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Is it possible to make a Jazz bass rock?!

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I

IMWince

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Apr 5, 2011
3
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Jersey Shore
#1
I recently joined an agressive rock band. I came in with my jazz bass which doesn't have the b@lls to hang with them. They are suggesting that I change pickups. I am all for that. It was then suggested that I route in a P/J setup. I have an American Standard Jazz that I don't really want to mess with. Are there some pickups out there that can give me a more aggressive sound without sacrificing my bass?

The guy that was in the band before me was using Bartolini's.

Any suggestions?
 
#7
How do YOU think your bass sounds (not what others think)? I am surprised that you are having difficulty getting an aggressive tone with an American Standard Jazz Bass. Before you give up on your bass as/is try backing off on the neck pickup a little bit and setting your tone knob back about half way. That should bring out a very aggressive midrange tone. If YOU (not your friends) are totally convinced that a pickup change is needed I would recommend Antiquity II pickups, but there are plenty of good ones out there.
 
#8
How about Berry Oakley and Billy Corgan? (I believe he did most of the studio bass work for SP but I could be wrong, regardless, that's a JBass).

There's a lot of different p/u's that will sound more aggressive, besides Bartolino's I've found Seymour Duncan has some hotter sounding JBass models as well. Lots of good choices out there. Try changing amps, too, G-K or an Ampeg will get good gritty sounds.
 
#15
According to many reviews I've read the dimarzio model J neck pickup sounds very very much like a P.

I haven't tried it, cause I prefer the J tone for rock and pretty much everything else too. But it sounds like just the thing for your situation.
 
#18
So many more factors than just the pickups. Amp, pedals, etc will have a lot to say about aggressive.

And if you want heavier than Rush, Greg Christian from Testament uses Jazz Basses, too.
 
#19
Robert Trujillo & The Bass of Doom!

96.jpg
 
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