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Fender Jazz, Precision, or Jaguar?

H

hesham8

Mar 21, 2008
186
1
#1
So, my band needs a bassist, and since I fingerpick rhythm guitar...They think it'll be an easy transition for me.

Since I am a Fender obsessionist, there isn't another guitar or bass manufacturer I would consider.

After browsing their catalog a bit, I've narrowed the field to three basses: Jazz, Precision, and Jaguar. Beyond that, however, I have not decided (i.e. fretless, or fretted).
 
#2
hesham8 said:
So, my band needs a bassist, and since I fingerpick rhythm guitar...They think it'll be an easy transition for me.

Since I am a Fender obsessionist, there isn't another guitar or bass manufacturer I would consider.

After browsing their catalog a bit, I've narrowed the field to three basses: Jazz, Precision, and Jaguar. Beyond that, however, I have not decided (i.e. fretless, or fretted).
Click to expand...


Sounds like the best thing that every happened to you. I'd remove the Jaguar from the equation as the quality is just not there.

We commonly refer to these instruments as P or J if you haven't figured that out yet. Each has a distinct sound you should listen to some records and figure out what you prefer. In addition there is a big difference in the feel of these instruments so playing them is important also.

Good luck!

Edit: whatch out your going to get allot of biased opinions thrown at you..
 
#3
Jazz, fretted. End of story.

No seriously, what sort of music do y'all play? That'll have something to do with what you pick. I've been playing a Fender American Jazz for 9 years, and while I've gassed for other basses from time to time, i've found it to have a wide range of sonic possibility without being too much in any situation.

also, welcome to the deep end.
 
#4
jimmy rocket said:
Jazz, fretted. End of story.

No seriously, what sort of music do y'all play? That'll have something to do with what you pick. I've been playing a Fender American Jazz for 9 years, and while I've gassed for other basses from time to time, i've found it to have a wide range of sonic possibility without being too much in any situation.

also, welcome to the deep end.
Click to expand...

Lately, we've been playing some blues and jazz, but for the most part, we've been playing Red Hot Chili Peppers/Foo Fighters/Sublime inspired rock.
 
#5
This just my opinion:

I feel that I can get a nice "P Bass" like tone from my Jazz... but not the other way around. I think the J bass is more versatile.

As far as your Fender obsession goes- I suggest, for the purposes of doing some good consumer comparison shopping, checking out a few other brands of basses. If for no other reason then to educate yourself on what they sound like.

I really wanted a Thunderbird bass. I thought I had decided on it until I played my J bass.

The only other advice I would have is to get a fretted one. That will make your transition over to bass a bit less complex. Your second bass could be fretless.

Lastly, get a teacher. Even a few lessons with a good teacher will help set some good habits for techniques. More than anything else this is most important.

Good luck to you, and have fun shopping for a bass.

And good luck with the can worms you just opened on this forum :)
 
#6
I think you need a fretless bass, especially with your guitar playing background, you probably want to play more expressively than the typical bass player. Get one without lines too, fret lines are for babies.




Just kidding, seriously - all three will be suitable for any style of music - you will arguably be able to get more variety of tones out of a Jazz or Jaguar, and their necks are also arguably more like a guitar neck. Check out the Geddy Lee Signature Jazz, it plays very much like a guitar neck, or so I am told, and the price is pretty low for a bass of great quality. The Jag is a fine instrument also, any of the Made in Japan Fenders seem to be great values.

I'm a P bass kind o' guy myself though. :bassist:
 
#7
While you can cetainly use a single pickup P bass with roundwounds for rock, but the stock pickup may or may not do the job for you, and there is not much adjustment. The Jazz bass does have more versatility. Might I suggest a nice Geddy Lee ! Get to a music store and try both and see if you prefer the blenda-bility of the two pickup Jazz or if the single P is alright. If your budget is tight, the mexican-made Fenders, consistentcy is not there, its hit and miss, so touch them all and see if

Many bassists prefer the K>I>S>S paradigm, and I dont mean Gene Simmons. So when in doubt, keep it simple. Also, remember that you'll be morphing to partially a drummer now. Have fun!

BTW, great FOR SALE pages right here at TB; you might take a gander.
 
#8
I agree with ''peterpalmieri'' forget about the jaguar. And If your band plays red hot chili peppers inspired rock id reccomend the jazz bass, or u can buy a fender with P & J pickups that way u can get both the tone from a precision and a jazz. So overall i think you should check out these basses w/ P & J:

1. http://images.guitarcenter.com/products/optionlarge/Fender/230019jpg.jpg
2. http://www.chrisguitars.com/fen03aerodyne-jazz.jpg
3. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

1. Fender Deluxe P Bass Special
2. Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass
3. Fender Aerodyne Classic Precision Bass
 
#9
P and J. Get both. Start with the J, for the versatility reasons already cited. Ps are fun too and since you're a Fender freak (like me) you'll want more than one. The Jag might be a nice novelty bass later when you'e GASsing for another Fender. Which reminds me - Have you been inoculated for GAS yet? If not, don't bother. There is no cure...
 
#11
Another vote for the Jazz.

A P/J hybrid wouldn't be a bad way to go either, but sometimes the P/J setup can complicate things. The P-bass pickup is much hotter than a Jazz pickup, so the P/J setup is not as balanced as a regular Jazz bass. And, since the Jazz pickup is a single-coil and the P pickup is a humbucker, your Jazz pickup will always hum. If you get a Jazz and use both pickups on full, they will be nice & quiet.

Additionally, the Jazz is extremely versatile and easy to play. You might decide to get a P down the road, but to start on I think a Jazz is the best bet for your style.
 
#13
if you love Flea's tone go for a Jazz, he used to play them before the Musicman Stringray (which ive just bought and is 10 times better then my Jazz) and then he got a good deal with Modulus for a sig bass.

Really depends on what YOU like and how it wants to sound. out of the 3 id say the Jazz because you can get more out of it then the P bass and ive never liked Jags. plus the neck is better on the jazz then P, its skinnyer. Or get yourself a Stingray :P

all this is IMHO,
But what do I know?
 
#14
I think I'll be getting the jazz bass once the local guitarcenter is open, assuming they have a few different jazz and precision basses for me to try out.

It's times like these that make me wish GuitarCenter had a better selection.
 
#15
I'd get a P/J. Decent compromise between the two worlds, and it'll give you a nice enough spectrum of tones.

Double Agent: You've got a partially valid point here. While it's true the J-pup will buzz (unless our new bassist friend here gets something with a silent coil), the pickup hotness balance isn't something too problematic, and can be easily fixed. Besides, no point in getting your first bass if you aren't willing to tinker with it and get the tone you want. :smug:
 
#20
I'm a P-bass fanatic, but still think you should start with either a Jazz or P/J for the versatility. For a Jazz, either the Geddy Lee or American Standard would be best, though you should check the Highway One too. In my view, Fender's best P/J below a grand is the Reggie Hamilton Standard Jazz. It has U.S. pickups including a noiseless J, and active/passive operation. It really sounds great, and the Jazz neck is easy to play. I think the Jaguar is excellent also, so if you find one and like it, why not? It's a nice, heavy-duty take on Jazz bass tone.

But if you can broaden "Fender" to mean "designed by Leo Himself," add the G&L SB-2 to your list. It has P/J pickups, and the P-bass tone it produces is more monstrous than anything Fender makes.
 

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