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Average Price: $900

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Achieve the perfect balance of classic style and modern performance with the Fender American Special Jazz Bass. Crafted with a lightweight alder body and a sleek slim C-shape maple neck, this bass offers unparalleled comfort and playability. Whether you're laying down a smooth groove or powering through a rock anthem, its dynamic tone will cut through any mix.

Equipped with Standard Vintage Alnico magnet Jazz Bass single-coil pickups, this instrument delivers the legendary American J Bass sound that musicians around the world adore. The Greasebucket tone circuit is a standout feature, allowing you to roll off the highs without muddying the lows, giving you a versatile tone that adapts to any genre or setting. Its high-gloss finish ensures it looks as stunning on stage as it sounds.

From its vintage-style bridge to the black plastic Jazz Bass knobs, every element of the American Special Jazz Bass is crafted with precision and attention to detail. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring musician, this bass is your ticket to iconic sound and timeless style.

Key Features:

  • Body Material: Alder
  • Neck: Slim C-shape maple with satin urethane finish
  • Fretboard: Maple with 9.5" radius
  • Pickups: Standard Vintage Alnico magnet Jazz Bass single-coil
  • Controls: Dual volume knobs and Greasebucket tone circuit
  • Frets: 20 medium jumbo
  • Scale Length: 34"
  • Nut Width: 1.5"
  • Hardware: Chrome with vintage-style bridge and strap buttons
  • Includes a deluxe gig bag for easy transport

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model American Special Jazz Bass with Maple Fretboard, American Special Jazz Bass with Rosewood Fretboard
Finish 3-Tone Sunburst, Black, Candy Apple Red, Olympic White
Year 2012 - 2014
Made In United States
Categories 4-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp No Preamp
Body Material Alder
Body Shape J-Style
Color Family Black, Brown, Red, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Maple, Rosewood
Model Family Fender Jazz Bass
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 4-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Fender American Special

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender American Special Jazz Bass like?

The Fender American Special Jazz Bass features a C-shaped maple neck, providing a comfortable and familiar feel for most players, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned musicians.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Fender American Special Jazz Bass?

The Fender American Special Jazz Bass is equipped with single-coil alnico Jazz Bass pickups, offering a classic, punchy tone with clear midrange and bright highs, suitable for a variety of music genres including rock, jazz, and funk.

Is the Fender American Special Jazz Bass suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Fender American Special Jazz Bass is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and versatile tone, which can accommodate a wide range of playing styles and genres.

Does the Fender American Special Jazz Bass come with a case?

Yes, the Fender American Special Jazz Bass includes a deluxe gig bag, providing basic protection for transport and storage.

What is the Greasebucket tone circuit on the Fender American Special Jazz Bass?

The Greasebucket tone circuit on the Fender American Special Jazz Bass allows you to roll off the highs without adding bass, maintaining clarity and definition in your sound.

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Fender American Special Jazz Bass

Video thumbnail for Fender American Special Jazz Bass by N Stuff Music

Fender American Special Jazz Bass

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Video thumbnail for FENDER American Special Jazz Bass RW 3TS by session

FENDER American Special Jazz Bass RW 3TS

session

session

Video thumbnail for Fender American Special Jazz Bass Demo www.eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas by eddievegas1

Fender American Special Jazz Bass Demo www.eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas

eddievegas1

eddievegas1

Video thumbnail for Fender American Special Jazz Bass 3 Tone Sunburst by Eiland Muziek

Fender American Special Jazz Bass 3 Tone Sunburst

Eiland Muziek

Eiland Muziek

Video thumbnail for Fender American Special Jazz Bass Demo by bassemporium

Fender American Special Jazz Bass Demo

bassemporium

bassemporium

Video thumbnail for Quick Riffs: Fender American Special Jazz Bass by Swee Lee

Quick Riffs: Fender American Special Jazz Bass

Swee Lee

Swee Lee

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional neck feel and playability, described as "plays like butter"

  • Cuts through the mix well, ideal for recording and live performance

  • Superior to some higher-priced professional basses

  • Maintains Fender’s original design, allowing pickguard removal

  • Lightweight at 8.6 lbs, comfortable for long sessions

  • Low action with great sustain, even with roundwound strings

  • High-quality American craftsmanship evident in build

  • Great value for the price, considered one of Fender’s best kept secrets

CONS

  • Limited to light-medium gauge strings, not ideal for heavy gauge preference

  • Pick-ups can be noisy, affecting sound clarity

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Special Jazz Bass.

Value and pricing

  • A 2011 Fender American Special Jazz Bass in good condition at CAD$1,700 is considered reasonable compared to US$1,250, factoring in currency differences.

    Source

Comparisons

  • For those seeking better value, Squier VM/CV lines, Sire Marcus Miller, and G&L basses are recommended as alternatives to the Fender American Special Jazz Bass.

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  • Yamaha BBP series is suggested as another viable alternative to the Fender American Special Jazz Bass for those exploring different options.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Seymour Duncan Apollo Jazz pickups offer a punchy, noiseless upgrade, enhancing the American Special Jazz Bass' sound without altering its passive nature.

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  • Tom Brantley's Geddy Lee pickups are another choice, known for quality and reasonable pricing, recommended for their connection to Geddy's original sound.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Measure the width of the pickups first; American models rarely have identical sizes, unlike some Mexican Jazz basses, affecting replacement options.

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Build quality

  • The sandblasted finish, also known as ceruse, involves removing softer wood with a wire brush, creating a unique and visually striking texture.

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Features and functionality

  • The sandblasted edition was a limited run, with only about 125 units made in each variant and color.

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User experience

  • Owners appreciate the aesthetic appeal of the sandblasted finish, describing it as "sexy" and "stunning," which has even inspired some to seek similar custom finishes.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender American Special Jazz Bass review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Fender American Special Jazz Bass impresses with its clean, clear sound and subtle improvements to the classic Jazz formula. Its distinctive tones and finely tuned Greasebucket circuit offer a versatile range of sounds, enhancing its appeal across musical genres. While maintaining the signature Jazz Bass feel and looks, it delivers excellent note definition and dynamic range. The review highlights its impeccable balance, weight, and comfort, noting that there's nothing to fault. Overall, this is a fine example of Fender's craftsmanship, staying true to its roots while offering a modern, refined sound.

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Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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