I'm looking at upgrading my bass and this is the one i was mainly looking at. I didn't have a whole lot of time to mess around with it but i was wondering how many different styles of playing it can do. Also I play in a two guitar band and was wondering how well it would hold up in the mix(drummer also plays really loud) Thanks
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Fender Jazz Bass Owners Please Read
- Thread starter chrisbass0013
- Start date
So, are you asking if a fender jazz is the right bass for you, or are you looking to upgrade your already owned fender jazz?
I am going to assume that you are thinking of buying a fender jazz. I believe that this is a great bass, and incredibly versatile. I mean, the name jazz really doesn't mean anything, as it is a favorite of everyone from metal to folk.
As far as volume, It really depends on what you are running it through. If you get an active jazz bass, those can up the volume a little bit, but you just need the power from your amp, not your bass.
I play a passive MIM jazz, and I love it. Not only is it less expensive with the same bells and whistles, but I don't need to worry about hurting it when I trounce around and stuff, and yet it is classy enough to take to a combo gig at a swanky restaurant and fit right in.
Go for it dude!
I would also say what kind of amp and bass you currently have. Then your fellow tber's can help make suggestions for you.
I am going to assume that you are thinking of buying a fender jazz. I believe that this is a great bass, and incredibly versatile. I mean, the name jazz really doesn't mean anything, as it is a favorite of everyone from metal to folk.
As far as volume, It really depends on what you are running it through. If you get an active jazz bass, those can up the volume a little bit, but you just need the power from your amp, not your bass.
I play a passive MIM jazz, and I love it. Not only is it less expensive with the same bells and whistles, but I don't need to worry about hurting it when I trounce around and stuff, and yet it is classy enough to take to a combo gig at a swanky restaurant and fit right in.
Go for it dude!
I would also say what kind of amp and bass you currently have. Then your fellow tber's can help make suggestions for you.
I would be more tempted, if I were you, to get a Fender Precision Bass. A USA Standard model can be had for about £400 to £500 on ebay in the UK (I don't know where you're from). The Precision is the bass that all other basses are judged by. They are simpler to get a tone from than a Jazz (which has a large array of sounds available by twiddling the control knobs). I have a USA Jazz too - but I save that for the softer and slower songs in the set. Both great, great basses. IMHO I wouldn't bother with the Mexican or Japanese models. They are just basically lower quality more massed produced versions of the real thing and don't quite have the signature sounds of the Precision or Jazz.
I have an American Jazz Bass. Passive p/u.
Great tone and good for my style of playing.
Tell the two guitarists to turn down the volume.
If not - I use a pedal line-level booster tp plow through the guitar headache.
My advice - play as many different basses in your price range. Get the feel for them.
Some folks don't like the radius or 'skiny' jazz neck.
It's still a time-tested, unique sounding instrument. The beauty is in it's simplicity.
Great tone and good for my style of playing.
Tell the two guitarists to turn down the volume.
If not - I use a pedal line-level booster tp plow through the guitar headache.
My advice - play as many different basses in your price range. Get the feel for them.
Some folks don't like the radius or 'skiny' jazz neck.
It's still a time-tested, unique sounding instrument. The beauty is in it's simplicity.
I've tried to buy a J for a few months now. I just can't find one that gets my attention like any of the Ps - from Affinity to one named after a Civil War Battle (an inside joke).
I tried 'em new, old, used, busted, pristine and through every type of amp I could use wherever the bass was for sale - and it wasn't good enough for me either.
I'm not a Fender lover - but I'm coming to the (slow and inevitable) conclusion that they are indeed very good instruments even in their off-shore and lower level units.
I've got an Ibanez SR500 (my Stradivarius) and another Ibanez AEB (thanks to seing Nathan East and loving his AEG tone, even though it wasn't the same make) and a couple of Fender P/Affinity Squiers and yesterday I got a pleasant surprise in buying a pawn shop Epiphone Les Paul Special.
It's not a higher level bass by any means - not even a higher level Epiphone either! - but it is different and therefor has it's own voice.
Voice is what I listen for. I find it really happens in my Squier P-Affinities after just some mild modding and a .1uF cap across the existing cap on the tone control.
