This possibility has occurred to me. My current main is a P bass with some electronic mods (still passive, though) that is so completely my jam as to be nearly bonkers-level, and I was hoping my J would/could be brought up to speed, but, you could be right. I dig the way it plays, mostly, but the sound is severely lacking.
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This possibility has occurred to me. My current main is a P bass with some electronic mods (still passive, though) that is so completely my jam as to be nearly bonkers-level, and I was hoping my J would/could be brought up to speed, but, you could be right. I dig the way it plays, mostly, but the sound is severely lacking.
Freekmagnet
Commercial User
I just posted something similar to this just yesterday! I have Sadowski Black label flats on mine, and I didn't like my J for reasons similar to what you described. I was really thinking about selling it.
Last week, I bought an MXR preamp. I used it to boost the lower mids and used a compressor to squash my signal just a little bit. Now I love my Jazz!
Last week, I bought an MXR preamp. I used it to boost the lower mids and used a compressor to squash my signal just a little bit. Now I love my Jazz!
MDBass
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Also...why so many suggestions for things the OP isn't asking for?
He has an older model Squier with mediocre, very low output pickups: changing pickup height or strings won't fix that problem, and it also doesn't mean that he doesn't like Jazz basses and should just sell it either
What part of "No energy, just a tiny lifeless bundle of apathetic sound. Noise, barely." sounds like a properly functioning Jazz, even to those of us who much prefer P basses?
He has an older model Squier with mediocre, very low output pickups: changing pickup height or strings won't fix that problem, and it also doesn't mean that he doesn't like Jazz basses and should just sell it either
What part of "No energy, just a tiny lifeless bundle of apathetic sound. Noise, barely." sounds like a properly functioning Jazz, even to those of us who much prefer P basses?
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I have had some issues with string/pole piece contact, and wish to avoid same. This, admittedly, may be because of the too close PU placement alluded to above, and may be avoidable with higher output/increased distance.
I use a boost pedal also- it makes my P bass sound like the voice of doom, it makes my J bass sound more polite.
MDBass
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I was asking because if you like the sound of a PB, a JB can sound anemic. One reason why Fender continues to produce both models. IIRC Leo saw the JB as a more sophisticated replacement for the original. I don't think he ever thought there would be a continued demand for a PB once the "better" replacement got introduced. But the simple face is they're very different basses. Most players I know like one or the other. But very few are equally crazy about both. That's why I was thinking you could just be more a Precision guy.
If you want something with a little of that JB vibe, but still want the solid bottom and whump of a PB, you might be better off with a MM Stingray or similar. That bass kind of combines the best of both. At least to my ears,
wmhill
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If you are going to spend money on it for pickups- there are plenty of Bartolinis that fit your bill.
NOTE* many of the squire J basses uses the same sized (width) pickups, where a "real" Jazz (no offense implied) has different sized neck VS bridge pickups. Measure them up BEFORE you order anything to avoid issues. Being an older bass, you may have a conventional configuration...but you may not.
NOTE* many of the squire J basses uses the same sized (width) pickups, where a "real" Jazz (no offense implied) has different sized neck VS bridge pickups. Measure them up BEFORE you order anything to avoid issues. Being an older bass, you may have a conventional configuration...but you may not.
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not a lot of success on the jazz front however, my 85 A series squeir jazz sounded absolutely amazing after i put in the alleva coppolo vintage pickups, and my bacchus jazz sounded great with the stock pickups and with added ability to go from parallel to series when i needed it
Ric5
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I love jazz basses. That said, I've never experienced any time when changing the electronics on any bass has ever fixed what I perceived to be that instrument's shortcoming(s). Not saying it can't happen, just that it hasn't worked out that way for me. Sometimes it just the nature of the instrument.
These days, I prefer to just move on and find something that I love the moment I play it. I try not to rationalize anything anymore.
As always, the usual disclaimers apply.
These days, I prefer to just move on and find something that I love the moment I play it. I try not to rationalize anything anymore.
As always, the usual disclaimers apply.
So I most love my P-bass and reverse P basses - I have had a jazz bass sitting around not getting any love at all and then I decided to try series wiring. I like to experiment with electronics so I wire it up using the stock 250K pots so that it is still VVT but the pickups are series with full blending capability.
It is just a completely transformed beast now. I like just about every tone option it has. If you solo the bridge you have traditional, burpy jazz sound - but you roll a tiny bit of neck in and the sound fattens up (completely opposite of standard wiring where the mids start to scoop and the sound gets hollow). If you solo the neck pickup it is exactly the sound of a Jazz neck pickup but roll a tiny bit of bridge in and it comes to life.
Really simple mod and easy to undo and put it back to stock if you don't like it.
I had a similar issue with mine. It's a 66 that I had Frailins on. Sounded ok but no stinking punch. I located a old set of Barts that helped a bunch but it's still a Jazz and it's never be as punchy as a Precision. It's great for what it does. Each style of bass has nitch that it's real good at. That's why a lot of folks have a variety of basses.
On any bright med output bass I use a Solid Gold Beta, it's the cure even without any drive on. It's got the punch without too much mud. It's also setting your amp to a more dark eq with ample volume/speakers for the punchy low end. Reggie players use a Jazz bass, they just roll of the trebel mon.
