I tend to agree with fhm555. If you are starting out and you want versatility i would recommend a five string. Furthermore i would recommend an Ibanez Soundgear, versatile with narrower necks.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Difference between precision bass and jazz bass
- Thread starter MIAMIALAN
- Start date
Whatever you find attractive put it on a strap and see how in balances. If the neck wants to point at the floor pass on it. Neck dive can really hamper a beginner
Both are very good basses. The precision tone is just a little more of a "foundational" tone that I think improves the overall sound of the band like no other. Also it works in pretty much every situation. Finally, the strings are more spaced out and this, combined with the tone, will make your playing also a little bit more basic and foundational.
The jazz also has a very nice tone that is similar to a precision, but it sits a little more up front in the mix. It is better if you like to play more of a busy bass part and jam out. Also the closer string spacing and tapered neck allow for faster and easier playing.
I would recommend trying both. I actually have a good precision and a good jazz. You really can't go wrong.
The jazz also has a very nice tone that is similar to a precision, but it sits a little more up front in the mix. It is better if you like to play more of a busy bass part and jam out. Also the closer string spacing and tapered neck allow for faster and easier playing.
I would recommend trying both. I actually have a good precision and a good jazz. You really can't go wrong.
For someone just staring out, you could buy used Squier J, and P for not much money, and be able to take your time figuring out if you prefer one or the other. I bet you would be likely to keep both. My main basses are Fender Am Dlx P and Js, but I play a Squier P regularly too. I have two Squiers. Both were bought used for under $100.00 Well worth the money.
The Jazz offers versatility, the Precision offers simplicity. Tone wise, the Jazz, again, offers versatility, while the Precision just seems to sit right in the mix consistently without having to tweak it.
Being that it is your first bass ever, go for what feels good to you, what works with your physical attributes, the size and strength of your hands, etc.
Additionally, I would recommend sticking with the "simplicity" route. Being a beginner, you need to focus on technique, form, theory, etc. and not get derailed by trying to make your instrument sound like 200 other instruments in any number of songs. I offer this advice because it was a pitfall for me. The versatility of a fully active bass with a preamp and multiple pickups gives you lots of toys to play with, but it can become a distraction. It also gives you a lot of options to cover up or accommodate shortcomings. You can't fix what you don't know about or what you might use technology to cover for.
I chose a P bass, primarily because I've always loved P-bass tone, but also because the simplicity of 1 pickup, 1 volume, 1 tone, made me focus on my playing, my technique and finding ways to coax different tones out of it. The only exception to the "simplicity rule" for me was that I chose a Precision five string.
Being that it is your first bass ever, go for what feels good to you, what works with your physical attributes, the size and strength of your hands, etc.
Additionally, I would recommend sticking with the "simplicity" route. Being a beginner, you need to focus on technique, form, theory, etc. and not get derailed by trying to make your instrument sound like 200 other instruments in any number of songs. I offer this advice because it was a pitfall for me. The versatility of a fully active bass with a preamp and multiple pickups gives you lots of toys to play with, but it can become a distraction. It also gives you a lot of options to cover up or accommodate shortcomings. You can't fix what you don't know about or what you might use technology to cover for.
I chose a P bass, primarily because I've always loved P-bass tone, but also because the simplicity of 1 pickup, 1 volume, 1 tone, made me focus on my playing, my technique and finding ways to coax different tones out of it. The only exception to the "simplicity rule" for me was that I chose a Precision five string.
Good advice so far. A few tips from me:
1. Totally agree with going with feel - if it doesn't feel good before you buy, it likely won't ever feel good enough to satisfy...put it back. If it feels good initially, keep playing it for ~10-30 mins. Trust your feelings, even if you don't know much about basses. Feel is huge.
2. Used basses can be a GREAT deal.
3. Fender Rumble amps are really good (esp. newer ones). I play at church with a Rumble 30 (~100-200 people) and it truly works- thought I would need a much larger amp. Also have a Rumble 200, bought almost-new but used for $225.
