Learning to love rear jazz pickup

[Swamp_Ronin]

The bridge pickup rules. It is favored by some of the most badass players out there. Turn the tone way down, and turn up the bass and low mids. You're gonna get a sound that rewards the bold. Of course it's always contingent on what the music needs, but thats where your articulation is hiding. It's hiding under that pickup. Don't be afraid to face the dragon.

 

[Wasnex]

Bridge sounds seem less fashionable these days. I still love the way the bass sounds here (released in 1979):

 

[deepestend]

If you don't want to use the bridge pickup, then... what is compelling you to play a J bass? Nothing wrong with soloing the middle pickup, or just playing a P bass if that's what you like best. I like J and PJ basses better than any single pickup bass, and I quite enjoy the sound of a solo'd bring pickup. You might have to adjust tone/EQ differently to arrive at a sound that you like. Or maybe it's just not for you, which of course is

Thanks to all! I have certainly played enough to know how to make the bridge pickup work in appropriate situations, I’ve just beer loved it…and wanted to see how others had gotten their minds around it.

 

[songwriter21]

Wanted to see if anyone else has insight into this.

I'm relatively new to jazz basses after playing mostly P's or soapbar type basses for 20+ years. Of course, I've had a jazz or jazzesque bass here or there, but have never really dug in on one before.

I've worked my want through the whole single coil vs hc jazz pickups, so that's not the issue. I have both and have gone back and forth and have made peace with the Fralin HC jazz pickups.

But I do find that I just don't use the rear pickup and I can't tell if that's a mental thing or what? I don't "not" like the sound, but I really don't love it. If I edge up the active bass on the pre a little bit and use the rear, it does sound defined and fine, but then what's the point if I can basically get that sound with the neck pickup as well? I'm not a slapper, more of a groove/country/funk/rock player.

Has anyone else grappled with this?

I've never been a fan of just the neck pickup...P tone sounds too rubbery for me. That, and playing over the bridge pickup strengthens your plucking hand.

 

[PhinDog]

There are three default tones for me on a Jazz Bass:

Both pickups full - with its signature scoop, great for slap (not that I’m much of a slapper)

Neck full, bridge rolled off just a little - similar to neck soloed but with more definition

Bridge full, neck rolled off just a little - similar to bridge soloed but with more body (booty?)

I like the second two options much more than either pickup soloed. I’m not unique in this preference; it’s a pretty common way to use a J-bass.

These are my settings as well.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Im almost always both on or rolled towards bridge. I keep tone off 40-60% just matters. You can get a great slap sound with the tone backed off

 

[retslock]

I never loved it. As a lead voice I think it works a lot of the time but I don't play that way so I leave it out. Recently I've tried blending with the neck pickup a tad more than the bridge. At around 60/40 blend in favour of the neck pickup it's usable but still not my favourite sound.
Having said that, I love Jaco's sweeter stuff and even Teen Town or Birdland but that's about it.

 

[deepestend]

Im almost always both on or rolled towards bridge. I keep tone off 40-60% just matters. You can get a great slap sound with the tone backed off

I have been really into rolling the tone back to 40% lately.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I've had similar experiences to OP. I find bridge pickup is great for bedroom tone (especially when I'm on a Jaco kick), but I've never really made it work in a band setting.

 

[Podgorny]

As has been said, both pickups up all the way is the sound of the Fender Jazz bass. That said, there's a place for 100% bridge pickup, with the tone rolled all the way off. Especially when playing fast 16ths near the bridge. Is it something that will work well in most musical contexts? No, but for me, neither is 100% neck pickup.

 

[winston]

While I dig the Jazz rear pickup sound many other players get - I always felt it was not for me...until I got a J with '70s spacing.
Meaning rear pickup is about 0.4" closer to the bridge. Fender marketing geniuses - not engineers - came up with this because '60s spaced pickup stuck out from under the chrome bridge cover.

I prefer both the blended tone and the solo'd tone, it's got a bit more bite, and less honk than '60s spacing.

 

[ahbradot]

The Jazz bridge pickup is the reason I bought the Jazz.
Love the tight, articulate, staccato bridge notes with the neck and tone rolled back.
It has very little, if anything at all to do with Jaco for me.

 

[deepestend]

Bridge pickup with the tone rolled down is a good idea.

