Jazz vs. P. Flats vs. Rounds. Sound Clips

[sigmafloyd]

I have been thinking lately that despite conventional wisdom, I actually prefer the P with sound and J with flats sounds to the P with flats and J with rounds sound.

I did an experiment with my Squier VM Jazz and my American Standard P bass in which I put a set of broken in TI Jazz Flats and a set up new Sunbeams on each and recorded a simple scale pattern. Based on these examples, with these strings, I prefer the following (in order)

1. Jazz with Tis
2. P with sunbeams
3. P with Tis
4. Jazz with sunbeams

What do you think? (Note the jazz clips go both pups, neck only, bridge only, both with tone down)

Samples here:
http://soundcloud.com/clustermugs/sets/strings-1

 

[dralionux]

I like Jazz bass with flats.

 

[LoTone]

I came to the same conclusion.

P's split-coils are warm. Rounds adds definition to the sound.

J's single coils are brighter so flats tame the brightness.

-- LoTone

 

[Von Fett]

Excellent quality on those recordings.

I've always been a fan of the jazz/flats combo. I hear so many bass players raving about the sound of flats on a P-bass. Nice to know others share my opinion.

 

[JimmyM]

It all sounds fine to me. P or J with flats or rounds gets it done for me.

 

[Duckwater]

It all sounds good to me, the real difference comes out in an ensemble context IMO.

 

[Fetzu]

Great job...I so want to like Ti's on my P-bass, but I prefer Sunbeams better on there. The TI's reside on my jazz currently, which sound great.

 

[Rickles]

Nice job, thanks. I liked it all; however, my Jazz's and P's all have TI flats and I love 'em.