FNG learns quickly that P bass < J bass

[eljayskiwho]

I've pulled the trigger for an American Vintage II 1960 P-bass, new. A commercial seller on Reverb made me a (good) unsolicited offer which I accepted. NBD coming in a few days, I hope.

 

[Michael Jewels]

I, personally prefer the sound of a Jazz bass, but prefer the wide 1.75" pre CBS neck.

Go figure.

Mike

 

[dbsfgyd1]

for me, anyway.

I'm a guitarist first and foremost but I'm venturing into bass territory for the fun of it. I've had a Ric 4003 for 12 or 13 years but just dabbled with it. Recently got it professionally set up with Optima flatwounds and love the result. Became curious about Fender so pulled the trigger not long ago on a gently used Vintage II '66 J which I've guickly learned to love as well. Starting to play with good multi-finger RH technique. The question arose, how would I like a Precision bass?

This very morning, Fedex delivered to me a used Vintera II Road Worn '60s Precision Bass. Took maybe 5 minutes for me to check the return policy of the seller, Franklin Guitar Works. The email requesting a return label is already sent and the instrument is packed back up for the journey home.

The wide fretboard of the P didn't appeal to me at all and I realized instantly that the Precision would get no playing time, so best to undo the mistake. Had to scratch the itch, though. Thanks for reading!

No law that say you have to like a PB. It's your money your art and your hands.

Glad you have a bass you like. Some here have been searching for decades for what you have.

 

[TomB]

I, personally prefer the sound of a Jazz bass, but prefer the wide 1.75" pre CBS neck.

Go figure.

Mike

No reason that combo won't work. I've rarely seen it though. Have you?

 

[Paul New]

I like both, and my first bass was a jazz, but there's something about how the P mixes with other instruments that makes it my first choice. For me the P was an acquired taste. The difference is most apparent on the low end of the range.

My main electric is a Yamaha P/J but I rarely dial in the J pickup.

I think that a J could be anyone's only bass though, and be just fine.

 

[Michael Jewels]

No reason that combo won't work. I've rarely seen it though. Have you?

Actually, no, but let me explain.

I have always loved the less percussive, more articulate sound of a Jazz bass.

I'm not criticizing Precisions, just stating what I like.

Now, onto neck width.

I have always preferred a wide neck. I have an Ibanez BTB1205E, which has a nut width of 1.85", and it fits my hand perfectly.

When I was in my teens, a friend of mine bought a 1965 Precision in 1972, and I was lucky enough to have played this bass about 50 times over a ten year period. Being a pre-CBS P-bass, it had the 1.75 inch nut width, and I loved it.

So, no, I've never played a Jazz bass with a wide nut, but my BTB comes close to a Jazz in tone with a wide nut.

Mike

 

[Michael Jewels]

My BTB. Although you can't tell from this picture, the nut width is 1.85"

Yes, it is a 5 string.

 

[Michael Jewels]

And, although I don't own a Fender Jazz, this is my Filakovsky custom Jazz.

Swamp ash body
Koa top
Ebony fingerboard
Sadowsky pickups and VTC circuit

Imagine how it sounds.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I've been all over the place on neck size and feel. Started with a Japanese EB-3 copy, then a couple of Japanese and Italian Hofner copies before finding my forever bass, 62 P bass with the wide but thin neck. Since then I play whatever but it's all compared to the 62. The next favorite neck feel in my stable is my Carvin Bunny Brunel 5-string. That has the closest feel to my 62

I have a couple of Jazz basses that get played as well.

 

[TomB]

View attachment 7527231
My BTB. Although you can't tell from this picture, the nut width is 1.85"

Yes, it is a 5 string.

Is bridge spacing 17.5mm?

 

[Yahboy]

Vintera 50sP @ 44mm nut width, Squeir Matt Freeman P @ 42mm nut width , Bacchus BPB1RSM @ 38mm nut width .

From Vintage C to Modern C until Slim C , all play well in my hand.

Plus zero issue on 34-35.5' Ibanez SRMS725 too....

 

[TomB]

I've been all over the place on neck size and feel. Started with a Japanese EB-3 copy, then a couple of Japanese and Italian Hofner copies before finding my forever bass, 62 P bass with the wide but thin neck. Since then I play whatever but it's all compared to the 62. The next favorite neck feel in my stable is my Carvin Bunny Brunel 5-string. That has the closest feel to my 62

I have a couple of Jazz basses that get played as well.

My history and approach is similar. Being teethed on both '60's P's and J's (still have one of each), I'm pretty comfortable with most necks, except very round ones like the late '60's Tele basses and their ilk. Even through the fog of years I can recall thinking "this is fat" when I played one. …never owned one. The '61 P and '63 J necks are my touchstones. I don't think of one as better than the other. Horses for courses.