Are Jazz Basses becoming less popular?

[mdogs]

- P bass = 0.8
- J bass = 4.5
- PJ bass = 8.3
- 7 lb. version of any = 10.0

I have been a Jazz bass guy for 40 years. Had quite a few P’s during that time, some really nice basses, but could never get into the sound enough to imagine using one all night. Then, I bought a PJ about 6 months ago and figured it out. I need that J pickup to tighten up the P pickup. P pickup all the way up, J pickup backed off just slightly, perfect. If I need P only, just back the J pickup all the way off. Yup, working great for me.

 

[Dave Leighton]

Love the pickgaurds all over the wall! So cool

I like that stormtrooper helmet too!

I get a wild hair occasionally and switch up the pickguards on a few of the Jazz's. The black Nash gets a brown tort on occasion as well as the blue 64 AVRI.

The helmet goes on when I'm feeling exceptionally badass when playing...

 

[chadds]

And don’t forget the tone isn’t right without the tort pickguard

Toss the strings pickups caps neck body just keep the Tort. It’s all the tone there is. It’s not in the fingers. I’m saying it here. Tone is in the Tort.

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

Just means mo Jazz Basses fo me.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

There seems to be many more used Jazz Basses for sale on places like TB, eBay, Reverb, and Craigslist than what I recall seeing only a few years ago. However, I haven't really noticed an increase in other popular bass models. No, I can't quantify my findings, it's just an observation I've made.

Are people not wanting to keep them like they used to? Is this just all in my head?

Judging by what I observed at NAMM, yes. View attachment 3680453

Judging by what I saw from NAMM pics here on TB, there seems to be an abundance of headless, multi-scale, and headless multi-scale basses being pumped out by almost every manufacturer. I believe, from what I have read here on TB, quite a number of people are looking for lighter and lighter instruments, and one way to get there and not suffer from severe neck-dive is by going headless.
I think overall, traditional basses are less popular, but that’s because something else is the flavor of the month. Let’s see what happens in another year or two.
If Jazz basses are in actuality less popular, then that means there’s more for me.

 

[BarfanyShart]

P basses have been having a moment for the last 7 decades.

 

[JoshS]

There seems to be many more used Jazz Basses for sale on places like TB, eBay, Reverb, and Craigslist than what I recall seeing only a few years ago.

Been said a few times, but that’s evidence of greater popularity in my mind.

 

[Son of Wobble]

this thread has me thinking of an idea for another, one where we all weigh in to compare the virtues and liabilities
of the Jazz and Precision basses.
I'mma call this thread "Precision Vs Jazz Bass" or maybe just "P vs J," yeah, that's even better

 

[Son of Wobble]

I think I'll make it a "P VS J" club, that's even more fresh!

Yeah, a club. and we'll cut it into 4 sections, and serve it with potato salad or fries. How do you all feel about frilly toothpicks? I'm for em

 

[10cc]

There seems to be many more used Jazz Basses for sale on places like TB, eBay, Reverb, and Craigslist than what I recall seeing only a few years ago. However, I haven't really noticed an increase in other popular bass models. No, I can't quantify my findings, it's just an observation I've made.

Are people not wanting to keep them like they used to? Is this just all in my head?

Who cares?

 

[Warpeg]

Who cares?

Clearly I and the other posters on this thread care.

 

[Samatza]

No way is the Jazz Bass going out, it's been around a long time and will be around for a long time to come.

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

this thread has me thinking of an idea for another, one where we all weigh in to compare the virtues and liabilities
of the Jazz and Precision basses.
I'mma call this thread "Precision Vs Jazz Bass" or maybe just "P vs J," yeah, that's even better

Eyiyiyi...don't crack the **** crust.

 

[micgtr71]

I’ve had a bunch of jazz basses, frets and fretless. 4 and 5. I prefer the p pickup to the j neck pickup. I also prefer a non-offset body. My jazz basses are gone. Ibanez rb650 roadstar does it all for me. No ill speak of the jazz though...great machine

 

[gln1955]

I think I remember Lance Armstrong saying it's cyclic.

That was the drugs talking.

 

[Spidey2112]

That was the drugs talking.

Lol!

 

[Pet Sounds]

For 20 years, I've played P-Basses, usually with flats. It's the perfect sound for my Motown band. I joined a pop/rock variety band a couple years back, though, and it sometimes requires the snap of a Jazz. On top of that the Motown band has started to do some '70s funk that calls for a Jazz.
I'd always thought Js sounded thin and wimpy compared to a P, but I bought a Nash J-63 last summer and was amazed by its meatiness, yet I can dial in some sizzle, too. It has become my main gigging bass ever since I bought it.

 

[juancaminos]

The more I try other basses the more I love my Jazz.

I am with you on that. Just now building my first P bass to see what all the hoopla is about.

 

[JIO]

this thread has me thinking of an idea for another, one where we all weigh in to compare the virtues and liabilities
of the Jazz and Precision basses.
I'mma call this thread "Precision Vs Jazz Bass" or maybe just "P vs J," yeah, that's even better

Or how about "Are P/J basses making P's and J's obsolete?"

 

[bass.slinger]

You are right, nobody wants them anymore. Any one of you that wants to get rid of your old unwanted early 60's Jazz Bass can send it to me and I will dispose of it properly.

Especially ones with rare colors and matching headstocks...they are worthless and I will grudgingly take them off your hands.