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"I just don't like Jazz Basses."
- Thread starter thiocyclist
- Start date
I think the Thunderbird (Firebird) body was "reversed" by Gibson to avoid a lawsuit from Fender (who also though it looked like their Jaguar (Jazzmaster)... I could be wrong...
Jazz basses are cool...
Let me preface the following quotes with this clarification: I don't care what anyone thinks of my wife and her ideas, I'm more looking for general trending about why people would objectively dislike the Jazz Bass sound. Me, I can't figure it out, but as was already pointed out, I'm not losing sleep. I find it quite interesting.
Way to miss the point of the OP.
I've done blind tests with her before--that's how puzzling I find this. She can tell very few basses from each other but she always picks out the Jazz Bass and loathes it.
She doesn't like basses without pickguards as far as looks. But that has nothing to do with sound.
She's done it. Want my PayPal addy?
It's not a problem! I will take her everywhere with me. Unlike a lot of you guys (apparently) I enjoy my time with my spouse.
I'm not letting her go and if you saw a pic and/or knew her you'd know why.
Way to miss the point of the OP.
I've done blind tests with her before--that's how puzzling I find this. She can tell very few basses from each other but she always picks out the Jazz Bass and loathes it.
She doesn't like basses without pickguards as far as looks. But that has nothing to do with sound.
She's done it. Want my PayPal addy?
It's not a problem! I will take her everywhere with me. Unlike a lot of you guys (apparently) I enjoy my time with my spouse.
I dont know how much you have invested in her... but a divorce is not out of the question!!
I'm not letting her go and if you saw a pic and/or knew her you'd know why.
It was because of a Fender lawsuit. However, I was noting something different. Compare the Reverse Jaguar Bass to the Reversed Thunderbird:
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I think there's a reason why he was reminded of a Jag when he looked at a NR thunderbird.
Interestingly this thread seems to have become more about why spouses can or can't have opinions than why a given person may find a beef with the Jazz Bass's tone--though there have been a few replies actually addressing this and I thank those folks.
Try to see the OP for what it is people, and don't get your panties in a bunch just because someone you don't know doesn't love the same bass you do.
Try to see the OP for what it is people, and don't get your panties in a bunch just because someone you don't know doesn't love the same bass you do.
My ex used to say my amp had more balls than I did. I took it as a compliment at the time...in retrospect, not so much.
I wonder if Gibson will sue now that the tables (bodies) have turned?
They do look alike-ish (depending on which one is reverse or non-reverse)...
What was the claim in the original lawsuit? I guess I could google it - just being lazy...
to the OP:
If you could have your wife listen to Rush's Moving Pictures album, she might be able to distinguish between songs recorded with Jazz & ones recorded with the Ric... I almost can (I think, maybe) but they're both tasty tones...
How many times has the sound of Jazz bass revolted your spouse? Do you think it would happen "unplugged" - without amplification? How about PJ basses? What style of music does she typically like & what were you playing?
The devil may be in the details...
I'm not letting her go and if you saw a pic and/or knew her you'd know why.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Personally, the only sound I like at GC is of the parking lot when I walk out.
- Jan 12, 2011
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- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
IMO alot of folks are stuck thinking that an electric bass guitar should only sound round, warm and go boom boom boom. It's purely subjective IMO. I can recall a blues guitar player referring to me as the bass player who doesn't like bass. I think it is in the ear of the beholder. For blues the bass is really in the back supporting the song and the ever present wailing guitar soloist. In the music I like (FUNK) the bass while supportive is more upfront and in your face. With the advent of slapping and roundwounds and SS roundwounds and active preamps etc. we've added more tonal capabilities. Some guys like flats and are are going back to that sound. Not me I'm SS Roundwounds all day long. Still to each her own. If the woman doesn't like the sound of a Jazz Bass, well she doesn't like the sound of a Jazz Bass. I for one love the sound of a well slapped JB on steroids.
Maybe your wife got into a heated debate with a family of Jazz basses once in her youth. I am sure if their bridge pickups were turned on soled, they could of been harsh and mean! You never know!
She's probably cultured enough to know that a Jazz truly sounds it's best in series - hahaha!!!
- georgestrings
- georgestrings
You know I never heard a huge difference whenever my S1 switch would actually work back in 2005-2007 (when I owned a Jazz). But I guess there was a bit less scoop which would sort of take away that Jazz Bass character to the sound.
Been with my wife for over 25 years. She's seen/ heard me play dozens of different basses and rigs during that time. She's not a musician but has a better ear for what sounds good than some of the musician's I've played with.
To be honest, I'd listen more to the average joe about what sounds good. He doesn't know squat about gear, only what sounds good and if joe likes it he will be back again or buy the tune.
Musicians on the other hand will sometimes be hyper criticial or nitpick you if you ask their opinion. Just my opinion YMMV
To the OP I'm not a huge fan of Jazz basses but I love the Geddy signature bass.
I love the jazz sound but there's a reason 9 times out of 10 the producer on a session says "Do you have a P bass?"
I was just busting your balls a little - but truth is, running Jazz pups in series does add some low end, some mids, and increases volume - sort of like a Jazz "on steroids"...
As I've said in the past, IMO it gives a Jazz a bit of P Bass "thump", while keeping some Jazz Bass "cut thru the mix"... I own a pretty nice P Bass, and a couple of decent Jazz Basses, and almost never run my Jazz's in their original parallel configuration...
- georgestrings
