Jazz Basses - clanky?

[rmayer]

I usually play with both pickups on full, although I have messed around with other settings. The strings could certainly contribute to that sound. I usually play P Basses and bright rounds seem to give me a high end “grind” that I like.

P basses definitely have a different, fuller sound. I had gone through a spell of 30+ years between having a P bass. I had Jazz and Jazz type basses, mostly active and quite a few high end hand made basses. Around three years ago my bass friend turned me onto G&L and we both ordered LB100s. Absolutely blew me away, it was the first passive bass I'd owned in decades. And it gave me a whole new appreciation of the P Bass. It works for about everything.

 

[nonohmic]

Super clanky. Not to mention that annoying offset body which doesn't sit in a guitar stand properly. Ungh.

 

[fhm555]

I’ve been playing jazz basses for a number of years and have never heard any clank out of any of them.

 

[Jackcrow]

P basses definitely have a different, fuller sound. I had gone through a spell of 30+ years between having a P bass. I had Jazz and Jazz type basses, mostly active and quite a few high end hand made basses. Around three years ago my bass friend turned me onto G&L and we both ordered LB100s. Absolutely blew me away, it was the first passive bass I'd owned in decades. And it gave me a whole new appreciation of the P Bass. It works for about everything.

I totally agree. I also have a LB-100 and it’s amazing. I could just stick to p Basses I guess, but there’s always GAS for something different.

 

[JGbassman]

Another thought, the Jazz is completely universal, and can cop a myriad of tones based on technique, and setup.

It runs a full circle from The grindy tones of Geddy Lee, to the blues of Tommy Shannon, and of course the thump of John Paul Jones. Larry Graham and Marcus Miller also have their distinct sounds as well. So don't feel you have to be inhibited or restrained by a jazz bass, they are a coat of many colors. I get that, but still love the sound of a P bass or humbucker like the Stingray. Those three are unique and the three pillars of tone in the bass world for me. I'd never ask those basses to sound like anything else than what they are.

 

[Jackcrow]

Another thought, the Jazz is completely universal, and can cop a myriad of tones based on technique, and setup.

It runs a full circle from The grindy tones of Geddy Lee, to the blues of Tommy Shannon, and of course the thump of John Paul Jones. Larry Graham and Marcus Miller also have their distinct sounds as well. So don't feel you have to be inhibited or restrained by a jazz bass, they are a coat of many colors. I get that, but still love the sound of a P bass or humbucker like the Stingray. Those three are unique and the three pillars of tone in the bass world for me. I'd never ask those basses to sound like anything else than what they are.

I agree the Jazz can be used for just about anything. The question is whether or not I can make it do what I want with my technique and playing style. Might be worth having one around.

 

[Geri O]

I can get some clank on any bass I play. I play probably a little too hard, not thrash-banging, just a good moderate stroke. To me, it sounds like the strings are clanking on the frets. In my case, nothing to do with any tone control or string type.

On each bass I own, I have to find a balance between action height and adding just a little relief to the neck. I make sure it’s straight at tension with the straightedge, then I back off the truss rod nut just enough to be able to see a little relief in the fingerboard. Then I set the string height down to a moderate amount of buzz or rattle, then raise it to have just a little buzz.

I’m sure someone can point out a book full of problems with the way I set up my basses, but hey, it works for me and my playing style. And I set up Jazz basses and now Mike Lull basses and MM Stingray basses, all 5-strings.

 

[Geri O]

Another thought, the Jazz is completely universal, and can cop a myriad of tones based on technique, and setup.

It runs a full circle from The grindy tones of Geddy Lee, to the blues of Tommy Shannon, and of course the thump of John Paul Jones. Larry Graham and Marcus Miller also have their distinct sounds as well. So don't feel you have to be inhibited or restrained by a jazz bass, they are a coat of many colors. I get that, but still love the sound of a P bass or humbucker like the Stingray. Those three are unique and the three pillars of tone in the bass world for me. I'd never ask those basses to sound like anything else than what they are.

I’m right there with ya on the 3 pillars of bass tones.

An Alembic Series One could be my runner-up....

 

[Jackcrow]

I can get some clank on any bass I play. I play probably a little too hard, not thrash-banging, just a good moderate stroke. To me, it sounds like the strings are clanking on the frets. In my case, nothing to do with any tone control or string type.

