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Jazz Bass Tone Dilemma

dagrev

dagrev

Supporting Member
Jun 21, 2006
25,338
148,338
63
Kentucky
#1
My dilemma with Jazz basses is a little weird I guess and much reading threads hasn't turned up an answer. I've got two JBs that I love to play--a '62 and '71--and I don't intend to get rid of either, but the tone I'm getting is less than I hope for. I'm getting either too nasally on the D&G or too deep and nondescript on the E&A. I either get the seemingly upper mid nasally thing or hollow deep thing. Thin or just deep. I'm running through an Ampeg V-4B AV and Ampeg 212 AV cab. This cab does seem to drain some mids that missing from my EBS 212 which I prefer to use at home (this cab has a very even frequency response--no scoop).

I"m looking for a thicker sound, I guess, but have heard Jbasses do that--just not with me. Think Mike Levine for Triumph, Leon Wilkeson (but know he used Thunderbirds as well). I love Pbasses (even my '55), but don't want to make a J just sound like a Pbass.

I've tried rolling off the bridge and that helps some, but lacks some definition. I've tried various strings (TIs brings out the nasally mids), GHS Boomers and Round cores (OK but still a little middy on the D&G), GHS Precision Flats likely sound the best of waht I've tried recently--but that ain't sayin' much. EB Cobalt Flats were the same as the TIs.

I don't want to run through a box (Sansamp, which are great, or an EQ). I'd like to figure out some other simple option like the perfect string or amp setting.

Thanks for any suggestions or guidance.
 
#4
Gorn said:
Have you tried adjusting pickup heights?
Click to expand...

I have not on the '62. It was setup by a well known tech just before I got it, I a figured it was all right. But that's never a good assumption!

After looking up the specs, it's likely they are a little low, but not crazy low. Seems from the specs they are to be pretty close.
 
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#6
Pickups seems to at spec, or pretty close to it. I was really hoping they were way off and that would be a easy and logical next step. I guess my next move might be to lower the bridge PU to thicken the sound up a bit.
 
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#7
I tried some Fender Pure Nickles that I have and the odd midrange was greatly minimized. It was very nice for a change, but the bass was a little too mellow, for lack of a better term. Might try more string options. I have some DR Dragon Skins that I recall used to sound pretty good on that bass.
 
#9
I agree that it's likely pickup height.

Getting a bass setup by a tech is never a bad thing, but remember that they are often setting things how they like it or how they think you'll like it. There is. I guarantee they'll do exactly what you want. Take note of where things are now and adjust until you find something that's more you.
 
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#10
@Badwater That's a thought. The pickups seem very strong (more so than my '71), and I'd hate to touch them unless really necessary. But that could certainly be a possibility.

@jmattbassplaya Definitely a real possibility. Since the PUs seemed really close, I've lowered the bridge a decent amount, and the bridge just a fuzz, so that may be helping as well. I'll have to keep experimenting.

Thanks guys!
 
#13
jmattbassplaya said:
I agree that it's likely pickup height.

Getting a bass setup by a tech is never a bad thing, but remember that they are often setting things how they like it or how they think you'll like it. There is. I guarantee they'll do exactly what you want. Take note of where things are now and adjust until you find something that's more you.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if this is a thing or not, but most techs I've gone to are guitar players, and I feel like most I've used always set the action kind of high for my tastes (whereas they get my guitars spot on). It's like try just don't quite get is or something :)
 
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#16
I think you're reacting to the comb filtering from both pickups. If you put hum cancelling pickups (side by side, not stacks), you can solo the neck pickup without hum, and I think that'll put tou in the ballpark of what you want.
 
#17
To me, the word "spec" means virtually nothing. It is nothing more than a startimg point. Play with pickup height like you have been.

To me, the word "vintage" means virtually nothing if I don't love how it plays/sounds. If someone GAVE me a '59 P Bass and it pkayed/sounded like crap, it would stay in the case or hang on the wall or (dare I say it) get some mods. There is no joy is strapping on something old for age sake and not enjoying it. Swap out some electronics if you don't love the sound. It's completely reversible if you don't route out the control cavity. If nothing else you could swap out for a new control plate (keep the old one of course), leave everything else the same and try the series switch mod to see if you like it. If you get ready to sell it, put the old plate back on and laugh all the way to the bank. :D
 
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#18
I would get different pickups. The string imbalance thing sounds like the poles may be different strengths or heights. You can play with differing gauges like using heavier strings on the D and G or lighter on the E and A. Check the tilt of your pickups, too.
 
#19
My advice is to go try some other jazz basses and see if you find one you love....
If you do not...then maybe they are not the bass for you

If you do...then perhaps your jazz basses are just not one of the special ones that have that magic you are looking for
 

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