 

[SuperTheBass]

I like it, but there's no rule that says you have to.

 

[Yahboy]

Wanted to see if anyone else has insight into this.

I'm relatively new to jazz basses after playing mostly P's or soapbar type basses for 20+ years. Of course, I've had a jazz or jazzesque bass here or there, but have never really dug in on one before.

I've worked my want through the whole single coil vs hc jazz pickups, so that's not the issue. I have both and have gone back and forth and have made peace with the Fralin HC jazz pickups.

But I do find that I just don't use the rear pickup and I can't tell if that's a mental thing or what? I don't "not" like the sound, but I really don't love it. If I edge up the active bass on the pre a little bit and use the rear, it does sound defined and fine, but then what's the point if I can basically get that sound with the neck pickup as well? I'm not a slapper, more of a groove/country/funk/rock player.

Has anyone else grappled with this?

Dimarzio Model J bridge pickup well match with worn round wound bass string.

 

[wompwomp]

The bridge pickup rules. It is favored by some of the most badass players out there. Turn the tone way down, and turn up the bass and low mids. You're gonna get a sound that rewards the bold. Of course it's always contingent on what the music needs, but thats where your articulation is hiding. It's hiding under that pickup. Don't be afraid to face the dragon.

+1! tone down you get a cool froggy woman tone a la I want you back or through the wire . very hornlike .

this post enticed me back to playing bass! I was on the mando for awhile there thank you homie

 

[bassdude51]

Wanted to see if anyone else has insight into this.

I'm relatively new to jazz basses after playing mostly P's or soapbar type basses for 20+ years. Of course, I've had a jazz or jazzesque bass here or there, but have never really dug in on one before.

I've worked my want through the whole single coil vs hc jazz pickups, so that's not the issue. I have both and have gone back and forth and have made peace with the Fralin HC jazz pickups.

But I do find that I just don't use the rear pickup and I can't tell if that's a mental thing or what? I don't "not" like the sound, but I really don't love it. If I edge up the active bass on the pre a little bit and use the rear, it does sound defined and fine, but then what's the point if I can basically get that sound with the neck pickup as well? I'm not a slapper, more of a groove/country/funk/rock player.

Has anyone else grappled with this?

I enjoyed reading your thread. And, I completely agree with you.

But, why did you go from a P to a J?..........if you don't like the bridge p/up sound? Sounds like it would be practical for you to go back to P Basses.

As you probably know, a J Bass neck pickup solo (with the bridge p/u off.) sounds very much like a P. So, you could simply leave the J bridge p/u off.

Although I'm a devote P person, the J Bass is one of the most versatile bass guitars and can do many, many, many different sounds. And, can do pretty much the full spectrum of music, from "dud and thud" to Geddy Lee, Jaco and Ric type sounds.

Opinion, find a nice P Bass that weighs 8 lbs or less and enjoy!

 

[JimiLL]

I always blend to some degree or another, usually flat, with my active basses. But never more than a 50% difference between the two pickups. My ocd almost definitely has something to do with this.

 

[deepestend]

I enjoyed reading your thread. And, I completely agree with you.

But, why did you go from a P to a J?..........if you don't like the bridge p/up sound? Sounds like it would be practical for you to go back to P Basses.

As you probably know, a J Bass neck pickup solo (with the bridge p/u off.) sounds very much like a P. So, you could simply leave the J bridge p/u off.

Although I'm a devote P person, the J Bass is one of the most versatile bass guitars and can do many, many, many different sounds. And, can do pretty much the full spectrum of music, from "dud and thud" to Geddy Lee, Jaco and Ric type sounds.

Opinion, find a nice P Bass that weighs 8 lbs or less and enjoy!

View attachment 7427313

Why did I switch? Sometimes a bass falls into your hands when you least expect it to. That happened here and now I’m trying to really embrace it and understand what everyone else sees in it.

I have totally had the experience with this J of not being happy how it sounds live…then going back to the recording and feeling like it’s perfect. I’m sensing that that is part of the J thing—doesn’t sound quite right to the player but totally sounds great in a band setting.

 

[Wasnex]

doesn’t sound quite right to the player but totally sounds great in a band setting.

Nope. It totally depends on each player's taste...so it's actually a you thing..