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Post subject: The various Fender bass series
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 3:55 am
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I'm looking at Fender basses, in the budget Mexican series.
I'm a bit lost, since there are other series in the price range (Blacktop, Moderne Player etc.).
What are the differences in tone, quality, playability etc.
In short, what series offers the best bass for a budget buyer?

I'm mainly looking at a Fender Mexican Jazz - and likely a fretless Jazz later on.

Thanks for (hopefully) clearing this up for me

:oops:

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Post subject: Re: The various Fender bass series
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:14 am
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I can't give you hands on experience on the others, but the Mexican Fenders in my opinion are very good. Their quality is up there, and they play well. The body colors / fretboards choices are probably better in the Standard Jazz, Mexican Fender also. My choice would be the Fender Mexican Stadard Jazz.

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Post subject: Re: The various Fender bass series
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 6:00 am
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In my experience having owned basses (Precisions, though) at all various teirs of Fender products. The best "bang for your buck" coming out of Ensenada is the Classic/Classic Laquer/Roadworn Series basses. They are definitely a finer series of instruments, and the finer examples can easily hold their own against the lower end American Series instruments.

If those are beyond your budget then I'd say that the rest of the series are probably comparable to the standard series in terms of quality, but offer different options. The Modern Player Jazz looks interesting to me, but it's not likely to really sound like a J. Same for the Blacktop. You'll get that Fender J quality and playbility, but it's not going to give you that classic J tone like a Classic series, or Standard would.

However, If you're looking for a budget, no frills J bass and you aren't dead set on a Fender Mexican made bass. The Squier Vintage Mod 70's J bass usually gets rave reviews from players. Even ones who have much higher end basses in their stables. Otherwise a Standard should serve just fine.

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Post subject: Re: The various Fender bass series
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 3:44 pm
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It my personal experience, in the fact I've had both, I'd avoid Squier and the Standard Fenders and try to save your coin for a higher end model. It's really a crap shoot on the quality of those. I know it's tough being on a budget (the reason I ever even messed with those in the first place,) but I've learned my lesson the hard way when it comes to Fender.

It's not worth it in the long run, unless you happen to get lucky and get a good one that you don't have work done on to be optimally playable. Their worst problem that I've experienced was neck issues and fretwork problems. In fact, I had to return a Squier that was shipped to me, after waiting for it for four months, brand new in the box, with a broken neck, and unplayable. Customer service was kind of a joke when I addressed this, too. They tried to blame the company I bought it from, when it was their factories quality control that was the screw up. That's why I'm using Schecter these days and other options.

In the end, it's up to you, though. I'd go ahead and try out as many different basses as you can and see how they feel, Fender or otherwise. That way you know for sure.

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Post subject: Re: The various Fender bass series
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:56 pm
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A good point. Something to think about might be buying used? If you find you really like a model that is out of your budget new. You might be able to score a gently used one for a really good price.

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Post subject: Re: The various Fender bass series
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 7:18 pm
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TheKingofPain wrote:
The best "bang for your buck" coming out of Ensenada is the Classic/Classic Laquer/Roadworn Series basses. They are definitely a finer series of instruments, and the finer examples can easily hold their own against the lower end American Series instruments.


+1

I share these sentiments. They're fine basses in their own right -- built to original specs with a traditional lacquer finish.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: The various Fender bass series
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 7:10 pm
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isteen, if you can find a Fender MIM Jazz Bass, new or used try it out. MIM basses have a very good sound, better than any other brand that I have played. This is of course IMHO. Have fun shopping.

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