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j vs. p?

E

entertoexit

Feb 20, 2011
57
0
#1
Forgive me if I'm a total idiot, but I'm still a bass beginner. I've posted some threads previously about other basses I've been looking into buying to replace my LTD B-50. While I do respect my ESP bass, it has terrible fret buzz issues even after a professional setup and popping some DR string on it... I've concluded that this is because its a cheap bass, and the fact that I got it for $70 at auction doesn't help its legacy.

Recently I've contemplated all kinds of basses the LTD B-5E, Shecter Damien, Vintage Gibson G3, ETC... But now I'm getting the feeling I should just get a Fender and be done with it. Not many people have anything negative to say about Fender bass, and the price for an intro standard J or P is comparable to other basses I'be shown interest in.

My issue however, is that in my newbie naivity I don't know what the differences are between a J and P bass. My current bass has both J and P pickups, so that doesn't help me at all. My question is what are the key differences in these styles? And what are the differences between passive and active pickups among these styles?
 
#2
If you're getting fret buzz it's either 'technique' or 'high frets' or 'setup'.

If you paid to have a 'professional setup' and the person didn't point out the need to have high frets adjusted if they exist then it probably isn't a professional setup. If it was setup and there was no high frets, then it all points to technique. Which will follow you to whatever bass you buy.

IMHO.
 
#4
stflbn said:
If you're getting fret buzz it's either 'technique' or 'high frets' or 'setup'.

If you paid to have a 'professional setup' and the person didn't point out the need to have high frets adjusted if they exist then it probably isn't a professional setup. If it was setup and there was no high frets, then it all points to technique. Which will follow you to whatever bass you buy.

IMHO.
Click to expand...

The B-50 being a beginner bass has advertised 'extra jumbo frets' and upon reading many reviews has alot of complaints about fret buzz below the 9th. I have my action pretty low, which probably doesn't help matters.
 
#5
entertoexit said:
The B-50 being a beginner bass has advertised 'extra jumbo frets' and upon reading many reviews has alot of complaints about fret buzz below the 9th. I have my action pretty low, which probably doesn't help matters.
Click to expand...
Neither the fact that it is marketed as a beginner bass nor the fact that it has large frets will make it impossible to cure the fret buzz issue. Adjusting your technique and possibly raising your action may help. I'd take the bass back to wherever you got it setup and ask if they can help you figure out why there is buzz and what you can do about it.

Any guitar shop worth doing business with will be more than happy to help you.
 
#6
I think theres much better choices then fender for same and often even less money. Better necks, hardware, pups, & body wood choices. I prefer soapbar and humbucker pups over both P and J pups. Between those two I prefer P pup but would not pick a fender P pup bass even one with J type neck. P necks are horrible things to me playability and fit wise. Not a fan of there fretwork much either and prefer jumbo to extra jumbo frets.

Get a mid level or up ESP Ltd, Ibanez, Schecter, BC Rich, or similiar instead would be my suggestion. If you want fender style bass, a sadowski, lackland, G&L, or lull would be better choice then fender imo.
 
#7
KingRazor said:
Neither the fact that it is marketed as a beginner bass nor the fact that it has large frets will make it impossible to cure the fret buzz issue. Adjusting your technique and possibly raising your action may help. I'd take the bass back to wherever you got it setup and ask if they can help you figure out why there is buzz and what you can do about it.

Any guitar shop worth doing business with will be more than happy to help you.
Click to expand...

I'LLC attempt raising the action a bit to see if it helps. Either way I'm still in the market for an upgrade...
 
#8
Do you prefer the tone of your B50 with both pickups on, just the split coil or just the bridge pickup? That alone may help you decide between a P or J bass.

I own basses with a slew of different pickup configurations, combinations and numbers but time and time again I find the basic P to consistently sit well in the mix and just feel right.

However you may want to get a second opinion from a knowledgeable tech who can actually inspect your B50. It may just be that your bass needs a decent setup including a fret level if it's suffering from fret sprout. Quite frankly I've come across brand new basses costing +5 times more than your B50 that needed a leveling and then a setup.
 
#9
If you want a one-size-fits-all, simple, no-frills bass, then it is hard to beat a standard Fender P. It is the most recorded bass, and hasn't really changed in over 50 years. The sound may seem ugly by itself, but it sits perfectly in a mix. Jazz basses have a slimmer neck and more tonal options. The best way to find out is to go out and play them and see what you like better. Either way, you can't really go wrong. I hope someone reposts that now famous post by Ed Friedland. He really nails the difference on the head.
 
#10
entertoexit said:
I'LLC attempt raising the action a bit to see if it helps. Either way I'm still in the market for an upgrade...
Click to expand...
Don't get me wrong, if you don't like the bass that much and you wind up finding a bass that you like a lot more, please feel free to get the other bass. You should play what you like.

But, just because a bass is cheap, don't assume it's automatically crap. Do what you can to make it play well and if you still don't like it, don't keep it.
 
#11
Diogenes said:
Do you prefer the tone of your B50 with both pickups on, just the split coil or just the bridge pickup? That alone may help you decide between a P or J bass.

I own basses with a slew of different pickup configurations, combinations and numbers but time and time again I find the basic P to consistently sit well in the mix and just feel right.

However you may want to get a second opinion from a knowledgeable tech who can actually inspect your B50. It may just be that your bass needs a decent setup including a fret level if it's suffering from fret sprout. Quite frankly I've come across brand new basses costing +5 times more than your B50 thatched needed a leveling and then a setup.
Click to expand...

I play with both pickups turned up and the tone about a quarter turn up. Which is why I have been on the fence about the Squier jag, having combo pickups again isn't a bad thing. Then we get into a squier vs mim Fender debate and honestly I don't much care about a headstock logo as compared to tone and general playability.
 
#12
KingRazor said:
Don't get me wrong, if you don't like the bass that much and you wind up finding a bass that you like a lot more, please feel free to get the other bass. You should play what you like.

But, just because a bass is cheap, don't assume it's automatically crap. Do what you can to make it play well and if you still don't like it, don't keep it.
Click to expand...

Don't get me wrong, this bass has done me good. I wouldn't doubt there are issues with my finger technique either as I'm still learning. The overall issue with my current bass is the general feel, I've played some other basses at the shops and just plain like the feel of a fender neck more than my current neck, I think it comes down to the jumbo frets for me. I'm one of those people that has trouble pulling the trigger on a purchase without first having done immense research on something. That's where I get lost, there are just so many basses out there right now of good quality in the mid price range. And not many of them are alike. Maybe I just need to sit down and play every bass the shop has on hand until I find one that is just perfect for me at this stage.
 

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