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Post subject: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:08 am
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I've pretty much decided on the Jazz bass and wonder if there are any particular years of MIM basses to avoid...or consider? I've found a like new 1998 that I'd like to make an offer on. Being a lefty, my choices are a bit more limited. Thanks for any advice.


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Post subject: Re: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:54 am
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6guns wrote:
I've pretty much decided on the Jazz bass and wonder if there are any particular years of MIM basses to avoid...or consider? I've found a like new 1998 that I'd like to make an offer on. Being a lefty, my choices are a bit more limited. Thanks for any advice.



First of all, Welcome Brother Lefty! WOOT!

If you: like the finish; sound/tone, and quality = all good. What price? A brand new lefty Squier is about $330. So to me a used MIM Fender is worth about that much.

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Post subject: Re: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:03 pm
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Thanks for the reply and welcome. It's an eBay item, so I can't get up close, but the several photos show it's essentially new, maybe never played. Tags still on the head stock, plastic on the pick cover. Finish is mint. Asking $550. I see new MIM typically are $599. I didn't know if there are certain years to stay away from in general.


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Post subject: Re: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:02 pm
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Have to add my 2 cents. Check out used American Standards. I would be amazed if you could not buy one for $500 or so in this market, and it takes the whole "what was a good year" question off the board. With very, very few exceptions, American made Jazz basses came out of California as premium instruments. And once initially depreciated, they hold their value, or actually increase.

I own several MIJ Fenders, and even one MIC, and I know MIM has built some superior basses, but until you hold and play the exact one you want to buy, you cannot be sure. With an MIA bass, it is going to be nice. I can play MIA Jazzes next to each other and there are differences, sometimes fairly dramatic, but they are all good. I have been referred to as a MIA snob. I confess, I am, but that is where I see the long term value. :D

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Post subject: Re: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 2:57 am
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It's better to spend another hundred or two to get an AmStd or AmSe Jazz Bass, even if you're a guitarist who wants to play a bit of bass.

The MIMs are good quality basses, and you wouldn't go wrong there. But I think the extra money you'd spend would be worth it. I have a 2012 AmStd jazz Bass. It's a great instrument, and it came perfectly set up and with the small things seen to. Frets don't hang over the edge. The finish is perfect. More importantly, the bass growls and purrs.


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Post subject: Re: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 6:24 am
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Thanks for your opinions, guys. I'll keep my eyes out used American Standards as well. As I said, being a lefty limits my choices, so some items are hard to come by.


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Post subject: Re: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:49 am
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Am. Std. Jazzes are decent. I like the Am. Std's in both Jazz, and Precision models. For me, worth the extra bucks.

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Post subject: Re: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:54 am
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I just did another ebay search and there are mostly only new American versions for sale. The used are vintage advertised and very expensive. Again, this lefty thing is making it more difficult. I always look at crags list too, but nothing local. Any lefties out there have one for sale? :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:55 am
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Yeah, the lefty is an issue for a MIA jazz. I checked a few of my go to places and only found one used, a 1973. Looks like new ones are going for around $1350, which is well outside of the numbers you mentioned.

Long term, you could do a search on eBay and then save the search. Every time a used MIA Jazz is listed, you will receive an email.

Short term it looks like a tough buy. Wish I could have been more help.

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Post subject: Re: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:28 am
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I appreciate your suggestions, affprod. It's a situation that I have to deal with and so far I've done well finding great guitars for me. It may just take some time.


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Post subject: Re: Guitar player looking to buy first bass
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 12:37 pm
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Found this one.

Guitar Center North Attleboro
North Attleboro, Massachusetts 02760
508-399-0000
Wine Red Standard Left handed $350
It is Mexican.

Truth is most lefty players never sell or trade! A lefty about has to give up playing or die for their instrument to come on the market. Left handed basses are tough to find in stock new. You usually would have to order one as nobody stocks them new since they so rarely sell due miniscule demand.

Another truth is that many left handed people just learned to play right handed because they could not find a left handed bass. Same is true of some left handed golfers too. I think it is unfair and nearly discrimination for there to be so few left handed basses out there! How about left handed can openers? Ever try to find a left handed can opener? Good luck!

You might try the Leftorium. It is in Springield Mall ran by a guy named Ned Flanders. And yes he has left handed can openers too!

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(Sorry, couldn't pass up the chance to make a Simpsons reference!)


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