These two basses have significant variances. Aside from being active -- the Yamaha has its pickups in a tighter and closer configuration. That setup is bound to give a little bit more oomph and punch. Really comes down to how each bass is utilized.
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Fender Jazz Special...what am I missing?
- Thread starter Jen Jesse
- Start date
Tone is subjective and it is possible that the fender just doesn’t make the sounds you like. A few fixes
1. You could flip the fender and buy something else. you bought used it could be basically a wash
2. Tweak your amp EQ
3. Add a preamp or eq pedal. That sadowsky is a great choice
4. If you like the rest of the fender, there are several aftermarket preamps that are a pretty easy install (audere and nordstrand both sell pre wired harnesses)
5. You may come to like the fender in some contexts. I don’t know anything about your playing/ gigging situation, but often what sounds good in one setting doesn’t in others. In general, boosted highs and lows (effectively a mid cut) sound great on their own but don’t work so well in a band mix, whereas a more neutral bass can sound dull on its own but works well with a band. I play mostly active basses but leave them dead flat for gigs (or with a little mid boost). They way I set my amp doesn’t sound great on its own, but sounds great with drums etc.
1. You could flip the fender and buy something else. you bought used it could be basically a wash
2. Tweak your amp EQ
3. Add a preamp or eq pedal. That sadowsky is a great choice
4. If you like the rest of the fender, there are several aftermarket preamps that are a pretty easy install (audere and nordstrand both sell pre wired harnesses)
5. You may come to like the fender in some contexts. I don’t know anything about your playing/ gigging situation, but often what sounds good in one setting doesn’t in others. In general, boosted highs and lows (effectively a mid cut) sound great on their own but don’t work so well in a band mix, whereas a more neutral bass can sound dull on its own but works well with a band. I play mostly active basses but leave them dead flat for gigs (or with a little mid boost). They way I set my amp doesn’t sound great on its own, but sounds great with drums etc.
Gonna reply to a few of your things but just chose this one to quote. Definitely try new strings and a setup first, super old dead strings (most used basses) can make anything sound like crap unless they're nice flats.
I've never played stock pickups, but my love of these basses is all feel based. Nothing feels like it under hand, and I've not found a bass I can get juuuust the right action I love than on these. My original has some old Dimarzios that it came with, my fretless is rocking Fender Yosemite pickups and I have the recent reissue as well.
So if strings don't do the trick, you might try a pickup swap if the *feel* is there for you. There seems to be lots of guys after the original pickups too so I'm sure you'd have no issue selling them.
DR hi beams or fat beams (my favs) or rotosound 66s have a lot of zing to them that will lively up a bass
i like the finish on the yamaha...and the fender too!I don't have a ton of bass experience, I am pretty new. My active Yamaha RBX800 has nice tonal range and I really enjoy playing it, even if I don't love the dark blue finish. But recently I picked up this gorgeous passive 80s Fender Jazz Bass Special, and...it doesn't exactly blow me away to play or to listen to.
Am I ruined by active basses? Are passives just not enough for me lol?
Is the Fender hitting a tone that, while smaller in range, is still unique and not reproducible by my Yamaha? I'm guessing this is a fair possibility, so if anyone has tips on what to listen for that's unique to the Fender, I'm all ears (heh)
Pics for taxSorry for the busy backgrounds, I know some of y'all hate that, but life is life. View attachment 4492794 View attachment 4492795
Thanks for these tips! One of the things I have been wondering is whether it would sound 'better' in a mix. I suspect that's a distinct possibility. Not playing with a band currently since covid, but hopefully again someday...
The feel you mentioned is *sorta* there for me. It feels nice, but doesn't feel amazing. Honestly the Yamaha feels amazing, that's one thing that made it click for me. So I get what you mean
The JBS does feel better than the vintage Ibanez RB that I started out with...that always felt a bit awkward but it wasn't until I tried out several dozen guitars over a week that I really started to understand more what felt good and what didn't feel so good. The first time you pick up a guitar or bass, the answer to "how does it feel" is just "it feels like a bass...?"I'll give it a little time and see if we develop a rapport
There's a purple yamaha I've been eyeing, so if you REALLY like the finish on this blue one....
Setup is a big part of it too! When I bought my fretless it felt like crap, though the neck profile felt 'right'. Got some new strings and went through my setup routine and now it just feels like a fretless version of my other two.Thanks for these tips! One of the things I have been wondering is whether it would sound 'better' in a mix. I suspect that's a distinct possibility. Not playing with a band currently since covid, but hopefully again someday...
The feel you mentioned is *sorta* there for me. It feels nice, but doesn't feel amazing. Honestly the Yamaha feels amazing, that's one thing that made it click for me. So I get what you mean
I'll give it a little time and see if we develop a rapport
Good luck with your bass! If you don't get on I'm sure there are plenty of members here who would love to relieve you of the burden
Absolutely agree. Just because it says Fender doesn't automatically mean it's special or that it's the right bass for you.
Looking at the pics of your basses, it almost looks like you just rebought the same bass. We've all done that. We like what we like. If you like your Yamaha and it's a keeper, you might just want to try a straight up Jazz or P bass and see what those do for you.
