Fender Jazz or Precision ??

[ThudThudThud]

As an 'old guy' myself I'd vote for a Precision.
If you can learn to get as many sounds out of the Precision by changing right hand placement, attack, tone control, and dynamics, it will become a formidable ally. The Jazz is a great instrument, but can be frustrating for beginners to really dial in a tone.
That said, hand sizes matter too, and Jazz necks are thinner.
But the Precision is the sound on all the 'albums' in your 'record collection.'

 

[fhm555]

…every player has to be comfortable with the neck!

playing a bunch of them would be of help to you, of course, so hopefully you can do that at a store. good luck!

^this^
IME if the neck is too big or too small, it makes playing a chore rather than a joyful experience.
i love the sound of a P, but to me the neck feels like a chunk of cordwood. I can play one all night but my left hand hurts the next day. OTOH I can play a J all night and no pain the next day.
If you want to go even slimmer, the old US Peavey 4 strings, had some mighty slim necks, especially the Dyna series.
Take the time to go to a place with a large inventory and try a bunch of different basses before you commit to one, and keep in mind you can always change instruments as your skill and knowledge increases.
The only other thing I’d offer would be to find an instructor with a good rep and take lessons. As a largely self taught player, I can personally attest to how hard it is to unlearn bad technique you spent several years perfecting. Practice may not make perfect but it does make permanent.

 

[CallMeAl]

Whatever is most comfortable, sounds best solo (to you) and/or most inspires you to pick it up and play! No wrong answer really.

As for country of origin, there’s a bit of a hierarchy. But it’s law of diminishing returns and the Asian instruments are perfectly playable.

 

[Green Hornet]

Though I agree wholeheartedly with 4stringfarley's response, I realize that that may not be a particularly satisfying answer. So I will add the following:

1. The ABSOLUTE MOST important aspect of a bass is that you really like it. Ideally it should make you want to pick it up and play it every time you see it, because what makes you a better player is practice.

2. The Precision is a legendary style bass for good reason tone-wise. However it has a chunkier neck than a Jazz, which makes some with smaller hands more comfortable with a Jazz.

3. My first bass was a J style, which is something I do not at all regret, but an important aspect of learning is the differences you can make with just your hands, where you play on the string and how hard you pluck (or pick). A Precision will force you to learn these lessons because you don't have the option of mixing in a bridge pickup (unless its a PJ).

Hope this helps you with your decision.

As stated above, find one that looks good and is comfortable to play.
Also remember, if you are not happy or too sure about the sound then there is a wide variety of string and pickup combinations to work with. As well as other parts (bridge, pots, knobs, etc..)

 

[skycruiser]

Im not in the market for a new bass, my little squire serves me well.

I have been reading about these two fender styles and how they were meant to acompany a certain Guitar, not sure if thats even right, but…

If you were a play at home old guy, just beginning bass playing, which would kinda be the right choice, kinda Lol

Which model Squier do you have now?

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Lately, I have become a huge fan/proponent of the P/J configuration.

I highly recommend it. Look into a few.

Also, if you're just starting out, have you thought about going used or Squier so you don't drop a big nut on something you may not take to?

 

[75Ric]

I have both, and like them both. I have no problem switching between the two, despite having different sized necks. Both are good. My hands are probably average in size. If you like the p-bass, but the neck size is deal-breaker for you, you can get a p-bass with a jazz neck. They aren't as common as the standard necks, but they are out there. Duck Dunn used a p-bass with a jazz neck in his later years, and he was one of the best.

To me, the slight differences in the controls, a little hum, slightly more weight, and the other so-called issues really are slight (again, to me, ymmv). These pale in comparison to how how you like the feel and sound. If I were playing all Motown, I'd pick the p-bass, but you can make either play most genres reasonably well. There is nothing like a p-bass, and there is nothing like a j-bass. If you can, play both styles and see what floats your boat. Then pick that one. You really can't make a bad decision here.

 

[Kgveteran]

This was so insightful, i had concerns about not knowing enough to purchase “another” bass, and i was right! Its like a starter house, a starter house lets you see what you will need in your next house, at least for me. Im still in my starter (bass) house Lol, im having this issue in another thread about how i outgrew my 10” practice amp, i know some stuff now and would like a little thump but i think im gonna wait just a little.

