I was advised to use a Jazz Bass.. help!

[DrSpunkwater]

In the first post he says his band is going in to a studio. Not sure where you picked up the paid session work.

Ditto. I remember OP stating he was a part of the band, not just a hired gun. And if that's the case, he should use whatever bass he's been using to this point because it's part of the band's essence.

Unless of course he likes the jazz' sound and he'd rather just run with it anyway. In that case, whatever.

 

[Stone Soup]

I disagree. Neither a Jazz nor a P is thinner sounding than a Ray.

My current SR5 and the Classic 5 I used to have can both be made to sound thicker than my passive Jazz Basses.

The Jazz is "smoother" the MM cuts through and has a certain buzz saw quality you can't just EQ out.

I have to disagree. My Stingray 5 H sounds smoother than any of my Jazz Basses. The only time the Ray sounds like a 'buzz saw' is when the mids are turned up a lot. That can be remedied. It's unfortunate, many players 'dime' the controls.

 

[DrSpunkwater]

I've noticed that EQ'd flat, Rays sound pretty thin. But after you fiddle with the controls a bit, hoo, what a sound!

 

[NickyBass]

I didn't read through the whole thread, but did anyone ask the OP what type of music and what instrumentation? That would help a lot in having a meaningful conversation

 

[vin*tone]

My current SR5 and the Classic 5 I used to have can both be made to sound thicker than my passive Jazz Basses.

I have to disagree. My Stingray 5 H sounds smoother than any of my Jazz Basses. The only time the Ray sounds like a 'buzz saw' is when the mids are turned up a lot. That can be remedied. It's unfortunate, many players 'dime' the controls.

Here's the problem with using words to describe sounds. I hear a difference between the MM and a J - I try and describe it using a word - that word evokes a different image in your head and you disagree. I'm not talking about the EQ of the bass. You can EQ them to sound similar but the texture of the note is different. I even coil tapped the bass to try and replicate a Jazz single coil with an MM single coil. They are still waaay ....... different (insert your own adjective here).

*BTW my MM did not have mids it was a 2 band '78.

 

[bkbirge]

Here's the problem with using words to describe sounds. I hear a difference between the MM and a J - I try and describe it using a word - that word evokes a different image in your head and you disagree. I'm not talking about the EQ of the bass. You can EQ them to sound similar but the texture of the note is different. I even coil tapped the bass to try and replicate a Jazz single coil with an MM single coil. They are still waaay ....... different (insert your own adjective here).

*BTW my MM did not have mids it was a 2 band '78.

I think the word you are looking for is timbre.

 

[edpal]

I think the word you are looking for is timbre.

Well, different body wood, different fretboard woods and then different trees. None of them sound exactly alike.

 

[IronLung1986]

I've never once listened to Tony Levin playing a musicman and thought he'd sound so much better on a jazz.

that's true for sure....although he did have a kickass P bass sound once upon a time! his switch to a stingray coincided with his move away from straight ahead hard rock. the Gabriel stuff in particular got a lot more subtle. I think it's just another lesson in using the right tool for the job. with some songs it's like any bass will do, but others seem to cry out for a specific type.

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

OP you say you play aggressively. A jazz bass takes really well to being played aggressively. It may be a match made in heaven.

Jazz bass: Check

Heaven: Check

Being played aggressively: Sorry DwaynieAD, nice try though !

 

[Stone Soup]

I'm not talking about the EQ of the bass. You can EQ them to sound similar but the texture of the note is different. I even coil tapped the bass to try and replicate a Jazz single coil with an MM single coil. They are still waaay ....... different (insert your own adjective here).

I said My SR5 sounds smoother than any of my Jazz Basses. I didn't say they could be made to sound identical. I find it impossible to make my Ray sound exactly like a Jazz.

My single coil Jazz basses--especially the '70's model with the BAII--are naturally more aggressive and 'growl' more than the SR5 does, though; the SR5 can be made to growl more.

Where EQ is concerned, I don't ever play the SR5 with the controls set flat. The lows are boosted, the highs are cut and the mid setting depends on the song, but is often backed off just a touch (which is the closest I'm able to get to the Fender sound with the Ray). I still don't hear any 'buzz saw' in the 'texture' of the note.

