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I really need help... P or J?

Bass_Nishi

Bass_Nishi

Jul 14, 2013
42
3
#1
Looking to get an MIM Fender. I can't decide which. I wanna always be able to be heard, tone high or low. I know P Bass is fatter but J is thin but cuts through. I've tried them both and like them both for different reasons, but one doesn't completely sway against the other. What should I get for something that will give me the best with the tone high and low?
 
#4
I like Jazz Bass, but I always find myself better with Precision.
Many TBers are like me, many other are the opposite, and there are also TBers who equally like & use both. You won't get the definite answer.
How about change the point of view a bit,..which one do you prefer; smaller neck or
bigger? smaller = J, bigger = P. But there are also many TBers who use J neck in their P.
Then there will be some who say that J is more all round bass than P, an idea that embraced by many but I really don't buy.

But to be honest, I have a feeling that J will suit you better. I might be wrong tho.
 
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#5
Well I actually do prefer the thick P bass neck. I used to own one before it got stolen and I did really like it. But the J always interested me. For a player like me who uses fingers I thought the P bass fit well but after trying out quite a few J's it's equal to me. Hard rock, something like between Green Day and early Weezer is the sound. I know Mike Dirnt (GD) uses a P but Matt Sharp (Weezer) uses a J and that's why I'm really wound up haha
 
#7
Bass_Nishi said:
Well I actually do prefer the thick P bass neck. I used to own one before it got stolen and I did really like it. But the J always interested me. For a player like me who uses fingers I thought the P bass fit well but after trying out quite a few J's it's equal to me. Hard rock, something like between Green Day and early Weezer is the sound. I know Mike Dirnt (GD) uses a P but Matt Sharp (Weezer) uses a J and that's why I'm really wound up haha
Click to expand...
LOL ok ...another point of view: Which body shape of the two that you like more? :D
 
#9
Have you looked into the Modern Player and Blacktop Series? more affordable and there are a few different setups you should try. I love my Modern Player Jazz, a guy that has subbed for me has a Blacktop Precision he really likes, and I'm actually really wanting to try the Blacktop Jazz with the dual P styles pickups...see if there is anyway you can look into those as well
 
#13
I prefer a Jazz Bass for overall tonal range for recording rock and ease of playing with a faster neck for short fingers.

I also love the meaty sound of a P-Bass even though the neck is a bit of a stretch for me.

I can dial in my Jazz to cover a fat P-Bass sound, but a P-Bass doesn't have the available top end cut of a Jazz.

I also have a PJ and usually run it mostly of the P-Bass pickups.

When I'm tracking my Jazz Bass, I usually have tone all the way counter clockwise using mostly the neck pickup tones.

I also have a Hofner 501 for those specialty tones.

I know temptation may have you leaning towards an all purpose, multi-function bass, but for long term ownership and value retention over the years, there is still nothing as strong as a conventional pre-CBS vintage spec Jazz Bass or P-Bass with passive vintage mild pickups.

You will hear a gazillion opinions otherwise usually genre specific, so concentrate on your own application.

You will hear folks fiercely defending their own personal purchasing decisions because that's simple human nature.

For recording, tried and true through generations of all kinds of music, a passive Jazz or P-Bass is the way to go.
Ask the engineers, producers as well as the artists.

Playing live, I may run my jazz wide open, but that top end treble bite is buffered by my amp and 8X10 AlNiCo cab.

Take your time, play as many basses as you can get your hands on and keep saving so you aren't forced to pass on a great instrument. If you don't have the entire purchase price covered, use layaway.
 
#14
pick up both types and see what you prefer, then take the winner to the checkout.

personally (as my picture shows) i'm a P guy. the jazz neck is great but i don't think you can get a solid P sound out of them like people say they can (i can't).
 
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#16
UK Philip said:
pick up both types and see what you prefer, then take the winner to the checkout.

personally (as my picture shows) i'm a P guy. the jazz neck is great but i don't think you can get a solid P sound out of them like people say they can (i can't).
Click to expand...
Agree. Also about Jazz pick-up can be dial to cover a P-Bass sound, it's only approximate, but IMHO it's waaay far, except for people like Joe Osborn, which used heavy labella flats on his old J.
 
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#19
I prefer a rosewood fingerboard for looks, feel and for how the rosewood fingerboard helps stabilize the neck.
Of course there are great maple necks that have stood the test of time, but if you're going maple on a new, unproven bass, I suggest the highest quality neck woods you can get.
 

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