How Many Metalheads Here Use A Jazz Bass?

I used a Peavey Foundation, which is a Jazz copy, in my original metal band for almost 10 years.

The only reason that I don't use it anymore is because I prefer using a 6 string or a 12 string for heavy music, and it(and my Jazz bass) only have 4 strings.

 

I play in a band that plays metal. We play lots of different stuff - from RATM to Slayer. I use an Essex SJB-62QMD jazz. I hope to get a fender GL jazz bass soon. A lot of people look at me weird because the other guitarists in my band use ESP F series guitars (super pointy). But screw them i love the sound and feel of a jazz bass.

 

that's the thing about the Fender Jazz, I've literally seen it in every type of modern music...so I guess that since its a standard sound today, what the hell, lets see it in metal!

 

I play metal and just got a roscoe beck and a fender jazz fmt model. I will never play anything else. I prefer the roscoe over the fmt but I play both when I play live.

 

a Jazz will work well in just about anything..... the only question is making sure you have enough low end for metal, whcih some models are a bit shy of.

 

Nothing like a good growl to cut through in metal.

Jazz basses all the way!

 

I use a Yamaha BB1500A (active jazz copy)

 

Jazz body with a (very flat) P neck! Growl, comfort and best fit for my left hand so far!

 

I played metal primarily in the 80's and early 90's (not the hair band stuff) and play some old Metallica and Sabbath now. I use Jazz style 5's exclusively. Wouldn't have it any other way.

 

I don't, but not on account of the sound. I simply have no tolerance for a 4 string with a nut less than 1.65" at the nut (42mm). THe 5 string Jazzes I've played I've liked well enough, but the 4s are too narrow at the nut for my meat hands.

 

cronos from venom uses a jazz bass as well, i think jazz basses are okay for metal, to me humbuckers break down the bass and fundamental sound associated with metal, P-basses have no tight mid girth, and J-basses has no low-end push like humbuckers. but both can be used fairly well.
i have a P/J setup on my bass, i think the J tightens the sound well, with the punch of the P.

 

I used to play metal and for years my axes of choice were Jazz Basses with EMGs and a Badass II bridges. I found this to be a very versatile set up and quiet as well. You have more muscle than your standard passive set up an you still cut through the mix. I'd later upgrade to a G&L ASAT bass which is basically a Fender Jazz on steroids albeit shaped like a Telecaster. My ASAT has all the mods and then some already built in plus the comfy Jazz-style neck.

I've tried some Mex. Jazz Deluxes (4 and 5 string models) that seem to be pretty good bang for the buck IMHO. Though my metal years are behind me, I could see these axes doing the job and then some on a budget. I mean, if it MUST be a Jazz, then I'd give these guys a shot.

If you do take the passive electronics root, I'd give the ole PJ set up a go. Many Fender knock offs have them and now Fender has this Aerodyne Bass that seems to fit this bill. Otherwise there's plenty of P bass hot rods with a PJ set up out there.

r

 

Jazzes are as common in metal as in pretty much any other pop/rock genre.

The bassist from Opeth plays a Marcus Miller Jazz model for example.

 

I use a MIM jazz with Barts and a baddass 2 bridge, sounds killer

 

i wouldn't say there that popular in metal, id say humbuckers are the most popular in metal. i can name jason newsted/cronos/opeth guy/ and a little bit more. but the scene is packed with humbucker users.

 

Just because it is a jazz bass doesn't mean that it won't fit into the metal tunes you play. Go with what you think sounds and feels good to you, be an individual. I use to play nothing but Jacksons and I loved all of them but I now have two Roscoe LG 3005s, a Warwick Thumb NT 4, Warwick Streamer Stage II 4, and I now just purchased a F Bass BN 5. The Warwick you will see being used in some of the modern hard rock/metal bands but you sure wouldn't see a Roscoe or F Bass.

Shawn

http://community.webshots.com/user/pistoleroace

 

I love J-basses, but I would have to have a couple things on a J-bass if I ever got one:

1)Gotta have a P-bass neck.

2)Gotta have an On/Off switch. The two volume knobs gets annoying to me.

3)BadAss II bridge, adds lots of clarity and snap and punch.

4)a 2nd string tree. A little thing I have.

5)Possibly Bartolini pickups.


That's about it. I have an SX SJB-62 Fretless, which I'm going to coat the fretboard, add a 2nd string tree, possibly an on/off switch, add some Bart pickups (probably the 9J1 in the neck position and 9K1 in the bridge position), swap out the pots and input jack and put on some J-bass knobs. I might also switch the pickguard for a black one.

 

Jason Newsted plays 5 string Sadowsky Jazzes with pretty good effect.John Paul Jones played Jazzes on most of Led Zeppelins music,but that's old news.