FGN Mighty Jazz JMJ Review - The Bright Side of the Mighty Jazz Lineup - LowEndLobster Review

[@christocr]

Looks and sounds great! Also, I commend FGN for NOT making their headstock look deformed in an attempt to avoid a lawsuit from Fender. It almost looks like a cross between a Fender headstock and a Music Man headstock. There are several great brands of basses that I just can't own because I think the headstock looks ridiculous (yeah I know it is a silly reason, but it is what it is)--among them is Sire and especially G&L.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I absolutely agree!!! 💯

[@russellzauner]

that headstock is actually kind of a cross between the original Ibanez Blazer headstock and the classic Fender basses. Vintage Aria influenced for sure - there are probably plenty of erstwhile Matsumoku craft workers and their kids active in the Nagano region. ;-)

[@pwokaren]

G&L also have their CLF Research models with their previous headstock. It looks similar to this FGN headstock. It’s worth checking them out.

[@aarotoropainen9402]

I agree man. And i absolutely hate the sire bass headstock sooo much... But i still own a sire bass. Im selling it tho.

[@Direwoof]

Ye I have a austin P bass and I love it and it looks like an ANGRY agressive fender lol. I really like how it and teh SX basses look, like an arrow head headstock instead of like an ugly hockey stick like Sire.

[@willistaylor4077]

Bebe deserves her own video.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

To me this is the ultimate Jazz bass!! I think ima pick one up!! Oh awesome Rocking Johnny’s Tee!!! I love the support you show for him! You two are my favorite channels

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Jeremy!

[@alanhearne6733]

Thanks again Lobster... Looks and sounds AWESOME!

[@geekguitars]

Been eyeballing this and the DE in 5 string. I have a feeling I'm going to be buying both. The newer 2021 Seymour Duncan ones are now alder/Rosewood and the MM pickup has a coil tap. I love this suckers tone. Blending enough of the stingray and pbass to make it awesome!! Sounds like a real slap machine to my ears. Thank you for doing the evaluation on this bad boy. I was on the fence about the Duncans but now I'm pretty sure. The bridge pickup, while not exact, it still has that 90s honky zing I fell in love with!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Nice! I have a DE 5 string review coming soon. They really deliver the goods on the 5'ers. Solid B string, 19mm spacing and great neck profile

[@andrewlookenbill9308]

Bass sounds awesome, love the tone. My 2006 Schecter CV-4 has similar Seymour Duncan pickups and preamp. Like that bright sound. Keep the content coming and have a great day!

[@mixc8]

@ Andrew glad you have the Schecter CV4, I have the Schecter Diamond Plus J bass with Seymour Duncan pickups I wonder would it make since to get this bass since I have that one? I also just picked up the CV5 a week ago.

[@russellzauner]

0:00 here's the thing about the JMJ (and a couple other models)...they are HIGHLY available/accessible compared to some of the other models as well as having GREAT price points, especially for the fingerboard/fret treatment you are receiving - and I'm not referring to CFS, it's the FINISHING WORK that sets FGN apart in that regard. Lots of reasonably priced instruments have appointments like higher end hardware or roasted maple neck, but you get the nice playing feel with every FGN you buy from top to bottom tier.

[@russellzauner]

2:50 I didn't realize that they had the no-plate heel. holy crap. it's sculpted like my other Fujigen bolt-on instruments (Heartfield DR5, Starfield ALC630, Ibanez AX7521) and I can already feel it in my hands.

[@russellzauner]

6:00 swap them for Dimarzios and put that filter based preamp in there. ;-) hell yeeeeeeet that shit up

[@russellzauner]

10:35 oof maybe actually throw the OMG circuit on it and a G&L MFD hmmmmmmmmmmm oh my, outLeo Leo him self.

