I need some help with a bass.

[AGav]

hey,
so i have a jazz fender bass right now. my band has started recording and because of it I'm starting to think i need a new bass.This one doesn't seem like my style. i play alternative rock, basically like Brit rock. when we do covers we play bands like The Strokes, libertines and kings of leon. i feel like this basses sound is to bright. does anyone have any advice of basses i should check out?

Thanks

 

[bass_snake]

Your bass should be fine if it' s Fender Jazz. Maybe change the strings??

Fred

 

[TheBasicBassist]

Your bass should be fine if it' s Fender Jazz. Maybe change the strings??

Fred

+1

throw some nice flats on it. you'll be set.

 

[TheBasicBassist]

or maybe you could even just EQ it differently..

 

[AGav]

ok thanks i will try that. any recommendations?

 

[TheBasicBassist]

i like D'addario strings, but that's just me..
there're probably many more flat wounders who
will tell you differently.

 

[TeamTrejo]

Each bass is different but you could start by setting your bridge pickup to 1/3 and your tone to 1/2 of full.

 

[JamesJen]

I use the D'Addario Half Rounds ENR72 50 - 105 for that reason. They are not as bright a regular round wound string but not as dull as flat wounds. Also if you are using a pick the attack isn't so harsh and if you do alot of transitioning with your fretting hand you wont get as much of that scratchy sound when your fingers slide over the strings. Hope that helps.

 

[rosstanium]

+1 to TeamTrejo

use your amp and instrument correctly and your jazz should handle the gig fine.

unless you just want an excuse to purchase a precision

 

[irishryno]

Sounds like the early stages of GAS to me.

 

[MIJ-VI]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed], the strings which Steve Harris (and many others) uses.

Unlike some other brands of flatwounds (Fender and LaBella come to mind from personal experience) whose E string is a dead thud right out of the pack, these have an E string which rings properly in balance with the other three.

They're also the most aggressive-sounding flatwounds I've used for pick-playing.

They produce a MUCH fatter tone than roundwounds which sound thinner and springy by comparison.

--------

EDIT:

Please keep your J-Bass and learn how to get the most out of it (better strings, a proper set-up, and ever-improving technique).

Doing so will teach you how to get the most out of any bass you may acquire in the future.

More Fender players a J than any other model. There's a reason for this...

 

[bassace5]

I agree with first with the suggestion that you should put a new set of strings on...I really like the Dean Markley SR 2000. Also, I agree you should try some new EQ settings. TeamTrejo's suggestion is great...I like to roll back the neck pickup some, and mess with the tone control, that may give you a start at utilizing some of the various sounds your jazz is capable of. Start with new strings, the change can surprise you, and go from there.

 

[David Jayne]

Here's what you need to know, which a lotta folks don't: on a Jazz, the volumes are really tone controls. If you reduce them to 50%-60% of maximum you will find the tone is a lot more mellow and fat. Adjust volume at the amp. Try it, you'll see what I mean.

 

[magnus90]

Many of the modern indie bands use Jazz bass (and they're great sounding bands):

 

[BassBob185]

A jazz works in most situation, its a versatile bass.

 

[BigDaveyTwinkle]

I use the D'Addario Half Rounds ENR72 50 - 105 for that reason. They are not as bright a regular round wound string but not as dull as flat wounds.

I'm glad someone else has some love for D' half rounds. I second that suggestion for moving your "sound" away from 80% of the pack.

 

[lowtide]

If the bass you were playing got you to the point were you all agreed it was time to record, why do you want to go changing anything? It doesn't make any sense. Play it the way it is.

 

[tranceFusion]

I like D'adarrio Chromes for flatwounds because they are brighter than other flats and are relatively inexpensive.

Also try turning your bridge pickup off - that will give you a fatter lowend sound.

I can't think of a genre of music that a Jazz can't be used in.

 

[Vincent P]

Your bass should be fine if it' s Fender Jazz. Maybe change the strings??

Fred

Re-string it with a set of Rotosound RS66-LF .045 .065 .085 .105, and experiment with the EQing. You also may wish to consider experimenting with some pedals.

 

[AGav]

ok thanks guys i got some new strings today. Also i didnt know that the volume knobs on the bass are really tone controls, thanks for that. so ya i think i will just mess around with the EQ and keep the jazz. Thanks