Neck Pickup versus Bridge Pickup

[Fatalistic]

I'm in possession of a Squier Jazz Bass, and I've been experimenting with the differences in picking on the neck pup versus the bridge pup.
The neck pup is the one I'm most comfortable with resting my thumb on. It has a slightly fuller sound, but it's harder to get a clearer attack.
The bridge pup has a clearer attack, but the strings are harder to pull plus it doesn't have the best sound in the world (flatwounds trying to be bright).
Any other advantages/disadvantages I missed? Also, how can I get a clearer attack?

[JTE]

I play all over the place because different locations have a big impact on your sound. There's no clear advantage nor disadvantage in my experience with any position, unless you're locked into a particular location due to poor technique.

John

[makkE]

You can get a sharper, clearer attack if you use less flesh. Since I don't know your finger's attack angle, it's hard to give advice.
By curling your fingers more, you can have less flesh of your fingertip "roll over" the string, wich gives you a sharper, more defined attack IME.
Or, experiment with a thumbrest between the pickups to find your own sweet spot.
You could glue it on with some of those removeable double-sided tapes to see if it might help.

[Russell L]

I hardly ever play the bridge pickup by itself. Actually, I like the sound of both together. Then, I temper that by where I pluck the strings, usually more toward the neck for me to get a rounder sound for that old school sound I'm after. I also move around during a song because where I pluck depends on what the song needs at certain places.

EDIT: try growing your nails out a bit for more attack. That's what I do.

[ThingsAbove]

Originally Posted by Fatalistic

...
Also, how can I get a clearer attack?

Use a pick

[Fatalistic]

I was playing with positions to fingerpick the strings, and it hit me like a freight train: I really, really, REALLY do not like the sound of picking over the bridge pickup. Not only are the strings tougher to pull, but it's a duller sound and it terms of brightness, it's like a spotlight with the lens covered in dirt. The light's trying to get through, but barely any comes out. I suspect that because the strings are tougher to pluck all the way down there that I'm pulling the strings too hard and losing expression. I think I'll just go with what is most comfortable for me, work on developing a crisp, bright pluck, and then get the brightest strings I can find.
I like my tone with as much growl as possible.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by Fatalistic

I was playing with positions to fingerpick the strings, and it hit me like a freight train: I really, really, REALLY do not like the sound of picking over the bridge pickup. Not only are the strings tougher to pull, but it's a duller sound and it terms of brightness, it's like a spotlight with the lens covered in dirt. The light's trying to get through, but barely any comes out. I suspect that because the strings are tougher to pluck all the way down there that I'm pulling the strings too hard and losing expression. I think I'll just go with what is most comfortable for me, work on developing a crisp, bright pluck, and then get the brightest strings I can find.
I like my tone with as much growl as possible.

Good, now you're thinking and coming up with answers that suit you. I like what you say about doing what is comfortable. I also agree that plucking the strings over the bridge pickup is a thin sound. I never go there. I'm usually between the neck pickup and the neck. Sometimes I go between the pickups for more definition. Depends on the song.

[ThingsAbove]

Originally Posted by Fatalistic

I was playing with positions to fingerpick the strings, and it hit me like a freight train: I really, really, REALLY do not like the sound of picking over the bridge pickup. Not only are the strings tougher to pull, but it's a duller sound and it terms of brightness, it's like a spotlight with the lens covered in dirt. The light's trying to get through, but barely any comes out. I suspect that because the strings are tougher to pluck all the way down there that I'm pulling the strings too hard and losing expression. I think I'll just go with what is most comfortable for me, work on developing a crisp, bright pluck, and then get the brightest strings I can find.
I like my tone with as much growl as possible.

Don't avoid plucking at the bridge completely. Play with the EQ and PUP volumes some and try different attack angles for your fingers. Plucking at the bridge (at least on my J) is quite expressive and adds a snap that's missing over the neck PUP. Also try using a pick over the bridge PUP while palm muting and you'll find even more expressive techniques.

You may need to adjust your bridge PUP height to get a good tone. A suggested starting point is 1/8 inch below the D & E strings for both pickups when the string is pressed down at the 12th fret.

[Meyatch]

Originally Posted by Fatalistic

I was playing with positions to fingerpick the strings, and it hit me like a freight train: I really, really, REALLY do not like the sound of picking over the bridge pickup. Not only are the strings tougher to pull, but it's a duller sound and it terms of brightness, it's like a spotlight with the lens covered in dirt. The light's trying to get through, but barely any comes out. I suspect that because the strings are tougher to pluck all the way down there that I'm pulling the strings too hard and losing expression. I think I'll just go with what is most comfortable for me, work on developing a crisp, bright pluck, and then get the brightest strings I can find.
I like my tone with as much growl as possible.

It sounds like that when YOU play it.

Other people can get great sounds playing over the bridge pickup.

[E.J. T.N.T.]

For me there has always been a sweet spot that is actually between the two pickups and slightly closer to the neck one. If I want to cut more I move closer to the bridge pickup. If I want to dig in a little more and hit harder I go a little closer to the neck pickup. However there is threshold point on the neck direction that things get too neck-y(or what some guys call upright sounding). However I have to make clear that I play with both pickups on. When I choose only one pickup that is most of the time the bridge pickup and it's not completely soloed.

All that said, the last 2 years I have been mostly playing a P-bass

[lowendgenerator]

Try rolling off the bridge pickup just a bit, you'll still have the cut, and get a little woody overtones from the now dominant neck pickup. As has been mentioned, where and how you attack the string is gonna have the biggest effect on your tone.