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Post subject: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 5:13 am
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I've been wanting to get an Am Standard lately. I would think that the newer ones would be high quality instruments, and while a brand new shiny bass is very appealing, I usually find that buying used is more within my reach.
That said, does anyone know if there are certain years that are more sought after than others? Say an 80's or 90's model for example?

I'm also interested in the American Deluxe, but unsure whether I need the active electronics since I play passive and like the sound. Are there any certain year models I should look at on this bass?

I play in two bands now. If it helps, one is a blues, soul and funk band, and the other is a classic rock and country band.

Thanks in advance,
Jim


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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 7:40 am
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First of all, strictly avoid anything made in the 1980's. Fender quality had sunk to an all time low, and the transition from CBS to private F.M.I.C. ownership in '85 was tumultuous at best. It takes time and whole lot of ocean to turn an aircraft carrier around, and that's what Bill Schultz was doing to Fender in the 80's.

The American Standard Jazz bass you really want is 2012 and newer. The reasons why are very simple: Custom Shop Pickups, and the new Vintage Hi-Mass Bridge. I've heard a lot of Jazz basses in my lifetime, and I've never heard better than my 2012 American Standard with stock Custom Shop pickups. Fit & Finish on the newer American Standards is World Class as is the Deluxe.

The only active bass that really speaks to my soul are the new American Deluxe Dimensions. Sadly no leftys available. :cry:

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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 2:28 pm
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I always thought the Japanese Fenders from the 80's were pretty decent instruments (especially, the P-Bass) from my experience, but that doesn't have much to do with the USA factory. I did have a USA Jazz Bass from 93 or 94 that was a dud, though. Crappy neck on it.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:19 pm
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Thanks for the info linnin. Sorry they don't make more lefty's than they do.
About the 80's models, it's good to know I might not want one. I like what you're saying about the 2012 JB's and newer. The Custom Shop pickups are pretty sweet.
I've heard there's a 60's set and a 70's set. Do they have other voicings too?
Saw the Dimension in an AMS catalog. They look good and I like the body style, a bit like MM.

Paul, I have an '85 Japanese Jazz, '75 Reissue that sounds great. It's a very nice bass! I put a set of CS 60's pups on it and with flats it sounds really old school, a good sound for most styles! An American Standard or Deluxe are calling to me now though. :) :roll: :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 7:20 pm
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I would also include early 90's in that overall general buying ban. Fender did a lot of questionable and hotly debated things right up until about '96 or '97 or so. Things such as wood species, pickup brands and types, routing methods, etc. saw a lot of heated discourse. Late 90's and up should be OK. Some folks may kick in here and say those years were alright and they may have a point. Not everyone concerns themselves with some of these things. Some even go so far as to say those really hated pickups were actually pretty good. My opinion is they were not. As I said, lots of things were hotly debated until Fender went back to doing SOME things the old way starting about '97 or '98 or thereabouts.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 5:00 am
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Well, it looks like I got a history lesson here. I had heard before that the 80's model Japanese Fenders were good basses, and the one I have is. I assumed that the American Fenders of those years were good as well. It's hard to imagine that Fender America would allow Japan to trump them, but corporations can do strange things in order to generate more profit.
I guess I'll look for those made past the year 2000 then.
Thanks, Jim


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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 2:17 pm
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Of course, it could also be hit or miss. There might be an instrument that's pretty decent even though it was considered a bad year for them. Sometimes, you have to check things out by a case by case basis. My 90's US Jazz had issues, but my 90's Japanese 50's Reissue P-Bass was one of the best instruments I ever had. I've often regretted getting rid of it.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 4:49 am
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PaulLF wrote:
Of course, it could also be hit or miss. There might be an instrument that's pretty decent even though it was considered a bad year for them. Sometimes, you have to check things out by a case by case basis. My 90's US Jazz had issues, but my 90's Japanese 50's Reissue P-Bass was one of the best instruments I ever had. I've often regretted getting rid of it.


+1. That's true about finding a bass being a hit or miss deal. Sometimes a very nice instrument may be intriguing but just doesn't speak to you. I've had good luck on Craigslist the past two years with amps and cabs, where I've bought nearly new gear at half the price and been happy about it.

Finding a bass can be different though. Sometimes the deciding factor is how the whole package sounds playing live. At least with a bass you can replace pups, wiring or caps to change the sound. And now I have a better idea of specific years to target while I'm looking.

Jim


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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 2:22 pm
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Yeah, it is a process sometimes.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2015 6:12 pm
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Hi

I have a 2012 American Standard Jazz and a 2011 American Deluxe Jazz.

For me, the concrete differences (advantages????) of the Deluxe are:
- active / passive electronics
- more bling: block in-lays, fret-board binding, transparent ash colours.

If these things don;t matter to you, go for the Standard - it is an equally awesome instrument in terms of playability, and it still looks good.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2015 9:22 pm
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edelstone wrote:
For me, the concrete differences (advantages????) of the Deluxe are:
- active / passive electronics
- more bling: block inlays, fretboard binding, transparent ash colours.


The 5-string US Deluxe Jazz Bass V has a compound radius fingerboard for playing comfort, a feature the 4-string models lack off.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 8:16 pm
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I've been leaning toward the Am Standard, but the Deluxe, or an Am 5 string would be nice to have too.
It will most likely depend on what I can find in the area within a couple hours drive. I'm looking for used to start out and see what happens from there.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 12:55 pm
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I would not discount the 2010 either. I have an Am. Std. and a 50th Anny, both 2010, and both excellent players.

I had a 2008 that did not live up to my expectations, so I have always mentally considered 2010 the year the Jazz came back to great.

I don't have any newer ones except Custom Shop models, but linnin is saying 2012 was great too, maybe even better, so I would think anything from 2010 forward, as a used USA bass, would make you happy.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2015 7:59 am
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affprod wrote:
I would not discount the 2010 either. I have an Am. Std. and a 50th Anny, both 2010, and both excellent players.

I had a 2008 that did not live up to my expectations, so I have always mentally considered 2010 the year the Jazz came back to great.

I don't have any newer ones except Custom Shop models, but linnin is saying 2012 was great too, maybe even better, so I would think anything from 2010 forward, as a used USA bass, would make you happy.


I put Fender CS 60's pups in my Japanese Jazz bass and they sound great, especially when I put on a set of TI Jazz flats. That makes the newer Am Std appealing to me, since they come with CS pups.
I wanna be able to play the bass I buy first and have been looking on Craigslist and eBay. Craigslist has the best deals, but with all the scams on there I have learned to try and talk to the seller on the phone first. That way I can at least judge if the person is a real player and feel better about spending my time traveling a bit. I've found some great deals on good amps and cabs doing it this way, so I like my chances of finding the bass I want too. Just have to dig a little before I agree to meet someone thru CL.
Thanks for your knowledge and opinions guys!


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Post subject: Re: American Standard vs American Deluxe Jazz Bass
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2015 1:38 pm
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I'm playing a 2015 Am. Std. Jazz that's the cream of the crop. Sounds, and playability are the one of the best I've played in a long time. The CS60's have a great sound. Top QC on the entire bass.

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