I'm looking to go buy a new bass tomorrow which will be my second one. I just have a crappy started right now but have been playing for about 3 years. I'm looking to get a Fender but honestly I don't know much about the difference between Jazz and Precision. I play a few different genres of music but mainly punk and folk. I've seen many of my favorite bassists play both jazz and precision. I know a few differences but I would like to hear someone else's opinion who knows more about this than me.
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Jazz or Precision?
- Thread starter hoppusandriano
- Start date
Well, if you are trying them out tomorrow, why not try out both? Its important to remember that there is no "better" in this case, only different. Both basses have a devoted following that swear by their choice and shun the other. Most here can appreciate the beauty of either one and that its strictly a matter od preference.
Here are a few things to look for....
The Jazz has a thinner neck, the Precision neck is fatter. Most people have a preference one way of the other in this area, so play both and see how each neck feels in your hands. Remember, thinner is not automatically better. Some folks find that a thin neck is fatiguing to their hands, others can't stand how the P-bass neck is. Only you know which is better for you.
Jazz basses have a more cutting high-midrange tone, Precision have thick low mids for a deeper, fatter voice. Listen to them and see which one sounds better to your ears.
Try to play them both through the same amp and set the EQ on that amp flat. That will give you a better idea of each basses true voice. One should definitely speak to you more than the other, when that happens you will have your answer. Good luck and update us with your decision after you go.
Here are a few things to look for....
The Jazz has a thinner neck, the Precision neck is fatter. Most people have a preference one way of the other in this area, so play both and see how each neck feels in your hands. Remember, thinner is not automatically better. Some folks find that a thin neck is fatiguing to their hands, others can't stand how the P-bass neck is. Only you know which is better for you.
Jazz basses have a more cutting high-midrange tone, Precision have thick low mids for a deeper, fatter voice. Listen to them and see which one sounds better to your ears.
Try to play them both through the same amp and set the EQ on that amp flat. That will give you a better idea of each basses true voice. One should definitely speak to you more than the other, when that happens you will have your answer. Good luck and update us with your decision after you go.
Wow, I hate to be a hypocrite but I have to say it. Maybe I'm cynical this way.
I hate it when people come into the thread just to tell to use the search function, so I'm not going to just say that.
This has to be the most discussed topic in bass forum world. Not only would a simple TB search work, but a wikipedia, google, MX, or any other bass-related website search would suffice. You've been a member here for a year now so I think you should just understand that "Jazz or Precision", as in what each has to offer and how they compare, is quite possibly the most easily found bass-related information on the world wide web.
That said, you can consider a P/J bass that will give you a full P tone and the bridge tone of a J. Later on you can upgrade the bass to add an S-1 switch to the P, which makes it sound close to a neck J thus giving you the full tonal capabilities of both.
I hate it when people come into the thread just to tell to use the search function, so I'm not going to just say that.
This has to be the most discussed topic in bass forum world. Not only would a simple TB search work, but a wikipedia, google, MX, or any other bass-related website search would suffice. You've been a member here for a year now so I think you should just understand that "Jazz or Precision", as in what each has to offer and how they compare, is quite possibly the most easily found bass-related information on the world wide web.
That said, you can consider a P/J bass that will give you a full P tone and the bridge tone of a J. Later on you can upgrade the bass to add an S-1 switch to the P, which makes it sound close to a neck J thus giving you the full tonal capabilities of both.
Being new to bass, I didn't have a preference on Jazz or Precision. I picked up a bunch of different ones in my price range, and like the feel of the Jazz neck. I didn't want to limit myself on tone since it was my first bass, so I ended up with a P/J setup.
