Swap
Swap
Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition
Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass
VS
Playability
72
Sound
76
Build
64
Value
81
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability
68
Sound
81
Build
74
Value
74
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Add to Compare
Add to Compare
Add more to comparison
Show Full Spec Comparison
Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition vs Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass Specs Comparison
Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass
General
Brand: Fender Squier Fender
Year: 2022 2023
Configuration: SS SS
Strings: 4 4
Made in: Indonesia United States
Series: 40th Anniversary Limited Edition
Colors: Red Silver
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Nyatoh Alder
Bridge: 4-Saddle Vintage-Style 4-Saddle Standard
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage-Style Fender '70s Vintage-Style Stamped Open-Gear
Fretboard: Indian Laurel Maple
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Block Black Block
Scale Size: 34" 34"
Shape: Bass C Shape Bass '70s C
Frets: 20 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 20 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 9.5"
Nut: Bone Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 38.1mm (1.5'') 38.1mm (1.5'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Vintage-Style 70s Single-Coil Jazz Bass (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Vintage-Style 70s Single-Coil Jazz Bass (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 0 Way 0 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 2
Tone Controls: 1 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Gold Chrome

Reasons to Get
Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition over Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Value Score
81 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass over Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Release Year
2023 vs 2022
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
Fender vs None
Pickups from a renown brand

Other Key Differences
Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition vs Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass

Bridge Pickup
Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil vs Fender Vintage-Style 70s Single-Coil Jazz Bass
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil vs Fender Vintage-Style 70s Single-Coil Jazz Bass
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Nyatoh vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Laurel vs Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Bone vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition vs Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
4
Same Headstock
Strings
4
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
0
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
2
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
SS
Beautiful cleans
Number of Frets
20
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.5'' (38.1mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
34'' (863.6mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Retainer Bar
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Expensive Wood
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass Prices

      SET PRICE ALERT

      These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

      Hand Size Comfortability

      After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both are balanced for most hand sizes.

      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition:
      Big Hands
      Small Hands
      Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass:
      Big Hands
      Small Hands

      Beginner Friendliness

      Both meet 4 out of our 6 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first bass to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

      New Player Friendliness

      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition
      • Comfortable shape
      • Comfortable fretboard
      • Tall frets
      • Comfortable neck
      • Narrow nut
      • Short scale

      New Player Friendliness

      Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass
      • Comfortable shape
      • Comfortable fretboard
      • Tall frets
      • Comfortable neck
      • Narrow nut
      • Short scale

      Sound Quality Comparison

      The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

      Woods Used in Both

      Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
      Maple

      Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

      Woods Used in the Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition

      Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
      Laurel
      Nyatoh wood pattern used for guitar building
      Nyatoh

      There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

      Nyatoh has been replacing Mahogany for guitar building. It's fairly hard, durable, more sustentable and common than Mahogany. Find out more about Nyatoh.

      Woods Used in the Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass

      Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
      Alder

      Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

      Winner: Tie.

      Pickup Configuration

      Both pickup configurations are SS. SS is the classic Telecaster configuration. It's used mainly for playing clean or with low-gain distortion, and it's very popular for the country genre because of their brightness. It doesn't give you as much versatility as a Strat SSS configuration, but you might like the cleaner look of a guitar body with fewer pickups.

      Pickups Quality

      The Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Country and similar genres.

      Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

      Preamp Circuit

      A preamp in an electric bass functions as an electronic circuit that acts as an interface between the bass's pickups and the amplifier. Its main purpose is to amplify and customize the bass's initial signal before it reaches the amplifier, offering enhanced control over factors like tone, volume, and sound attributes. Preamps typically come equipped with tone adjustments, equalization options, and sometimes built-in effects, empowering bass players to fine-tune their sound to suit their personal preferences and the musical environment.

      Both basses have a Passive preamp.

