• 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

#61
Alot of good advise, also playing in church, I would recommend a five string, and one that just feels good in your hands. I currently use a Peavey Cirrus, and if I had know it was a Peavey when I saw it, I would not have played it, I just saw "Cirrus" and said "what is a cirrus?", but when I played it, I had to have it. It felt awesome and sounded amazing! If you are a set on a 4, again try it and if possible, through the amp you are going to buy so you are also happy with the sound. Also really think having a seasoned bass player with you is a must so you don't get taken in by a salesperson.
Also you try a few and come back and ask again "which of these?"... As you already see, opinions are opinions...
 
#62
MIAMIALAN said:
$500 is max. Yes, I plan on buying an amp also.
Click to expand...

You would most likely be best going with a good Squier and a practice amp for that kind of money. $500 goes fast these days however Squier makes some stellar offerings for cheap IMO. BUt yes, you should def go play at a local store and see what is most to your liking. I think you'd be safe with a P/J. And Don't limit yourself, Ibanez makes some very awesome stuff for cheap too.

Overall, for your price range, there is only so much we can tell you past it not making sense or mattering. You really should get your butt to a local music store and play all afternoon. Pick up anything in your price range and see what you think of it. You will def be one or the other if you go the way of a P or J bass.....Good luck and welcome!!!!!
 
#63
MIAMIALAN said:
Greetings to all.

WARNING !! Rookie question coming !! Lol. I need help. I am looking around for my first Bass ever. Electric. I have heard of Jazz Bass guitars, Precision Bass guitars, etc, etc... I am new to Bass. Never played before. I will hopefully, eventually be playing Worship music at Church, Jazz, and some Rock. I'm 6'3 tall. Long arms, long fingers. I know I want to start with a 4 string. Other than that, what "kind" of Bass should I be looking for that would be ok for a beginner, and that I can "grow" with? Any and all help and advice would be greatly appreciated !!
Best regards

Alan
Click to expand...
Check out the praise and worship thread on this forum -- it's in the thousands of pages and a lot of regulars would be happy to help you.

I play in church as well and played two Sundays before I bought a five-string. I found that to accommodate different singing keys and be more faithful to the recordings, a lot of songs needed the extended range. For that I went with an active Ibanez with humbuckers which gives me a good church tone. Pretty generic and easy to achieve.

I ended up also filing my active P/J four-string nut to fit the thicker four from a five-string set and tuned it BEAD like the lower four of a five and that has served me very well. I either solo the P pickup or blend in no more than 50% J pickup (more and I get too much hum) for a little more bite. I play with well worn flats and the J can give me more definition.
 
#64
Spirit of Ox said:
That Squire P bass special is an incredible bass for the money.
I say go for that. You get the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...
I think it is called the Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass PJ now if you are looking new....same idea though. I played one of these in a store recently and I was very very (did I say very) surprised at how much I liked it. If I hadn't just bought a Mexi P, I would have gotten this one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Spirit of Ox
#65
For a very first bass either a P or a J is great way to start. A good, passive, 4-string Fender-style is what I would suggest pretty much anybody start with. Then after years and years of playing and owning all manner of bass beasts, you'll almost inevitably end up back on the passive 4-string P or J!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Koog and Mantis Tobaggan
#66
If you need another perspective at this point…

The two big differences are the neck and the pickups.

Neck

The Precision's neck is generally wider at the nut and thicker -- more of a handful. At 6'3", this neck will probably feel most comfortable to you. It can be too substantial for people with smaller hands. This is all hands - not arms. Arms come into the equation with scale length.

The Jazz Bass's neck is generally narrower at the nut and thinner. It has a sleeker feel to it. I have somewhat big hands (6') and J necks are on the little side for me. I can still get around on them, it's just less comfortable than my Precision and Ric. I can play my Precision and Ric longer with less fatigue.

Pickups

The Precision typically has a single "split single" pickup with a volume and tone knob. The series wiring gives it a unique "punchy" and somewhat muscular tone with a low-mid emphasis and higher output. As somebody who "lived" in a recording studio for a few years, I'll tell you that the Precision typically sits perfectly in the Rhythm Section and mix. Sound-wise, it's hard to beat a Precision for an album in any genre since its introduction. The split configuration is used to cancel hum/interference. P Basses are very quiet.

The Jazz Bass's pickups are certainly nice as well. They are true single coils. They have a little more clarity, dynamics, and nuance than the Precision. The neck position captures the fundamental well. The bridge position has a "nasally" sound to it (listen to some demos). When both pickups are combined, they have a phasey sound with scooped mids. Jazz Basses have been used everywhere as well. However, I don't think they sit in the mix as well as Precision basses. Jazz Basses can work well as a prominent instrument in the mix and where they have room (sonically) to stand out (eg Jazz and Funk). The pickups are typically wound RWRP for hum-cancelling when both pickups have similar levels. When using one pickup, it can be noisy. It's certainly true that Jazz Basses offer more tones but with a P Bass, tonal variations can be accomplished with technique. For example, if you want a brighter tone, pluck closer to the bridge. Pluck with nail, flesh, or bone. Don't let tonal versatility sway your opinion. Listen to them both soloed and in band contexts and determine which sound you prefer. Versatility comes primarily from your hands. There are countless greats who have played P Basses and countless greats who have played J Basses.

