American vs. Mexican

Okay, here's the deal. This bass I'm getting is a Fender Jazz Bass Standard. It's good, but I'm thinking, I could wait a while and go really all out and spend over $1000 on a bass. But do I really need to? As far as I can tell the only logical steps up from Standard is American and American Deluxe. And also as far as I can tell, the only difference there is that the Standard is Mexican. Is it worth to save up even more and get the far more expensive American or American Deluxe? Basically I want to know the difference between the three.

And just to make things more interesting I'm gonna throw in the Highway 1 Jazz Bass as an option.

I'm both so I win either way. As for basses? I'd say if you wanna save money go Mexican, but if you wanna be cool go American. Either way you don't lose.

So it's not worth it to go for the American. What about the American Deluxe or the Highway 1? Anybody know anything about them?

Highway 1 series guitars and bass' are made with the exact same components as Mexi's are... they're just made in an American factory... so they get the American stamp. Their's no difference as far as components between the H1 and the Mexi.

As for the American Deluxe and the Mexi... The USA deluxe uses higher priced components and usually has higher quality pickups. Generally the woods that are used in the body and neck are from a much better cut of wood... and the USA usually uses wood in the truss rod cap rather than plastic... The resale value is obviously better... But if you're not planning on selling it anytime soon... I'd say go Mexi... then you'd have plenty of money left to spend on pickups or something...

American vs. Mexican?

Neither. Japanese. I have yet to find a lighter, more playable bass with better tonal range than my Yamaha RBX350.

I bought it used for US$260. :D

Originally Posted by: aschlemanBut if you're not planning on selling it anytime soon... I'd say go Mexi... then you'd have plenty of money left to spend on pickups or something...

Well I don't plan on selling it, but I don't really plan on doing customizations any time soon. If I buy the Standard and pay back Brendon and Luke money I owe them, I'll have like $40 left and I don't have a job. I can't afford anything better than Standard yet, but if it's worth it I figure I'll wait. I'm still not sure if I think it's worth it.

Originally Posted by: LordathestringsAmerican vs. Mexican?

Neither. Japanese. I have yet to find a lighter, more playable bass with better tonal range than my Yamaha RBX350.

I bought it used for US$260. :D

Yamaha! I should have known...

Originally Posted by: acapellaYamaha! I should have known...

Yes, you should have.

• Eyes closed
• Ears & mind open

Cort and Samick are also very deserving candidates.

Problem is all I can find is Fenders, everything else is just random (and expensive) or has active pickups which I don't want. I never saw one Yamaha bass.