Juan Alderete from Mars Volta is a friend. 15+ years ago, John went to the Fender factory to pick a bass. He chooses acoustically, as he listens to several bases he finally finds the one he wanted. Fender said, oooohh....we need to put a Fender Precision on headstock, because John had selected a Squire bass. So it definitely doesn't have to be the most expensive to sound good.
The problem with squier is not that they sound bad, is crappy hardware and woods, they need a setup every 4 months and after years they look really bad.
@@Rui1982that is a valid point, with Squier stuff you don’t have North American hardware , you have to keep your eyes on that stuff , neck adjustments-setups. I think players should be able to do that work themselves without paying people(not at first but after playing a bit). You can buy two classic vibes almost for ONE player series-something to think about.
Interesting video. I've got an '83 USA Jazz but it looks nothing like the one Matt has! After doing some research it appears that mine is a "Dan Smith era" it's certainly different to most other Jazz basses.
Very cool! Is that the one with the one piece pickguard/control plate combo? Mine probably looks different as it's mostly 78 parts left over in the factory (it has a '78 serial but the heel is stamped '83), hence the bullet truss rod adjuster and 3 bolt plate 🙌
A couple weeks ago I bought a Fender Aerodyne Special Jazz Bass for less than $700 (the usual price is $1000). Best bass I've ever owned and I've owned a number of other Japanese basses over the years. Best shielding too!
For me the mij aerodyne and 83 sound amazing. Definitely have that signature scoop sound. Recently acquired a mij fender active 80s early 90s pj. Its super light lovely neck.
Best one I've ever played is a Korean Lakland DJ4. I bought it from a gigging pro in Chepstow because he wanted shot of it. Aero pickups, John East pre-amp.... the most sonically versatile bass I've ever had. It does absolutely everything.
@@JonnyDibble yeah me too for my Sterling Stingray 5, but I cant get hold of one. I think JE's on a go-slow in making the things, LOLZ. The JE one on the Jazz Bass though.... that thing is incredible. There is no sound that I cant get out of that. For a recording instrument that is easy to play that the sounds just topple out of, its brilliant. I coudlnt recommend it any higher, its fabulous.
Nicely done video....I always keep in mind that basses are a case by case basis: two can roll off an assembly back to back and play/sound completely different from each other....this is true with any bass but especially true with Jazz basses
It’s very British to spend 200lbs on an Indonesian guitar (yeah I said lbs) and say this is fine. Indonesia is screwed and very few manufacturers consider wether or not their instruments are being reasonably sourced.
I've had: Harley benton Mb5 SBK £129 Squier classic vibe jazz 70s £345 Ibanez SR 505 £695 Spector Skylar Accord £1433 (used) Stingray Special 5h £1950 (used). It's hard to put into words how the difference in price is perceived but the easiest way would be to just say. Electronics, hardware and attention to detal. My harley benton is much better built and feeling than my squier was. The quier had uneven frets and a crooked neck. The ibanez is honestly an absolute steal of an instrument at that price. People sleep too much on soundgear basses but their electronics are the weakest link so I understand. Now the Spector is Korean made but pretty much Euro spec'd and Oh my lawd. I think this is an INSANE value bass. Hardware and electronics are top tier (except for the preamp which some argue is terrible but to me it's ok) and the neck and fretwork is insane. And the Stingray. Hoooo boy. Almost 20 timex the price of the Harley, which is a Stingray copy. I was always an "It's just a plank of wood with some bolts and cables and a magnet" kind of guy. But when I got the Stingy I said to my guitarist: "I get it". Eventually he later got a Musicman JP6 after me nagging him to get a "big boy guitah" and he said it's the most comfortable guitar he's ever played. Everything else is going to be sold except for his strat. It's hard to put "feel" into words. You have to feel it (lol) to know. There's just an eveness in the way it feels, plays, responds and also a predictability in everything you do on the spector and stingray. Not a hiss, not a scratchy pot. You barely feel the tuners turning but you see the needle on the tuner screen moving in real time as you turn the peg in .01 cent increments. Every string sounds balanced and even across every fret. Knobs feel sturdy and minuscule movements do change the sound giving a wide pallette of sounds. Now, I Am still an "It's wood with cables" guy. There's no reason why my Stingray costs 20 times as much as my Harley. Not in the real world at least. Except for the end product having to pay the wages and operation of a plant in California, US., ugrading the hardware, electronics and giving it to a luthier to fix whatever fret issues it may have would be way cheaper. But someone on Talkbass said "If you want excellence you will have to ignore the law of diminishing returns". And he is absolutely right.
my favorite jazz bass was a fender made in mexico 2004 i sold it because precisions are my favorite, i tried a lot of models of fender, american standards, player series, elite and that still my favorite i have a lot of regrets 😭
What kind of comparison is being made Johnny? Fender Japan vs Fender USA I own several of both. There is a difference in quality that isn’t just one is better than the other…. Fender USA is better than Fender of Mexico by a factor that’s hard to quantify. If you say it’s easy to quantify you’re being disingenuous.
