indus Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=tahoma, geneva, sans-serif]Hi Everybody, I'm new on here, so here's my second attempt at a post for which I joined up specifically to ask.....I am looking to buy a bass for under £300, as my missus is buying me one for my birthday! and I wondered if I could have some comments from someone who has played both the Fender Modern Player Jazz Short Scale Bass or the Squire Jaguar Short scale Bass. I note the Squire has Precision bass p/u and a jazz bass p/u, and the comments I've read so far seem pretty good. On the other hand the Fender MP Jazz SS Bass hasn't really impressed everyone, in spite of it being 1/3 price dearer. I also note the Fenders 16 Fret and the Squire 20 Fret, though I don't usually play that high, in spite of being a guitarist, not a bassist. I'm more comfortable with the Short scale as I used to have a Samick, and I could fly on that. [/font][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=tahoma, geneva, sans-serif] [/font][/font][/color] [attachment=184580:Screen Shot 2015-02-22 at 10.50.40.png] [attachment=184581:Screen Shot 2015-02-22 at 10.49.52.png] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=tahoma, geneva, sans-serif]Has anyone else compared them physically (as I live miles away from the store and they only have the Squire anyway) or can a shop owner / worker give me some advice. They both look great and I'm assuming they both sound pretty good too![/font][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=tahoma, geneva, sans-serif]NB. I need it primarily for recording, but some live now and again.[/font][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=tahoma, geneva, sans-serif]I'd be grateful of some advice. Thanx in advance.[/font][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=tahoma, geneva, sans-serif]Indus[/font][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 I have played the SS Jaguar but not the Modern Player Jazz. My opinion on the Jaguar was that it had a very good slim neck on it and a decent array of sounds from the PJ pups. Personally i think i would put flatwound strings on it if i had one. For the price that you can pick the Jag up for they are a very good buy in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Since it's your 60th birthday, I think what you should do is buy yourself 60 basses all at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfretrock Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 (edited) I can only agree with the l̶a̶s̶t̶ second post. I've not played the Fender but got the SS Squier about a year ago. I put D'Addario XL chrome flats on it, the strings it came with were extra light and felt like elastic bands! If I was buying today I'd probably fit Thomastic flatwounds, expensive but will fit your budget (check they do short scale though). They are lower tension than the XLs. The only issue I had was open G buzzed on the first fret - the nut was too low, I expect it may have been a 'Friday afternoon' job. If you can get to a dealer and try before buy, you should not have any problems. The pups will not disappoint. (quick check for nut height, fret at the third fret - you should be able to see daylight under the first fret, I think the gap should be around 6 thou? If the string touches the fret, the nut is too low) EDIT: changed last to second - but he has a point 60 is an OK number by me! Edited February 22, 2015 by pfretrock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Again, just reinforcing the others. I have a Squier Jaguar SS as I was impressed when I played it. I haven't played the SS Jazz, but I played the Modern player Jaguar, and when I was looking for a jazz bass I found it the most playable instrument under £1000 in wunjos, but back then I couldn't get on with the shape as I am incredibly shallow, so I know the modern players are good value for money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretlessguy Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I recently turned 55 myself. I have been looking at that shortscale Jazz bass for a while. It has finally been released here in the states. My wife, who has given me the green light to go ahead and order it, on the agreement a I buy the red one and not the "hideous white one". I can live with that! Best of luck with whichever you buy. Happy bassing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indus Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 [quote name='fretlessguy' timestamp='1424662140' post='2698904'] I recently turned 55 myself. I have been looking at that shortscale Jazz bass for a while. It has finally been released here in the states. My wife, who has given me the green light to go ahead and order it, on the agreement a I buy the red one and not the "hideous white one". I can live with that! Best of luck with whichever you buy. Happy bassing! [/quote] Yeah, I like the Candy Apple Red one myself. It's about $399 over there isn't it? Do you stay near Chicago or Vegas? My son flies there with BA as crew and if you tell me the store he can bring one back for me...That would be good as no sign of it here yet except the test run models which have all been sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfretrock Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 [quote name='fretlessguy' timestamp='1424662140' post='2698904'] I have been looking at that shortscale Jazz bass for a while. It has finally been released here in the states... [/quote] ? Jaguar SS 'club' running on Talkbass for a few years now, 150+ members Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqs Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Hi I've got both, the jag is quite a bit lighter and the sound sounds good having the "p" pick up on full but the "j" pick up isn't that hot to be honest. The Jazz I really like although it is a bit heavier quite a good thumping sound. I have the "hideous" white one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indus Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 [quote name='pqs' timestamp='1424712848' post='2699487'] Hi I've got both, the jag is quite a bit lighter and the sound sounds good having the "p" pick up on full but the "j" pick up isn't that hot to be honest. The Jazz I really like although it is a bit heavier quite a good thumping sound. I have the "hideous" white one [/quote] Thanks a lot for that info pqs, (and you others too)....You're just the guy I was waiting for. I can't find the Modern Player anywhere for sale...No news from Fender re. the UK sales dates. Do you know anything? I prefer heavier as I'm used to playing a heavy Guitar, G&L strat lookalike, which is quite heavy. I think I have more control on a heavier bass. That Hofner violin bass is way to light, otherwise I'd like That Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Does it have to be a short scale? For [color=#282828][font=tahoma, geneva, sans-serif]£300 there are many basses out there, including Fender and Ibanez.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=tahoma, geneva, sans-serif]The two Fenders you mentioned are essentially the same instrument, differing only in body shape. Which shape do you prefer - the traditional Jazz Bass profile, or the slightly more esoteric Jag shape? The P/J pickup configuration is the same, so they will sound the same, and they both have a nut width of 1.5 inches, or 38mm.[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqs Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I'm not sure they only seemed to be around for a little while. I got mine from GAK but they do not have any on their site and they are not on the Fender site either. Maybe ring GAK or Andertons as I think they had some. I definitely prefer the Fender if that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretlessguy Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 [quote name='indus' timestamp='1424675412' post='2698922'] Yeah, I like the Candy Apple Red one myself. It's about $399 over there isn't it? Do you stay near Chicago or Vegas? My son flies there with BA as crew and if you tell me the store he can bring one back for me...That would be good as no sign of it here yet except the test run models which have all been sold. [/quote] Got the www.fender.com site and see where the stores are in Chicago and Vegas. Both are quite far from where I live. Interestingly, I found out about this bass on Andertons U.K. site months before the bass was acknowleged in the states. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretlessguy Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 [quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1424699957' post='2699264'] ? Jaguar SS 'club' running on Talkbass for a few years now, 150+ members [/quote] The Jaguar Short scale was released here a few years ago and is based on the Jaguar body. The Fender Short Scale Jazz was just released here last week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretlessguy Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 [quote name='pqs' timestamp='1424712848' post='2699487'] Hi I've got both, the jag is quite a bit lighter and the sound sounds good having the "p" pick up on full but the "j" pick up isn't that hot to be honest. The Jazz I really like although it is a bit heavier quite a good thumping sound. I have the "hideous" white one [/quote] Glad you are enjoying them both. I like the white and red version both, but my wife thinks I should carry on my tradition of red basses. She really didn't like the white one, LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indus Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 Well, Thanks everyone for your imput. We phoned Fender and they said it was discontinued. That's life! I got the Squire this am and it sounds great and plays great. Buzzin'. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqs Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 It's strange it has been discontinued as it only seemed to be out a few weeks. Glad I got mine now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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