 

[hsech]

The other two guys in my blues trio "prefer" that I play my Jazz when we gig. We are doing Texas style blues (SRV, Jimmy Vaughn, etc). I've played my G&L ASAT, Precision and Jazz with the trio, but the other guys like the jazz the best. I don't know if it's a nostalgic thing or it just fits better with that style of music.

 

[peledog]

Depends if you're going DI, using an amp, or both.

If you use an amp with 'room sound' go with the Ray. If you're going DI, then use the Jazz or P.

 

[bh2]

You were asked to use a Jazz bass... you have one... use it.

Crikey.

 

[bass12]

Well, different body wood, different fretboard woods and then different trees. None of them sound exactly alike.

Exactly. I played some tracks on an album recently and used my passive Fender Jazz with flats. The other tracks were played by a different bassist who also used a passive Fender Jazz with flats. Totally different sound. During the album launch I played both my Fender and the other Fender that was used by the other bassist on the album and, once again, totally different sound. People get really silly about this stuff. Does the bass sound good? Yes? Roll the tape.

 

[edpal]

Exactly. I played some tracks on an album recently and used my passive Fender Jazz with flats. The other tracks were played by a different bassist who also used a passive Fender Jazz with flats. Totally different sound. During the album launch I played both my Fender and the other Fender that was used by the other bassist on the album and, once again, totally different sound. People get really silly about this stuff. Does the bass sound good? Yes? Roll the tape.

I guess that is what makes me reject the idea the OP HAS to play the other bass - none of them are equal so we are assuming this mystery Jazz sounds better than his particular Ray. Since part of the magic comes from our hands we should give some value to whether the OP will be totally comfortable with the instrument. I've had to play instruments other than mine and some felt filthy, some were poorly intonated, odd thumb rests, vastly different string,etc. Since it's not a session(play for pay) but rather a band recording (personal involvement with the product) I think in some deference to the OP they should at least try his Ray. They may get a different (better?) sound with the Jazz but they may lose some vibe. Not being a session player (more interested in recording/writing) I personally value vibe and feel over tone. As long as the tone is relatively good.

A Jazz is a great instrument, it has a proven track record. Same for the Ray.

 

[DwaynieAD]

Jazz bass: Check

Heaven: Check

Being played aggressively: Sorry DwaynieAD, nice try though !

never said you have to play them aggressively, said they take well to it. not sure what you're trying to prove here.

 

[Britbonic]

I've noticed that EQ'd flat, Rays sound pretty thin. But after you fiddle with the controls a bit, hoo, what a sound!

Exactly! The Ray preamp is an integral part of the sound. Although I don't have an evidence back this up (maybe someone else does), I believe they were originally designed to work this way meaning the style of pickup, location and onboard preamp were all intended to work together for the desired range of sounds.

Totally different than taking a standard P or J, originally designed to be used passive, and adding a preamp. Nothing wrong with that of course but different design strategy.

Yes, I know you can run a Ray flat and many of the newer MM models have a passive option. IME, unlike a P or J they don't sound very good without tweaking EQ a bit. Possible that it's different for the models that have the passive option but also possible that some aspects of design are different - eq maybe slightly different pickups? Dunno.

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

never said you have to play them aggressively, said they take well to it. not sure what you're trying to prove here.

Dwaynie, I'm not trying to prove anything.

It was just my attempt at humor based on ...

a) your original assertion ( i.e. that "jazz basses take well to being played aggressively and may be a match made in heaven")...

b) my own word play, and ...

c) my inclusion of a clip which proved in subtle, yet very humorous tones, the exact opposite of what you had asserted: That jazz basses are in fact endorsed in heaven, as implied by the clip...but only when played very passively, as demonstrated by the guy in the group.

 

[dkelley]

Dwaynie, I'm not trying to prove anything.

It was just my attempt at humor based on ...

a) your original assertion ( i.e. that "jazz basses take well to being played aggressively and may be a match made in heaven")...

b) my own word play, and ...

c) my inclusion of a clip which proved in subtle, yet very humorous tones, the exact opposite of what you had asserted: That jazz basses are in fact endorsed in heaven, as implied by the clip...but only when played very passively, as demonstrated by the guy in the group.

It's OK.... some of us caught the humor and didn't think you were trying to argue or prove anything LoL. The problem with text is we can't always guess correctly at each other's intended emotion eh?

 

[MoJo1364]

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