You’re asking if one of the most popular and arguably most recorded bass designs in history will sit in the mix? I don’t think you’ll have trouble there. It may be a little different than the P but there’s no question you’ll be able to get it to sound good. The big question is whether you’ll like it, and for that you have to play it. My suggestion would be to have both, at least for a time, to determine which one you want to keep and/or if you keep both of them.
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You’re asking if one of the most popular and arguably most recorded bass designs in history will sit in the mix? I don’t think you’ll have trouble there. It may be a little different than the P but there’s no question you’ll be able to get it to sound good. The big question is whether you’ll like it, and for that you have to play it. My suggestion would be to have both, at least for a time, to determine which one you want to keep and/or if you keep both of them.
The thought of playing a fretless reminds me of the quote "I was told there would be no math."Better yet, try a fretless Jazz, and bask in musical bliss.
You've got to try one. I'm a P / humbucker type guy. Also I don't like thin necks, also I'm a recording engineer.
If my science is wrong, please correct me.
The only time a jazz bass is hum bucking is when the pickups are blended 50/50, but also a 50/50 blend tends to make basses sound... gutless.
In many situations I find jazz basses of all kinds to be WAY too noisy, and I've never noticed any practical benefits for single coil bass pickups, or even ANY pickups located very close to the bridge unless you like that farty Jaco sound.
Before everyone jumps on me, I'll say that some players can make them work well. However I prefer any other pickup configuration for my own playing...
Make those jazz pickups dual, split or stacked coil and I might change my mind, but some would say that would also make it 'not a jazz bass'.
If my science is wrong, please correct me.
The only time a jazz bass is hum bucking is when the pickups are blended 50/50, but also a 50/50 blend tends to make basses sound... gutless.
In many situations I find jazz basses of all kinds to be WAY too noisy, and I've never noticed any practical benefits for single coil bass pickups, or even ANY pickups located very close to the bridge unless you like that farty Jaco sound.
Before everyone jumps on me, I'll say that some players can make them work well. However I prefer any other pickup configuration for my own playing...
Make those jazz pickups dual, split or stacked coil and I might change my mind, but some would say that would also make it 'not a jazz bass'.
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Are you thinking an MB500 and Avatar cabs are holding me back? As I said, for the P this rig sounds pretty darn good. I'm sure I can do better with a rig in the $2k-$3k range, but not so sure I can afford that.
If you know how a J-bass will sound in the OP’s band feel free to provide your insights .. I personally consider TalkBass as a place where contents of higher quality concerning bass and music should be discussed; this thread, I repeat, belongs to the category of those threads without a purpose and, as such, it should be dealt with.
I know my tone is authoritarian, TalkBass is not mine and I’m Mr. Nobody here, my 2 cents etc.
All is right but that’s my informed opinion anyway.
(I’m amazed at the number of people watching it actually).
Point made. But I'd like to hear from the others here who care to give their informed opinions. Please continue your trolling on another thread.
Yes and no .. sometimes reacting to meaningless threads may make sense and it happens to me to have time to waste waiting for the toilet to be available ..You sure are wasting a lot of your time in this worthless thread.
I haven’t read all posts .. please make a summary of the main things you learnt reading them on this thread and tell us how they will influence your actions in the next 96 hours with regard to whether or not you should buy a J-bass …
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I didn't know that neck dive on P basses was even a thing.
For me? No. I've tried enough J basses and their derivatives that it's not my sound. For many? It could be their only bass. The bigger issue for me is the neck. I'm not a J neck guy so it's more of a playability issue than a sound one for me. As a huge Rush fan, if I hated J basses, I would have major issues. No bass with a 1.5" nut and a thin neck has ever survived in my collection.
That said, I know someone who has a '65 in great condition and it's the only J bass I would happily play - and have in one rehearsal. That thing is killer all the way around.
At the end of the day play the bass(es) giving you the sound in your head and great in your hands.
That said, I know someone who has a '65 in great condition and it's the only J bass I would happily play - and have in one rehearsal. That thing is killer all the way around.
At the end of the day play the bass(es) giving you the sound in your head and great in your hands.
Wow our jazz basses must be very different cause the neck pickup is not where my mids are. all about the bridge.
I think anyone should be happy with a Jazz bass. Coming from a P, you will mainly be gaining the bridge pickup sound by getting a Jazz bass, as well as a thinner/"faster" neck.
Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
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The Jazz is a comfortable bass all round - although it may be a little cramped after playing a P-bass with a wide fingerboard for so long. As for tones, I find that dialling back the bridge pickup on my Jazz gets me close to that woody P-bass thump.
I was told that a Jazz can achieve some of the characteristics of a P bass. At least one person confirmed that it is possible for a Jazz to fill a mix that is well occupied currently by my P. It was suggested that string selection and blending of Jazz single coils pickups can help get a desired tone. And a big thing a Jazz brings to the bass table is that single coils are an interesting difference between a P and a Jazz. A few folks shared cool Jazz basses that they like or are otherwise happy to own. And someone trolling the thread said it shouldn't be replied to.
I plan on using this information to stay informed on such topics and to use that information when and - at my discretion - if I buy a Jazz bass.
There you go, my last response. Now you may go, peace to you brother.
I plan on using this information to stay informed on such topics and to use that information when and - at my discretion - if I buy a Jazz bass.
There you go, my last response. Now you may go, peace to you brother.
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During one of the most enjoiable periods of the Miles Davis "electric" period-career, the bassplayer was Darryl "The Munch" Jones (he's currently with Rolling stones, for a period of time longer than Bill Wyman!).
In that contest, with such a band (all top musicians!) his bass lines were extremely aggressive and funky. Just listen to "You're under arrest", "Decoy" albums, to get a valid idea. Or "The lost concert." His bass was a simple '66 Jazz Bass. Not particularly took care of: he did not even had the knobs on the pots! Well, he was extremely present in the band sonic scenario and definitely audible. "In front" tone I would say. Was its tone "better" than a P? Who knows? It is a really dfferent instrument. Definitely worth having, though. I humbly suggest you get one ASAP (you'll not be disappointed, trust me) and also to... reverse the (absolutely legit) point you posed at the beginning: do not ask "will a J fit my band?" but "let's see how my band will sound around my new Jazz bass!" instead. Do not be scared and maybe buy a second hand, honest Jazz bass (a Squier CV or similar will do) then if you will not like it (not the case, for sure!) you can always re-sell it at the same price you paid it...
P.S.: maybe I have a little bias in my head, about the Jazz bass, because in '74 I had the "imprinting" by my '72 jazz bass; it was the only bass I had for ten years or so, then my main bass until the 5 string fever kicked in in '85, so I sold it. But this is another story...
In that contest, with such a band (all top musicians!) his bass lines were extremely aggressive and funky. Just listen to "You're under arrest", "Decoy" albums, to get a valid idea. Or "The lost concert." His bass was a simple '66 Jazz Bass. Not particularly took care of: he did not even had the knobs on the pots! Well, he was extremely present in the band sonic scenario and definitely audible. "In front" tone I would say. Was its tone "better" than a P? Who knows? It is a really dfferent instrument. Definitely worth having, though. I humbly suggest you get one ASAP (you'll not be disappointed, trust me) and also to... reverse the (absolutely legit) point you posed at the beginning: do not ask "will a J fit my band?" but "let's see how my band will sound around my new Jazz bass!" instead. Do not be scared and maybe buy a second hand, honest Jazz bass (a Squier CV or similar will do) then if you will not like it (not the case, for sure!) you can always re-sell it at the same price you paid it...
P.S.: maybe I have a little bias in my head, about the Jazz bass, because in '74 I had the "imprinting" by my '72 jazz bass; it was the only bass I had for ten years or so, then my main bass until the 5 string fever kicked in in '85, so I sold it. But this is another story...
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"Can I retain most of the thumpy, mix-sitting strengths of my Precision in a Jazz bass?"
One of my fave analogies regarding the P vs J question is, "a P sits in the mix, while a J sits around the mix". Somewhat of an over-simplification, but a P has that "drive right through the middle" quality, while a J (specifically with both pickups on full) creates this wide cushion of lows with detail on top. A super useful sound. My 2 cents: get a J and enjoy the difference between it and a P, and don't struggle trying to make it behave like Precision (because you already have a good one!).
One of my fave analogies regarding the P vs J question is, "a P sits in the mix, while a J sits around the mix". Somewhat of an over-simplification, but a P has that "drive right through the middle" quality, while a J (specifically with both pickups on full) creates this wide cushion of lows with detail on top. A super useful sound. My 2 cents: get a J and enjoy the difference between it and a P, and don't struggle trying to make it behave like Precision (because you already have a good one!).
. That would be a story!
