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If you are playing out a lot in different rooms with different acoustics and don't like the J bass sound it's one thing but if you are just sitting at home practicing in a small room at low volumes it is another. Basses, unlike six string guitars, can sound completely different depending on volume and the room they are being played in. Just my opinion. Good luck.
Ha. I know this story well. I had to sell my Jazz basses. I liked both of them, but the first one was sold because I couldn't get a sound I was truly in love with. The second was a Squier, a cheaply acquired GAS purchase that ended up needing more money than I wanted to put into it.
I ended up finding a setting on my L-2000 that gets sort of close to that single-coil Jazz tone. I always opted for the neck pickup anyway, so I don't necessarily miss my Jazz basses that much.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Funny, I just had the same thing happen to me today. A couple of months ago I found myself falling out of love with my 2016 AM. Standard Jazz. Thought new pickups and a good setup would do the trick. I changed out the stock 60's CS for Lollar Jazz pups, and sent it in for a professional set up. Today I went to pick up my Jazz from the shop; after $200 and 15min of fudging with it; I put it down and grabbed my P. I guess I just prefer the feel and sound of my P. I'm thinking that maybe I need to give my jazz more time to grow on me. BTW, did I mention that this is the 5th jazz i'v owned and have fallen out of love with.
Yeah. I owned two Mexican Jazzes and five Geddy Lees in the past. All are gone now. The only bass I have right now is a Mexican P with a '63 AVRI pickup.
I had a similar problem 20 years ago. I ditched the Fender Jazz in favor of an old Musicman Sabre and I've never considered going back to a Jazz bass since.
Since the Sabre I have migrated towards less expensive Japanese basses of the early 80s, just the Ibanez line from 80 - 84 has just about everything I could ever want.
Now I just gas for old Fugigens and Matsumokus
Since the Sabre I have migrated towards less expensive Japanese basses of the early 80s, just the Ibanez line from 80 - 84 has just about everything I could ever want.
Now I just gas for old Fugigens and Matsumokus
@wraub , have you EVER played a jazz bass that gives you the body and balls you are seeking? If not, maybe you are not (currently) a jazz bass person.
But, for the "pickup swaps don't change the character of a bass" crowd, I have a crazy good-feeling Nordstrand P5, ash/maple. It came with the (excellent) Nordstrand NP5 pickup. But the combination of the construction, the pickup, and the sound of my fingers made the bass sound too modern. Too much low end extension, too little mid bump, so it got lost in the mix unless I was too loud. I replaced the pickup with an unlabeled one I got for $15 off a TBer (a Seymour Duncan maybe?). The bass now has every thing. The mids and attack have the P signature, the highs are reminiscent of geddy's jazz! And the B string is perfect. I had a Big Split put into the bridge position, and the bass is now the only one I ever want or need to play.
So, an electronics swap can make a huge difference. If you like the feel of the bass, it can be well worth it.
BTW I also had a switch (pull on the tone pot) installed to isolate the P pickup, and it makes a big difference in the "balls" department. All P/J basses should have this.
But, for the "pickup swaps don't change the character of a bass" crowd, I have a crazy good-feeling Nordstrand P5, ash/maple. It came with the (excellent) Nordstrand NP5 pickup. But the combination of the construction, the pickup, and the sound of my fingers made the bass sound too modern. Too much low end extension, too little mid bump, so it got lost in the mix unless I was too loud. I replaced the pickup with an unlabeled one I got for $15 off a TBer (a Seymour Duncan maybe?). The bass now has every thing. The mids and attack have the P signature, the highs are reminiscent of geddy's jazz! And the B string is perfect. I had a Big Split put into the bridge position, and the bass is now the only one I ever want or need to play.
So, an electronics swap can make a huge difference. If you like the feel of the bass, it can be well worth it.
BTW I also had a switch (pull on the tone pot) installed to isolate the P pickup, and it makes a big difference in the "balls" department. All P/J basses should have this.
Did someone mess with soldering or wiring by chance? Check pocket screws. Check bridge. I have not heard bad sounding jazz from $99 and up. And I'm P bass guy.
It's an 1985 Squire. Although some here think their better than anything ever produced, I think that is your issue. You trying to polish a terd.
Phil Kubuki said 90% of your sound is electronics. So if that is true, listen to the crowd and get some good electronics, change out everything. Or just get a real jazz of some sort.
Phil Kubuki said 90% of your sound is electronics. So if that is true, listen to the crowd and get some good electronics, change out everything. Or just get a real jazz of some sort.
Good thing you didn't say P Bass, cause they'd had sent a hit man to your house, to take you out, and take the bass
