"Jaco tone" and practice.

[Soul Power]

Although I love the jaco tone (Jazz bass, bridge pickup solo'd), I don't like using it much (but I've found that I like using it on ballads), BUT...
Either I'm beginning to go deaf to the lower frequencies, or I'm on to something: Do any of you guys think that the "Jaco" tone REALLY makes any flaws in how clean the way you play anything jump out at you?
It seems to me like you can mask string vibration with a deep tone. This leads me to believe that practicing in a setting with headphones (to mimic a session) and the jaco tone would be very beneficial.

 

[sammyp]

i don't know all the ins and outs of jaco's tone ...but are you confusing him playing with both pups pretty well even but fingers on the bridge pup ....i donno ....

 

[Soul Power]

Nor do I, but it seems to me that solo'ing the bridge pup of a jazz bass is pretty darn close.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

and a fretless....or defretted

 

[Soul Power]

 

[jackwell1029384]

yeah dont you ever notice when the bass gets really loud and deep you can't really distinguish notes? well when it's trebly you can hear everything clearly. playing "jaco style" is really good for practising cuz it'll strengthen your fingers from playing so hard so close to the bridge, and you'll hear every nuance.

 

[Audiophage]

Might you also be noticing more sloppiness in your playing because you're playing in a way that you're less comfortable with?

 

[Soul Power]

I don't think so, I can pluck anywhere from a half inch from the bridge to the top 4 frets of the fretboard with a deep tone through an actual amp and not hear all the string vibration that I do when I simply turn the neck pup all the way down and solo the bridge pickup. My main goal is to eliminate a mistake that happens when I play live, which is when I essentially knock more than one string and get that crashing sound.
Besides, I only noticed all the vibration and lack of consistency in my dynamics when practicing with headphones.
I wasn't plucking towards the bridge, I had dialed in the tone (which is neck pup fully on with a little treble, to imitate a P-bass) I actually like to use and the problems were apparent.
They were even MORE apparent when I solo'd the bridge pup.