[@russellzauner]

14:35 I can already hear JLL and bully going "this sounds just fine, maybe even a bit soft" lol but they like the gravel and grit and spit so... :-) CLIP DAT AMP BRO HA HAHA

[@russellzauner]

15:15 try some cap/pot swaps or other passive tone circuit mods. These pickups work in a LOT of applications so maybe it's just a tweak to take the edge off...

[@mattrodela2030]

That's a great sounding bass, especially when played in the context with the drum groove. Thank you for sharing this well done demo.

[@89ji76]

Had a great experience with my FGN strat so I’m shopping for one of their basses. The Might Jazz is looking like a good fit for me so thank you for showing this one off a bit!

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Nice review Lobster 🦞👍

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Paul!

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Now the proud owner just arrived today 6 April 2023🎸🎶🎵

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Tried it through a Traynor yba200 all valve

[@craigparse1439]

Wow.. I like using tone controls to contour the sounds of a bass but (usually) I really don't like the sound of the tone control turned all the way down. This one didn't suffocate the tone out of the signal. Very well done!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Craig!

[@sekretlowrider4046]

my fender duff mackagan is made by fgn , circa 80-90 ,i have just changed pickups to alnico 5 ,and neck to fretless , lol ,

[@ksump1]

Great review!!

[@goosegaskins]

Just ordered a JMJ2 for a nice price at XYZ Guitars-thanks in no small part to this review! Thanks, Lobster! Looks like the second version has the coil-split option for the bridge pickup, too, which would seem to give you some '77 Jazz Bass bridge sounds. So, for those counting at home, that's two basses you've sold me now: a StingRay Special and a JMJ2.

[@LowEndLobster]

Congrats! Enjoy the bass :)

[@goosegaskins]

@@LowEndLobster Thanks, Lobster!

[@aaronpeipert]

I played one of the in my local store yesterday after having a p bass in my hand and my ears and hands were like, wow! It sounded way better and felt noticeably better in my hands. I didn’t want to put it down. I’m a sucker for that Fugazi Joe Lally tone, I do post hardcore/shoe gaze type stuff.

[@LowEndLobster]

Sweet! FGN really makes spectacular instruments. Glad you enjoyed the one you played!

[@EgonSpenglersTwinkie]

Great review as always! Any chance that you'll be doing a review on the new Fender Player Plus basses?

[@devindickinson3903]

Your playing style really comes alive when you play a bass you really like lobsterman i think fgn should make you a signature dark evo

[@jamcam9]

I would love to see you review one of the Ibanez GWB basses.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Jamcam! Hoping to snag one at some point

[@jamcam9]

@@LowEndLobster if you did a gwb205 you would make my MONTH.

[@harleybassplayer]

Would be cool if you modded this one, as the other Mighty Jazz you have with the EMG's has a better tone than the S Duncans in this one! You got to mod one of them. Really loved how the power came out, so much i want one just like it.

[@tigerscott2966]

Great video. Cool bass too.

[@philipmcadam5339]

Nice bass. I do like the FGN basses. I am interested in hearing what this bass sounds like with the Nordstrand pick-ups. Thanks Lobster.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Philip! Me too :)

[@tracychappell2029]

I love this bass! I thought I had bought ths same one, which I have since sold. But it was a J-Standard Mighty Jazz. Having had and played that, which was nice, makes me really appreciate the JMJ Mighty Jazz. I was planning to get a Fender American Performer but I think I would prefer the FGN JMJ Mighty Jazz. My taste is more for the brighter sound, so this would be perfect for me.

