Jazz bass tone

[butterfingers1]

I know this topic has come up, but when comparing precision and jazz basses most people say they prefer the p bass tone. Those who prefer j basses do so for the thin neck and so-called versatility of 2 pickups.

Does anyone prefer the jazz bass tone?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Many of us here do. Me included !! I currently have 4 Jazz basses and 1 Precision bass.

 

[butterfingers1]

Many of us here do. Me included !! I currently have 4 Jazz basses and 1 Precision bass.

I never had one, I am not particularly interested in knobs or narrow necks (most shapes and sizes are fine for me).

I am looking for a reason to finally get one. Most people seem to have the jazz bass for these features rather than the tone.

 

[bassdude51]

Since the Jazz Bass has 2 pickups and 2 volume knobs and blending, it has quite a few "sounds". I'm not sure what is "the Jazz Bass sound".

I'm guessing the Jazz Bass sound is the neck and bridge pickups run together @ 100%, no blending.

If that is the Jazz Bass sound, I'm not fond of it.

I like the J neck pickup by itself. I like the bridge pickup full with the neck pickup rounded down about 20%. (That's that Jaco sound.)

The Jazz Bass is a great bass! (Not a fan of the little skinny neck or off-set body.)

 

[skycruiser]

OK you really should have added a poll to this thread.

Why do you prefer a Jazz Bass?
1. Tone
2. Neck Profile
3. Knobs

#3 would win by a landslide!

 

[butterfingers1]

I suppose I meant all knobs dimed, except maybe for the tone knob if needed.

I understand this gives a scooped tone. I also hear that slightly rolling back the bridge pickup changes the tone, with mids appearing, apparently because both pickups on causes some sort of interference and cancelling of mid frequencies.

I have had basses with 2 soapbar pickups and never noticed anything like this, just a simple clean blend of the individual pickup tones.

 

[butterfingers1]

OK you really should have added a poll to this thread.

Why do you prefer a Jazz Bass?
1. Tone
2. Neck Profile
3. Knobs

#3 would win by a landslide!

Poll, right, that’s exactly my question.

 

[Killing Floor]

Big fan of JB tone. In most cases Ofer the years I’ve changed VVT to VBT and blend about 60% neck, 40% bridge and tone to taste. But there’s a lot of different flavors.
I think it’s funny this shows up so often here.
If you really want to do the right thing get both P and J.

 

[butterfingers1]

If you really want to do the right thing get both P and J.

I resisted for decades. Maybe one more carrots post will break me.

 

[chris_b]

. . . . Those who prefer j basses do so for the thin neck and so-called versatility of 2 pickups.

My active 5 string Jazz and my passive PJ5 compliment each other in the tool box. I prefer both.

 

[MonetBass]

Judging solely on their popularity, there are a lot of people who prefer the sounds you can get from a Jazz bass. Me included!

What @skycruiser meant was that when you create a new thread, you can add a poll to it so people can vote.

 

[G On Bass]

I know this topic has come up, but when comparing precision and jazz basses most people say they prefer the p bass tone. Those who prefer j basses do so for the thin neck and so-called versatility of 2 pickups.

Does anyone prefer the jazz bass tone?

Keep in mind that the 'Jazz Neck/P-neck' width thing is pretty much a Fender-specific construct. Other basses are J or P based on Pickups.

That being said, J-basses are capable of producing one of my favorite and my absolute least favorite tone. I love the overdrive, grindy Geddy tone, especially the classic early tones. I really, really, really don't like the bridge-solo burp-y type tone. Yet I still own no Jazz (or Fender) basses, just PJs with super comfy neck profiles.

 

[ruju]

I prefer jazz bass. Not for the thin bridge tone, but for the solo d neck tone.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

 

[butterfingers1]

I prefer jazz bass. Not for the thin bridge tone, but for the solo d neck tone.

Isn’t a p bass better than soloing the jazz neck pickup?

 

[Tommy Sparks]

I like everything (including the tone) about a J bass.
I also like a P bass but, not as much as a J.
If I was forced to pick it would be the J.
I probably play my J 80%
of the time.
Sometimes I just want that P bass sound.

 

[butterfingers1]

What @skycruiser meant was that when you create a new thread, you can add a poll to it so people can vote.

I just created another thread with poll, but I like the discussion here, maybe the two will be different. Or not.

 

[Fresh Eddie]

I like the tone of a Jazz on it's own, but (in my very humble opinion, and with my particular playing style) P-basses sit better in the mix with heavy guitars and whatnot.

 

[ruju]

I prefer jazz bass. Not for the thin bridge tone, but for the solo d neck tone.

Neither is "better". You prefer P bass tone. I prefer jazz. I don't dislike P tone. I have a P bass.

 

[Roger W]

Isn’t a p bass better than soloing the jazz neck pickup?

Some people do believe that. But what I can get on a J that’s impossible on a P is a certain amount of blending of the pickups. I go back and forth between 100% on neck and 20% on bridge and the exact opposite. Plus, the J pickups are true single coil instead of post-1956 P split coil and I prefer single coil pickups.