I want an Ampeg410, and a tube head……(and thats under review too Lol)

 

[Fat Bottom Kyle]

Mustang!

 

[ComesATime]

Im not in the market for a new bass, my little squire serves me well.

I have been reading about these two fender styles and how they were meant to acompany a certain Guitar, not sure if thats even right, but…

If you were a play at home old guy, just beginning bass playing, which would kinda be the right choice, kinda Lol

It all comes down to taste.

Personally, I prefer the neck (and generally, the weight) of the precision bass. I find it's very good with both EQ and pedals, and the p-bass tone just sounds preferable to me. In my experience, most P's have a particular tone that I love, regardless of pickup, so I'm assuming it has to do with the placement. Roll off the tone and it's smooth and tube-like.

More than that, the precision fits better in the mix in both bands I played with. I tried two different jazz basses, but it sort of disappeared or just wasn't appealing to me. It might be more adjustable with the volume on each pickup, but I don't know. I love the simplicity of the P.

Mustang!

I've always wanted to love a mustang bass. I've had 3 different ones. I just never found one that was "it." The strings tend to feel looser than a full-scale, and the tone was never what I wanted. I love the P, and the mustang is obviously quite different.

To be fair, two had a humbucker pickup (the very nice old Squier Mikey Way ones) and one had a PJ combo. The first Mikey Way one I had was pretty great, but I sold it when I was a student. That one I regeret. Second one didn't have the same feel.

The JMJ is one I'd love to try, though.

 

[Lucas Carioli]

It's subjective. Its like clothes. Some people suits better with the J, others with the P. The ideal is to have both.

 

[Lucas Carioli]

OBS: why so many people struggle to say SQUIER? I never had that problem.

 

[logdrum]

I do not have a true P bass anymore (just sold last week) but pretty happy with my MIJ Fender bass special. It is a PJ with a switch and changed the pickups and tone circuit to an EMG Geezer Butler PJ passive pickup set. I have gigged with it 3 times already and I find I am mostly switched to the P position. Sounds more P than my old Fender P-Bass

 

[Auspuff]

Im not in the market for a new bass, my little squire serves me well.

I have been reading about these two fender styles and how they were meant to acompany a certain Guitar, not sure if thats even right, but…

If you were a play at home old guy, just beginning bass playing, which would kinda be the right choice, kinda Lol

Your left hand, and your shoulder, will tell you, immediately.

 

[Iofflight]

My first bass was a jazz bass. Then I discovered that I was a precision bass guy. But I love my jazz bass(es). I have 3 and 3.

Same thing here. My first Fender was a jazz bass, then I eventually made myself my ideal P bass from Warmoth and MJT parts. Then I got a second P bass for rounds. I'm definitely more of a P bass person and I'm more inclined to use it for recording. Jazz basses I do think tend to be better for live settings.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

OP search it

 

[Aussie Player]

To play at home the answer is, which ever feel more comfortable to hold an play as it will encourage you to play by not being uncomfortable.

Now when we are talking live, I hated Precision bases for several decades because they get lost in the mix and I absolutely disagree with all those who say otherwise. Put a precision against a Gibson EB3, Warwick Thumb or several other basses, live, especially if you have a rejected fruitcake mixer doing the sound and the poor old P is dead in the water. The Gibson or Warwick will not.

Remember, the Precision basses' reputation was generated on records, where the mix and tones could be altered to keep it clear and pronounce and relevant to the song.

If you want the better option for live, go with the Jazz bass as it has a little more note separation that helps with live work.

My oldest heartache was reactivated a couple of days ago, when I went to see a mate play in his band the the guy mixing the sound could not have destroyed it more, if intentional. When I started playing, that was THE game, destroy the support act in the mix so the main act sounds so much better. These days it is more commonly caused because the dude on the tablet or console hasn't got a clue.

If you find the more comfortable choice is the Jazz, you are home. Stay put.
PS: I own a half dozen Fenders, both Jazz and Precision.

 

[erdyland]

I can easily say, precision bass is like a religion around here I'm personally a heretic. If thinner necks are your thing, go for the jazz..

 

[Sam Dingle]

Every time I use my Jazz on a gig, I wish I had my P bass. The rest of the tone you need is in your hands

 

[Mike Vee]

They were also made in many locations around the world, does this have any impact on a better location of origin

yes, USA is the best!