How do YOU define "Jazz Bass"?

[2cooltoolz]

I was checking out the post,“Coolest jazz basses ever?”
and started wondering. How do YOU define a Jazz Bass?
Apparently “Made By Fender” is not a requirement. Is it the reduced body size? The offset body? The slimmer neck? Control plate? Two single coil pickups? Or simply the lack of a “split-P” pickup?
Can you have a single pickup Jazz? How about two humbuckers (Roscoe Beck model)? Is the Stingray a Jazz Bass? How about the MM Sterling, which MM advertises as designed for JB players?

Or is it just, “I know one when I see it.”

Okay...THIS is a Jazz Bass:

Geddy's upgraded '72 Jazz:

It's a Fender Roscoe Beck model.

Although it's now a P/J and has Sadowsky styled control knobs, I think it's quite a nice Jazz (Dingwall SuperJ 5).

Michael Dolan Custom 6string jazz bass

Two special Jazz basses I own.
de afwerking Leo tribute:
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Build by me, my personal take on a Jazz bass.

My old T. Anderson

All beautiful! All Jazz Basses....

 

[Mr.Fingers]

offset body
2 pickups
skinny neck
the metal controlplate
all-tuners-in-line headstock

 

[facepalmmaster]

I was checking out the post,“Coolest jazz basses ever?”
and started wondering. How do YOU define a Jazz Bass?
Apparently “Made By Fender” is not a requirement. Is it the reduced body size? The comfort contours? The slimmer neck? Control plate? Two single coil pickups? Or simply the lack of a “split-P” pickup?
Can you have a single pickup Jazz? How about two humbuckers (Roscoe Beck model)? Is the Stingray a Jazz Bass? How about the MM Sterling, which MM advertises as designed for JB players?

Or is it just, “I know one when I see it.”

Okay...THIS is a Jazz Bass:







All beautiful! All Jazz Basses....

I think all it really has to have is the 2 jazz pickups and a thin neck. I like the look of the offset body, but it doesnt necessarily have to have it.

 

[TonyP-]

I think all it really has to have is the 2 jazz pickups and a thin neck. I like the look of the offset body, but it doesnt necessarily have to have it.

+1
1.5 nut (or close) on a 4 along with the 2 J style pickups in that same basic 'positioning'.

 

[2cooltoolz]

Yep, forgot the headstock. Sheesh...

 

[KingRazor]

Two jazz pickups and an offset body.

 

[Silver Blues]

Gotta have the 1.5" nut width neck, and the offset body. Anything else is fair game. Some might say that a Jazz has to have a pickguard and/or control plate, but this isn't necessarily the defining "Jazz Bass" feature.

--Silvie

 

[bubinga5]

I think all it really has to have is the 2 jazz pickups and a thin neck. I like the look of the offset body, but it doesnt necessarily have to have it.

i just dont get this... you wouldnt call a horse a horse if it looked like a cat..? a jazz basses shape is so iconic... its possibly the most important thing about it... that and the single coil jazz pickups.... its baffling to me why anyone would think otherwise..??

any other jazz bass is a copy of a Fender Jazz bass.... if it doesnt look or sound like one its NOT a jazz bass... there is a very good reason why Fender have the rights to the name... there is no blurring of lines of what a jazz bass is...

 

[SJan3]

i just dont get this... you wouldnt call a horse a horse if it looked like a cat..? a jazz basses shape is so iconic... its possibly the most important thing about it... that and the single coil jazz pickups.... its baffling to me why anyone would think otherwise..??

any other jazz bass is a copy of a Fender Jazz bass.... if it doesnt look or sound like one its NOT a jazz bass... there is a very good reason why Fender have the rights to the name... there is no blurring of lines of what a jazz bass is...

This is correct. If its not a Fender Jazz Bass, its a copy. Some copies are clearly outstanding but call it what it is. A true jazz bass is a particular design owned and made by Fender.

 

[afzoomie67]

Who makes the last one? It says T. Anderson but I can't find them online..

 

[Ric5]

 

[plankspanker13]

Skinny neck and 2 pickups; the rest is cosmetics. A hot babe is still a hot babe, whether she wears a skirt, shorts, or tight jeans.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I think the pickups, and their placement, are the key to what makes a jazz bass sound like a jazz bass.

 

[BioDriver]

Offset body
Two "single-row" pickups (single coil or split, doesn't matter)
Knobs in line
Slim neck
Fender or Fender-style

 

[I<34080]

combo of body and pick ups.

 

[t77mackie]

"Jazz Bass" is a registered trademark of the Fender Music Co. - you'll have to check with the PTC lawyers...

 

[DenverKen]

To me, a Jazz bass is a Fender-made Jazz bass. Anything else is a Jazz-style bass.

I have a Sadowsky R5-24 which is very loosely based on a Fender Jazz Bass, in that is has an offset waist and two pickups, but it has two humbuckers with the neck one being closer to the bridge one than you'd see in a Fender Jazz. Personally I really like that sound.

Enjoying the photos, people! Some of you have amazing basses and a few homemade ones that just RAWK!

 

[Spectrum]

In my mind? Body (and brand name) only.

Pickups don't matter. Fender makes Jazz basses with P/J (Aerodyne) and P/P (Blacktop) and H/H (Modern Player) configurations, and calls them Jazz basses.

Fender also makes a Jaguar which is basically an active Jazz in everything but body shape, but it's a Jaguar, not a Jazz.

Also, if it doesn't say "Fender" or "Squier" on it, then it's a Jazz copy, not a Jazz, even if it's nicer.

That's just how I look at it. Your differ may mileage.

 

[mellowinman]

I refuse to vote in any poll that doesn't have carrots as an option.


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THIS is my personal definition of a Jazz Bass.

However, I ACCEPT the definitions on the thread in question, that an offset body, slim neck, and dual single coil pickups is a Jazz.

And really, whatever bass you have, if you WANT to call it a Jazz, you may. I would be a fool to try and stop you.

 

[esa372]

If its not a Fender Jazz Bass, its a copy. Some copies are clearly outstanding but call it what it is. A true jazz bass is a particular design owned and made by Fender.

+1