Does anyone play both precision and jazz basses?

[dewbass4]

I play a wide variety of basses with different scale lengths and number of strings. They are all setup with nearly identical action, which to me is the critical factor in feel. I rotate through the different basses when I practice, so I'm familiar with each. When it's time for a gig I chose a bass based on my mood and/or the music I'm playing (sometimes the location, i.e. a single coil P bass is not a good choice for a room that has questionable grounding or noisy wiring). To me variety is the spice of life, why limit yourself needlessly.
My advice make sure your P & Jazz have very similar action, then use them both until you feel at home on either. YMMV

 

[basspraiser]

I play both...it all depends on what I am playing and how I feel....nothing wrong with variety !

 

[basspraiser]

Yes, there's not a lot if difference, but it's noticeable. I didn't know if it was just me or it was kinda common for a noob.

I'm 57 and have been playing for a little over two years and it's the best thing I've ever done. Bass rocks!

Welcome to our addiction!

 

[HolmeBass]

I own both, but mostly play my Warwick, haha. But lately I've been falling back in love with my Jazz, which is my oldest and most treasured bass. I got it in 1980 as a Christmas present and it started this whole bass playing thing for me.

 

[lfmn16]

Although I own both I'm not playing either right now. However, when I was in a country band and a rock band I used to go back and forth between a jazz and precision regularly.

 

[Hopkins]

I've been giving it some thought. When I really got serious about bass four years ago, I really preferred the feel of a jazz neck. The more I played, the less it seemed to matter. I have one nice Jazz and several nice Precisions, and these days I don't give the difference in the necks a thought when I pick up one or the other.

Your mileage may vary.

This for me as well.

I started off on a Jazz bass, and wider string spacings were kind of weird and clunky to me at first. Now, years later, it doesn't matter one bit. I can switch between Jazz and Precision spacing, and even wider and I don't really notice anymore.

 

[Lownote38]

I play both. My Jazz is fretless, though. I use it for a more "fusion" type sound, and my Precision is for rock and R&B.

 

[Laurie Bass]

I have these 2... Geddy Lee Jazz and a MIM Precision with a Jazz (Squier) neck. I play both and enjoy both. The "P" has flats and the Geddy stock rounds.

 

[troy mcclure]

I play P specials... I like jazz necks, and the P pickup. The J bridge pickup can be mixed in,
I think P's in general are ballsyier where as Jazz Basses are more articulate. That is my best way of describing it.
You can get a great sound with either.

 

[vxjoe]

I gravitate to my jazz because it is the one that draws me to practice. If I am exercising to strengthen my hand and build chops, I go to the P bass. Then the jazz is easy.

 

[punkjazzben]

I've had both, but can't say I prefer one over the other. They both do what they do, and do it well. It's a good pair to have on hand, either way.

If the MIM Fender Deluxe Precision (the one with PJ pickups) had a P neck rather than a J neck, I'd get one in a heartbeat.

 

[gsquare]

+1 on the P body with J neck (or at least no wider than a 1.625 P neck). Have had many J basses and they are awesome but the P body just seems to fit me better. I love the fact that the necks are interchangeable and that parts are so readily available, so many configurations are achievable. Although, I'm not one to take a vintage instrument in original condition and harvest parts, if a 30-40 year old instrument has remained together for that long, it would be a shame to part it out.

 

[SGT. BAKER]

I play both too, with some differences. My PBass is fretted with rounds and my JB is fretless with flats. Time ago I played both strung with the opposite strings (flats in PB and rounds in JB). Maybe I´d do it again, but for the way it works for me.

I must say to that I had a widder neck in my Jazz Bass. I don´t like too much the tinny necks of the most of JB. My left hand isn´t confortable play´em. So I putted a widder neck so close of PBass´ necks.

They are just two worlds in your hands. So just enjoy´em!

 

[elBandito]

My p and j are polar opposites, and I like em that way. J is like gritty piano tone, P is pillowy smooth.

 

[LazyGecko]

I would have played both but my p bass was stolen

 

[PWRL]

I play both and then some.

 

[Arvin]

I play both. With flats, I prefer a J-width neck. With rounds, tapes, etc., I'm good with either.

 

[eldorado2001]

My first was a J, then I tried a P and fell in love all over again. I still use both but I use the P much more, fewer knobs to fiddle with and I prefer that sound for what we do.

 

[Toolmybass]

I play both. 70P and 71J
My P has an A neck and i love it!

 

[Biggbass]

I use both. Depends what mood I'm in.

+1
owner of 3 J basses and 3 P basses
tonight it's two Ps at the gig. One active and one passive.