Fender American Vintage '75 Jazz Electric Bass (Maple with Case)
Capture that classic Fender tone with the American Vintage '75. This J-bass features an ash body and maple fretboard for a punchy tone with extended sustain.
Overall User Ratings (based on 34 ratings)
Submitted June 26, 2006 by a customer from hotmail.com
"the best fender j."
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A supped up j-bass. nuff said
Sound
This bass is characterized by its tight response and punch. It is amazing. MOre punch than any rick i have ever come across. The neck is extremely fast and thin. Becareful, it will spoil you.
Features
IT is a j-bass. What can i say? THe vintage wound pickups are awesome. I replaced the c$#p bridge that fender gives you with a badass II. It is worth it. The bass has vibe. I would never part with it.
Ease of Use
if your into funk and rock this is the bass for you. The thinnest neck i have ever played and the glossy bound finish lets your hand glide down the neck.
Quality
Solidly built. I worry about the neck joint. I replaced the bridge, Other than that top notch. the finish is fantastic. The pot covers can come off but that happens wiht most fender basses. This baby could dish it out on the road. It has a tough finish so don't be afraid to get wild.
Value
this is an expensive bass. But i never have to buy another one. It is worth it for me.
Manufacturer Support
n/a
The Wow Factor
natural finish with a black pickguard with the skunk stripes. YUM!
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Anything
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Submitted November 9, 2006 by a customer from cherokee.org
"Great Sound, Great Build, Great Bass"
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This is a great bass and I am extremely satisfied with my purchase.
Sound
This Bass has the great 70's Era Jazz Bass sound. The 70's pickup spacing is awesome. The sound is very bright and crisp with just the bridge pickup and the tone cranked, and has a great growl with the neck pickup only, and when you crank them both you get a crisp bright sound with some growl. This bass has a very good sound.
Features
Simple yet effective controls. Vintage hardware is very good but not great; however it is part of the mojo of this bass. The Ash body is beautiful and light. The bound neck is very fast and easy to play.
Ease of Use
This bass plays very well. It plays great right out of the box. Once I get it professionally set up I imagine it will play superbly.
Quality
The construction of this bass is great. The neck joint is super tight with no gaps. The neck is straight and fretwork is very good with vintage style frets. The clear finish on this bass is also very good and makes the bass quite beautiful. The only thing needed was to tighten down some of the screws in the pickguard that were raised up a bit.
Value
This bass is somewhat expensive for what it is.
The Wow Factor
The bass looks good and you will get comments on it.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Anything and Everything
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Submitted April 22, 2012 by John L in Hollywood, CA
"75ri jazzy"
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I really wanted one of these 1975 RI Jazz Basses I used to have one in 1977 So was very intrested to see how the RI would stack up against the original ! Well it seems to me that the ri's are a better bass Mine sounds better then my old one Much depper bass tone and much sharper highs ! It feels as good, I don't know about the weight that has never been an issue with me.I took it to my tech to have it setup,And he said it was a great bass aswell.He did a setup and I couln't be more happy !!! The only thing that made me scrach my head was If you want to mount the pickup covers & thumbrest you have to drill your own holes What?? This bass was(is) not cheap by any means And It's one of Fenders more costly Basses so I thought that was pretty bad really!! Now I have to say I have been playing for about 40 years I have never owened a brand new bass! zZzound made that very possible! I was looking at my dream bass on their website and noticed their "Play as you Pay plan" How cool is that. I put in the application was approved And was playing my new baby four days later ! From now on ALL my musical purchases will be done at zZzounds!! They have a GREAT support team as I made a mistake filling out my app.They fixed it right up !!!! Thanks zZzounds I have a long list.I'll be back!!!
Musical Background:
Long time bass player Play with many local bands !
Musical Style:
Rock, some Jazz, Punk ,Wacha Got ??
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Submitted December 1, 2005 by a customer from bellsouth.net
"A Sexy Attention-Grabber"
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I have owned, sold, and traded many basses over the years. This is one that I don't think I'll ever get rid of, short of a medical or financial catastrophe. If it were lost or stolen, I'd love to get another one if I could afford it at that time.
Sound
This is an awesome bass. I've owned one for about 4 years now. Great tone. Cuts through really well with roundwounds. Slap a set of flatwounds on it and you've got a tremendous rubbery thud sound akin to an upright, but better.
Features
Hey, it's a Jazz Bass. You've got your controls for each pickup. More tonal possibilities than a P-Bass, but nothing too fancy. This set-up has been the choice of pros and amateurs alike for many, many years. It's all that I need.
Quality
When mine came into the music store where I ordered it, I remember opening the case. Not only was I blown away by the beauty, I could hear all the employees oohing and aahing behind me. I was a little worried about the 3-bolt neck, but I've had absolutely no problems, and I play it hard.
Value
No doubt about it - this is an expensive instrument. I paid $1,125.00 for mine 3 or 4 years ago, and that was the best price I could find. But you know what? I've never regretted it. I can't tell you all the compliments I've received regarding the appearance and sound of this bass.
Manufacturer Support
I've never had occasion to need anything. I do think that a major corporation like Fender should have an 800 number for their customer service. There are a ton of Fender owners out here. It would be nice if Fender would "throw us a bone" by making it cost-free to contact them via phone if we have any questions.
The Wow Factor
Clearly, I "wanted" one. When I saw the picture in a Fender catalog, I knew I had to have it. Just gorgeous.
Musical Background:
I have a "normal" full-time job. I play in a band for fun and at parties. No pay.
Musical Style:
Old time rock & roll; country; blues.
