Collection: Fender Jazz Bass

If you’re searching for a Fender Jazz Bass for sale—new, used Fender Jazz Bass, or vintage Fender Jazz Bass—you’re after the slim-neck feel, articulate bridge-pickup bite, and studio-ready clarity that shaped modern music. At Chicago Music Exchange, we stock everything from Squier value leaders to Fender Custom Shop masterpieces—each photographed, weighed, inspected, and professionally set up.

Why Players Choose the Jazz Bass

• Signature tone: Neck pickup warmth + bridge pickup “growl” equals detailed mids that sit perfectly in a mix.
• Fast playability: Classic 34" scale with the Jazz Bass’s famous 1.5" nut width and slim neck profile.
• Versatility: From clean R&B and pop to rock, indie, funk, and fusion—passive tones that love pedals and amps, or modern active options for extended EQ.
• Ergonomics: Offset body balances on strap and lap; easy access to upper frets.

How the Fender Jazz Bass Came to Be

Released in 1960 as a more “deluxe” counterpart to the Precision, the Fender Jazz Bass introduced a narrower nut, dual single-coil pickups, and an offset body. Session players loved the articulate top end and note definition; bandleaders loved how it recorded. Over the decades, the J-Bass evolved with changes in pickup spacing (’60s vs ’70s), finishes, hardware, and electronics—yet its core identity stayed intact.

Most Popular Jazz Bass Models & What They Do

• Squier Classic Vibe / Contemporary: Entry-level price, classic look and feel; ideal first J or reliable backup.
• Fender Player / Player Plus (Mexico): Modern workhorse tones, solid fretwork, and active options on Plus models.
• Vintera / Vintera II: Vintage-style necks, period-correct voicing (’60s or ’70s flavor).
• American Professional II: Today’s U.S. standard—refined necks, updated pickups, stage-ready reliability.
• American Vintage II: Period-accurate specs for true vintage feel and tone.
• American Ultra: Modern neck carves, noiseless pickups, and expanded switching for session flexibility.
• Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass: Hand-built, relic or NOS, boutique pickup winds—top-of-line inspiration.

Specs That Shape Jazz Bass Sound

• Pickups: Two single-coils with independent volumes and master tone (classic passive J). Many modern models add active preamps for onboard EQ.
• ’60s vs ’70s Pickup Spacing:

1. ’60s spacing (bridge pickup slightly farther from the bridge) = rounder mids and sweeter highs.
2. ’70s spacing (closer to the bridge) = brighter snap and tighter low end—favored for slap and funk.

• Tonewoods: Alder for balanced fundamentals; ash on select models for a bit more snap.
• Neck & Fingerboard: Maple or rosewood boards; 1.5" nut keeps the neck fast and comfortable.
• 4- vs 5-string: 5-string Jazz Basses extend low-end range (ideal for pop/country/worship/modern R&B).

Year/Era Notes (What Shoppers Compare)

• 1960–mid ’60s: Early J-Bass DNA—rounder spacing, vintage winds, slim necks.
• ’70s era: Bridge-closer pickup bite, block inlays/binding on many models, brighter voice.
• Modern era: Improved fretwork, stable necks, noiseless/active options while preserving the J-Bass feel.

(Each CME listing includes exact weight, detailed photos, and in-hand notes so you can audition across eras.)

Artists & Famous Uses

The Jazz Bass is everywhere: Jaco Pastorius (fretless J icon), Geddy Lee (Rush’s articulate attack), Marcus Miller (modern slap and session gold), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Esperanza Spalding, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, and countless studio players who rely on the J for defined low end and present mids that never get lost.

Pricing & Value

• Squier (Classic Vibe/Contemporary): ~$300–$500
• Player / Player Plus: ~$800–$1,200
• Vintera / Vintera II: ~$1,200–$1,500
• American Professional II / Ultra / American Vintage II: ~$1,7xx–$2,5xx+
• Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass: $3,5xx–$6k+ depending on spec

(Ranges vary—see product pages for current pricing and availability.)

Quick Chooser: Which Jazz Bass Fits You?

• All-around value: Player or Vintera (’60s)
• Brighter snap / funk & slap: ’70s-style (Vintera ’70s, Geddy Lee sig, Player Plus)
• Pro U.S. workhorse: American Professional II
• Modern features / noiseless: American Ultra
• True vintage feel: American Vintage II
• Boutique top tier: Custom Shop Jazz Bass
• Extended range: 5-string Jazz Bass

Why Buy from Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange has one of the best selections of Fender Jazz Bass guitars available—new, used, vintage, and Custom Shop. Trusted by touring artists, collectors, and enthusiasts worldwide.

• Curated inventory with pro setups, accurate specs, and exact weights
• Transparent photos and in-hand notes for every bass
• Trade-in & financing options; fast, insured shipping
• Bass-savvy team that understands ’60s vs ’70s spacing, passive vs active, 4 vs 5, and pickup voicings