MAYONES VS FENDER Are boutique basses really better?

Mayones Jabba Classic 5 vs Fender American Elite 5
Testing these basses to see which is better, the high-end fender, or base model boutique bass. Both recored at the same levels through the same signal path, no additional effects or EQ were added.
Signal Path:
Line 6 Helix LT - Ampeg SVT-4 PRO Flat EQ
UAD Apollo Quad
UAD LA-2A bus compression

[@joshualagrone6972]

Turns out Squidward was wrong. Looks like Mayones is an instrument, after all.

[@MascisMan1]

A boutique bass purchase is more about the feel, craftsmanship, and customizability than the tone. Almost any tone can be achievable at most price ranges (with aftermarket mods). It is the quality control, craftsmanship, and playability that differs.

[@Adam666...]

Perfectly explained , it's hard to understated until you own one and play them side by side, they're both cool just in different ways

[@xerogh1821]

Great comparison, the Mayones defiantly sounded more articulate and full. The Fender sounded like... well... a Fender, nothing wrong with that. I've never played a Mayones but looking at the controls it appears that it would be much more versatile than the Fender. I've heard good things about Mayones and their quality/craftsmanship and was very surprised that it's in the same price range as the Fender (Mayones Guitars typically start around $3000+). Sound aside, how a bass plays/feels is a big factor as well. I've always liked the way Fender Jazz bass's sound but never liked the way played, and as mentioned in another comment Fender's QC can be hit or miss. Every Fender I've owned never lasted, traded or sold after a few months. For boutique brands I'm a big Roscoe Bass fan, and American made G&L's are fantastic as well.

[@davidfink4963]

Fenders for a bar band. The articulation of the Mayones sounds way better. It reminds me of my Stingray.

[@trevaudio]

How many of the greatest bass lines ever, were played on a mayones ???? Very few, if any ! I’ve seen a lot of “bar bands” use stingrays !!

[@davidfink4963]

My Stingray sounds better than any stock fender.

[@00Dusty]

@@davidfink4963 people get way to hung up on fender and Gibson and don’t want to accept the fact there are now better instruments out there 🤷🏻‍♂️ but anyone’s are way to much 😂

[@PastorReggie1981]

Fenders are like the Converse Chuck Taylor shoe.. revolutionary when they came out, still relevant and is good to have in any Sports Shoe collection, but there are better shoes out there.. Know what I'm saying??

[@bflo1000]

@@davidfink4963 HH or H? HH is the best, most flex pup setup. But a P bass has more bottom than an H Ray.

[@lennmendoza5130]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences on these two excellent basses, however though it all comes down to preference, I love fender jazz bass, I recently bought a Bass Mods 534 jazz bass, with great features, in my opinion Bass Mods gives the consumer boutique quality and craftsmanship without the price tag.

[@robertp457]

I have a Fender American Ultra Precision Bass and am picking up a Mayones Viking V5 this weekend. I've played that bass the last two times I visited the music store and to me it's the best playing bass in the entire store.

[@scottwatelet5769]

Great comparison. I’m pretty partial to the Fender, fretboards do make a difference

[@mercuryman67]

I'm speculating that part of the difference I'm hearing is the high mass bridge on the Mayones. I have two fenders- one with a high mass bridge, and they are similar in the difference in sound. I could be wrong of course, but it's made me pay more attention to the type of bridge used on basses.

[@Scomelbasses]

To me, the Fender sounded quite a bit better. That said, it's not an easy comparison because of all the differences between the two.

[@ravelitschimo]

The price is much better. Just bought a squire and with the time invested in a new neck, pickups and so on. It’s sounds awesome. You need what you think you need.

[@airworthy777]

The Basses that I want: My Wallet: HELP ME! My ATM card: Do not touch me! AAAAHHH!!!

[@karel2050]

I have to give this one to the boutique bass, but lets be real here it's not only about the bass also the experience and moral value. I just bought an overwater jazz bass costed me a lot of money but it's more than just a bass for me I worked a whole year for it + trying to get good grades at the same time. The bass represents the work that I have put into it. And it also plays heavenly the feel, tone and looks are a 10/10.

[@Rikkcas]

Depends on what bass being compared was made when. I have owned a 1960 jazz since the early 70s. They don’t make them like that anymore unfortunately. Great bass, like my 58 P. I also own many boutique basses that also can vary by luthier. That said, I also own 4 Mayones Jabbas. All of those are excellent quality instruments…imho, equal to or better than my 60J for many reasons. Mayones, and a few others like Zon, Sady, Fodera, Sandberg, etc, …you name it, are made with great attention to detail and craft. That’s why they cost so much. You can get a modern fender for less, but the total difference in build quality and sound is obvious. Regardless , the player and their hands is what makes the difference in any bass. It’s really personal preference for what you like to hear and play. 👍🏼

[@crestonburks2141]

What strings are you using in this video on both basses? ...and gauge?

