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More power from my Jazz?

C

Clarkus Miller

Oct 5, 2008
46
0
#1
I've been disillusioned with the sound of my bass for a while. I even started playing guitar for a while... :hiding:

But, today I was at ol' Sam Ash and I played an MTD Kingston Z5... And I realized what my Jazz was missing. It doesnt have that aggressive thump. I've heard jazzes get it, mine just doesn't. What is it? How do I acquire this magical trait?

My bass is a 2008 American Standard Jazz with and alder body and maple neck. Would adding a preamp help? Thanks in advance.
 
#2
I'd say yes, a preamp would help. I've dropped preamps in basses before and it does add to the tonal variety, aggressiveness, and overall headroom. If you're still not happy with your tone then get a set of EMG's or SD Bass Lines pickups. They're some aggressive pickups IMO.
 
#5
First of all, what amp are you playing your Jazz through? Maybe you just don't get the sound you want from the amp.

Next, what strings are you using? Again, this can have a big effect.

I sure wouldn't go crazy modding my bass, or even buying other basses, until I was sure about my amp, and had tried the less expensive option of different strings.

If you've already thought of and tried those things, please ignore this post! :D:D:D
 
#6
+1 on the preamp. However, I favor an outboard box - Sadowsky's did it for me until I decided that Jazz basses were not my thing at all. I bought the pre used and sold it again without too much of a loss.

Try something with YOUR bass before you buy. Maybe it is that a Jazz is not for you and it is time to move on. Good luck
 
#7
Yeah, I tried different strings. I use DR low riders and I like them. My amp is an ampeg BA115HP combo, it's pretty nice. I think it is my bass.

If I end up putting in a preamp, it will be one with active/passive switching. I don't want to do a mod that is permanently altering my bass.

Thanks so much guys.
 
#10
I'm sure the preamps and pickups mentioned here are cool and it's really fun to buy new gear...but a MIA 2008 Jazz is a great bass. I would make sure to play it through a better amp (no offense) before going to all the trouble to switch out bass parts for tiny incremental gains. Odds are if you still don't like the way your Jazz sounds then, you don't like Jazz basses.
 
#11
Old fart chiming in..

"hot" pickups/ pre amps/ Bla Bla Bla..

With what you have, you can play with dynamics! Add more to the signal chain, and you loose your ability to back out of the mix, when needed.

It's taken me 20 years to appreciate the Jazz Bass. Low output pickups means YOU are in control, not the 9V battery that will crash your gig at the worst possible time!

My .02

Robin
 
#12
zandar said:
I'm sure the preamps and pickups mentioned here are cool and it's really fun to buy new gear...but a MIA 2008 Jazz is a great bass. I would make sure to play it through a better amp (no offense) before going to all the trouble to switch out bass parts for tiny incremental gains. Odds are if you still don't like the way your Jazz sounds then, you don't like Jazz basses.
Click to expand...


+1 all the way. I just played Dr. Cheeze's, and it was pure J bliss.

If you want a more active tone (nothing wrong with that), the easiest way to get that bigger bottom and sizzlier top is to get a Sadowsky outbout pre. You won't have to mess with your bass, you can switch it in and out of your signal chain, and you will get a great DI to boot! IMO.
 

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