Ps have it all over the Js as far as I am concerned unless you have some really mild tempered and quiet guitar players who will let you be heard with the mellower (to me) Jazzes.
The one thing I like really about the Js are their thinner necks - but I can tough it out on a P.
I tried 'em new, old, used, busted, pristine and through every type of amp I could use wherever the bass was for sale - and it wasn't good enough for me either.
I'm not a Fender lover - but I'm coming to the (slow and inevitable) conclusion that they are indeed very good instruments even in their off-shore and lower level units.
I've got an Ibanez SR500 (my Stradivarius) and another Ibanez AEB (thanks to seing Nathan East and loving his AEG tone, even though it wasn't the same make) and a couple of Fender P/Affinity Squiers and yesterday I got a pleasant surprise in buying a pawn shop Epiphone Les Paul Special.
It's not a higher level bass by any means - not even a higher level Epiphone either! - but it is different and therefor has it's own voice.
Voice is what I listen for. I find it really happens in my Squier P-Affinities after just some mild modding and a .1uF cap across the existing cap on the tone control.
Ps have it all over the Js as far as I am concerned unless you have some really mild tempered and quiet guitar players who will let you be heard with the mellower (to me) Jazzes.
The one thing I like really about the Js are their thinner necks - but I can tough it out on a P.
Ian Hill of Judas Priest seemed to get on fine with a Jazz bass in a 2 guitar band.
And while Zep was a 1 guitar band live, it should be noted that Bonzo was a bit loud.
I think you'll do just fine with a jazz bass, provided it gives you the tone(s) you are looking for.
butchblack
Life is short. Do good. Find and do what you love.
From your 2nd post I think upgrading your amp may be in order as 2 guitars and a loud drummer will over power any 100W bass amp.
That said a Jazz bass is a good all around instrument. Depending on the sound(s) you're trying to get if you can't dial it in with EQ you can always change the pups. I have a set of humbuckers (DiMarzio 123's) in my Jazz clone and can get everything from a P bass tone to a cut through anything tone. As I play blues, most of the time I'm playing on just the neck pup but it's nice to have the bridge pup to turn on if I'm in a room that I need a bit more definition in.
That said a Jazz bass is a good all around instrument. Depending on the sound(s) you're trying to get if you can't dial it in with EQ you can always change the pups. I have a set of humbuckers (DiMarzio 123's) in my Jazz clone and can get everything from a P bass tone to a cut through anything tone. As I play blues, most of the time I'm playing on just the neck pup but it's nice to have the bridge pup to turn on if I'm in a room that I need a bit more definition in.
I love my Jazz bass. I was actually in the market for a P-bass, but after playing the Jazz that I currently own, the market I was in quickly changed. I'm still looking for a P-bass so I can switch between the two, but my Jazz bass will be my main bass for a long time. I have it strung with La Bella Deep Talkin' flats, and it really gives me the thump I need for my band.
butchblack
Life is short. Do good. Find and do what you love.
It should be noted that while the Am Standard Jazz is a very nice instrument the non-American made ones are also nice and more affordable. Also used is your friend especially if you're on a budget. Also there are a lot of Jazz clones out there and a lot of them are very nice instruments, so don't shy away from one just because it's not a Fender, unless you have your heart set on a Fender Jazz.
If you like the T-Bird neck the Jazz neck will suit you just fine. The P does hold it's own a little better than the Jazz against 2 guitars.
I have a MIA Jazz '62 RI with rounds and a MIJ P '51 RI with flats. The Jazz is a nicer bass quality wise because of the MIA aspect but the P with flats is killer for many styles. All that said, I have settled with the Jazz as my main bass because its skinnier neck and radius just suit my left hand perfectly. However, to cut through I use an EBS Valvedrive pre-amp, which makes for a pretty much ideal tone. Without the pre-amp the Jazz was lacking a little oomph when playing with the whole band.
Well as far as the new amp is concerned im kind of on a budget and have been looking at new basses for a while. I'm not completely over powered so its all good. I'm also not opposed to getting clones but willing to pay for the fender. Also the neck to me felt a little faster and thinner than the t-bird's which i liked.
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