I’m done with jazz basses

[Alexis Duntov]

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 )

How about an Aguilar Tone Hammer? Any experience with that?

 

[stefancaunter]

Like all guitars you need a good one. I press my ear into the top horn of a fender bass and pluck the E - if it’s overwhelmingly loud and full you’ve got one. The wood sound there is ultimately all that will come through in recording or reinforced reproduction. I passed on a 1961 Precision this year. Did not have it.

 

[selowitch]

Like all guitars you need a good one. I press my ear into the top horn of a fender bass and pluck the E - if it’s overwhelmingly loud and full you’ve got one. The wood sound there is ultimately all that will come through in recording or reinforced reproduction. I passed on a 1961 Precision this year. Did not have it.

Interesting technique. Since volume is relative, wouldn’t you need to have at least one other bass to compare it to?

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Like all guitars you need a good one. I press my ear into the top horn of a fender bass and pluck the E - if it’s overwhelmingly loud and full you’ve got one. The wood sound there is ultimately all that will come through in recording or reinforced reproduction. I passed on a 1961 Precision this year. Did not have it.

Yes...BUT, keep in mind, the neck/body joint sometimes is not 100%.

The neck screws should pass FREELY thru the body, so as to pull the body down tightly to the neck mating surface....i've remedied many cheaper guitars in this manner, sometimes a substantial difference in sustain and resonance is the result.

 

[selowitch]

The neck screws should pass FREELY thru the body, so as to pull the body down tightly to the neck mating surface

By that do you mean that the holes through which the neck bolts pass should be of greater diameter than the shaft of the bolts? Also, what do you think of using threaded inserts?

 

[DavidEdenAria]

By that do you mean that the holes through which the neck bolts pass should be of greater diameter than the shaft of the bolts? Also, what do you think of using threaded inserts?

The screws pass freely, but not loose either, thru the body....in other words, the body should NOT have threads, only the neck should have threads where the screws pull against, thus pulling the neck to the body tightly.

I have a few guitars with threaded inserts in the neck and all seem to sustain and sound decent.....i have 3 bolt and 5 bolt necks as well that are solid.

Otoh, i've had some set neck guitars that were lacking sustain....likely, not good resonant necks in the 1st place.....that's my experience anyway fwiw!

 

[Makatak]

How about an Aguilar Tone Hammer? Any experience with that?

Yes, had a 350 for one gig. Sold it the next day ( I`m fairly brutal ) . Gave a good midrange presence but wasn`t really into the tone. I did use an Aguilar DB924 outboard for a few months, liked it even though it was a bit glassy, as soon as my MXR81 arrived the Aggie was gone too.

 

[mesaplayer83]

Yes, had a 350 for one gig. Sold it the next day ( I`m fairly brutal ) . Gave a good midrange presence but wasn`t really into the tone. I did use an Aguilar DB924 outboard for a few months, liked it even though it was a bit glassy, as soon as my MXR81 arrived the Aggie was gone too.

I had a Tonehammer DI pedal, and MXR M80 that I flipped, and an MXR M81 I kept - I get that....

 

[stefancaunter]

Interesting technique. Since volume is relative, wouldn’t you need to have at least one other bass to compare it to?

No. It’s got to sound good on its own. The sound it makes against the side of your head is exactly what you’re going to be reproducing through an amp.

 

[monsterthompson]

Well...
I dusted off my Nash JB63 tonight. It plays like a dream and records nicely. I cut together this rough idea:
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Guess I'm keeping my J for recording and noodling.

 

[davegt666]

I dig the P-Bass tone a lot in the studio, but live, at least in my band, it doesn't work well for everysong. I need that Jazz bass or PJ articulation with the second pickup.

Never had a problem getting lowend out of a jazz bass. However, when I play a jazz I'm already in a different mindset and not looking for that "P-Bass" sound.

 

[Alexis Duntov]

Yes, had a 350 for one gig. Sold it the next day ( I`m fairly brutal ) . Gave a good midrange presence but wasn`t really into the tone. I did use an Aguilar DB924 outboard for a few months, liked it even though it was a bit glassy, as soon as my MXR81 arrived the Aggie was gone too.

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.

Update: I ordered an MXR M81 pre-amp pedal last night. A few of you mentioned using outboard pre-amps to really get Jazz basses on their feet. I listened to a few demos and was impressed with the available added punch. Will report back.

 

[mesaplayer83]

Update: I ordered an MXR M81 pre-amp pedal last night. A few of you mentioned using outboard pre-amps to really get Jazz basses on their feet. I listened to a few demos and was impressed with the available added punch. Will report back.

I really like my M81 - it gives some decent EQ versatility, doesn't add any noise or lack of clarity - and it functions as a very good DI, regardless of how you use it...

 

[stefancaunter]

Yes...BUT, keep in mind, the neck/body joint sometimes is not 100%.

The neck screws should pass FREELY thru the body, so as to pull the body down tightly to the neck mating surface....i've remedied many cheaper guitars in this manner, sometimes a substantial difference in sustain and resonance is the result.

Well the wood itself is to a guitar, what the soil you grow grapes in, is to wine. This is the fundamental source of quality.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Well the wood itself is to a guitar, what the soil you grow grapes in, is to wine. This is the fundamental source of quality.

Its been said with Strats for example that certain years like 1965 were best overall but good examples exist from most years as well as dogs.

The way the wood is cut and definitely the individual example are some of the variances.

Same with wine from the exact same vineyard year to year.....atmospheric conditions vary.

 

[Makatak]

Update: I ordered an MXR M81 pre-amp pedal last night. A few of you mentioned using outboard pre-amps to really get Jazz basses on their feet. I listened to a few demos and was impressed with the available added punch. Will report back.

Well done ! Good investment and I`m sure you`ll be impressed. A " night and day ' difference to your tone !

 

[Clef_de_fa]

What if I don't enjoy Pees and Jeez bass ??? Am I againts the holy church of the Peas and Jezz that is on TB ???

 

[stingray69]

In Soviet Russia - Jazz bass is done with YOU! j/k

I hope the M81 does the trick for you. I've always wanted to give that pedal a spin myself, but haven't yet. Heard only great things about it though.

 

[LoTone]

I totally get it. I am a P Bass Man. I have a Jazz Bass as a play toy at home because it sounds good on its own. However, in the mix, it just does not compare to a P IMHO.