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Manipulating a Jazz Bass?

B

bmurf

Dec 14, 2008
12
0
Dublin
#1
Howdy all,

This me first post.

So i have a Jazz Bass. But i don't really know much about the tone controls. Can someone please explain which control is doing what, and how to blend the tones nicely for different styles? Also, there is a switch on the volume control, and i don't really know what that's doing either.

Or if there is already a thread about this, could someone link it?

Cheers, this site seems like a groovy bass place,

Bmurf
 
#2
Hello

The knob closest to the neck is the volume of the neck pickup, the next one (in the middle) is for the pickup near the bridge, and the last one is a tone control. It cuts off the treble levels (so if you roll it all the way, the treble is as high as you can get it, and you can lower it from there). Both pickups with the treble all the way up is good for slap, although some people like only the bridge pickup for slapping. I like both pickups (but i prefer the neck pickup) on full and treble at 0 for fingerstyle.

Not sure about the switch though.
 
#3
Welcome to TB. Is your bass a Fender? If so, there are complete tone-control instructions on their website for each model. Most manufacturers have that info for current-production instruments.

Not all Jazz basses have the same controls- do you know which specific model you have, or can you post a pic, along with the country of origin?
 
#5
Standard Passive Jazz basses Don't have a 'switch' on the control plate-near controls- but yours may be a special model. As stated Pics, or a description of the bass, model etc would be helpful for us to help U more.
Oh & welcome to Talk Bass- Can be one of THE most helpful sites for discovering new thing in the bass world &/or fixing problems. ASK HERE on TB 1st THEN attempt a fix or take it to a pro repairer.
 
#7
Here's how I adjust my Jazz. Start with both pickup volume controls and the tone control up full. To my ear, that's the perfect setting and I do most of my playing there.

If I want more "bite", or a more trebly sound, I back off the neck pup volume a little. For disco or slap that's what I use.

That's it. There is a ton of tonal variation just by adjusting the mix of neck to bridge pickup. I never adjust the tone control.
 
#9
that little switch might be an S-1 switch. I'm pretty sure that it makes both pickups act as a single pickup, to get a different sound (closer to a Fender Precision bass)

I've never owned a bass with the S-1 so i don't know for sure. Someone please tell me if I'm wrong
 
#10
Have a good time noodling with your controls. I like to do the same in terms of cutting just a little neck pickup for that nasally midrange tone or cutting only enough of the bridge pickup so that I get more of a round warm sound. In more quiet settings, those different tones can sound nice, but in live settings where I want to sound rather big and clear, I find that the mighty J-Bass shines with both pickups wide open. Unless I'm doing a little slapping, I keep the tone control turned down at least half way or so.
 

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