martthebass Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Over the years I've had an on-off affair with Jazz basses. Usually I drifted backwards and forward between having a Jazz or a Precision, that is until last year when I decided to break the loop and sold both my P bass bitsa and my 75RI MIA Jazz. I ended up Fenderless for the first time since about 1997 and the Status and a 4003 became my main gigging basses. No surprises after about 6 months I began to miss having a Jazz (but fortunately not a Precision) and as cash was tight, picked up a VM77. I expected to mainly use this for Jamnights and 'toilet' gigs but recently I find myself using it at least 50% of the time. Now the VM is nice but it isn't as nice in feel or sound as the 75RI I had.....but then again I wouldn't want something that good for the 'toilets'. So I'm finding myself thinking, should I upgrade the VM with some better pups or sell it and get a used RW 60s Jazz? I have had the odd fumble with the RW acoustically and it sempt to be not far off the 75RI quality wise (though not as aggressive in sound) and as it comes pre-distressed I don't think I'd be precious about damaging it. I'd appreciate any words of advice....I don't want to spend money for the sake of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Not being a fan of pre distressed stuff, Id say go for the pup upgrade (cheaper too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) I had the same plan with my stunt jazz - a Classic Vibe Jazz....instead of taking my 86 MIJ Fender Jazz in softcases on trains, toilet gigs, etc. BUT it played that well that I got some new pickups for it (Wizard 84s) and I'm very happy. Stay with what you know you like and upgrade would be my advice. Edited February 23, 2014 by ahpook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 After many years (22 years to be precise) of searching for the perfect replacement for a 1983 JV Series Squier Jazz bass which was stolen from me, I must have tried every Jazz bass that was produced ever since and found a 2011 American Standard to be in my views the best Jazz ever made. The pickups are superb, as is the craftsmanship, perfect neck pocket, weight, everything is spot on and the high mass bridge is the icing on the cake. I know they are pricey, but.... they are bloody worth it. [URL=http://s144.photobucket.com/user/xt660/media/aa9c9261.jpg.html][IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r200/xt660/aa9c9261.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 A used RW Jazz will still be £600-ish, so a fairly expensive "toilet bass". Seeing as the VM is getting used at least 50% of the time, I`d upgrade the pickups - in fact this is what I`ve done recently with my Korean Squier Precision and am now using it as my gigging bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Thanks for the responses. If I was looking at the upgrade route I'd look at the 'tronics and the pups....any suggestions, bearing in mind that the bass is probably worth <£200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Ki0gon wiring loom first off, then dependent on sound required really. I`ve been really impressed with the DiMarzio pickup I put in my Precision, so they`re def worth a look. Few different types to choose from for a Jazz as well: http://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 As above really. The wiring looms from KiOgon are extremely good quality, so do that first (less than 30 quid) and if you like the sound enough then leave the pickups alone. If not as Lozz said, dimarzios have become my go to pickup. The model Js are extremely good. I might have a spare set knocking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 At the bottom end of the budget range, but still decent quality, would be [url="http://www.jhs.co.uk/wilkinsoninfo.html"]Wilkinson[/url] pickups and [url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-JB-Pro-Jazz-Bass-Style-Alnico-Pickups_p_318.html"]GFS[/url] from the States. Both well worth a try! Or trawl the "other musical items for sale" threads on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Cheers guys.....looks like I might save myself £500 going down the upgrade route. Then again there's a thread on the other channel that says that basswood and agathis sound like the devils sphincter lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) The roadworn pickups which are in both the 60s Classic and the roadworn jazz are these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-FENDER-MIM-60s-Jazz-Bass-Bridge-Pickup-0058359000/371011351763?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222006%26algo%3DSIC.FITP%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107083358%26meid%3D5068024971958078122%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D20140107083358%26rk%3D0%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D300535828848 Edited February 24, 2014 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 [quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1393267632' post='2378044'] Cheers guys.....looks like I might save myself £500 going down the upgrade route. Then again there's a thread on the other channel that says that basswood and agathis sound like the devils sphincter lol. [/quote] Go with your ears, if they like, they like. I`ve no idea what wood my Korean Squier is made of, but it doesn`t matter as I like the sound it makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsgbass Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 (edited) I have the CS60's on both my Am. Std. Jazzes, and Precision. I like the sounds from them. Edited February 25, 2014 by gsgbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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