Yes, you need a Jazz bass.
That is all from me.
That is all from me.
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The part you need to resolve is whether you bond with a neck shape. I have pretty big oven mitts and love a J but I gravitate toward chunk C necks instead for comfort, the opposite experience of many J-neck people. We’re all shaped differently.
Insomuch as tone, a lot of the famous P tones on classic recordings are J. P were always more common but many players record with J just like many Strat players record with Teles. A J with rounds is a whole different world than a P with flats. Someone will argue the pickup positions of either will affect how you play. Maybe, maybe not.
Shortest answer is you won’t lose anything. Subtle difference in tone from pickup location is not something your audience will recognize. Your play style and strings will be the biggest factor.
Why the negativity? "neither knows what may be suitable"... yes I do, and I described it as clearly as I could. "nor really wants other people to give suggestions"... I am asking here, aren't I, and I haven't dissed anyone's welcome opinions and experience.
Lighten up, Francis.
IF a Jazz Bass was the best possible choice (excluding just for this convo), you'd make it work because the choice wouldn't be there.
Looking at music recorded and performed over time shows us that many different instruments will suffice. It's working with an instrument over time and practice, rehearsals and gigs where you learn to love certain things and deal with each instrument's pluses and minuses.
'Commonly in life known as trade-offs.
No one bass is really better. It's all the operator. Setup, strings, guts, excepted.
P.S. Don't neglect having an amp/cab setup to address your working needs.
Looking at music recorded and performed over time shows us that many different instruments will suffice. It's working with an instrument over time and practice, rehearsals and gigs where you learn to love certain things and deal with each instrument's pluses and minuses.
'Commonly in life known as trade-offs.
No one bass is really better. It's all the operator. Setup, strings, guts, excepted.
P.S. Don't neglect having an amp/cab setup to address your working needs.
Yeah a jazz will do that, but maybe a PJ would be a better choice for you. Nails the P tone and gives you the option of dialing in some extra bite. Or even going all bridge honk if you're inclined.
That won’t happen. A J with flats is a completely different tone than a P with flats. There are players who will strongly argue that simply favoring the J’s neck pickup will get you there. That hasn’t been my experience.
If you’re not sure I’d go low budget to dip your toe in the J pond.
Squier 40th Anniversary Vintage Edition Jazz Bass - Satin Seafoam Green
Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz Bass - Daphne Blue
Buy from a shop or online retailer with a good return policy which would allow you to try it out at a rehearsal or gig.
Average hand size I guess. My MIM P is a relatively slim profile for a P (1.625" and comfortable C shape). Definitely not a baseball bat. I expect I will like the Jazz neck based on previous experience.
As far as tone, thanks for your description. Sounds like getting a primarily P sound with Jazz flavor is do-able, which is what I was hoping to determine here. Trying difference balances between Jazz pickup, and different string types, might be fun!
To me the term "jazz bass" simply means a general shape of the body and type of pickup configurations. Other than that the variables are never ending. So ya gotta find a J-bass, try it and then lets talk. If you're looking to be pointed in a specific direction, I'd recommend an older (CIJ) Geddy Lee. Try the Stingrays out too while you're at the store.
I have been playing for almost 60 years. 90% of that time using a PBass (never a jazz bass). Several years ago I bought a Jazz simply because it was medium scale. I love it. For me the best bass I have ever owned.
Just another opinion.
Just another opinion.
I'm currently using a GK MB500 and one or two Avatar 112 cabs depending on the needs. This rig does really well for the P.
You will L-O-V-E and treasure your jazz bass. Do not hesitate.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Love the look of that bass! I'm not a 5 guy, but it really is a looker.
Just like every bass is different, every jazz bass is different too. Generally, they always work well for me, especially the way they sit in a live mix. But I’ve had a few that struggled to make themselves heard, and a few that sat in the mix so well that it sounded like a I was in a studio. (I had a Suhr Jazz that was amazing that way.)
But if you feel like you want the security blanket of having a P tone available, look for a jazz bass with PJ pickups. (Although I don’t think I’ve ever had a jazz bass that I couldn’t make sound like a P.)
I finally made a jazz bass that I can love,I've owned and sold a half dozen over the years!
Can't you just rent or borrow one and live with it for a bit, then decide? I like how some other players sound on a jazz bass, but after I tried it I found it didn't suit my style. Precision / L2K for me. Your mileage may vary.
5 strings? Audere 4-band? Tort? Me too!
EDIT: There’s actually a lot more to it than just the preamp. The only SX parts remaining are the unloaded neck and frets, the unloaded body, and the neck plate. Everything else was replaced.
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