If you’re wondering if Fender Player Jazz Bass is a good guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that Mexican-made guitar. It’s a really popular and affordable model, but is it actually that good?
The truth is that Fender Player Jazz Bass offers a really high quality. It is one of the most popular bass guitars made by Fender and it’s suitable for both amateur and more intermediate players. Although it’s not a cheap guitar, it’s definitely worth the money!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this bass guitar so good and so popular. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the specs and the main advantages of that model. We’ll also see if it has any potential flaws. Hopefully, this guide will help you to figure out if this Jazz Bass is a good fit for you.
Specs & Pricing
Fender Player Jazz Bass is a high-quality four string bass guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. It is often recognized as an industry standard and it has a really good reputation.
What makes it so good? Well, the guitar offers an alder body and a comfortable C-shaped maple neck. On top of that, it also has a really smooth maple fretboard, although if you’re not a fan of that feel, there’s also an another version with the Pau Ferro fretboard.
The manufacturer equipped this model with two Player Series Alnico 5 single-coil pickups which offer the classic J Bass sound. Overall, the tone of that guitar exceeds all the expectations – it’s warm, punchy and it sounds really good!
When it comes to pricing, it’s not exactly cheap – it falls somewhere in the mid-range. Nevertheless, it’s not as expensive as the Jazz Basses made in the USA, so it’s not that difficult to eventually save up on it. Considering how good it sounds, it’s definitely worth the money!
Undoubtedly, Fender Player Jazz Bass is one of the best and most affordable basses made by this legendary brand. Many guitarists wonder if these made in Mexico models are actually worth it, but the truth is that there’s nothing to complain about. It’s a really good piece of gear! That’s for sure.
Here’s the official sound demo.
Who Is It For?
Fender Player Jazz Bass can be efficiently used by both amateur and more advanced guitarists. It will work perfectly fine as your first bass guitar but since the quality of that bass is really high, you can easily take it with you to your next gig.
That’s why a lot of bass players choose the Player Jazz Bass as their main guitar for live performances. It’s not as valuable as some of the American-made Fenders, so you don’t have to worry about it getting hurt.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s also a really versatile model. It doesn’t really matter whether you want to play blues, jazz, country or indie rock music – this guitar can be used in pretty much all the genres of music.
It is also worth mentioning that this is one of the most affordable Fender basses out there, so it’s definitely suitable for guitarists who don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a new piece of gear.
Overall, it’s a fantastic instrument. Considering how well made it is and how good it sounds, it’s definitely worth checking out!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages Of Fender Player Jazz Bass
Although Fender Player Jazz Bass is generally a great bass guitar, it’s not as good as some of the high-end Fenders that are made in the USA. Here’s a few potential issues that you may experience with that guitar.
Firstly, some guitarists report that the setup of the Player Jazz Bass is not ideal. This means that the original string action may be a bit too high for you, although it all depends on your own preferences. It’s not a massive problem though – you can easily adjust the string action on your own. Also, it happens occasionally – it’s not always the case.
In addition, it usually comes without a gig bag or hard case, so if you’ll have to get it separately. If you’re not sure what bass case you should choose, I wrote an article about 10 Best Bass Hard Cases – feel free to check it out.
But overall, the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages of Fender Player Jazz Bass. Even if you experience some problems with the initial setup, it will become a killer guitar once you set it up properly. That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the look or the sound of Fender Player Jazz Bass, that’s totally fine! There’s still quite a few really good bass guitars out there. Of course, it all depends on how much are you willing to spend on what kind of music you want to play.
Here’s a few bass guitars that also deserve a lot of recognition.
Firstly, I highly recommend checking out the Squier Bronco Bass. This is a really cheap bass guitar, but it offers a surprisingly good quality. Although it’s not as good as the Player Jazz Bass, it’s a great choice for guitarists on a really tight budget. Bear in mind that this is a short-scale bass, so it’s recommended for players with small hands and short fingers.
Additionally, you can also check out the Squier Classic Vibe Jazz Bass. Many guitarists believe that this guitar offers a really similar quality to the Mexican-made Jazz Bass. It’s difficult to clearly answer which guitar is better, but the truth is that this Indonesian-made Jazz Bass is an absolutely amazing guitar. If you’re okay with not getting a Fender, you should definitely check it out.
Alternatively, you can also check out my list of Best Squier Bass Guitars. I’m sure that you’ll be able to find a lot of great guitars on that list!
My Thoughts About Fender Player Jazz Bass
Overall, Fender Player Jazz Bass is a truly legendary model. Considering how versatile and good sounding it is, it offers a great value for the money.
I had the pleasure to use that bass on a several occasions so I can totally confirm that it sounds great, especially during live gigs. The bass player from my band uses this particular model and he absolutely loves it.
I have no hesitation in recommending this guitar to all musicians who are searching for a good and reliable bass guitar. Honestly, there’s a high chance that it’s going to last you for years to come!
FAQ
Where is Fender Player J Bass made?
Fender Player Jazz Bass is manufactured in Mexico.
Where can I find out more about Fender?
If you want to learn more about Fender and their approach to making guitars, you can visit their official website.
Are Jazz Basses good for rock and metal?
Yes, all Jazz Bass guitars tend to be really versatile. That’s why a lot of guitarists successfully use them for playing rock and metal music.
Summary
As you can see, Fender Player Jazz Bass is a really good and versatile bass guitar. It may not be as good as some of the most expensive American-made Fenders, but it’s still worth the money. I’m sure that if you decide to get it, you won’t be disappointed!
What do you think about the Fender Player Series? Would you add this model to your collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
Comments
One response to “Fender Player Jazz Bass – Is It Good? [REVIEW]”
The Player Jazz Bass has a vintage vibe and sound and to me represents the best value to quality ratio. The USA Pro II Jazz costs over twice as much for a slight gain in quality and playability. Take care of your Player bass and it will last you a lifetime. It really is a very good Fender. Notice how US Fenders don’t have ‘Made in USA’ on them any more? That’s because some of the parts/manufacture is done in Mexico!