4. DO NOT BUY a Fender BXR amp - trust me on this.
4. If you know a bass player, bring them with you when you shop. You concentrate on tone & feel - let them comment on quality/build/technical/etc.
5. Others will disagree
but I have usually been able to get pretty close to any sound/tone I wanted from my basses by tweaking volume/tone/eq on the bass or the amp. Don't sweat this too much at first.
6. Start playing with your fingers, even if you plan on using a pick later. I forced myself to use fingers, fearing if I did not then I'd always struggle. I play 99% fingers now but can easily switch to pick if I need to.
7. Keep playing!! Bass is awesome.
1. Totally agree with going with feel - if it doesn't feel good before you buy, it likely won't ever feel good enough to satisfy...put it back. If it feels good initially, keep playing it for ~10-30 mins. Trust your feelings, even if you don't know much about basses. Feel is huge.
2. Used basses can be a GREAT deal.
3. Fender Rumble amps are really good (esp. newer ones). I play at church with a Rumble 30 (~100-200 people) and it truly works- thought I would need a much larger amp. Also have a Rumble 200, bought almost-new but used for $225.
4. DO NOT BUY a Fender BXR amp - trust me on this.
4. If you know a bass player, bring them with you when you shop. You concentrate on tone & feel - let them comment on quality/build/technical/etc.
5. Others will disagree
but I have usually been able to get pretty close to any sound/tone I wanted from my basses by tweaking volume/tone/eq on the bass or the amp. Don't sweat this too much at first.6. Start playing with your fingers, even if you plan on using a pick later. I forced myself to use fingers, fearing if I did not then I'd always struggle. I play 99% fingers now but can easily switch to pick if I need to.
7. Keep playing!! Bass is awesome.
Yes, the "try them THEN buy them" suggestion has been made, but in the off-chance my tangent hasn't been covered...I'd actually go with the P-bass for 3 reasons:
1) They are simply-designed basses. If you run into any issues with it electronically, any buddy with basic knowledge (or you, if you are handy!) can fix it with ease. Since it's just a volume and tone knob, there are fewer ways to "get yourself into trouble" tonally. Many people just dimed the knobs and went to town, including guys like Jamerson. Concerning the Jazz bass...balancing dual volumes, the mid scoop, and how that affects EQ on the amp might be a bit much if you're just starting off.
2) They are plentiful! Easy to find a used one, parts for yours if something breaks, or different flavors that suit your taste (I like a Jazz neck on a P bass). If you pick one up and it isn't your thing, no sweat, you could probably flip it easily or won't be in that much money since they are common.
3) Well-known tonal signature. I guarantee you that at least ONCE in your lifetime (I'd bet at your church too), a soundguy will see your P-bass and let out a sigh of relief. It's a tone that everyone knows, works in many styles, and like in point #1 has less room for error. Just tell the soundguy you are diming the knobs (they will actually want an unfiltered signal) and going straight to a DI box or clean out from your amp. They will probably give you a hug and name their firstborn kid after you. Since you're starting off, you don't want to make too many waves where you can prevent it. They can probably give you a better sound in the mix as well since everyone knows the P-bass signature tone.
YMMV, just a suggestion
1) They are simply-designed basses. If you run into any issues with it electronically, any buddy with basic knowledge (or you, if you are handy!) can fix it with ease. Since it's just a volume and tone knob, there are fewer ways to "get yourself into trouble" tonally. Many people just dimed the knobs and went to town, including guys like Jamerson. Concerning the Jazz bass...balancing dual volumes, the mid scoop, and how that affects EQ on the amp might be a bit much if you're just starting off.
2) They are plentiful! Easy to find a used one, parts for yours if something breaks, or different flavors that suit your taste (I like a Jazz neck on a P bass). If you pick one up and it isn't your thing, no sweat, you could probably flip it easily or won't be in that much money since they are common.