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Submitted October 28, 2007 by a customer from sbcglobal.net
"THIS BABY IS A KEEPER - SHE'S THE FINEST IN MY COLLECTION!"
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This one is a keeper. I expect to own it for the rest of my life. If it is lost or stolen, believe me, this baby is insured to the hilt and would be replaced with the same model. I have been through the whole "I think I'll try that brand", that's why I have nine basses and counting. This bass, for some reason, is so compatible with the styles of music that I play and record, I don't know what I'd do without it. I love the thing; sound and good-looks, all of it.
Sound
I have found that in comparison to the eight other basses that I own, the '75 is right up there in the top two. It compares very closely with a custom-made Carvin that I have, which was a rather expensive peice of work. I believe the sound on this instrument to be exactly what you ask of it. It will cut crisp and snappy for funk style, thick and heavy for hard rock, etc. It hasn't let me down yet, and I am a fussy player. Presently I have it paired with a Mesa/Boogie Big Block 750 head with a 4 x 10 Mesa Powerhouse cab. The sound of this bass with that amp is unbelievable.
Features
This bass came with a really nice case. I appreciate the feel of the neck more than anything. I have small hands (probably because I am a lady!!) and the shape of the neck, plus the slick feel of the fretboard are standout features for me.
Ease of Use
Again, out of my nine basses, this one rivals my custom Carvin for ease of use and playability. When I am in a hurry during a practice session, I usually will grab the '75 and just PLAY. It is so easy on the hands, relatively lightweight compared to some, (my American Fender P feels heavy as lead sometimes)and just plain FUN!
Quality
I have found from much experience with Fender products that their American-made basses really are of excellent quality. I have taken apart several basses, and there is nothing quite like an American Fender for sturdy, dependable craftsmanship. This one is road-proof and pretty at the same time.
Value
Unfortunately, American-made Fenders tend to run a little pricey, but they have never disapointed me. Therefore I expect to be paying a little more for the good quality which I have come to depend on with Fender.
Manufacturer Support
For this particular bass, I have not needed support from Fender. I will tell you though, that Fender has given me the best support for my other instruments! I have had very bad customer support with Warwick and Carvin, which is rather disapointing due to the fact that most all of my basses were costly and I expected better.
The Wow Factor
I didn't really "need" this bass when I bought it; it was one of those things where you walk into a music store and you see something that blows you away. The striking good looks of this '75 was the selling point for me, other than what I already knew of Fender basses from personal experience. Yes, my first thought when I saw this thing was "I Want It" (and I got it, too).
Musical Background:
Active musician, composer, bassist, recording, etc, etc, etc.
Musical Style:
I play & record mainly my own compositions with a funk/rock/blues flavoring
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Submitted February 1, 2007 by a customer from hotmail.com
"If you like Jazz basses you have to be willing to take the good and not so good with it"
for what it is it'll due for now
Sound
I starting to have my suspicions about this bass,I mean it sounds ok, but a true 70's bass has a tighter sound and a fuller growl than this not to mention that the basses of that era weighed @ least 11 lbs and were also made with true Northen Ash.Personally I think the Geddy Lee has the closest sound of the real 70's Jazz bass than this and it's a fraction of the cost !,and I also find it disturbing that the 70's vintage Squier sounds like this bass for which isn't a bad thing especially since it's price a what ? $ 260-270.00 bucks
Features
The bass comes with nice case,strap etc.
Ease of Use
I think that they need to address the pickup situation a litle better,however the playability is real good.
Quality
The fit and finish is good. I wish they would use pearl enlay because I have a real 75 that has it.I'm not sure if the tuners are real true Vintage Schaller tuners,but they will suffice.
Value
Personally I think the Geddy Lee is better,but I got this bass used ! so.... it is what it is.
Manufacturer Support
There ok
The Wow Factor
It just a Jazz bass
Musical Background:
20 yrs +
Musical Style:
Gospel, Smooth Jazz,R&B
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Submitted August 4, 2007 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Good Jazz"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sound
The sound is good. It has a good growl with the bridge pickup and softens up with the neck added in. The have a slicht buzz when the strings aren't being touhed but I think that's from the single coil.
Features
The features are basic but very functional.
Ease of Use
What could be easier? Volume volume and tone.
Quality
The first bass I got had a dead spot on the 7th fret G string. The replacement was better but still needed a bit of tweeking to get it right. I was surprised that a bass of this price would have any dead spots. I've also tried several since at other shops and they all seem to have the same issue.
Value
Overall it's worth the price.
Manufacturer Support
Fender was easy to reach but not much help other than to say "If there is an issue please send it back and we'll replace it if it turns out be a manufactures defect".
The Wow Factor
I wanted another Jazz bass and this one is really nice.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Oldies/Country/Gospel
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Submitted June 30, 2006
"BUY THIS BASS"
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
YUM!
Sound
IF you like midrange than this baby is for you. It is so clear and defined. It is amazing. More punch than a Rick.
Features
You don't buy a jazz bass looking for features. A nice thing though is the case, and the micro tilt neck adjustment system is great. Bridge was only okay so replaced it with a badass II.
Ease of Use
Plug and play. The neck is so thin. Some people hate bound necks. But for me they are the fastest you could ever find once you get used to them.
Quality
Solid. Fair setup from the factory. Sometimes i worry about the neck but since i am not billy sheehan i don't think i need to worry about breaking it. solid. Beautiful finish. Thing is a tank.
Value
This thing is expensive i wont lie. But I wont need to buy another bass again for a long time.
Manufacturer Support
N/A
The Wow Factor
natural finish with a black pickguard. That is what attracted me to it in the first place. You will get lots of compliments.
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