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Jazz bass tone

#101
Most of the usual arguments have been brought up. The lines between the two can two can be blurred a bit with judicious pickup choices. You can get thicker jazz tones with split coil pups or DiMarzio’s. Some genres of busy music like disco or funk will likely sound muddy with a Pbass, while rock or punk can benefit from the higher grunt of a split coil P bass. Personally, I enjoy having jazz basses, a classic 50’s split coil P bass and a single coil 50’s P bass. They all have their own window of tone.
 
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#102
butterfingers1 said:
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?
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Considering that I have only played Jazz Basses since I bought my 1965 Jazz in 1966....I'd say, "Yeah! I do!" My '65 Jazz was stolen in 1976 and it took me almost 10-years to find another MIA Jazz with the same neck profile, shape, and radius. But when I found it I bought it and still play it.

For my sound, I use my passive Jazz Bass with the controls dimed (maxxed) through my Eden amps into either a DNS-210 or DNS-410 (by DNA). I typically run my EQ flat with a little bit of boost dialed in at ~250Hz. that gives me a great sound that has both definition and presence in a mix.

I like the sound of a P-bass just fine, but not as much as the sound of my Jazz, and I pretty much hate their wide and fat necks, which are the antithesis of my "60's slim C-shape Jazz Bass neck with a 7.25". Yeah, I can use the volume knobs of the pickups to vary the balance of sound I get, but I don't often do that. More commonly I'll move my hand toward the neck to produce a darker sound or toward the bridge to produce a brighter sound.

And I'll pluck enthusiastically right over the bridge pickup if I want it to growl (thanks to the 70's pickup spacing) That's a far more effective technique with pickups in two positions than it is with pickups in just one position. And, I can get close to the sound of a P-bass on a Jazz, but it's not the same. You pretty much need to be playing a P-bass to get that P-bass sound. I'm just happier with my Jazz Bass sounds.
 
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#103
I have played and owned some very nice J’s, including Fender Custom Shop, and I would take a P any day. The best J’s have a warm tone, but most of them are too thin sounding, and even the best ones don’t thump like a P. And I have no need for a J pickup either so spare me the PJ.

*for legal purposes, this post is the opinion of the poster
 
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#105
butterfingers1 said:
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.
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My two main basses are Mike Lull Jazz's and I absolutely have them for the tone. Using both pickups provides a nice tone that borders on modern with a full lower mid while soloing the neck gives you enough stank to get in the ballpark of a P and the soloing the bridge gives you that honk when you dig deep over the pickup. Of course you can still use both pickups while biasing towards the front or back. But wait... there's more! Just like the super duper ultra mega versatile P bass..... these also have tone knobs!!! But hold on... there's even more!!! You can pluck wherever you'd like... or use a pick... or slap... or tap... or use a beer bottle. The world is your oyster.



Here's some solid jazz bass tone that does well in the mix.
 
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#106
butterfingers1 said:
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?
Click to expand...
Over the years the profile of a P bass neck can change quite a bit some I like others I didn't. I have a Jazz bass a 60's P Bass and a early 50's P Bass they all sound different. What works for me on the Jazz is running one pickup full with the other reduced about 50% to me this is where the tone really cuts. I do not like the sound of both pickups full on. The scooped mid sound gets lost particularly when playing with a guitar oriented rock thing. At my age and the type of music I have done in the last 15 years I was called on to solo over a uptown blues/swing feel often. I felt the Jazz bass was easier to do this on. The early 50's P bass has a more mid focused tone than the 60's I actually prefer this sound it really cuts through. Using the tone knob on the 50's style allows a wide range of tones for a one pickup bass. They are all good just a matter of taste.
 
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#107
Because I also own a P there's not much reason for me to get all bent out of shape trying to get a P tone out of a J.
Js are able to do things a P can't, so comparing them is apples to oranges.
I have never been in love with the skinny J necks.
No matter, my J is a fiver so it's a bit wider than my C necked P.
I accept that each has it's own sound and like each for what they do best.

My answer to the age old P or J question has always been;
YES! Please! :thumbsup:
 
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#110
I quite simply prefer the Jazz bass mostly for the neck(I'm primarily about the feel) However, I once had a P-bass with a Jazz neck and it was awesome (alas, was ripped off from my home!) My two main basses currently are #1: 1980 Ric 4003 and #2. 1974/75 Fender Jazz (maple fretboard)!
:
 
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#115
I played a passive Jazz as my number one for a lot of years that had a lot of inherent mid scoop with both pickups full open. Sounds fantastic by itself at home and fun for occasional slap, but not great for standing out in a mix. Eventually I figured out that solo'ing the neck pickup was a big help with hanging with the band.

Then I picked up a custom P/J (passive) and the extra honk in that tone was a wrecking ball for cutting through a mix with the P pickup solo'ed. Fortunately I can also mellow that sound a bit by partially blending in some of the J and dialing back the passive tone control to some degree. I love having that range of personality with this bass.

I know that if I only had one bass handy, I'd be missing the other to help me hit all the spots in the tone spectrum that I might want to shoot for.

Johnny21 said:
Jazz is harder to EQ than P Bass IME
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Agree. I think that because there are three settings with a Jazz that I like to use and each one has its own degree of boldness in a band mix, I like having an active eq on board a Jazz. This makes it easier to use different pickup settings through a set and tweak on the fly.

If I solo the neck pickup on my Jazz, I might need to turn down the master vol. or cut just a little in the lows. Both pickups full-up might also need a bump in the mids to stand out. Shading the blend just slightly to the bridge pickup usually needs some extra lows, but might also be more right for a song with the highs reigned in.

On my P/J, the P pickup - either with or without some J pickup blended in - delivers a plenty aggressive tone. I can let it fly as is or cool it out with the tone knob. No eq required or desired.
 
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#116
I have been a jazz bass player for years and love them- for the tone, the neck, the flexibility in tone....etc. etc.
But, I also have owned a 77 Music Man (pre EB) since I bought it new back in the 70's and can't imagine not having that beast. Since then I have bought and sold a handful of P basses, never getting attached but trying like hell to, until I purchased an American Ultra P/J. Yeah, yeah, I know...the purists blow their dinner into the porcelain bathroom implements on this, but man do I love that bass. The neck is awesome, the P pup is awesome, but love that J pickup as well at the bridge. I used it almost every Sunday in church and love the tonal flexibility and the playability. In the end, it's all about tone and capability to sit in the mix. I play a variety of music, so there is not one tone that I want all the time or need everyday. Best part of playing, now that I am older and have the resources to purchase new things, is the variety. Spice of life!
 
#117
I started bass life on P type and P basses. Once I got that first J bass, it was game on.
It's all about the flexibility of tone, there is so much you can do, just being coarse one can get 3 very distinct tones. Nothing against the P, it has it's place, but the J has more places.
I also play 5ers mostly, so it's not about the thinner neck, I like all nut widths as long as the rest of the neck profile is comfortable.
 
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#119
butterfingers1 said:
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?
Click to expand...
I 100% prefer the Jazz Bass tone over Precision Bass tone.
 
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