As always: the more they talk the worse they play. These nuts talk without a break. The nut with the hat is a beginner but talks like a expert, absolutely hilarious 😂.
That thumbnail tho
All of them sound good to me, the classic vibe is unreal value though
Juan Alderete from Mars Volta is a friend. 15+ years ago, John went to the Fender factory to pick a bass. He chooses acoustically, as he listens to several bases he finally finds the one he wanted. Fender said, oooohh....we need to put a Fender Precision on headstock, because John had selected a Squire bass. So it definitely doesn't have to be the most expensive to sound good.
The eyes overtake the hands and ears sometimes!! 🤪
The problem with squier is not that they sound bad, is crappy hardware and woods, they need a setup every 4 months and after years they look really bad.
@@Rui1982that is a valid point, with Squier stuff you don’t have North American hardware , you have to keep your eyes on that stuff , neck adjustments-setups. I think players should be able to do that work themselves without paying people(not at first but after playing a bit). You can buy two classic vibes almost for ONE player series-something to think about.
This is an awesome comment. And a dang good video.I tip my hat
Interesting video.
I've got an '83 USA Jazz but it looks nothing like the one Matt has! After doing some research it appears that mine is a "Dan Smith era" it's certainly different to most other Jazz basses.
Very cool! Is that the one with the one piece pickguard/control plate combo? Mine probably looks different as it's mostly 78 parts left over in the factory (it has a '78 serial but the heel is stamped '83), hence the bullet truss rod adjuster and 3 bolt plate 🙌
Nice one Andy! Very jelly.
@@mattparkerbass Yes, the one piece pickguard and the neck is different to the other Jazz basses I have
A couple weeks ago I bought a Fender Aerodyne Special Jazz Bass for less than $700 (the usual price is $1000). Best bass I've ever owned and I've owned a number of other Japanese basses over the years. Best shielding too!
I wish 15 year old me was smart enough to buy an aerodyne P bass when they were going for 600-800 used😭
You can get one of the current MIJ aerodyne P or J basses on reverb for $649. I have one of each and they're awesome value especially for the price.
What i admire most is how humbly this is all handled. The skill and wisdom are what will change minds. I suspect that was your goal. Just lay it down.
Thank-you pal
Last bass sounded best to me, the Fujigen was next, I think.
Yeah that 83 is a slap MACHINE
I like the daphne blue bass because of the blink vibes i get from it🙏🏻🚦
For me the mij aerodyne and 83 sound amazing. Definitely have that signature scoop sound. Recently acquired a mij fender active 80s early 90s pj. Its super light lovely neck.
Yikes! That's like owning a bad ass car. Except more useful.
@davejones7475 Hah for sure 😀
That ‘83 sounds wicked 🔥 The ESP……. Doesn’t? 😬 😂
Haha it sounds better with rounds, I promise 😂
The classic vibe sounded great! 👌🏻
Incredible value basses
Best one I've ever played is a Korean Lakland DJ4. I bought it from a gigging pro in Chepstow because he wanted shot of it. Aero pickups, John East pre-amp.... the most sonically versatile bass I've ever had. It does absolutely everything.
Man, I want a JE preamp for my stingray
@@JonnyDibble yeah me too for my Sterling Stingray 5, but I cant get hold of one. I think JE's on a go-slow in making the things, LOLZ.
The JE one on the Jazz Bass though.... that thing is incredible. There is no sound that I cant get out of that. For a recording instrument that is easy to play that the sounds just topple out of, its brilliant. I coudlnt recommend it any higher, its fabulous.
Nicely done video....I always keep in mind that basses are a case by case basis: two can roll off an assembly back to back and play/sound completely different from each other....this is true with any bass but especially true with Jazz basses
It’s very British to spend 200lbs on an Indonesian guitar (yeah I said lbs) and say this is fine. Indonesia is screwed and very few manufacturers consider wether or not their instruments are being reasonably sourced.