[@sekretlowrider4046]

check out KENJI JINO HINO signature fender jino jazz bass ,and atelier z bass ,and moon Mitsuru Sutoh signature jazz bass ,and Yoshihiro Naruse ,Tetsuo Sakurai ,Tsugutoshi Goto , japan fusion bass masters ,

[@eugenechek7288]

Very cool, as always

[@akmalsux]

If a cat appears in the bass review, you know it's a good bass 💪

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Looks & sounds gorgeous. When they do a 32" Med-scale . . . put me 1st on the list. Good Luck with your new bass. oNe LovE from NYC

[@russellzauner]

This comment did get me thinking - because FGN really limits the models actually branded FGN but put literally hundreds if not thousands of brands on the instruments it makes, so if you look around you can find little design notes that indicate which workbenches it was done on. This FGN was made because Ibanez Prestige doesn't have a classic bass of any sort - so FGN can fill that gap in their own main brands, that's my opinion but I have several Fujigen made instruments (including one FGN) over decades of builds and there are definite appointments that indicate who was working on which instruments at what tier level. I did a quick search to see if FGN indeed had some non-standard/long scale instruments and this was basically first page of hits - this looks like it was actually built at FGN but on the tier below Prestige using same hardware but for local distribution only, like Edwards or Navigator or Greco or etc... This one has the appointments but it's a plate heel, which is a dead giveaway that it was not designed for the J custom or Prestige benches but it was built at FGN and has the right color and type of print on the headstock SN and COO to indicate a Fujigen build. The neck was likely made on the same line as the other necks but left with a square heel to save a luthier step, and in turn saving build costs. The finish is stunning, so I expect that was also done in the same paint booth as the other FGN builds. I'm not cross promoting, this is just an example of something I hadn't looked up before because I'm not really interested in short scale basses (I have baritone and extended range guitars, small instruments give me hand cramps) and this is probably not exactly what anyone wants, but an example that if you have a kbuck to spend and you're willing to spend a bit of time doing your homework you can find pretty cool things that end up being just want you wanted but a little bit better. ;-) From a happy hunter of fun things himself, go get the stuff you want - it's out there somewhere! 2002 History MMBJ Kids Musician Series Short Scale J Bass Candy Apple Red, Japan Fujigen Used - Excellent $999.99 + $95 Shipping The one-piece maple neck has a slender C profile carve with lightly rolled fretboard edges, slight shoulders, and a fast feel, measuring .765” deep at the 1st fret and .950” at the 12th. The thick slab rosewood fretboard features dot inlay and pristine stock slender fretwire. The bass plays well in all registers up the straight neck with an ideally adjusted and responsive truss rod. The scale length is 30 1/2”, and the nut measures a slender 1 1/2“ in width. The matching Candy Apple Red finish features the History logo and set of clover button tuning machines that turn smoothly and hold pitch well, showing light surface patina.

[@neiloooio6494]

Excellent review brother!…. My bank account on the hand absolutely hated it haha

[@justinkline1294]

When I heard first the bass full on I immediately thought to self "that sound just same as my Squier VM jazz". Then I realized it was the SD QPs making that sound. Which makes as to me sense because of the DD pickups in her. Modeled after I do believe and I know undoubtedly that they are hotter than an actual JB set by Seymour hisself.

[@Facu_Roldan]

Cool shirt Lobster! Shada ka ka!

[@LowEndLobster]

SHADA KA KA!

[@willistaylor4077]

Lob, Are you in USA, or Canada ?

[@andrewlookenbill9308]

Quick question Lobster, has any bad received 5 claws? I cannot recall if it has happened before.

[@LowEndLobster]

Yes! There are a handful of 5 claw reviews :) I will make a playlist at some point

[@MrSparks54]

Are you buying your FGNs direct from Japan or a domestic source? Thanks Lobster! 🦞

[@LowEndLobster]

Both! This one was from a US Retailer XYZ Guitars and sourced from FGN USA.

[@MrSparks54]

@@LowEndLobster Ah yes, I recall you said XYZ in a previous review.

[@kudokudami16]

Another tasty bass. Would be fun to see it with different pickups.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Kudo!

[@crocholiday]

I threw QP’s in my Squier Jaguar PJ rebuild. That bass is waaaay brighter than what I wound up with. Maybe it’s the type and placement? Mine wound up with a sweet beefy, growly tone that’s not near as bright as that one. I was looking at a 5string version of this. Good to know I may want to factor in pickups in the cost. Delano makes a J/MM hybrid that could be cool in that bass. I think Nordstrand makes one too. I’ve been drooling over Sandberg basses with a similar pickup configuration. I’m just not in love with Sandberg pricing 😬. This may be a good option.