Those suggesting that perhaps you should not use the J pickup are well-intentioned, but they're usually really just P bass players at heart who don't like J pickups anyway. If you're liking and using both pickups on your Yamaha, then chances are it's just that this Fender PJ isn't for you. I love a good PJ, but if I had to dial out the J "sparkle" to get the sound I wanted, there wouldn't be much point in owning that bass.
And just in case no one has said so before, welcome to Talkbass. We can solve all your problems. All it takes is money.
[QUOTE="Jen Jesse, post:
I'll give it a little time and see if we develop a rapport[/QUOTE]
that’s my other advice. Sometimes it takes time. My #1 is a warmoth parts bass so I couldn’t play it until I got it put together and I owned it at that point. I was pretty disappointed with it at first and set it aside for a year or two. Somewhere along the way I started playing it some and eventually we reached an understanding. Not sure what changes but it’s the one I’d run back into a burning house for today
I'll give it a little time and see if we develop a rapport
[/QUOTE]that’s my other advice. Sometimes it takes time. My #1 is a warmoth parts bass so I couldn’t play it until I got it put together and I owned it at that point. I was pretty disappointed with it at first and set it aside for a year or two. Somewhere along the way I started playing it some and eventually we reached an understanding. Not sure what changes but it’s the one I’d run back into a burning house for today
And just in case no one has said so before, welcome to Talkbass. We can solve all your problems. All it takes is money.
there’s really no musical problem that can’t be solved by more gear
AQUANOVA
I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong
I would always start at a string change and set up before anything else.
Bad strings on a good bass is pretty much unplayable for me.
Since you say you're not a very experienced player, I would suggest DR Sunbeams.
They are a low tension string that will feel easy on your hands.
Bad strings on a good bass is pretty much unplayable for me.
Since you say you're not a very experienced player, I would suggest DR Sunbeams.
They are a low tension string that will feel easy on your hands.
Tons of great advice already, A few things jump out at me:
-each bass has a personality. Don’t fight the differences, embrace them!
-check that setup! If you don’t have measurement tools I highly recommend them. Cheap, and eliminates the guesswork.
-strings! Sometimes you just gotta find the right pairing. You could either go bright like a stainless steel, see if you can liven it up- or go full 180 and get something dark like a Pressurewound or flatwound.
-if you really like the playability and feel of the Fender, you could consider a pickup change. But I’d only do that after you’ve exhausted the other options.
good luck!
edit typo
-each bass has a personality. Don’t fight the differences, embrace them!
-check that setup! If you don’t have measurement tools I highly recommend them. Cheap, and eliminates the guesswork.
-strings! Sometimes you just gotta find the right pairing. You could either go bright like a stainless steel, see if you can liven it up- or go full 180 and get something dark like a Pressurewound or flatwound.
-if you really like the playability and feel of the Fender, you could consider a pickup change. But I’d only do that after you’ve exhausted the other options.
good luck!
edit typo
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I played one of these as my main for several years, always enjoyed the sound. Just found some old band tapes I did with it, and it’s nice. I sold it because I got an Ibanez SR800, and it was just so easy to play.
As others mentioned, I also tend to prefer my P/Js with the neck pickup dimed and the bridge pickup not fully rolled up (on some basses just a smidge, others halfway or so… just depends on the bass). For me that gives a nice fat p bass sound with some added punch from just a bit of bridge. On my fender boxer i have my TBX just slightly boosted (just a little past the indent) most of the time.
Wonderful! If you ever want to swap the pickups I'd buy them in a heartbeat!
Anyway get some rounds and max that tone pot.
Anyway get some rounds and max that tone pot.
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I’m not sure I understand what you find objectionable. I own a Fender PJ and it rocks live, and records extremely well. Keep in mind, I grew up in an era when if you heard an electric bass, it was almost always was a Fender bass. So it’s ingrained in my brain.
That said, it isn’t the only bass voice out there, and there is nothing wrong with you having a preference for your Yamaha. My advice is to give your Fender some time to find to find what you like about it. Different strings were mentioned, but also EQ settings and amp settings can make a huge difference.
Personally I prefer Fender basses with the volume and tone up all the way, then do your tonal adjustment on the amp/preamp. This will give you the hottest possible gain, and you will notice it will not sound dull. Set the EQ to flat, then boost your low midrange smidge. If needed, add a slight amount of bass and roll off a little treble to taste. Just remember to take your time and make adjustments in small amounts
best wishes.
That said, it isn’t the only bass voice out there, and there is nothing wrong with you having a preference for your Yamaha. My advice is to give your Fender some time to find to find what you like about it. Different strings were mentioned, but also EQ settings and amp settings can make a huge difference.
Personally I prefer Fender basses with the volume and tone up all the way, then do your tonal adjustment on the amp/preamp. This will give you the hottest possible gain, and you will notice it will not sound dull. Set the EQ to flat, then boost your low midrange smidge. If needed, add a slight amount of bass and roll off a little treble to taste. Just remember to take your time and make adjustments in small amounts
best wishes.
