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I’m done with jazz basses

#23
I think it just really sounds like you dig the P sound & vibe more than a J. Nothing wrong with that. I use both and can get sounds from each of them that I like. For some situations, I prefer the P, others I prefer the J. I really don't think there's a catchall, all-purpose answer to this, just whatever you can make work to your satisfaction.
 
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#24
Raw N Low said:
What kind of amp are you using if you don't mind me asking? Sometimes it's a combination of different factors to get the sound that you like. Depending on the style of music you may need to look into amps and cabs.
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Multiple amps and cabs. My own that I rarely use is a Markbass 410 and lil' mark tube amp, but mostly I play the amps at our shared rehearsal space or whatever is at the club.
 
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#25
I have never owned a J and never will. They just flat don't sound that good to me most of the time, even though some players can get great sounds out of them. There are better sounds for my purposes, so no J. I can get the sounds I want to hear without a J, so I have never had a reason to experiment with one.
 
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#26
https://images.reverb.com/image/upl...90,w_620/v1408622699/ywj73u2wjnqgj3zrsuyq.jpg

I`ve found a Jazz needs to run through an outboard preamp to give it balls live, I run mine through either my MXR M81 or Aphex Bass Xciter and boy does it shine. Except the Sadowsky which has its own pre. I hear what you`re saying though but I just don't get the same responsiveness from a P bass and cant handle the neck width.

A good solution is a P bass special, thin neck and PJ pickup configuration. They sound great ! ( and look cool in Seafoam green :) )
 
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#28
DiabolusInMusic said:
Do your Jazz basses have a series/parallel switch? If you like how they play, try putting one in. It will bring the tone closer to that of a P bass, you'll get a lot more mids. If you are just not bonding with the bass in general, move along. Nothing wrong with not liking Jazz basses.
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Series and straight to the jack is what did it for me. Glad I figured it out too because I like how J basses feel in my hands.

But yeah @Garagiste if the feel isn't something you're worried about, you may as well stick with what you know you like. :thumbsup:
 
#30
Alexis Duntov said:
Well, the two that I have. For the life of me I can’t get them to deliver, either in rehearsal or live. They sound great at home, but they just don’t have that punch that my P basses do. More power to those of you who can get this instrument to sound good. In my hands and to my ears, it’s thin. I know this is old hat, but I think I’m just done doing the same thing every few months and expecting a different result.

My number one bass the last 18 months has been my Japanese Sting bass with chromes. It’s a one trick pony but it always delivers. I know it worked for JPJ, Larry Graham, Jaco, Geddy, but the Jazz Bass doesn’t for me. My research project is over.

Here’s a recent clip of my Sting bass delivering the goods.
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I used J's for years. Loved to play them, but always hated my tone on records. Then I started making records and hated my tone then. I thought I was a J bass guy because of my style on the instrument and many of my favorite players in the past using them.

Finally went back to a Pbass and Chromes and I love my tone on records and love mixing the bass on my own stuff as well again.

So yeah, I understand completely.
 
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#31
Pickups.

Same boat, so I bent over and bought a set of Chisonic's from Hanson in J sized housings. Big improvement, and I was playing it in a heavy stoner/doom band. At the same time I was using an Elec-trix harness that uses a blend instead of 2 volumes and a tone cap selector for different values. This is the only way I have gotten any kind of meat out of a Jazz in a live situation.

jz5e2hifotetx4fcinmd.jpg
 
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#33
Alexis Duntov said:
Yes, absolutely! What's not to love about the tone of the J players I mentioned? Many players in the Groove/Soul/R&B as well as Rock genres can get solid Jazz Bass tones and punch. Just not me. Joe Osborn's tone is amazing. Anthony Jackson's tone (in the old days when he played a J) was phenomenal. Will Lee had no trouble. But it just never works for me. I'm constantly fiddling with settings on the instrument and/or the amp. With a P I just play and it always sounds good and I can focus on the music. So I think the key for me is to try and evolve my technique a bit to get different sounds out of the P besides just finger style and pick. Maybe playing closer to the bridge on some numbers.
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You will find that the P is very responsive to your playing technique. It isn't only where on the string you pluck, it is also how you pluck. Experiment with how you touch the string and where. If you want aggressive, get almost between the body and the string and pull up. If you want a soft sound, use your thumb over the end of the fretboard.
The P is NOT a 1 trick pony. Those who think so only know one trick.
 
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#36
Makatak said:
https://images.reverb.com/image/upl...90,w_620/v1408622699/ywj73u2wjnqgj3zrsuyq.jpg

I`ve found a Jazz needs to run through an outboard preamp to give it balls live, I run mine through either my MXR M81 or Aphex Bass Xciter and boy does it shine. Except the Sadowsky which has its own pre. I hear what you`re saying though but I just don't get the same responsiveness from a P bass and cant handle the neck width.

A good solution is a P bass special, thin neck and PJ pickup configuration. They sound great ! ( and look cool in Seafoam green :) )
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Those are cool and I’ve heard great tones from them live. But sounded pretty much like a P to my ears. Might be a different experience playing it.
 
#38
Spent said:
I have a Fender Jazz Deluxe Fretless which has plenty of punch, but it is active. That being said, I'm not a fan of passive jazz basses. I have over 20 basses (yes, I have a problem) and find that I'm pretty much playing PJs. IMHO its the best sound.
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Is that factory or a de-fret? I never knew Fender made Deluxes (or even Am. Dlx.) in a fretless config.
 
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#39
I went through a similar situation. Have had a few different Js throughout the years. Always preferred my L-2000, split and single Ps. Sold off all my Js and was fine for a while. Got the itch for on and just picked up a super cheap Squier Affinity J. Works great to keep around and scratch that itch, and I don't feel guilty for not playing it when I gig.

Js are cool, but play what works for you. :thumbsup:
 
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