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"I just don't like Jazz Basses."

#42
Jazz basses can do both in terms of either sound. That is for slap ,scoop the mids, boost bass and treble. For a more mid punchy fingerstyle, just back off the front pickup and use the treble to control the warmth of the punch. When I slap my Jazz, I have both pickups wide open and adjust the treble accordingly. When both PUPS are maxed, you get the scooped mid sound. So while they are two distinct sounds they are two distinct JB sounds. Other basses can now emulate those sounds but that was because non JB playing players wanted to be able to get those at one time unique to JB sounds.
 
#43
I love Jazz basses and have a few. Lately I've been trying out quite a few new ones like the MIM Standards, USA Specials, Geddy Lee model's and the American Standards. All very differant sounding and all feel very differant as well.

Found an American Standard model this past weekend that played like no other Jazz bass I've ever tried. Words fail trying to describe how well it played. But I felt a bit let down because like all the other new AM STD J's I've been trying there's something about those pickups in the 2012 models (Custom Shop 60's?) that just aren't grabbing me. Very, very dark sounding. Sound's like the life was missing from them. I even tried it thru a few differant amps and cab's and still wasn't sold on the sound. Strings weren't in that bad of shape either and the pickup height's were fine. Too bad because wow, what a player!!

Seems like lots of folks here love these pickups, but I'm missing something. What is it?
 
#44
MarthaSamira said:
I doubt she'd hate them in a blind test. She's just trying to enter your world, but has no clue how to do it.

Next thing she'll come up with is that she doesn't like basses with pickguard or something like that.
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My wife can often tell which bass I'm playing from the other room.

In fact when I was planning to offload one of my Pbasses (both gone now) I asked if she'd listen from the other room and give me her thoughts on each one. She correctly picked out my Valenti ("the blue one") and my Fender ("the white one") every time, even when I'd play the same one back to back.

Many people have a tin ear. Some people don't.

It sounds like the OP has a spouse like mine that both is expressing an interest in his (my) interest AND has a good ear.

So she doesn't like jazzes. Nobody's perfect. ;) But I'd take a spouse that has an opinion on my hobby over one that is oblivious or worse yet, dismissive of the things I enjoy. I'd just say be sure to reciprocate and take in an interest in her interests.
 
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#46
Jared Lash said:
Many people have a tin ear. Some people don't.

It sounds like the OP has a spouse like mine that both is expressing an interest in his (my) interest AND has a good ear.
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thiocyclist said:
I have tried soloing the neck pickup for her (because I'm so curious about her dislike), and even that doesn't do much.
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Just from this statement, I can tell her beef with Js are something more superficial than the sound of the bass' pickups. Certainly, I could have trouble telling a J with the neck pickup soloed from a P bass, which she said she likes. Other bass players may have a hard time too.

FWIW, there's nothing wrong with disliking the J. I started out on a J and my first bass was a J. I loved it for a long time, but recently I'd rather play a P, P/J or a bass with dual humbuckers. Jazz Basses are still cool - just no longer my thing.
 
#49
chef wong said:
The only thing the Jazz is failing in is lap balance. The lump looks great but you have to adjust your knee and stuff. Still a great bass.
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I sit at all times while I practice & don't have this issue. Maybe you have warped knees?

godofthunder59 said:
Try as I might to get on with them they are just not for me. I'll take a NR Thunderbird anyday.
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The NR T-birds remind me of a Jaguar with simpler controls & different guard.
 
#50
Jared Lash said:
My wife can often tell which bass I'm playing from the other room.

In fact when I was planning to offload one of my Pbasses (both gone now) I asked if she'd listen from the other room and give me her thoughts on each one. She correctly picked out my Valenti ("the blue one") and my Fender ("the white one") every time, even when I'd play the same one back to back.

Many people have a tin ear. Some people don't.

It sounds like the OP has a spouse like mine that both is expressing an interest in his (my) interest AND has a good ear.

So she doesn't like jazzes. Nobody's perfect. ;) But I'd take a spouse that has an opinion on my hobby over one that is oblivious or worse yet, dismissive of the things I enjoy. I'd just say be sure to reciprocate and take in an interest in her interests.
Click to expand...

I was playing a Limited Edition hand rubbed Fender Precision at GC and thought it sounded amazing. My wife walked in after checking out another store and said, "Oooo, that one sounds really good. You should get it." I remind myself of this when I get stuck cleaning the litter box. Again.
 
#51
Maybe it's a combina6tion of the look and the sound.. I don't like Warwicks.. They are great basses and some of my favorite players play them.. but I don't like the way they feel and I am not crazy about the look... The good thing is she doesnt have to play it... ;) .
 
#54
godofthunder59 said:
Way different than a Jag.
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Well, yes. But I was referring to the general shape. Not the neck, bridge, pickups & etc.

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#55
Sounds like your wife doesn't like the sound of Jazz Basses.


Not a big deal, tbqh, lots of people don't. Nine times out of ten, I prefer a P, or MM, or Soapbar to a J.


Fair play for her to be paying attention to the sound of your basses, or possible basses.
 
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#56
For me, a lot of it has to do with setting. The bassist for this band the Sidekicks was using one when I saw them and I thought it sounded amazing. However, when I tried one out the next time I went into a GC, I was kind of bored with the tones I was getting, despite loving the look and feel, though that could have to do with the amps I was playing through. I wasn't there to buy though, and I'm sure if I had picked one up and jammed with my friends using it, I'd love it again. Basically, in a band setting, I love the sound, but soloed, I don't care for it much.
 

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