Another Precision Bass vs. Jazz Bass Question

[BlankVerse]

I'm sure this question is often asked, but here's my dilemma. I'm a big guy, but I don't have long fingers. I am heading to the intermediate level. I LOVE the sound of the Fender pbass, but I like the jazz bass well enough. Playing the wider neck on the pbass is very challenging, and I lean to the playability of the jazz bass--I also like the look. I'm only interested in Fender basses, so what are my options? Can a jazz bass really work in a band or church setting? I often hear that the pbass is the way to go for almost all situations.

 

[40Hz]

Both the PB and the JB can be used interchangeably in virtually any music setting. You can also easily install a JB neck on a PB body or vice versa if you prefer the the body and pickups of one but are more comfortable playing on the neck of the other model. It’s a fairly common modification that only requires a Phillips screwdriver and removing and reinstalling four screws to accomplish.

 

[CoughSyrup]

If you want an actual Fender with a Jazz neck, Jazz body, and a Precision pickup, you can take a look at the Aerodynes, the Reggie Hamilton signature bass, or the Fender Blacktop Jazz bass.

 

[michael_t]

Can a jazz bass really work in a band or church setting? I often hear that the pbass is the way to go for almost all situations.

Fender Jazz was my first bass when I started playing in church 10 yrs ago. I still play it in church off and on, although I also own two Yamaha 5-string basses and a P bass now. I actually prefer the Jazz bass tone over the P bass tone for my church work.

 

[Geri O]

A Jazz-style bass works just fine. I’ve never been asked to play something else besides it.

I have a Jazz-style and a Precision-style bass (both Mike Lulls, admittedly both have the same 18mm string spacing. Both 35”). I also have a Stingray Special 5H. All kinds of gigs and/or services.


I play the one that hits me on that particular occasion.

 

[Auer]

I honestly dont think a P neck is any harder to play than a J.

Just a little different.

Lately Ive been playing more PB than anything else, so maybe I'm biased.

 

[FRoss6788]

If you want an actual Fender with a Jazz neck, Jazz body, and a Precision pickup, you can take a look at the Aerodynes, the Reggie Hamilton signature bass, or the Fender Blacktop Jazz bass.

This is the answer right here.

 

[bassicmike]

I honestly dont think a P neck is any harder to play than a J.

Just a little different.

Lately Ive been playing more PB than anything else, so maybe I'm biased.

It's not necessarily harder, but it is more fatiguing if gigging with it.
Felt like I was wrestling with the bass by the end of the night.

 

[Killing Floor]

This is TalkBass so you’ll get both answers.

Here’s the one you need to know. Fender is the largest manufacturer of stringed instruments in the world and has been throughout your lifetime. The Jazz Bass is 70 years on the market.
If a global conglomerate had a product that did not work successfully it would not be on the market. And it would not be the 2nd most imitated product in the bass market worldwide.

And any bass can sit in any mix.

 

[FRoss6788]

The Jazz Bass is 70 years on the market.

No so sure about that...

 

[Auer]

No so sure about that...

70 is close enough to 63 for the purpose of this thread.

 

[Killing Floor]

No so sure about that...

64. Close enough. And I’ve still never met a bassist who can identify a P from a J on a record. (Without looking)

 

[DigitalMan]

Buy whatever P bass you like. Order a Jazz neck from Fender. Sell the P neck explaining the situation, especially if you bought the P bass new. You should be able to recoup most of the money from buying the Jazz neck maybe $100 difference if like for like and new for new.

Some people would swap the neck themselves. As a newer player you might find a local tech to do the neck swap, which would include filing the nut and setting the truss rod and intonation.

It’s really not a big deal to do all that, and it gives you unlimited possibilities in terms of which bass you get.

 

[u2brothr]

There are fender P's with jazz necks out there. That might be the bass you are looking for.....


Your other option is finding an old school Mark Hoppus Bass.

Precision like pickups... jazz body....this has a precision neck.

 

[2112]

I often hear that the pbass is the way to go for almost all situations.

 

[pbass2]

I'm a smaller dude, with hands to match, and I switch between a P with a 1.75" neck and a Jazz with a 1.5" no problem. You just adapt. I like how they both make me play.

 

[ryco]

Get one of each.

 

[bassgasbassgas]

I have a '75 P and a '66 J ... yes they feel different, but the J and P necks aren't so much different in size that hand size should make that much of a difference re playability. I honestly think this is a matter of technique and practicing. Have you seen Billy Joel's hands? They're tiny! But he wails on the piano like he's got 8 arms.

If the P speaks to you, I would get used to playing a P neck and just rock an authentic P bass from Fender. Don't get a P bass with a J neck...I'm convinced part of the P mojo is actually the feel of the neck.

Just my 0.02

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Arriving with a Jazz or a P bass will probably inspire confidence in the band.

Get the instrument that will inspire you. Adam Clayton of U2 sounds like Adam Clayton on any bass. Jazz or P.

 

[TheSeagoats]

Buy a jazz neck and stick it on a P bass if you're looking for the P sound with the J comfort.