A Sherman tank with Ferrari lines
Pros:
Playability, Construction, Hardware, Classic Lines
Cons:
Stock pickups are way too bland for this bass
The Bottom Line:
Buy this solidly built classic bass. Get the color you like and set it up to your style. Spring for new pickups. Rule the world from the bottom up.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I have been an avid Fender bass fan for quite sometime. In the electric bass world Fender did invent the wheel. The most valuable bass I own is a dead stock 1970 Jazz. But as beautiful as it sounds and looks, it can be a workhorse to play (couple neck problems)and a liability at a live show. So I had been scoping for a late model Jazz I could hot-rod a little.
I happen to find a 2000 American Series at a local Musician's Friend as new old stock, maybe a couple years old for $500 less case and plus tax. And I could see why this bass had not sold. The very things that make a Fender bass so solid, were the things keeping it from selling. I knew with my experience with bolt on basses all three adjustments were WAY out on this particular bass. This was probably due to shipping and lack of setup attention at the store (understandable with hundreds of other guitars in stock).
So here's what I did with this bass, and if you do the same you will have a true friend for life with this bass!!
First off, set the pickup height. Mine were way too high causing audible clicks and peaks. Of course all the adjustments will be based on you right hand attack, but everyone can benefit from a setup to their style. Next I had to actually loosen the truss rod and raise the action a hair with my new strings. The neck was way too straight and buzzed at the first fret or two. This may seem like a lot to do but it takes about 5-10 min, requires no special tools, and can make an off the shelf bass perform like a boutique bass.
All that being said, in 5 min you can make this the most solid performing bass you've ever played. The slim Jazz neck is like butter, with a solid and consistent feel and tone across the neck. The satin neck finish is much more slick than my old J bass. And this bass has taken much abuse and came out virtually unscathed. The classic Jazz Bass tone with just a little less growl than a vintage piece. ONE LAST VERY IMPORTANT WORD!! I finished my hot- roding after taking this bass to sound checks before shows. This thing was playing solid, but no matter how much volume I pumped through my SVT Classic the bass would hide in the mix. Long story short, as soon as you can replace the pickups. I know someone else had this problem with theirs and the advice worked for them too. I went with the amazing Lindy Fralin Jazz pick ups. These will light your bass up without being overly nasty or aggressive. But you choose the pickup you like. If it means getting a used American Series to offset cost, then do that.
SOLID SOLID bass. Solid hardware that holds tune FOREVER. Well balanced and classic. It retired my Ernie Ball Sterling from my live lineup. It will retire more of them I'm sure.
