MIM fender active jazz bass

[januaryscar]

Anyone played/own one of these??

I am thinking about buying one, but if the pickups, bridge etc are the typical MIM standard (bad) - i might as well get a standard MIM jazz and mod it with a set of hot passive pickups and a badass 2.

The only real drawcard for the active is the active pickups and I love the cream finish w/ red tortoise shell pickguard.

Thoughts??

[Gruven]

Buy a standard MIM and upgrade it. The active (passive pickup w/preamp) models aren't horrible but they're not great either. I'd slap some Duncans or Barts in a standard model first. Check out a bunch of 'em and listen to them accoustically, not plugged in. If they sound good unplugged, they'll sound good plugged in.

[JC Bass]

I've got one and I love it. The sound is fantastic, especially the newer models with the two-pole per string pickups. They are stacked humbuckers on the active jazz, and the preamp has awesome tone in my opinion. The bridge is fairly standard Fender, but it does seem to be made of thicker metal than the standard bridges...not sure though. I really don't see it as a problem.

 

I really think the newer models are better than the older ones that have the single pole per string pickups. Not sure if they changed the preamp in that time period or not, but I I do know that I love the sound of mine...it has a bite and growl that is fantastic.

 

My 2 pennies...

[Ender_rpm]

Used to have one, 03 model before they went to noiseless pups and lighter body. Sounded great, played well. Still trying to figure out why I sold it the new Active Deluxe Pbasses are nice too. the pre is quiet, with lots of sculpting power, and the new pups are pretty sweet too. Its up to you whether you want to get a $600 bass and start playing right away, or a $400 bass and then sink another $200-300 into it, plus sweat equity. I like to play my new toys