Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass®, Rosewood Fingerboard, Dusk – Ex Display

Quick Product Summary

The Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® in Dusk takes the familiar feel and versatility of the Jazz Bass and adds a serious set of modern performance upgrades. Dual Player II Noiseless™ Jazz Bass pickups, an 18-volt active preamp with 3-band EQ, active/passive switching and a dedicated passive tone control give you considerably more control than a traditional passive Jazz Bass while retaining the character that makes the J Bass such a versatile instrument.

Its alder body is paired with a maple Modern “C” neck and rosewood fingerboard, while rolled fingerboard edges, a 9.5" radius and medium-jumbo frets provide a comfortable, contemporary playing experience. Fender has also upgraded the hardware with a HiMass™ bridge, tapered-shaft open-gear tuners and a TUSQ™ nut.

This particular example is offered as Ex Display, making it an appealing option for players looking for the full Player II Modified specification in the distinctive Dusk finish.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	Player II Modified
Model	Active Jazz Bass®
Finish	Dusk
Condition	Ex Display
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	34"
Pickups	2 x Player II Noiseless™ Jazz Bass®
Electronics	Active/Passive with 18V 3-Band EQ
Bridge	Fender HiMass™
Main Appeal	Classic Jazz Bass versatility with modern active electronics
Best For	Gigging, recording, funk, rock, pop, soul, fusion and contemporary bass
Included	Deluxe Gig Bag

Ex Display Condition Report

Condition: Ex Display

This bass has been designated as an Ex Display instrument.

No specific cosmetic marks, faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing, so no additional condition claims have been added.

As with all guitars and basses leaving Fair Deal Music, the instrument will be checked before dispatch. Setup can shift slightly during delivery as instruments respond naturally to changes in temperature and humidity.

What's Included?

• Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass®, Rosewood Fingerboard, Dusk

• Fender Deluxe Gig Bag

Condition Notes

This example is being sold as Ex Display.

No specific damage, cosmetic blemishes, repairs or modifications have been supplied for the listing.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Before leaving Fair Deal Music, this Fender bass will receive the appropriate functional checks for an electric bass, including:

• Pickup and electronics operation

• Active/passive switching

• Control operation

• Output socket function

• Tuning machine operation

• Bridge and hardware check

• Neck and general playability assessment

• Visual inspection of the instrument

The bass will also be checked for suitable playing condition before dispatch.

Service / Setup Work

The bass will be checked and set up as required before leaving the shop.

Because wooden instruments naturally react to environmental changes, action and neck relief can alter slightly during transport due to changes in temperature and humidity. Minor personal setup adjustment after delivery can therefore sometimes be desirable depending on playing style and string preference.

Why Choose The Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass®?

Active And Passive Tones In One Bass

The Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass gives you the option of running the instrument actively or passively. This makes it much more flexible than a conventional active-only design, particularly if you want modern EQ control on stage but still value a straightforward passive Jazz Bass-style sound.

Powerful 18V Three-Band EQ

In active mode, the 18-volt preamp provides dedicated treble, midrange and bass boost/cut controls. That allows considerably more tone shaping directly from the instrument, whether you need extra low-end weight, a stronger midrange presence or more definition at the top end.

Player II Noiseless™ Jazz Bass Pickups

Traditional Jazz Bass single coils are loved for their definition and growl but can introduce unwanted single-coil noise. Fender's Player II Noiseless™ pickups are designed to retain the essential J Bass character while reducing hum, making them particularly useful for live stages, recording setups and effects-heavy rigs.

Fast, Comfortable Neck

The Modern “C” maple neck combines a 9.5" radius rosewood fingerboard, rolled fingerboard edges and 20 medium-jumbo frets. It gives the bass a familiar Fender feel while being particularly comfortable for players moving quickly around the neck.

Upgraded Hardware

A Fender HiMass™ bridge, TUSQ™ nut and tapered-shaft open-gear tuning machines move the Player II Modified beyond the standard Player II specification. These upgrades are aimed at dependable tuning, solid intonation and a stable platform for regular performance use.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® vs Player II Jazz Bass®

The standard Player II Jazz Bass is the simpler choice for players who prefer traditional passive controls and conventional Jazz Bass pickups. The Player II Modified steps up with Noiseless™ pickups, active/passive operation, a three-band EQ, HiMass™ bridge, TUSQ™ nut and upgraded tuners. Choose the Modified if onboard tonal flexibility and performance upgrades matter more than keeping the electronics completely traditional.

Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® vs Fender Standard Jazz Bass®

The Standard Jazz Bass is designed as the more accessible route into a full-scale Fender J Bass and uses a poplar body, Standard ceramic pickups and traditional passive controls. The Player II Modified is a substantial step upwards for the player who wants alder construction, noiseless pickups, rolled fingerboard edges, active EQ and upgraded hardware.

Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® vs American Ultra II Jazz Bass®

The American Ultra II Jazz Bass takes the high-performance concept considerably further, with premium USA construction, select alder, a quartersawn maple Modern “D” neck, compound-radius fingerboard, sculpted contours, Ultra II Noiseless™ pickups and a more advanced active preamp. The Player II Modified offers many of the practical ideas active players want at a substantially more accessible point in Fender's range.

Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® vs Precision Bass®

A Precision Bass is generally the stronger choice if you want a simpler control layout and a direct, punchy fundamental. The Jazz Bass design offers two-pickup blending and a naturally more flexible tonal palette, while this active Player II Modified version expands that versatility even further with onboard EQ.

Who Is The Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® For?

This bass is particularly well suited to:

• Working bassists needing several sounds from one instrument

• Players moving from a passive Jazz Bass into active electronics

• Recording musicians who want detailed onboard EQ control

• Players who prefer a slim Jazz Bass nut width

• Bassists looking to minimise traditional single-coil hum

• Funk, soul, pop, rock, fusion and contemporary players

• Musicians who regularly move between fingerstyle, pick and slap techniques

• Players wanting premium practical upgrades without stepping into the American Ultra II range

It is also a strong option for somebody who likes the core feel of a traditional Fender Jazz Bass but finds a basic volume-volume-tone control layout too restrictive for their current setup.

Suitable Genres And Uses

Funk And Soul

The Jazz Bass format has long suited articulate fingerstyle and funk playing. Pickup blending combined with the active EQ gives you plenty of scope to emphasise attack, low-end depth or midrange presence.

Rock And Alternative

For dense guitar arrangements, the midrange EQ can help the bass establish its own space without simply adding more volume. Running towards the bridge pickup also provides the familiar focused Jazz Bass growl that works well with overdrive.

Pop And Function Work

A versatile active/passive bass can be particularly useful when a set moves between very different arrangements. You can reshape the instrument quickly without relying entirely on amplifier or pedal settings.

Studio And Recording

The noiseless pickup design is particularly useful around recording equipment, while the active/passive switching lets you choose between a more straightforward passive source tone or a more sculpted active signal.

Slap And Modern Bass

The combination of Jazz Bass pickups and three-band active EQ makes it easy to explore deeper lows and more pronounced upper-frequency attack for modern slap and percussive styles.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Fender bass, active bass guitar, bass amplifier or effects setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in our Birmingham showroom.

Active vs Passive Jazz Bass: Which Is Better?

Neither system is automatically better — they suit different requirements. A traditional passive Jazz Bass keeps the signal path simple and provides familiar pickup volume and tone control. An active bass adds powered EQ, allowing frequencies to be boosted or cut directly from the instrument.

The major advantage of the Player II Modified design is that you do not have to choose permanently between the two. Its active/passive switching and passive tone control make it a strong option for players who want modern control while retaining access to a simpler passive mode.

Story & Context

Fender introduced the Jazz Bass in 1960 as an upmarket companion to the Precision Bass. The design brought an offset body, a narrower neck and two separate pickups, giving bassists a different feel and a broader tonal palette than Fender's earlier P Bass.

Over the following decades, the Jazz Bass moved far beyond the jazz audience suggested by its name and became established across funk, soul, rock, fusion, pop and countless other styles.

The Player II Modified Series takes that adaptable foundation and follows a familiar player tradition: modifying Fender instruments to make them better suited to modern performance. Instead of requiring aftermarket pickup, electronics and hardware changes, the Modified platform incorporates many of those upgrades into the factory specification.

