Help me improve my jazz bass tone

[roccobladr]

I have a 2015 MIM Jazz bass that I love. The neck is great, it's light weight and just feels good. The only downside is the tone. It feels like it lacks some "oomph".

For example, I'm playing in a pop-punk cover band. I do have a player plus P-bass that I'll use but it does not play nearly as good as my jazz bass. The downside is that most of these songs sound much better with the P-Pickup than my jazz bass neck pickup with that lower-midrange tone the P-bass provides.

I was considering replacing the pickups and maybe go with the EMG setup that also has a preamp.
I also thought for a second of putting a p-pickup in the body but I'd rather not go that route.
Would a pedal with EQ help more? (I've had my eye on an hx stomp)

What would be the best way to get my jazz bass closer to that tone?

 

[michael_t]

I have a 2015 MIM Jazz bass that I love. The neck is great, it's light weight and just feels good. The only downside is the tone. It feels like it lacks some "oomph".

For example, I'm playing in a pop-punk cover band. I do have a player plus P-bass that I'll use but it does not play nearly as good as my jazz bass. The downside is that most of these songs sound much better with the P-Pickup than my jazz bass neck pickup with that lower-midrange tone the P-bass provides.

I was considering replacing the pickups and maybe go with the EMG setup that also has a preamp.
I also thought for a second of putting a p-pickup in the body but I'd rather not go that route.
Would a pedal with EQ help more? (I've had my eye on an hx stomp)

What would be the best way to get my jazz bass closer to that tone?

How about re-wiring the J pickups from parallel to series? That should give you the low-mid oomph you're lacking.

 

[Moving Pictures]

First things I would try would be to raise or lower the pickups and change the strings before replacing the pickups. Basically you are ensuring the bass is setup properly. Never underestimate a good setup. Strings can have a big impact on sound. On my Jazz basses I use Hi Beams and Pure Blues, but you need to figure out what is the best string for you.

I would also look at the EQ on my amp and then possibly add in a preamp pedal. You don't really mention an amp so I am not sure if you use one or go direct. The Stomp is well liked but I haven't used it. I have had great success with the SansAmp BDDI and the Aguilar ToneHammer.

Regardless, I would play around more with what you already have, change strings, etc, before going straight to a pickup replacement. If you are still not satisified, by all means replace the pickups. Many great choices out there.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I ended up installing a John East J-Retro preamp in my MIA Fender Jazz. It definitely helped add more punch and balls to the tone, but it’s still not quite the same sound as a P. Another option might be to consider buying a Jazz neck (or seeing if you can swap the necks on your two basses) and installing it on your Precision.

 

[Artman]

I have a 2015 MIM Jazz bass that I love. The neck is great, it's light weight and just feels good. The only downside is the tone. It feels like it lacks some "oomph".

For example, I'm playing in a pop-punk cover band. I do have a player plus P-bass that I'll use but it does not play nearly as good as my jazz bass. The downside is that most of these songs sound much better with the P-Pickup than my jazz bass neck pickup with that lower-midrange tone the P-bass provides.

I was considering replacing the pickups and maybe go with the EMG setup that also has a preamp.
I also thought for a second of putting a p-pickup in the body but I'd rather not go that route.
Would a pedal with EQ help more? (I've had my eye on an hx stomp)

What would be the best way to get my jazz bass closer to that tone?

Your J-Bass is never going to sound exactly like your P-Bass. Different pickup placement, and different pickup shape.
You can get relatively close though by switching to some humbucking pickups, each one with its two coils wired in series, otherwise normal J-Bass passive wiring.
I've found the DiMarzio Model J with the neck pickup either solo or with a tiny bit of bridge pickup in the mix gets you into the ballpark.

 

[BGroovy]

If you like the tone of your P and the neck of your J - swap them! They're interchangeable.

A preamp is a good solution to add some ballz to that J tone (The John East mentioned is great and pretty easy to install, can find them used here often).

The J bass sound is heavy on the scooped mids, the neck pickup alone gives some warmth and "jazz", but the style of music your playing may be better served by a P Bass with a Quarter Pounder and a Jazz neck.

 

[roccobladr]

If you like the tone of your P and the neck of your J - swap them! They're interchangeable.

A preamp is a good solution to add some ballz to that J tone (The John East mentioned is great and pretty easy to install, can find them used here often).

