Big plus.


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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 2:31 pm
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WildintheStreets wrote:
I think the MM's finish looks kinda yellowed and tacky, plus the preamp isn't all that.

The Japanese Marcus Miller Jazz Bass purposely had the yellow tint for a vintage look,...I like it myself but to each his own,....for those who are not a fan of the vintage tint,....the current Mexican made Marcus Miller basses don't have it but the American made Marcus Miller 5 string bass still has the vintage tint on the Neck,....& as for the EQ granted it's not an actual Sawdowsky like Marcus' but I think it works fine, I play mine in passive mode most of the time anyway... & I'd still pick an American Standard over an American Special but once again different strokes for different folks...


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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 4:55 pm
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A definite plus for the Am. Std. Jazz. The Am. Spl.'s are still using Vintage Alnico pups.

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Post subject: Re: American Special Jazz vs Marcus Miller bass
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:58 pm
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James Coderre wrote:
WildintheStreets wrote:
I think the MM's finish looks kinda yellowed and tacky, plus the preamp isn't all that.

The Japanese Marcus Miller Jazz Bass purposely had the yellow tint for a vintage look,...I like it myself but to each his own,....for those who are not a fan of the vintage tint,....the current Mexican made Marcus Miller basses don't have it but the American made Marcus Miller 5 string bass still has the vintage tint on the Neck,....& as for the EQ granted it's not an actual Sawdowsky like Marcus' but I think it works fine, I play mine in passive mode most of the time anyway... & I'd still pick an American Standard over an American Special but once again different strokes for different folks...


I'll give the Marcus another try. The guy does have a room full of Jazz basses, probably knows his stuff.

I just wish the American Standard Precision and Jazz came stock with Vintage RI tuners.


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