What do you mean? Please elaborate?
Screwed how so?
I've had:
Harley benton Mb5 SBK £129
Squier classic vibe jazz 70s £345
Ibanez SR 505 £695
Spector Skylar Accord £1433 (used)
Stingray Special 5h £1950 (used).
It's hard to put into words how the difference in price is perceived but the easiest way would be to just say. Electronics, hardware and attention to detal.
My harley benton is much better built and feeling than my squier was. The quier had uneven frets and a crooked neck.
The ibanez is honestly an absolute steal of an instrument at that price. People sleep too much on soundgear basses but their electronics are the weakest link so I understand.
Now the Spector is Korean made but pretty much Euro spec'd and Oh my lawd. I think this is an INSANE value bass. Hardware and electronics are top tier (except for the preamp which some argue is terrible but to me it's ok) and the neck and fretwork is insane.
And the Stingray. Hoooo boy. Almost 20 timex the price of the Harley, which is a Stingray copy. I was always an "It's just a plank of wood with some bolts and cables and a magnet" kind of guy. But when I got the Stingy I said to my guitarist: "I get it".
Eventually he later got a Musicman JP6 after me nagging him to get a "big boy guitah" and he said it's the most comfortable guitar he's ever played. Everything else is going to be sold except for his strat.
It's hard to put "feel" into words. You have to feel it (lol) to know. There's just an eveness in the way it feels, plays, responds and also a predictability in everything you do on the spector and stingray. Not a hiss, not a scratchy pot. You barely feel the tuners turning but you see the needle on the tuner screen moving in real time as you turn the peg in .01 cent increments. Every string sounds balanced and even across every fret. Knobs feel sturdy and minuscule movements do change the sound giving a wide pallette of sounds.
Now, I Am still an "It's wood with cables" guy. There's no reason why my Stingray costs 20 times as much as my Harley. Not in the real world at least. Except for the end product having to pay the wages and operation of a plant in California, US., ugrading the hardware, electronics and giving it to a luthier to fix whatever fret issues it may have would be way cheaper.
But someone on Talkbass said "If you want excellence you will have to ignore the law of diminishing returns".
And he is absolutely right.
Hey Johnny! Have you seen that new Sterling sb14? And are you gonna review it? It's basically a budget Joe Dart and I want one!
FGN sounded best to me. FujuGen makes some of the best feeling necks on the market, IMO.
Classic vibe with the 70’s neck was the bomb for me. The late 70’s transitional J was close second.
I like the FGN, it sounds so direct, like a taut bow.
my favorite jazz bass was a fender made in mexico 2004 i sold it because precisions are my favorite, i tried a lot of models of fender, american standards, player series, elite and that still my favorite i have a lot of regrets 😭
That era of Mexico basses is so good!
I totally go with the Aerodyne mostly because I’m not a fan of single coil jazz pick ups, so I would mostly use the P pick up.
Nice! PJs are super versatile
That last one is a bit of a delight!
Awesome video gentlemen
I was hoping to hear how the Sire V5 performed against its more expensive counterparts. Great video nonetheless!
I’ve never played the V5! Really want to though
It is a great bass. I'm sure you'll be praising it as highly as you did the P5 :)
Expensive does not equal better but I imagine import costs throw any dollars to sense judgement way out of wack.
There’s a ceiling where quality vs price starts to plateau. After that you’re paying for name, hands and country of manufacture
What kind of comparison is being made Johnny? Fender Japan vs Fender USA I own several of both. There is a difference in quality that isn’t just one is better than the other…. Fender USA is better than Fender of Mexico by a factor that’s hard to quantify. If you say it’s easy to quantify you’re being disingenuous.
@@LucasJRice Hard to quantify, like it’s way better or not much better? I’m confused
I’ve never heard such a load of bollocks in my entire life.
What part, sorry?
@@JonnyDibble let’s start at the ‘cheap’ basses… always been available. Stagg. Tanglewood. Ibanez. Sold basses at that price for years.
@@P1ssfl4ps We never said there weren’t any cheap basses, we say the quality of affordable basses has never been higher. That can’t be denied
@@JonnyDibble but you can’t prove it either.
As always: the more they talk the worse they play. These nuts talk without a break. The nut with the hat is a beginner but talks like a expert, absolutely hilarious 😂.
Thank-you x
This comment unhinged 😂😂 but wrong and mean
I agree. Utter tosh.
@@P1ssfl4ps 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