[@iamgribs]

I actually like it more than the EMG in some ways. However the uber clarity and silence really gets me.

[@davemack7740]

The going price on that Schecter P-4 is $899

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Dave!

[@dginta7932]

Very nice.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks D!

[@InderjeetSingh-im3eh]

When you wind off the tone to 0 it sounds muted and I agree with you that the quarter pounders are a little too hot.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

That’s a ceramic pickup for ya lol

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Inderjeet!

[@davemack7740]

I was wondering if you could do a review on a bass guitar I’m thinking of buying (if you can get your hands on one), it’s made by Schecter and the model is the P-4 (lvory) SKU #2920 . . . . I really respect your opinion & your reviews

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Dave! I've been looking at checking out more Schecters. Will hopefully review those (and the P5 and P4 exotic) at some point :)

[@klaymeister]

This should come with Duncan SMB-4A in parallel and a Duncan Apollo in the neck

[@LowEndLobster]

I agree!

[@mixc8]

LowEnd I have the Schecter Diamond plus J bass which also has Seymour Duncan pick ups. Not sure if you have run across this bass in your travels. I am wondering if it would make since the get the FGN bass since I have the Schecter? (There are You Tube videos on it) I think the Schecter is a little more versatile in tones, thought? :)

[@michaelblaney4461]

Like a lot of basses they just lack that certain something, this may be one of those (for Me). I just bought a Sandberg "P"bass Im liking it so far.

[@locuststar4488]

I started looking at these because i have a set of bartolini mm/j pickups and preamp just sitting around, but after hearing how dirty and angry these sound with the SD's, i don't think I'd change anything! Really perfect for noiserock, post hardcore, and other aggressive rock styles. I know it isn't your cup of tea, but one man's trash is another man's treasure so they say. Problem is, I can't really validate it while still trying to home my Barts. :'(

[@javierparravillegas5505]

Hey Bass Lovers - I need a little advice here - I have the chance to grab an Aerodyne or a FGN mighty Jazz Bass with the Seyrmoun Duncan Music Man bridge PU in White - both are second hand the Aerodyne seems to be lighter and in better condition . The FGN is a little cheaper + strings thrue which is a big plus for me and the MM style pick up hmmm hard decision right? 😂😂😂

[@longdongbongchong]

Thanks for this review. After I got my my MP, I've been so impressed with FGN, that I was considering a FGN jazz and calling it a day. This falls a little short. I'd like to find something similar to this with the FGN quality, but without the MM pickup slammed so close to the bridge. Kills the sound and is much harder to play over because it's so close and the strings are so tight. One of the reasons I like my MP so much is because I can play over the back pickup with ease. Now when does a FGN version of a Music Man come out???? Please God. 🙏

[@avielp]

Can you mod the bridge humbucker to run in parallel?

[@LowEndLobster]

Yes, I did a recent mod on this where I switched the push pull to be a series/parallel switch for the bridge pickup

[@avielp]

Does it sound good? Is it similar to a jazz sound? Thank you for the replies and the videos! Your reviews are currently my favorite

[@CØFFĮN_ÐĘLĮVĘRY]

I love it.

[@CharlesTetrick]

I got one of these I wonder what pickups you decided to go with for this bass?

[@LowEndLobster]

Thinking about some of the weird nordstrands. Either the blades or the big split kinda pickup with the offset poles

[@Uroste]

What pickups would you switch to this?

[@ericward8010]

I used to have a Fernandes; is FGN related to them in any way? I also traded a BC RICH for an Alembic-copy electronic neck-thru that looked like a P-Bass, also by Fernandes.