3) Well-known tonal signature. I guarantee you that at least ONCE in your lifetime (I'd bet at your church too), a soundguy will see your P-bass and let out a sigh of relief. It's a tone that everyone knows, works in many styles, and like in point #1 has less room for error. Just tell the soundguy you are diming the knobs (they will actually want an unfiltered signal) and going straight to a DI box or clean out from your amp. They will probably give you a hug and name their firstborn kid after you. Since you're starting off, you don't want to make too many waves where you can prevent it. They can probably give you a better sound in the mix as well since everyone knows the P-bass signature tone.
YMMV, just a suggestion
If you have big hands, you'll probably want to stay away from slim neck basses like Ibanez SR or Jazz, at least for 4 string basses.
Your best bet is to paw a bunch of bass neck and take note of which ones have annoying edges or make your hands feel cramped. At this stage, your hands are too untrained to be able to tell much difference between one neck and the next. So, there is no sense in spending good money now. Just aim for something not annoying, not too small, that doesn't cost a lot. As you get closer to finding what you really like while using good playing technique, then you'll know how to spend your money.
Don't be afraid to start off on a 5 or 6 string if that's the most comfortable neck for you. There is no mystery beyond 4 strings.
As a beginner you're basically buying time until you get to the point where you know what is right for you and don't have to ask.
Last edited:
That may be true - if you're an ogre.
Seriously, I get all the sounds I need/want out of a P bass. It just depends on your style & technique. And, yes, I've had plenty of Jazz basses but only 2 P's and they were the ones I had the longest...
That may be true - if you're an ogre.
Seriously, I get all the sounds I need/want out of a P bass. It just depends on your style & technique. And, yes, I've had plenty of Jazz basses but only 2 P's and they were the ones I had the longest...
Predictable response; I dropped in to see who would be the first to make it.
P makes one sound.
Jazz minimum of three.
Everything you've done is a variayion of one sound.
One pickup- one sound. A Precision sound. Ogre or no ogre, it makes one sound. It did in 1952 and still does in 2017.
The OP is new to electric bass. The P makes one sound. The Jazz makes a minimum of three.
I know your a tall fella, but I have a Mustang bass (short scale) with the PJ setup and pretty can get the tone I want for different songs. But Ibanez makes some PJ setups with Nordstrands that are really nice! GO Play em all!
If you are looking for a good, not to expensive beginner bass - check out the LTD B-50 or B-55.
You can upgrade the pickups later, but other than that it really is a good instrument.
LTD in general makes great, affordable stuff, if you can spend a little more, check out the B-4E or B-5E.
I own both the B-55 and the F-5E (which is the more "metal" shaped version of the B-5E) and its a really well made instruments with great construction and material.
Again, the pickups are somewhat lacking, but that is an easy upgrade later on.
Since you have big hands and are beginning anyway, you can just start out on a 5-string IMHO. The B-string makes for a nice thumbrest if nothing else
You can upgrade the pickups later, but other than that it really is a good instrument.
LTD in general makes great, affordable stuff, if you can spend a little more, check out the B-4E or B-5E.
I own both the B-55 and the F-5E (which is the more "metal" shaped version of the B-5E) and its a really well made instruments with great construction and material.
Again, the pickups are somewhat lacking, but that is an easy upgrade later on.
Since you have big hands and are beginning anyway, you can just start out on a 5-string IMHO. The B-string makes for a nice thumbrest if nothing else
The main difference is that "Team Precision" guys will loathe you for selecting a Jazz, and "Team Jazz" guys will hate you for selecting a Precision. The guys that just hate Fender will dislike you no matter what.
Good luck.
On a serious note (bass cleff -of course) I second what GK suggested, but you really do need to just go try them out for yourself.
Good luck.
On a serious note (bass cleff -of course) I second what GK suggested, but you really do need to just go try them out for yourself.