[@KrisDuerinckx]

you've mentioned something very important: the more muddy sound of the Fender lets you get away more with flaws in technique, and let's be honest: who among us has perfect technique ... If I have to worry less about string noise on a gig, I can be with my head more into the music, it made me sell an expensive boutique bass: the bass was too good, so my Fender plays easier (you get away with more) and I like the warmer sound of the Fender ...

[@javierherrera8782]

Amos Williams has a perfect technique. also Dominic Laponte has It :'3

[@Bassplayingypsy]

In this test, I would have to go with Mayones over Fender. Both sound great.

[@bassdog61]

I have a Mayones, been a Fender Jazz style bass fan from the get-go, but think the level of craftsmanship, playability, and electronics are much better with most boutique basses like Mayones vs Fender these days.

[@AMAR-ym7sz]

The Fender wasn't as brite and I thought that was a good thing...less twangy with the same settings.

[@Alfredomezkal2006]

In my opinion Fender has a fuller sound, the bass frequency in the sand berg is killer but the highs are too bright for me

[@hefner3374]

Sandberg?.....Mayones

[@lf170]

You mention sound, but what about playability and overall feel? Construction? Finish quality? Tuners? Bridge adjustment? How do they compare in these areas?

[@stephenyokley]

Playability and feel are really personal things, so what I like might not feel great to you. That being said, both instruments are exceptional in terms of build quality and finish quality. The fingerboard profile feels flatter and the string spacing feels wider on the Mayo which I love. The Fender definitely feels more natural tuned b-e than e-c, and both have fully adjustable bridges which are really easy to set up. Personally, I prefer the feel of the Mayo, I feel like I can get the action more even from string to string and really like a deeper cut away for upper fret access.

[@artbekmemetyev]

Fender👍🏻❤️Sound

[@andrejpliaskin9444]

tone is just a matter of taste, the only thing that everybody wants is good and even sustain

[@ribaluigi]

Sustain? For a bass? Old school sponge and no sustain for me!

[@andrejpliaskin9444]

@@ribaluigi ok, you don't need sustain if you are polka player ;)

[@paulcoverdale8312]

I have to say, the mayones Riggs are the ones for me. They have sooooo much guts an tone. The fender is the daddy of them all but, for realy deep gutsy jazz an slap? Mayones all the way for me!!!! Now, where do I get one an which one? Ha ha ha Thanks for sharing guys Paul 14.31 gmt Uk cheers

[@son0fsocal]

I replaced the crap fender noiseless pickups with AGUILAR JB pickups , that cured the muddy sound. 😉

[@joselbajistabassbmx1124]

Mayones by far, only in the sound i don't know how is the Mayones construction, Fender basses have a perfect construction, great sustain in every note, very Low action and no make noise the frets, fender is a great bass but needs more power in electronic, needs a best preamp and pickups. My advice buy a Sadowsky NYC and don't look back

[@bflo1000]

The Fender J sounds fuller and better than most J basses.

[@bflo1000]

$2100 is ridic cheap for a Mayones.

[@belajarmusikbersama]

Mayones good

[@davidbrown6415]

After Fender, everything else is just a copy. I'll take a Fender everytime all the time!

[@MusicalityTV]

Mayones brighter but noisy pick ups.

[@jeremiahwilliams7809]

Short plain and simple...........the fender!!!! Better tone clarity..........

[@massimilianoazzara9257]

Different....the difference is always whom is playing.....and unfortunately the price

[@flambr]

No, but they remind some people of the good old days

[@jeffclark1164]

No one wants to hear this, but sound isn't the only factor. Fender 5 strings have atrociously large necks and tend to be a little heavy, or neck divey. The hardware is merely OK, and Fender QC isn't famously top notch. The finishes Fender offers are old, tired, and uninspiring. Finally, you are paying a "Made in the US" price for a bass that has almost no advantages over their Japanese, or even some MIM offerings.

[@minormayor7899]

Fender has no competition sound wise

[@ivanguiscafre]

Mayones is the winner, Fender fanboys should give away more wisly them money....

[@Mike-li5uv]

The Mayones is dirtier and fatter. To my ear it is the clear winner.