The J bass sound is heavy on the scooped mids, the neck pickup alone gives some warmth and "jazz", but the style of music your playing may be better served by a P Bass with a Quarter Pounder and a Jazz neck.

I guess I could also buy a loaded P-bass body somewhere and put the jazz neck on that? I've considered this route, but honestly I just love the vibes of my jazz bass for this pop-punk band since its naturally relic'd and such and just feels good all round.

 

[DrBnz]

The key thing there is you said it feels good, so I take it the neck is perfect for you. That's great cause most everything else we can change. I'd get a set of Fralin pups and an Obsidian Vintage (solder-less) wire harness, all topped off with a set of Roto 66. Then the critical part is to have a detailed setup done (Pickup heights and everything). This alone will get you where you wanna be. If you still don't like it after gone this far, then you need to look at the other end (Amp / Speakers / Pedals / HEARING AIDs).

 

[RattleSnack]

First do a proper setup, to be certain there isn't something out of normal, and then play with pickups balance.
I played lots of soul music on Jazz bass with just neck pickup soloed. It has lovely sound, tighter than P (IMO of course). Then try to mix in a little bit of bridge pickup at time and see how you like it.

 

[Geogio]

1. Keep it passive.
Buy a Behringer 7 band eq pedal ( $30ish) to see if that's a route to take.
EMG passive plug and plays
It might even attempt to sound like a Pbass after all that. The Seven band EQ pedal might do it without all the other rigmarole

2. Buy a matching MIM Pbass.
Buy a Behringer 7 band eq pedal ( $30ish) to see if that's a route to take.
EMG passive plug and plays
It might even attempt to sound like a Pbass after all that. The Seven band EQ pedal might do it without all the other rigmarole.

I forgot to add strings... I have my favorites and they're Flats but I'm not advising anybody on strings.

Disclaimer: I recommend the Behringer only because it's dirt cheap, and it will get the job done for the purpose of this exercise... and if a stompbox 7-band eq ain't the fix that you're looking for - you're not out a lot of money.

 

[Winton]

Just use your Pbass. It works well in punk and you can never make your jazz sound like it.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

As mentioned. Wire the pickups in series. Oh, and turn the tone knob down

 

[LowWay]

don’t try to make your jazz sound like your P. But do find a sound in your jazz that you like. I was in a pop punk band in the 90s and played a Tobias with 2 jazz pickups. Bartolinis with bartolini 2 band preamp. Sounded great.

Start with strings and pickup height. Then experiment with preamp and pickups.

 

[Kevnn4]

Which amp/cab or combo are you using?

 

[Gervais Cote]

For me, there would be only two options :

-1 : Use a precision bass

-2 : Install some Dimarzio Model J in your jazz bass

I tried many other stuff without any satisfying results.

 

[Kaa]

I have DiMarzio Js wired in series in my mutt and they sound very full and girthy.

 

[BGroovy]

also going down the pedal rabbit hole is always an option. HX Stomp if you want a swiss army knife but also a Dark Glass or Origin Effects can give you more range than an onboard pre would.

 

[mikeswals]

Which amp/cab or combo are you using?

Yup, I would start here. Some amps sound brutal, some sound polite.

Your Jazz should work fine as is. Back off the bridge volume knob a hair, you'll hear the mids start jumping out. And adjust the neck pickup height as high as it will go without you hitting it with your strings.

Or as mentioned above, if you would rather go for the series sound, you can simply disconnect a couple of wires and tie them together for series wiring. Then you only have one volume knob and tone knob.

 

[LowendG]

Your J-Bass is never going to sound exactly like your P-Bass. Different pickup placement, and different pickup shape.
You can get relatively close though by switching to some humbucking pickups, each one with its two coils wired in series, otherwise normal J-Bass passive wiring.
I've found the DiMarzio Model J with the neck pickup either solo or with a tiny bit of bridge pickup in the mix gets you into the ballpark.

Yep, Model J's will get you in that ballpark. If I didn't have any P's, and just Jazzes, I'd be sure and have one with those in it. Doesn't sound like a traditional J though.

 

[swagbotbilly]

Plenty of J-bass in pop-punk. Favor the neck pup and don't be afraid to tweak your amp EQ. It won't be exactly the same but I love playing the J on that whole genre for the bite.