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Post subject: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 10:25 pm
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Hi,

I have seen ads and listing for American Fender jazz basses and are the 'special' version.

They are typically several hundred less than the regular Amercian jazz.

What's the difference?

Thank you,
Jay


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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 8:40 am
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Special means different things on different production runs. Best bet is to use this site under "Products" and find both and open them in separate tabs so you can switch back and forth to compare.

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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 10:22 am
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Thank you,
Jay


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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 11:24 am
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Hi jayR! There aren't any. There are some Precision Deluxe Specials. So if you are looking for a Precision split coil pickup and Jazz bridge pickup configuration with a Jazz bass body and neck, you'll have to look on the used market, or get a Squier.

Did you have one in mind? Do you have a link? Or are you talking Fender Special Runs? What? You need to be more specific in order to get an accurate and relevant answer.

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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 11:37 am
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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 11:39 am
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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 12:34 pm
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Hi linnin

There is an American Standard Jazz bass and there is and American Special Jazz bass.

It seems that they are similar. I was reading the specs and the main thing I see is that the electronics are a little different. From what I read, some owners of the special prefer the electronics of the special.

http://www.fender.com/basses/jazz-bass/ ... ml#start=1

vs.

http://www.fender.com/basses/jazz-bass/ ... ml#start=1

I play a Japanese Fender Jazz from the late 80's - early 90's and I've played a few Americans and maybe I'm not versed of a bass player but it's hard for me to find a difference.

I have a cheap stratocaster fender jazz but I CAN tell the difference, the frets will hurt the palm of my hand as they are jagged.

Thank you,
Jay


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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 12:52 pm
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Where the hell did you find that?! I just searched didn't come up with anything. Oh well... :oops:

It's got the 'greasebucket' tone circuit than many dislike. I've never played one so I don't know.

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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:04 pm
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Hi

Find what? Not sure what you mean in that sentence? Stratocaster Jazz bass?
Used at a locally owned music store.


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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 6:46 am
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Howdy folks!
The American Special is the series with the 'greasebucket' tone control. It allows you to roll off highs without adding lows. It does sound different than the American Standard.
I have a 2011 Am Special Jazz that I like very much. It's slightly brighter than the Am Std, but I tend to like a bit brighter sound anyway. I like the Am Std very much too, but my Am Spec was available locally, where an Am Std was not.
The Precision Special and Jazz Special are different still, mainly with both P and J pickups. All have subtle variations in tone.
Jim


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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 8:35 am
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Hi Jim,

Thanks for the explanation - exactly what I was hoping for. Clear and simple.

Thank you,
Jay


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Post subject: Re: What is an American 'special' jazz bass
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 7:13 pm
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The American Special Jazz uses lesser hardware, lower graded wood, electronics etc than the American Standard. The wood graded at the level used in American Specials was at one time the quality of wood that was being sent to Ensenada for Mexican made Fenders and the same lower grade later used on the Highway 1 Fender models. The Highway 1 model lines were discontinued and replaced in the line up by the American Special model lines.

If you can afford it then I would strongly encourage spending a little more for an American Standard. The American Standard is a much better value in my opinion because of the better pickups, better wood, better hardware and the factory hard case. The American Specials do not come with a hard case.

I abhor the Greasebucket tone circuit for any electric bass. It not only cuts highs but also simultaneously cuts lows. Crank it all the way toward what you think would be bass and all you are left with is strong mids and little bass at all. In reality the Greasebucket tone circuit is a two band midrange pass tone circuit which bilaterally cuts everything but mids. For me the tone knob is about useless on any bass with that tone circuit. I have to crank the tone full on toward what you think is treble then tone shape using the preamp EQ. It makes the instrument far less versatile for me. I strongly prefer the traditional single band low pass tone circuit on a passive bass.

The Greasebucket has a place, and that place is on 6 string Spanish electric solid body guitars. On them the Greasebucket circuit works in a more beneficial fashion. They actually do sound like you cranked up the bass when you roll off the tone. However on a bass a low pass filter is so much better for me.

Your mileage may vary but after my experience with a Highway 1 Jazz Bass with that Greasebucket tone circuit I learned my lesson. Never again. I actually prefer a Mexican Standard Jazz or Precision over an American Special version. Maybe I'm the exception there but I know what I like and it doesn't live in the Greasebucket tone circuit.

I strongly advise against buying an American Special without comparing it side by side to the American Standard. The differences between the two are very significant and the American Standard is worth the extra money because it has better EVERYTHING. I would not be surprised to hear that Fender actually makes more money per instrument on American Specials than on an American Standards.


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