That approach makes particular sense on the Jazz Bass, where the original dual-pickup design already lends itself naturally to a wide range of tones.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product	Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass®
Model Number	0147520310
Series	Player II Modified
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Dusk
Body Shape	Jazz Bass®
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss Polyester
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	Modern “C”
Neck Finish	Satin Urethane
Neck Construction	4-Bolt Standard
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	9.5" / 241 mm
Number of Frets	20
Fret Size	Medium Jumbo
Scale Length	34" / 864 mm
Nut Material	TUSQ™
Nut Width	1.5" / 38.1 mm
Position Inlays	White Dot
Truss Rod	Single Action, Head Adjust
Bridge Pickup	Player II Noiseless™ Jazz Bass®
Middle / Neck Pickup	Player II Noiseless™ Jazz Bass®
Pickup Configuration	SS
Controls	Master Volume, Pan Pot, Treble Boost/Cut, Midrange Boost/Cut, Bass Boost/Cut, Active/Passive Tone
Additional Switching	Active/Passive Mini Toggle
Pickup Selection	Pan Pot
Preamp	18-Volt Active Preamp with 3-Band EQ
Bridge	Fender HiMass™ with Chrome-Plated Zinc Saddles
Tuning Machines	Tapered-Shaft Open-Gear
Hardware Finish	Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard	4-Ply White Pearloid
Control Knobs	Black Plastic
Pickup Covers	Black
Neck Plate	4-Bolt with “F” Logo
Strap Buttons	Vintage-Style
Strings	Fender® USA 7250M Nickel Plated Steel .045-.105
Case / Gig Bag	Deluxe Gig Bag
Condition	Ex Display

Power Requirements

The Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® features an 18-volt active preamp.

The active electronics require battery power when operating in active mode. The bass can also be switched to passive operation, giving you access to a passive signal path and tone control.

As with any battery-powered active instrument, keeping suitable spare batteries in your gig bag is sensible for rehearsals, sessions and live performance.

A standard ¼" instrument cable is required for connection to a bass amplifier, audio interface, DI box, modeller or suitable effects setup.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® hits a useful middle ground between the straightforward Player II and Fender's much more expensive premium active instruments.

The big attraction is flexibility. You still get the familiar proportions and response of a Jazz Bass, but the Noiseless™ pickups, active/passive switching and 3-band EQ make it considerably easier to adapt the instrument to different rooms, amplifiers, recording situations and musical styles.

Best suited for: Gigging and recording bassists who want modern electronics without abandoning the classic Fender Jazz Bass format.

Customers usually upgrade from: Entry-level Jazz Bass models, Fender Standard Jazz Bass instruments and conventional passive Player-series basses.

Most commonly paired with: A quality bass combo or head and cabinet, compressor, tuner, DI/preamp and a good instrument cable.

Our tip: Start with the active EQ controls near their neutral position and make small adjustments. The advantage of a good active preamp is precise shaping rather than automatically boosting every frequency.

Showroom feedback: The narrow 1.5" nut width, rolled fingerboard edges and satin-finished Modern “C” neck give this bass an immediately approachable feel. Players used to a conventional Jazz Bass should find the layout familiar while gaining considerably more tonal control.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Our Birmingham showroom is backed by a knowledgeable musician-led team who understand guitars, basses, amplification, effects and the practical questions that come with choosing the right instrument.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Flexible finance options available, subject to status

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

If you're comparing passive and active Jazz Basses or deciding whether the Player II Modified is worth the step up from the standard Player II, our team is happy to help you choose the right instrument.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, bass, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® be used in passive mode?

Yes. An active/passive toggle allows you to switch between the powered preamp and passive operation, making this bass useful for players who want both approaches available from one instrument.

What does the 3-band EQ control?

In active mode you have dedicated bass, midrange and treble boost/cut controls. These allow you to shape the overall frequency balance directly from the bass.

Are the pickups hum-cancelling?

The Player II Noiseless™ Jazz Bass pickups are designed to reduce the unwanted hum associated with conventional single-coil pickups while retaining the recognisable response of a Fender Jazz Bass.

Is this bass suitable for slap playing?

Yes. The Jazz Bass pickup layout, 34" scale, medium-jumbo frets and active EQ make it particularly adaptable for slap and other articulate modern techniques.

Is the neck particularly wide?

No. The Jazz Bass uses a relatively narrow 1.5" nut width, one of the characteristics that attracts players who prefer a slimmer feel near the lower frets.

Why would I choose this instead of a normal Player II Jazz Bass®?

The Player II is ideal if you want a straightforward passive Fender Jazz Bass. The Player II Modified makes more sense if you specifically want Noiseless™ pickups, active EQ, active/passive switching and the upgraded bridge, nut and tuners.

What does the pickup pan control do?

Rather than having a separate volume knob for each pickup, the pan control allows you to move smoothly between the two pickups or combine them. This makes it quick to change the balance between the fuller neck-area sound and more focused bridge-pickup character.

Is the Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass good for recording?

It is particularly well suited to recording because the noiseless pickups can help reduce unwanted electrical noise, while the ability to switch between active and passive operation gives you different approaches to shaping the source signal before it reaches your interface or DI.