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Most versatile type of Jazz bass

#22
B String said:
I don't recall seeing this discussed before, so here goes.

Which type of Jazz bass is the most versatile for a wide
variety of Pop, Jazz, R&B, Rock, etc.
60's or 70's? Alder/Rosewood, Maple/Ash? Maybe some
combination of all the above? Can you make it work just by
having a good eq, or does it have to come from the bass?
(and of course the hands)
Click to expand...

Hey Mom. You know my answer. Alder/Ebony. :p

W
 
#23
In my mind the 70s tone is a variant of the "standard" jazz tone so I would say that a 60s style 5 string with active/passive pre and humbucker j pickups would be the most versatile jazz. Standard wood choices do not contribute to how versatile the instrument is. IMO. :D
 
#26
2010 Am Std jazz--I can make it sound like my older P bass, it can slap, it sounds great with regular finger style playing, it sounds great with a pick. I cannot quite make it sound fretless, but that is no surprise as I don't think fretted basses really can so mimic. It nearly does it all, as far as I am concerned, even with only passive pickups. Plus, with passive pickups, you have no battery issues and fewer clicks.
 
#28
Lincoln said:
+1

Though I might add, a transparent preamp will be necessary as well. And though I'm a sucker for the Ash/maple combo. You may want to go Alder body, Maple neck, Pau Ferro fretboard to get that versatile sound thing...
Click to expand...

I was actually thinking about the Alder/Pau Ferro combo as
being a versatile combination. Hasn't Fender been doing that
on its five string basses?
 
#31
B String said:
I don't recall seeing this discussed before, so here goes.

Which type of Jazz bass is the most versatile for a wide
variety of Pop, Jazz, R&B, Rock, etc.
60's or 70's? Alder/Rosewood, Maple/Ash? Maybe some
combination of all the above? Can you make it work just by
having a good eq, or does it have to come from the bass?
(and of course the hands)
Click to expand...

So much of this is personal preferance.

I use my J in everything several pop styles, funk, fusion-esq, and some heavier rock as well.
I have always loved J basses and in recent years I have become more of addict.

My "general" preference is

Maple neck, heavier body (northern ash or soft maple, ect) for a body.

Graphite neck with an alder body.

Subtle pres (Audere)

Single coil pickups (unless fretless) Nordstrand

Just my $.02
 
#32
B String said:
Ebony? Really?
Hey Lawboy, where you been?
Click to expand...

Hey ma, sorry, I been around...playing some music, working, kids, all that...I haven't bought any new stuff in a while sadly...the Carvin is alot of fun though.

Yeah, I think alder/ebony is pretty versatile. Here is a clip of mine. I think it has good low mids like 60's but ganky upper mids like a 70's.

http://vimeo.com/11465609

Ken thought it sounded a bit like his ash/maple Dowsky.
 
#33
Wilbyman said:
Hey ma, sorry, I been around...playing some music, working, kids, all that...I haven't bought any new stuff in a while sadly...the Carvin is alot of fun though.

Yeah, I think alder/ebony is pretty versatile. Here is a clip of mine. I think it has good low mids like 60's but ganky upper mids like a 70's.

http://vimeo.com/11465609

Ken thought it sounded a bit like his ash/maple Dowsky.
Click to expand...

Yeah Lawboy! You sound good. What gear are you sporting in
this ensemble? I'm not really hearing Maple/Ebony. Sounds
darker, but I like it. Much of it from the hands.
 
#34
What about the older series of the Jazz Deluxe?
It has 22 frets instead of 20 and active pups with an endless count of sound possibilities. I bought mine used for 1100$, which I think is about half the price of a new one here.
Of course, if you've got the money, I'd go for the new series, they look sweet and probably play like a dream!
 
#37
BassClef 2010 said:
A Jazz is one of the most versatile basses on the market regardless of the woods it's made of or the year it was made. Your technique is what matters most IMO.
Click to expand...

+1
I agree with this...

Although it is fun to geek out a bit and get into the details.
 
#38
I'm not sure if I think the active preamp is necessary anymore...even if it is transparent. I just pulled the Bartolini preamp from my Yamaha BB605 but kept the Bartolini jazz (hum canceling) pups. I went volume, tone 3-way pup toggle. So far I really like it. We'll see how versatile it is over the next few weeks/gigs. I have everything from jazz to cover to wedding to church. should be a good test.
 
#39
SteveC said:
I'm not sure if I think the active preamp is necessary anymore...even if it is transparent. I just pulled the Bartolini preamp from my Yamaha BB605 but kept the Bartolini jazz (hum canceling) pups. I went volume, tone 3-way pup toggle. So far I really like it. We'll see how versatile it is over the next few weeks/gigs. I have everything from jazz to cover to wedding to church. should be a good test.
Click to expand...

Glad you like it, but by going with a master volume and switch, you gave up the tonal variations you can get from changing the relative outputs of the pups (especially, neck full on, bridge dropped back a bit).
 

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