[@daviddesmond2143]

With the container ships being backed up, I bet it would take 4 months to get one shipped from Japan

[@russellzauner]

they started using air shipping - unsure how much the upcharge but I've had free shipping stuff come 2nd day air before, as long as you don't ask for saturday delivery it's not as much as people think it is just to get something somewhere in a somwhat reasonable time. bulk deliveries are backed up for sure, but singles can weave their way to you if you didn't buy it off aliexpress...which gets loaded in a container, even if you only bought one.

[@emelle1283]

What's better - this FGN MightyJazz or a Warwick Streamer with passive MEC pickups?

[@CillBlintonOfficial]

Would you buy this, a sterling ray34 or a fender jazz bass?

[@emelle1283]

One of these or Sire P5?

[@willistaylor4077]

I actually much prefer the previous FGN Bass, the silver grey one with the two Precision Bass style pickups, for the tone. This one doesn't do anything for me.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Willis! Yeah the mighty power is on another level. It's one of my absolute favorites

[@sebastiancabrol2014]

Am i wrong or you already covered this bass a couple of months ago? I´m getting deja vu vibes watching this.

[@LowEndLobster]

I did an unboxing and a comparison with the Dark Evolution but not a full review until now

[@sebastiancabrol2014]

@@LowEndLobster OK. I must be confused then. thanks for the clarification.

[@michaelkeefer4293]

I personally like the sound, but because of my back I have to stick with 9 pounds or less and reasonably balanced, so at 10 pounds this bass is a definite no for me. I agree that the all three coils in series does not make a lot of sense and if it were my bass I would probably mod it with single/series wiring for the bridge pickup. Looking forward to hearing it with the Nordstrands!

[@PushSueAside]

“Not complaining”? I think this is your harshest FGN review. Right off the bat, this bass seemed unwelcome. I kept finding myself saying, out loud....”Feck you bass” 4 claws?????? FGN is just that awesome. I guess ill have to watch again.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Tommy! I guess my biggest critique is the useless series mode. Pickup choice is preference, but I don't really like these (but they're installed impeccably). Everything else is still stellar- the Dark Evo just goes the extra mile in terms of features, tone, and overall vibe. FGN really is that awesome!

[@PushSueAside]

@@LowEndLobster that’s why they make so many different replacement pups....speaking of.....I’m finally getting around to installing the JBEs in my Ric. I can’t believe there is NO ONE that does an install video for these, considering they are always selling out. I’m just finishing the neck pickup. I’m going to “button it up “ here for now, i need to start getting my stuff together, as I’m on vacation this week and we’re flying out to DC on Tuesday....hows the weather on that side of the country (aren’t you out that way?) Yeh, FGN is on my “next bass list” i take your recommendations to heart and now, “NEED ONE!” CHEERS

[@SurcoTheWise]

I would honestly prefer if they just make it normal JJ with a series/parallel switch.

[@glenndjubilee]

What if you lowered the pickups a hair? Never mind. You'll mod it. What was I thinking :) I wrote that first comment before you said "Nordstrand".😀

[@Bass.Player]

Most manufacturers are moving away from those heavy ash bodies in favor of something lighter like Swamp ash. If this were a 5 string it would be maybe 11 Lbs and would be a deal breaker for me. Personally I don't see the value in this bass compared to the dark blue one...

[@dharmapieces3305]

~ greetings from germany ~

[@daltonbell2907]

Mr. Lobster 🦞 you need to appreciate every bass for what they are. Different characters, different tones. You need variety in everything. Remember you own lots of basses so what's the point of all of them sounding the same. In my opinion, once the build quality is good, I just appreciate the characters of each instrument. Maybe not your taste but great for others. The builders have explore different tones out there to remain current and relevant. My 2 cents.

[@jiapengwang6904]

😄😄hello Bebe

[@BassRacerx]

Saved the best for last it's a slap machine! Nice!

[@dougrobinson1171]

More cat, less bass.

[@ramshaar2597]

Nice jazz bass no more please go wilder show some agreesion please!!!.....

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Ram!