Comparisons using the same hands:









So first decide which sounds best to you. Then let people know your budget if you want recommendations as to which to buy.

Personally, I would avoid a PJ. They are an awkward hodgepodge IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C_Becker and Koog
#67
basslifter said:
I think it is called the Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass PJ now if you are looking new....same idea though. I played one of these in a store recently and I was very very (did I say very) surprised at how much I liked it. If I hadn't just bought a Mexi P, I would have gotten this one.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the one. Killer basses. Good pickups too. I would put a noiseless in the J position since it hums and you can cancel it out. The P pickup sounded great. It had a nice midrangy tone without sounding harsh like some of the Squier pickups.
 
  • Like
Reactions: basslifter
#68
I'd play both and decide what best suits you. I have always loved jazz bass but now I've got a couple I want to get a few P basses.

Either way in the end your probably gunna get gas and buy a jazz and P bass in every colour and every pickguard combination. Its a serious condition that most people suffer from on here!!
 
#69
the most basic answer to your question ... Jazz / Precision

" pickup placement " ...

as you look at basses , you'll notice pickups at various places along the body ... each spot along the string has a different harmonic structure ( tone ) ... moving the pickup changes the tone ..!


i'd go play around with a variety of basses ... find something in your price range that feels good ... then come back here and look thru our classifieds for something very similar but Used ...!! a much better value / bang for the buck ..!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrummerwStrings
#71
I'm guessing if you're new you are probably nervous or a little intimidated going into a music store and trying out different basses. Go into one 10 mins after they open. There will most likely be nobody in the store and the sales person will be more than happy to help you if they interested in a sale. Tell them your situation and try some out. That way you know for sure at least somewhat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrummerwStrings
#73
MIAMIALAN said:
Greetings to all.

WARNING !! Rookie question coming !! Lol. I need help. I am looking around for my first Bass ever. Electric. I have heard of Jazz Bass guitars, Precision Bass guitars, etc, etc... I am new to Bass. Never played before. I will hopefully, eventually be playing Worship music at Church, Jazz, and some Rock. I'm 6'3 tall. Long arms, long fingers. I know I want to start with a 4 string. Other than that, what "kind" of Bass should I be looking for that would be ok for a beginner, and that I can "grow" with? Any and all help and advice would be greatly appreciated !!
Best regards

Alan
Click to expand...

OP, I have 7 years of experience of playing bass in the worship genre but might I recommend you this thread? Those guys know a heck of a lot more than I do

The Praise and Worship Band Bassists Club
 
#75
GManfromOz said:
True but if you've got long fingers you might find the P bass neck a little less constricted than the J neck.
Click to expand...

Not to pick on you in particular :-) but Larry Graham has foot long fingers and seems to get along on a Jazz just fine. I know for sure that playing the same thing on both my jazz and p, it's easier on the jazz, but whatever. I think playing well and getting along with people are way more important than jazz vs p. I like the jazz sound better for worship, but a buzz can be distracting in church. Used Ibanez sr505 might be hard to beat in the value department, but I like fenders (safe choice).
 
#77
MIAMIALAN said:
Greetings to all.

WARNING !! Rookie question coming !! Lol. I need help. I am looking around for my first Bass ever. Electric. I have heard of Jazz Bass guitars, Precision Bass guitars, etc, etc... I am new to Bass. Never played before. I will hopefully, eventually be playing Worship music at Church, Jazz, and some Rock. I'm 6'3 tall. Long arms, long fingers. I know I want to start with a 4 string. Other than that, what "kind" of Bass should I be looking for that would be ok for a beginner, and that I can "grow" with? Any and all help and advice would be greatly appreciated !!
Best regards

Alan
Click to expand...

Hi Alan!
Not to be 'critical' to wording here, but it's going to be hard to play every bass in the store when he's never played bass before... At just about a year into the instrument, I remember clearly walking into music stores with NO CLUE as to what I wanted... To further frustration, I'm left handed, and most smaller stores have a very limited selection for us south paws, so I ended up getting a 'beginner p-bass package' from Amazon. I don't recommend that...

I would recommend a Jazz over a Precision Bass for you based on what you're going to be playing, and because a Jazz bass offers more range of tones. "Trying Basses out" when you can't play yet is difficult. I can say put the guitar on a strap, and put your right (errr... left... southpaw moment!) hand up on the neck, and see if you feel comfortable fingering each of the 4 strings up and down the neck without having to contort your hand or wrist into any strained position. Your thumb should slide up and down the neck smoothly as you try different parts of the neck. The neck can come in several shapes and sizes, and I think finding one that's comfortable will be a good start. Bigger fingers may need wider spacing between strings, thusly a wider neck. Some basses are heavier than others, some tend to be too heavy at the head... So find one you'll be comfortable with. If you're not comfortable playing, you won't play. DAMHIK. Don't be drawn into the pretty ones, unless they feel 'right'.

I have two basses.... first one wasn't right for me at first... The second one got me playing, because 'it fit'.

Good luck with your decision! Lots of great people and info here, don't be afraid to ask questions!!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back