Jazz or Classical Bass Set-up?

[Kat86]

Hi.

I was asked if my bass was set up for classical or jazz playing. How do I know which it is? I've only taken a few lessons, mostly just showing me the basics of how to play- so it's not like I've had it for any specific type of music playing yet.

It's a Menzel 3/4, if that makes any difference.

Cheers.

[dakpluto]

This is easy.

If there is paint on it, it has been setup for slap.
If there is beer stains on it, it has been setup for country.
If there is martini or cognac stains on it, it has been setup for jazz.
If there is a paycheck laid on it, it has been setup for classical.

[Kat86]

Gee, now I wish it was setup for classical.

[meev992]

Originally Posted by dakpluto

This is easy.

If there is paint on it, it has been setup for slap.
If there is beer stains on it, it has been setup for country.
If there is martini or cognac stains on it, it has been setup for jazz.
If there is a paycheck laid on it, it has been setup for classical.

this thread delivers.

[txstatebass]

Paycheck? How about a receipt for hotel and travel expenses for going to all those auditions? Actually, that's a good question from the original poster. I've been playing both for years on one bass. Does it have to do with string height? Mine seems to work well for both. Is it string choice? That's a life long search until we all settle back on spiros. My $.02 anyway.

[Inflin]

A bass setup to play comfortably is set up to play anything, in my view. You don't need any special difference to play jazz vs. rock or something, as long as you can play the bass, you can play anything.

[meev992]

Originally Posted by txstatebass

That's a life long search until we all settle back on spiros. My $.02 anyway.

so true, and so funny.

[MingusAmongUs]

as I understand it, it's not so much "jazz vs classical", but rather "arco vs pizz".

If your fingerboard is severely arched, and your bridge is cut to match, and the 2 inner strings (A+D) are significantly higher than the outer 2 (E+G), then you're set up for arco. otherwise, pizz. the arco setup is done primarily to separate the string pairs so that you can easily bow one string without accidentally hitting the one next to it, if that makes any sense.

But I think I like dakpluto's answer better.