Fender Jazz or Precision

[ehinkley]

Because I have never played either, I wanted to ask if some of you may be able to tell me some of the attributes that distinguish the Fender Jazz from the Precision, in terms of sound, feel, etc...?

 

[Manol]

Jesus Christ.

Search function, it's what it's there for.

 

[lovemybasses]

jazz has neck which narrows at the headstock ( main attribute why i dislike it's neck ) as for the sound - people believe jazz cut through mix better,cause that bridge pup. i love p bass sound better though, its more funkier and fatter.
regardless to that - i can't say which is better for you in terms of sound and feel... you might find jazz better sounds for what you expect.
finally - i got both basses, i think it is well worth having both!

 

[invader3k]

Basically, in a nutshell, the precision has a punchy, growlier tone; whereas the jazz bass has more mellow and smooth type of sound.

What kind of music do you play? That could make a big difference in which you would prefer to play.

 

[Double Agent]

whereas the jazz bass has more mellow and smooth type of sound.

Not to start a flame war, but are you on crack??? Yeah, Audioslave and Rush are real mellow and smooth

P-bass has a big bassy tone with lots of low-mids. Its perfect for everything from rock and metal to r&b and motown. It can be very mellow and smooth, or very loud and raucous. It all depends on how you set it up and how you play it. They also sit great in just about any mix.

Jazz basses are typically pretty aggressive, but still very versatile. They have a slightly scooped sound, but with a slight emphasis on the high-mids that makes that cut right through any mix. They are great for fingerstyle and slap, and will also sound great w/flats and a pick.

You have to play them both to appreciate the differences, but there are loads of examples of great tone you can listen to from both basses. For the Jazz, listen to Rush, Audioslave, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, Larry Graham, old Bootsy Collins, Led Zeppelin, and many others I am probably forgetting. For P-bass tone, listen to any Motown, Blues Brothers, The Meters, Iron Maiden, almost any rock being made today, and too many others to list.

 

[hoosierdad]

You gotta go to the store and plug 'em in. See how they feel to you. You will only kinda be able to tell how they sound in the store. P has more punchy bottom (I think) and the J a little more in the high end - but you can dial in what you need with a decent amp. Jazz will have the smaller neck - but either is easy enough to play. Both feel good to me. For a first Fender I would probably go with a P over a J.

 

[DeanT]

Basically, with a Jazz you can get a larger range of tones because of the two pickups. It can be big and growly or low and mellow. A P-bass is less versatile in tones, having a mean, growly sound, but is by no means a lesser bass. They can be low and mellow too but always have an underlying sense of menace that defines the "P-bass Sound".

P-basses are great for Motown, Classic Rock, Heavy Metal and Punk (to name a few). Jazzes are great for Classic Rock, Prog Rock, Jazz, Funk, etc.

 

[NKUSigEp]

I vote for the search function bass!

This is quite possibly the most talked about topic on TB.

 

[lovemybasses]

Not to start a flame war, but are you on crack??? Yeah, Audioslave and Rush are real mellow and smooth
QUOTE]

I have to disagree with you... jazz bass NATURAL sound tends to be mellow and smooth, especially if you wants it to be like that - thats why lots of solo jazz bassist opt for fender jazzes.
have you seen Geddy Lee rig? Or Flea's stage rig? You think they re playing with just jazz basses plugged in amp? Their sound is heavily processed and it oftenly goes through some kind of distortion to emphasize agressive sound on big stages.
So, yes, jazz basses are more mellow and smooth than P bass.

 

[Double Agent]

Not to start a flame war, but are you on crack??? Yeah, Audioslave and Rush are real mellow and smooth
QUOTE]

I have to disagree with you... jazz bass NATURAL sound tends to be mellow and smooth, especially if you wants it to be like that - thats why lots of solo jazz bassist opt for fender jazzes.
have you seen Geddy Lee rig? Or Flea's stage rig? You think they re playing with just jazz basses plugged in amp? Their sound is heavily processed and it oftenly goes through some kind of distortion to emphasize agressive sound on big stages.
So, yes, jazz basses are more mellow and smooth than P bass.

I have played several Jazz basses(and owned a few), use no effects, and I can tell you that the Jazz is a growly, aggressive beast. The bridge p/u adds so much snarl to the tone its not funny. P-basses actually tend to be more mellow because they have no bridge pickup, which leads to a naturally deeper, smoother sound. Sure you can get aggressive sounding with a P, just like you can be mellow with a Jazz, but its a completely different sound. P-basses don't have the high-end BITE that Jazz basses have. I love both, but your statement about Jazz basses being naturally smooth is way, way off. Sorry.

 

[ehinkley]

Feel like I started something here. Being new to the site, I just thought I would get some feedback from everyone. Thanks for everyone's comments.

 

[savit260]

I have played several Jazz basses(and owned a few), use no effects, and I can tell you that the Jazz is a growly, aggressive beast. The bridge p/u adds so much snarl to the tone its not funny. P-basses actually tend to be more mellow because they have no bridge pickup, which leads to a naturally deeper, smoother sound. Sure you can get aggressive sounding with a P, just like you can be mellow with a Jazz, but its a completely different sound. P-basses don't have the high-end BITE that Jazz basses have. I love both, but your statement about Jazz basses being naturally smooth is way, way off. Sorry.

Yup, you're right on the money with both of your posts Double Agent.

J basses have that typical single coil snap on the attack, which is less smooth than the P's split coil humbucking type p/u. This is probalby why Slap players prefer J type basses to P's.

Played agressivly, the J's growl, while a P flat out ROARS. High mid bias vs. Low mid bias.

 

[FenderHotRod]

LOL...here are to threads as of recent. With a poll...
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=357857&page=2

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=357866

Honestly, these threads have never helped me in choosing one over the other..Everybody makes good points for both basses. And while most people pick the Jazz Bass in the polls...I always seem to go back to my P-Bass.

But the best advice I have seen on theses threads is just spend some time with both and see witch one fits you best.

 

[ehinkley]

Thanks a bunch. I'll check these threads out.

 

[Michael Jewels]

Youtube is a God-send.

Here's the most accurate-sounding video I could find (without searching for hours) of a Fender Precision bass. Listen to its round, plunky, percussive tone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPzYQxaUns4

Now listen to the Jazz bass' tone, which is more articulate, and harder-edged.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unt1ZCYc9m4

Ehinkley, when you have the time, go to Youtube.com, and type in Fender Precision bass, then Fender Jazz bass in the search box, and you'll get hundreds of videos to check out.

I'm finally discovering Youtube years after everyone else.

Mike

 

[lovemybasses]

Ah, dont be sorry. And my statement is not off... I didnt say that jazz can't be growly. Didnt say that jazz bass sounds mellow ONLY. I said that you can't describe jazz bass sound by reffering of Geddy Lee distorted sound and others similar to his.
Why dont we speak of M'shell or Jaco, or Victor Bailey when speaking of Fender jazz bass?

 

[ehinkley]

Thanks Michael. I've actually only begun to check out Youtube as well. Mostly from things my friends send me and also from links this website has provided.
I am way behind as well and haven't really found a need for such a site up until now.
Thanks again.