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Fender Jazz, Precision, or Jaguar?

I have all three.

American Jazz, Butterscotch blond- The easist to play of the three. I use the S-1 switch when the song calls for a P sound. It comes pretty close.
MIJ P-Bass, Lake Placid Blue-- Most boom, feels "right" when wearing it. Looks Good too!
MIJ Jag, Hot Rod Red- Coolest looking, the most sounds, the hardest to get comfortable with for some reason.

Mostly, I play the P.


or the Jazz.


or the P.


or the Jazz.


You get the idea.

Ken R
 
My preference for Fender Jazz basses go in the following order:

American Dlx.
American Std.
Geddy sig Jazz
Highway 1
60's Classic Jazz

A lot depends on your budget. The Highway 1 and Geddy sig models are about the same $$$ as the Jaguar. The Geddy tends to sound very aggressive and can be little thin. But, the Geddy would sound great for RHCP-style tunes where you want an aggressive midrange tone. If you can afford it, the American Deluxe might be the only bass you'll ever need. If you wanna save some dough for your amp needs, the 60s Classic is a great deal. It's MIM, and a bit tough to find, but it's way nicer than any other MIM Fender I've played (unless we're talking about P-basses...in which case, the 50s Classic P is AWESOME!!! Best MIM bass period.)...Hope this all helps.
 
have you been able to try either the J or P yet? Both certainly have their place, sound and fans. The first thing I would do since you already have factored out the Jaguar (which I think is a mighty fine instrument) you need to see which one you are comfortable with. Each bass has a 34" scale that may not be comfortable as a former guitar player. If you like the Jazz, look into one of the American Series J's with the S-1 switch as you can get a passable, ballsy P'ish tone out of it.

If you do not feel comfortable with the 34" scale look into a Fender Mustang bass. It's a 30" scale and if you change the PU it can do a pretty good P imitation. If the MIM scares you look for an original Mustang. Fender's are an easily upgradable brand. change out the P/U's, tuners, get a little fretwork and an MIM can be a go to bass.
 
I have all 3 of these too... Well... I built a new jag but used the old electronics. The stock jaguar body has pretty poor upper fret access.

I think I would look at one of models with the P pickup in the neck position and the J pickup in the bridge. I think that's the Deluxe P bass...

Or an Aerodyne Jazz, which has the same kind of config.

I know everyone is saying a Jazz can sound like a P... but if that were true, no one would own a P anymore.
 
even though the jaguar bass part of the discussion appears to be over, can i just say this?

i know it works for some people, and i've heard it sound good, but every jaguar bass i've laid my hands on has been mind-numbingly awful.
 
Talk about obsession!! You brought up the biggest obsession there is around these here parts. P vs J. You won't hear the end of this thread for a long long time, and in the end you'll still be dealing with the exact same questions. Precision guys are sure that the first electric bass Leo made was the result of divine intervention. Jazz guys think he got it right the second time around.

Either way, you can't go wrong with a P or a J bass.

Do you prefer a classical guitar neck or an electric guitar neck??

If you said electric, look at a J. If you said classical, look at a P.
 
both basses have their strong points. The jazz sounds more trebly. And the P bass sounds more growly and punchy. Im a p bass guy, But my mim jazz is growing on me after I replaced the pots. I love the neck on my jazz bass, Im guessing Its about a 1/4th of an inch smaller then the p bass. Lately I have been gassing for a eb mm stingray. Stingrays have a p bass like neck and a tone that can only be discribed as amazing. So can you afford a mia bass? If so just get the mia jazz with the s1 switch. And stay away from the aerodyne basses. I played them at guitarcenter and they are smaller and reshaped, and they look pretty cool, but the tone isnt there.
 
I've got a Highway 1 P and a Jag, and I love them both. In response to earlier posts, the build quality, the tone and the playability of the Jag are at least as good as the Highway 1 P. When you consider that it is really a Jazz on steroids, and that it can come real close to a P tone, I wouldn't discount it altogether. It's a solid bass.
 
I just got rid of my Special Run Ash P-bass two months ago because I had to fill more oil in my tank for my home. This Winter sucked!! I only had it for 3 months and I miss the sound. What a nice piece. I still have one bass and that is a 06' Jazz. It looks good and plays well, I still like a P, but it doesn't fit for all the songs the band plays. The Jazz is more versatile.
I have had 3 P's over 15yrs and 3 Jazz' and I like both, and let me tell you the new American Standards are solid. I like them better than my 06'. The quality is Old School and right on. Once you play one, it is hard to pass up.

That is why I am thinking of giving a P another try but will still hold onto my Jazz for versatility:rolleyes:.....now that I confused you. Your best bet would be a P Bass Special and have the best of both worlds.:hyper:
 

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