Here is my dilemma. I have a fender American special jazz bass purchased in 2011. I used it heavily until 2018 and then started exploring other basses. Ended up finding my sound with Ernie ball music man basses. I have two 5 strings. Stingray special 5 and bongo 5. Both HH models. They became my two main basses. Two years ago, I decided it was time to change the strings on my fender jazz. I purchased a set of Ernie ball roundwounds custom gage 50,70,85, and 105 were the numbers on the strings. I thought I was using what came stock on stingray special basses. It was the first time I had purchased Ernie ball strings for a bass. To me my jazz sounds dead now. There is no where near the sustain that there is with my stingray and bongo and I don’t remember the jazz bass sounding that lifeless even though prior to the string change it sounded dull compared to the stingray and bongo. What do you guys think? Could it in fact be the strings or could it be that there just simply won’t be anyway to get a tone like the music man basses? I did try another fender bass and was also disappointed in its tone as well, and that was a Tony Franklin signature bass. There were flat wound strings on it though. I know this thread could easily fit on the basses thread as well.
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Could strings cause disappointing tone on fender jazz bass
- Thread starter Cory rich40
- Start date
Sounds like this is a case where your ears have so keenly attuned to the sound of the Stringray and the Bongo that they don't accept anything else as being viable anymore. I kind of doubt different strings on the Jazz will make a significant change to the way your ears will perceive its tone.
I’m inclined to agree with Michael on this one.
The jazz probably sounds like a jazz with the new EB Strings-good choice-but your ears have become accustomed to another sound-pre amped Music Men.
The jazz probably sounds like a jazz with the new EB Strings-good choice-but your ears have become accustomed to another sound-pre amped Music Men.
Is it possible the 2 year old strings aren’t new sounding anymore?
and less sassy response…
Is it possible that you set your amp to your preference with the EBMM basses and didn’t revise the settings for the passive J?
and less sassy response…
Is it possible that you set your amp to your preference with the EBMM basses and didn’t revise the settings for the passive J?
I have to agree with the others in this respect. You discovered long ago that the Jazz wasn’t quite your sound.
But are you talking about now, or 2 years ago when you changed the strings? 2 year old rounds aren’t gonna sound as good as new. Especially from what I hear from others about Ernie Ball strings, they tend to lose their life quicker than most.
I've found that strings can definitely make a difference in your bass tone... but in this case, have to agree with the others. I have both MM and Jass/P bass. Switching basses after playing on for a while leads to a bit of a shock. After playing only the MM for a while, the jazz does seem a bit lifeless while the MM seems very "lively"....but then... after playing the jazz for a while and listening to it's warm, low mid, rich and balanced tone... the MM's seem hollow, uneven and difficult to "fit in the mix". Both are actually amazing, and have their own personalities. It's like getting used to one type of wine, and then switching to another... there's an adjustment period!
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They sounded that way immediately after they were put on. I’m trying to give that jazz another chance as hard as I can
I started on a Telecaster Bass with flat wounds. Going to Rototsound roundwounds and a hot Bill Lawrence pick up changed my world. A few years later couldn't pass up a deal on a Jazz Bass Once again my world changed.
Several years later came an active MM SUB and my eyes/ears were opened to a bright piano like string sound.
But I didn't care for the neck on the SUB. So I took my Jazz to The Bass Place and asked them to make it sound like an active MM. They dropped in a J East J-Retro system which matched up real well with the Dimarzio PAF's that were already installed. That became my gold standard and I sold the MM SUM
Since then I have put together ten or so Jazz basses and chased that sound with various pick up/electronics configurations all with no happy sound. Until I built the latest one with Dimarzio PAF's and a J Retro system...BINGO! It's my number one now!
Several years later came an active MM SUB and my eyes/ears were opened to a bright piano like string sound.
But I didn't care for the neck on the SUB. So I took my Jazz to The Bass Place and asked them to make it sound like an active MM. They dropped in a J East J-Retro system which matched up real well with the Dimarzio PAF's that were already installed. That became my gold standard and I sold the MM SUM
Since then I have put together ten or so Jazz basses and chased that sound with various pick up/electronics configurations all with no happy sound. Until I built the latest one with Dimarzio PAF's and a J Retro system...BINGO! It's my number one now!
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Even the feel of those 2 music man basses feels so different to me. And for the better. And remember, that American special jazz bass had one of the best necks fender had made and I’m not the only one who said that.
Very doubtfull. Did you turn knobs on your amp? Very doubtfull the EB settings will work with your Jazz.
Also check pickup height. May be low
I've never heard anything special about the American Special Jazz necks in particular. Nor did I experience any such thing with them. Not that they were bad. But either way, it seems clear that the Jazz isn't for you anymore and that's totally ok. Why not just sell it and stick with the Music Man basses?
Oh I’ve been thinking about it! I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit.
It's probably worth it, unless you just don't mind having it around. Personally though, when I have felt like that about an instrument I just don't bother and pass it on. Music Man makes awesome basses as you know, so I really don't think you'll be lacking in any way.
TL DR
I think it's the bass, not the strings. EBMM tonally is sort of like if the Jazz bass drank a pot of coffee and then took some steroids. That's a pretty weird analogy but you get it, right?
I think it's the bass, not the strings. EBMM tonally is sort of like if the Jazz bass drank a pot of coffee and then took some steroids. That's a pretty weird analogy but you get it, right?
i get it.i don't see how you could expect two different configurations/'brands' (with different pickups, PU placements, preamps/controls) to sound similar just because of a string choice. the same strings might 'pull them toward each other', tone-wise, but too many other variables/components separate them: two different EB instruments.
right?
what if I could trade it for a 4 string stingray?? I doubt very seriously it would be an even trade and I would have to pay some cash as well but….
Totally up to you if you want another! You could consider a trade for a USA Sterling model too
IMO that’s a good analogy. Early on I thought I was hearing a hot Jazz, like Sade’s Paradise, and some Waylon Jennings stuff. Was wondering can I get that with certain strings and hot pickups in my Jazz configuration? Come to find out it’s a Stingray.