On each bass I own, I have to find a balance between action height and adding just a little relief to the neck. I make sure it’s straight at tension with the straightedge, then I back off the truss rod nut just enough to be able to see a little relief in the fingerboard. Then I set the string height down to a moderate amount of buzz or rattle, then raise it to have just a little buzz.

I’m sure someone can point out a book full of problems with the way I set up my basses, but hey, it works for me and my playing style. And I set up Jazz basses and now Mike Lull basses and MM Stingray basses, all 5-strings.

This is pretty similar to me I think. Although for my setup, I like to have my action as low as it can get without any fret buzz unless I really dig in hard. So that “clank” sound is really there on any bass that I play, although the jazz is the only style of bass where I’ve not liked the sound.

 

[JGbassman]

I agree the Jazz can be used for just about anything. The question is whether or not I can make it do what I want with my technique and playing style. Might be worth having one around.

Absolutely. I can't imagine having at least one of each. There is just too much cool music to be made with just one flavor. The one fretless bass I own is a jazz as well due to its versatility. I play my p basses the most right now, but I tend to float around as I explore different tones.

 

[Geri O]

This is pretty similar to me I think. Although for my setup, I like to have my action as low as it can get without any fret buzz unless I really dig in hard. So that “clank” sound is really there on any bass that I play, although the jazz is the only style of bass where I’ve not liked the sound.

You might try a “ramp” that will prevent you from digging in hard when you play.

Google “Gary Willis Ramp” and read up on them.

The subject of ramps will definitely start some debate around here. It’s just a suggestion. I don’t use them, but I’m not going to tell someone they aren’t effective.

 

[jim nolte]

I usually play with both pickups on full, although I have messed around with other settings. The strings could certainly contribute to that sound. I usually play P Basses and bright rounds seem to give me a high end “grind” that I like.

When I first saw your post that was what my guess was,you probably dime both volume controls,of all the different tones I can get from my Jazz basses that is my least favorite,it can get to clank city quickly. Back off the front pup a little and the rear pup even more, you will be amazed how much fuller the tone will be.

 

[Jackcrow]

When I first saw your post that was what my guess was,you probably dime both volume controls,of all the different tones I can get from my Jazz basses that is my least favorite,it can get to clank city quickly. Back off the front pup a little and the rear pup even more, you will be amazed how much fuller the tone will be.

Interesting, don’t think I’ve ever tried this.

 

[Briton]

P basses definitely have a different, fuller sound. I had gone through a spell of 30+ years between having a P bass. I had Jazz and Jazz type basses, mostly active and quite a few high end hand made basses. Around three years ago my bass friend turned me onto G&L and we both ordered LB100s. Absolutely blew me away, it was the first passive bass I'd owned in decades. And it gave me a whole new appreciation of the P Bass. It works for about everything.

I had the same experience when I purchased my G&L L-2000, I very rarely play my Jazz it just hangs on the wall, I also find them to be very thin sounding.

 

[bassman74]

If you can live with the tone difference, I hear no clank when playing over the bridge pickup. Every jazz bass I played is Clanky over the neck pickup. My pbass is not

 

[jim nolte]

Interesting, don’t think I’ve ever tried this.

Also remember the volume controls don't have to be on maximum to get rid of single coil hum they just have to be close to even to cancel each other out at any volume setting.

 

[gfh218]

I’ve had several different Jazz Basses and I always find the sound to be “clanky” and kind of annoying after a while. What do you think? Is it my playing style, taste, pickups, setup? Or do you prefer that clanky sound? Is that just an inherent trait of the jazz bass?

You might need to soften up your touch a bit. Just a thought

 

[Jackcrow]

You might need to soften up your touch a bit. Just a thought

That is something I’ve been working on. Although I do like the sound I get from that style sometimes. Almost like a slap sound.

 

[gfh218]

That is something I’ve been working on. Although I do like the sound I get from that style sometimes. Almost like a slap sound.

Your hands control everything. If you dig in, raise the action a bit. No instrument is perfect. you have to adjust for the way you play

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Are you playing passive or active jazz basses. Perhaps an active where you can boost the bass and treble and back off the mids. No clank. Nice growl .

Maybe you need to try a P/J .