      Passive: A bass with a passive preamp lacks an onboard electronic circuit for tone shaping and signal boosting. Instead, it relies solely on passive pickups and basic tone controls, typically consisting of volume and tone knobs. Passive preamps don't require an external power source like batteries, making them low-maintenance and dependable. While they offer a simpler and more straightforward tonal character, passive basses are appreciated for their warm and vintage sound, often favored in genres like classic rock, blues, and funk. They are an excellent choice for musicians who value the simplicity and timeless appeal of their instrument's tone without the need for active electronic components.

      Winner: Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass.

      Versatility Comparison

      Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

      Switch Options

      Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

      Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

      When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

      Winner: Tie.

      Final Sound Quality Scores

      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition
      Pickups 70
      Sustain 75
      Versatility 77
      Tuning Stability 80
      Sound 76
      Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass
      Pickups 100
      Sustain 65
      Versatility 77
      Tuning Stability 80
      Sound 81

      Build Quality Comparison

      When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition compares to the Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass.

      Country of Origin

      The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition is built in Indonesia while the Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass is made in United States.

      Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

      The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

      Winner: Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass

      Nut Material

      If you want your bass to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

      The Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition has a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

      On the other hand, the Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass comes with a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

      Winner: Tie.

      Fret Material

      Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

      Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

      Winner: Tie.

      Tuners

      Both come with regular tuners. The Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition's are Vintage-Style while the Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass's are Fender '70s Vintage-Style Stamped Open-Gear

      Winner: Tie.

      Neck Joint

      Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a bass is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

      Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

      Winner: Tie.

      Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition
      • Bone Nut
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • Made in Indonesia
      • No Expensive Woods
      • No Top Brand Pickups
      • No Neck-Through Build
      • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
      • No Weight Relief
      • No Luminescent Inlay
      • No Active Preamp
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      • No Retainer Bar
      • No Strap Lock
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass
      • Made in United States
      • Synthetic Bone Nut
      • Top Brand Pickups
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • No Expensive Woods
      • No Neck-Through Build
      • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
      • No Weight Relief
      • No Luminescent Inlay
      • No Active Preamp
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      • No Retainer Bar
      • No Strap Lock

      Final Build Quality Scores

      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition
      Quality of materials 56
      Features 70
      Quality Control 65
      Build Quality 64
      Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass
      Quality of materials 66
      Features 70
      Quality Control 85
      Build Quality 74

      Playability Comparison

      Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a bass might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

      Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a bass feels in your hands.

      Nut Width

      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition Nut Width
      Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

      The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 38.1mm (1.5'').

      This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 4-string bass. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

      Scale Length

      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition and Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass's Scale Length
      Both have the same scale length

      The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

      In this case, both have a scale length of 34".

      This is a scale used for baritones and guitars with more than 6 strings. Since the scale is so long, the tension of the strings will be higher. This means that bending will require a lot more strength than with a shorter scale. However, it also allows you to use really low tunings without causing fret buzz and without needing to increase your string gauge too much.

      Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

      Neck Profile

      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition Neck Profile
      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition's neck profile
      Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass Neck Profile
      Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass's neck profile

      No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

      Both the Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition and the Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

      Fretboard Radius

      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition Fingerboard Radius
      Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

      Most bass fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

      Both the Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition and the Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass have the same fretboard radius of 9.5". This is the most common radius for Stratocaster guitars. It's considered curved when compared to most other models. This allows you to play chords very easily without muting strings accidentally and gives you more space between strings for fingerpicking. However, this curve also gives the guitar less allowance for lower action. If you bend too hard at the high frets, some of your notes might get muted because the curve will make the string fret out.

      Fret Size

      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition Frets Size
      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition's Frets Size
      Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass Frets Size
      Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass's Frets Size

      The Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass's Medium Jumbo frets.

      Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

      Final Playability Scores

      Fender Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass Gold Edition
      Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
      Chord Playability 70
      Solo Playability 70
      Playability 72
      Fender Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass
      Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
      Chord Playability 80
      Solo Playability 60
      Playability 68