Just musing here....Dilemma (my) P vs (my) J - which to keep?!?!

[JimFog]

Just because I know most of you can relate........$$$$ is real tight, and I don't play enough bass gigs to keep both, right now. (I'm mostly a pro guitarist, by trade).

Dilemma.

Two basses. I really only NEED one. I dig them both.

The P is lighter, plays a bit easier, fits a bit better in a loud band situation, and has a great GRUNT to it.

The J, I put together myself, and it's been my baby for years now. Probably more versatile and more smoooooth. I can cop most of the P tone with it.....whereas the P can't get close to a J.

If I'm 100% honest, while the J could probably net me more $$$ in a sale, it's the one that makes me want to pick it up and play it......and Jazz basses still give me a bit of a thrill up my leg, when I'm checking them out and see other people playing them.

The Precision? It just WORKS....and it feels like everyone should have one in the arsenal, right?

Decisions.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

My answer is biased...that Jazz is gorgeous!!! Keep that forever!

Edit: I’m not a P-guy, but that one is pretty sweet. You can’t sell a kidney instead?

 

[StyleOverShow]

Nice color choices. Based on what I play, keep the Precision.....sounds like the Jazz will be the keeper. I think it’s more versatile in producing different tones too.

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

As you mentioned, you many not NEED both, but really, owning two basses isn't like you're a hoarder or anything, regardless of if you play out anymore or not. Are you THAT strapped the you absolutely need to sell one of them? Given that you say you can get more for the J, but it being a parts bass leads me to believe that you're not going to be able to get THAT much for it, and with that said you'll get even less for the P.

I'd say just keep them both, but if one has to go, sell the Jazz.

 

[SJan3]

Just because I know most of you can relate........$$$$ is real tight, and I don't play enough bass gigs to keep both, right now. (I'm mostly a pro guitarist, by trade).

Dilemma.

Two basses. I really only NEED one. I dig them both.

The P is lighter, plays a bit easier, fits a bit better in a loud band situation, and has a great GRUNT to it.

The J, I put together myself, and it's been my baby for years now. Probably more versatile and more smoooooth. I can cop most of the P tone with it.....whereas the P can't get close to a J.

If I'm 100% honest, while the J could probably net me more $$$ in a sale, it's the one that makes me want to pick it up and play it......and Jazz basses still give me a bit of a thrill up my leg, when I'm checking them out and see other people playing them.

The Precision? It just WORKS....and it feels like everyone should have one in the arsenal, right?

Decisions.

View attachment 2932643

You'd be a dummy to sell either. Figure out a way to keep both.

 

[Cool Bass]

I understand needing $$$$. But really, just flip a coin. My guess is, and these threads are full regret stories, whichever one you decide to part with, you’ll be wishing you never let go. I don’t think there will be a shortage of takers.

 

[sgl]

If it makes you feel any better, I never felt the need for a P bass in my collection. Had one for a brief time and quickly sold it. Now everything is either J or humbuckers

 

[mobdirt]

Jazz
sold my P in a few months after trying it
edit: though when it comes to signal to noise cant beat the P

 

[4-fingers]

That's going to be a tough decision.......I would really try to keep both and you gave excellent supporting evidence to us that says you should.

 

[Picton]

You’re clearly leaning toward keeping the J.

A bunch of strangers on the interwebz are unlikely to make a better judgement than you are, relative to which instrument YOU want to keep.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Difficult suggestion to give for somebody owning 3 basses of each kind ... however, based on what you stated, you should sell the P bass although I don’t how much your budget may benefit from this move ...

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Don’t do it . You’re going to regret letting either of them go . Find another way if you need money. But you don’t have an over abundance of basses. There are times when a Jazz works best and times when a Pbass works best. You need both . No one likes to use the same crayon when their are so many other colors to choose from.

Beautiful pair of basses btw.

 

[Bassa Nova]

I am an ardent believer that one needs both. However, if you absolutely must sell one, I would say sell the precision.

A good Jazz bass is tougher to come by. It can approximate the precision tone. Keep the one that you can’t easily replace, plus you put it together yourself.

 

[mellowinman]

You can only sell one if it is the most dire emergency. You will regret doing so.

 

[klejst]

All things considered and also looks...keep the P...that thing looks sick and I bet sounds killer!

 

[Wisebass]

it's the one that makes me want to pick it up and play it......and Jazz basses still give me a bit of a thrill up my leg, when I'm checking them out and see other people playing them.

All your basses should do that!
When your P doesn 't have the same effect on you....

...on the other hand

The Precision? It just WORKS....and it feels like everyone should have one in the arsenal, right?

Right!

(I'm mostly a pro guitarist, by trade).

...so sell some guitars first!!!

Wise(b)ass

 

[GCQ23]

Im a drummer by trade, but have (too?)many guitars. Ive mamaged this by means of buying and selling them, once improved.
Up till recently i have had 2 basses, both cheap, one 70's MIJ gibson eb3l copy, one crafter jazz copy (very easy to play, and a surprisingly good sound)
I didnt play much bass at all, but enjoyed noodling around.
I now have the same decision to make, as i have constructed a P-bass, and have just got a good 70's MIJ jazz copy. I have a few recordings to put bass on for a band im in as a drummer (we swap for a few tracks)
Ive given the crafter away, to my daughter.
And im really getting attached to the jazz bass, as it doesnt have the trad jazz/jazz pickup formation.
I wouldnt get much ££'s for the P-bass, as its not a fender or even a squier, but it sounds great, has a beautiful figured rosewood board, and is easy to play.
I dont really want to sell either, as they are versatile in their own way. But if i had to id keep the jazz, especially, if you constructed it yourself, you can tweak it, or add a p-bass pickup in it?
I always preferred the look of the jazz as my friend has had one for 30 years or so.
Those two look great together.. you should look into selling something else, or doing a few extra gigs...

You’re clearly leaning toward keeping the J.

A bunch of strangers on the interwebz are unlikely to make a better judgement than you are, relative to which instrument YOU want to keep.

Similar to flipping a coin...

 

[pbassnut]

Just because I know most of you can relate........$$$$ is real tight, and I don't play enough bass gigs to keep both, right now. (I'm mostly a pro guitarist, by trade).

Dilemma.

Two basses. I really only NEED one. I dig them both.

The P is lighter, plays a bit easier, fits a bit better in a loud band situation, and has a great GRUNT to it.

The J, I put together myself, and it's been my baby for years now. Probably more versatile and more smoooooth. I can cop most of the P tone with it.....whereas the P can't get close to a J.

If I'm 100% honest, while the J could probably net me more $$$ in a sale, it's the one that makes me want to pick it up and play it......and Jazz basses still give me a bit of a thrill up my leg, when I'm checking them out and see other people playing them.

The Precision? It just WORKS....and it feels like everyone should have one in the arsenal, right?

Decisions.

View attachment 2932643

Nice basses! Keep'm both and subsist on Ramen Noodles for a coupla months. ;^)

 

[Afc70]

Im partial to P basses, they just work so well in so many musical situations.. the jazz is very nice, but if i had to sell one, itd be the jazz.

 

[smtp4me]

My answer is biased...that Jazz is gorgeous!!! Keep that forever!

Edit: I’m not a P-guy, but that one is pretty sweet. You can’t sell a kidney instead?

^^^ This. P basses are perfect for some players. I prefer Jazz, and IMHO it is more versatile (with the most important part of that being it can be made to sound like a P).