Marcus Miller 5 String Fender Jazz

[TorontosFinest]

Wassup all.  Does anyone have a 5 string Marcus Miller Fender Jazz or has anyone played one?  I am looking to purchase one but I need some feedback as to if it is a good sounding bass or not.  I have a four string Marcus Miller Fender and I really love the tones I can get on it, its Japanesse made while the 5 string is American made.  Let me know thanks!

[uprising_bassist7]

your from tdot? which part and what church you play for?

[Dtuned]

although i havent played the MM american 5er, i will say it seems to me that american fenders have hit bottom.. although they retain good resale value their just not as playable as the japanese model. japan makes a good guitar for some reason. it may have to do with they sell more basses then anyone in the world. (ibanez)

if you play or anyone else plays the american marcus miller 5 string pls let us know how it compares to the 'made in japan' version.

rob

[TorontosFinest]

your from tdot? which part and what church you play for?

I live in Scarborough and go to Refuge City Pentecostal in Pickering/Ajax!  I am the bassist for the choir  Freedom 2 Worship.

[funkStrat_97]

IMHO, the America Deluxe Jazz V is  about as good as any other 5-string out there.  Probably not an outstanding instruent, but it can certain hold its own against similar instruments in its price range.  I have not played a MM (4- or 5- string), but I would certainly expect it to be a fine choice.  From what I understand, it has an asymetrical neck profile so it sould be quite comfortable to play.

[Andrzej]

The 4-string model is pretty good.  The neck is well finished and quite fast to play.  The overall tone is very springy, as you would expect.  The only thing that bugged me was the neck pickup shield.  I rest my thumb on this pickup, but I couldn't ever bring myself to remove it as it really does set off the look of the bass.  I felt it was over priced for what is was, but still a good bass.  I am fanatical about Fender Jazz basses and it's far from the best I have played over the past 15 years with the same price tag.  I'm expecting the 5-string to be the same, but man, doesn't it look great too!  I will still have to get my hands around it when my music store eventually orders one.

Fender are the BMW of the bass world...they both have the art of ripping you off!  The signature series models over the past few years have been huge disapointments for me personally.  I was really looking forward to the Jaco model that they issued 3-4 years back and I could find a bass half the price that was better made, played better and sounded better.  What posessed them to make a fretted version is beyond my understanding!  Anyway, I will stop ranting as I am getting a little emotional here!  The best signature series 5-string that Fender produce, in my opinion, is the Roscoe Beck model.  The neck is not the greatest to play, but a good all-rounder with a great for a good price.

[funkStrat_97]

The best signature series 5-string that Fender produce, in my opinion, is the Roscoe Beck model.  The neck is not the greatest to play, but a good all-rounder with a great for a good price.

Roger that!

[DWBass]

Honestly, I think Fender is great for the 4 string market but IMHO, don't make great 5 stringed instruments! I briefly owned a MM 4 string and it was great but heavy as all ____!! I would assume the 5 string version would be even heavier! The pre-amp is lacking (treble/bass boost only) unless you upgrade it with a J-Retro which costs a pretty penny, I wouldn't invest in the bass. You could do a lot better at that price point! Just my opinion though. Please go out and play the bass and make your own assessment prior to buying!

[carlmack7183]

The Marcus Miller Jazz V is a bad boy!!!! The neck is super fast and the tones are killer. I have to disagree with some of the guys who posted earlier about the Japanese model being a better bass. As a bassist, I look for tone first and comparing the American and the Japanese side by side, the American is more fuller and a more true tone. Now, if you get the American Fender, I strongly suggest you get the action lowered a bit and get it professionally set up b/c they usually dont have a good set up. But if you get the MM Jazz V you wont be disappointed.

[TorontosFinest]

The Marcus Miller Jazz V is a bad boy!!!! The neck is super fast and the tones are killer. I have to disagree with some of the guys who posted earlier about the Japanese model being a better bass. As a bassist, I look for tone first and comparing the American and the Japanese side by side, the American is more fuller and a more true tone. Now, if you get the American Fender, I strongly suggest you get the action lowered a bit and get it professionally set up b/c they usually dont have a good set up. But if you get the MM Jazz V you wont be disappointed.

 
I'm assuming you have played it? In your opinion is the Amercan Deluxe Jazz 5 string  better than the Marcus Miller Jazz 5 string?  I have the four string and I love it.  As you said earlier the tones are crazy and it is very fast.  However, it is Japanese made so I'm not getting the same electronics that ome in the American model, but I would not complain, it serves me just fine.

[Dtuned]

i'll have to check for tone next time i play a fender, i'll compare the american/japanese side by side... i will say every american fender i've played in the last 5 years 'felt' like junk. perhaps the factory is so lame they just throw out their name and dont care to set their bass up themselves, im sure its all just with just getting it 'professionally set up'.. OTOH, why is it the japanese feel so much better if its merely a 'setup'.. if their subcontracting for fender why would they (japan) set it up if american fenders dont??

im not impressed with the american version of fender like i once was.. not knocking them just stating my personal opinion.. of course the americans hold value, but what is value unless you plan on selling it??

rob

[carlmack7183]

What it all boils down to is personal preference. Like I said, all American Fenders need to be set up by a pro after you buy it,but I will take a American Fender over a Japanese anyday. Its made with much better hardware, sounds better, and in most cases look better (with the exception of the Japanese Marcus Miller bass and maybe the Geddy Lee ). Thats just me, and what Ihave always preferred since I started playing. As far as the Marcus Miller V vs. the American Jazz Deluxe,  sound wise they are pretty much equal!! My friend has a Marcus Miller V, so I frequently play both and in my opinion neither has superior sound over the other. The major difference the I notice is the necks. The marcus Miller V has a C-shaped fretboard that sort of curves more than usual, and the American Jazz Deluxe has the tradition specs. THe mArcus Miller V has better tuners and a better bridge than the USA Jazz deluxe so therefore it costs about $300 more. I have Two USA Jazz deluxes (5string and 4string) and a Warwick FNA JAzzman ( 5-string) so Im content without the Marcus Miller. However, had I played it before I bought my Warwick, i would have definitely bought it before my Warwick.