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My Jazz Bass has no balls. Help!

#142
Hardbassjunkie said:
Nope, just angier sounding. I only used the metaphor to describe the sound.
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Oh right. Interesting.

(Before the Harley fans get too upset I was mostly kidding. Actually the Harley Road King is one of the nicest cruisers I've had the opportunity to ride, though unfortunately a Harley Sportster was easily the worst bike of any kind I've ever been on.)
 
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#143
I have many Jazz basses, an Aerodyne as well. First the bridge pick-up is not in the same position as say a 70’s model ( I think, depends I guess ) also I put in a TBX tone pot on my 3 Geddy’s from Japan. Cheap “up-grade”, $15.00 usd or close. Again, not too much $ to try. Good Luck.
 
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#146
Hardbassjunkie said:
I have a made in japan Fender Jazz bass 62 reissue. It is a thing of beauty and has a great neck but I don't know why but it just feels like it doesnt have any balls. It's hard to describe what I mean but basically my precision feels like Harley davidson and the jazz feels like a Yamaha bike. I hope that makes sense haha. So my question is I was offered a Fender Aerodyne to trade for this bass which would give me the balls I need BUT is there a way to get my Jazz to sound more inspiring? A set of pickups maybe?
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Tell me about your amp. Do you adjust the EQ when changing from the P to the J? That’s pretty important
 
#147
nnnnnn said:
Oh right. Interesting.

(Before the Harley fans get too upset I was mostly kidding. Actually the Harley Road King is one of the nicest cruisers I've had the opportunity to ride, though unfortunately a Harley Sportster was easily the worst bike of any kind I've ever been on.)
Click to expand...

Love my Road King:
My Bike 9-23-19.jpeg
 
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#154
start with the least expensive option. raise to pup height close to the strings. I know you think they are at a good height but closer to the strings will make them sound hotter. then try new strings. Rotosound Route 66 strings will put some starch in your sheets.
 
#157
Hardbassjunkie said:
View attachment 3587701

I think they are the appropriate height. Are jazz basses supposed to be more mellow? I like the extra mid range it gives but I just want it to be angrier haha. Like when girlfriend nags me to wash the dishes I can play her a note to scare her away.
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What would talkbass be without casual unnecessary sexism
 
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#159
Jim Carr said:
I swapped that type pickup out of a nice 2009 MIM 60's Jazz in favor of some Frailin hum-canceling split coils. IMHO, while the Frailin's sounded fine and were quieter, the stock pickups actually sounded great (made me think of Harvey Brooks on those old Electric Flag tracks), were used in the Road Worn series, and might well be a nice choice for your MIJ Jazz.
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I have an 04 MIM J bass and its dead stock and i am ALWAYS swapping out pickups...the ceramics are way punchy but i spent a lot of time with setup (make sure the break over angle on the saddles is good for example) and pickup height.

Do try raising the pickups just a bit 1st......i went with a used set of LaBella flats and it completely made this MIM J bass what i wanted...BUT i have an Eden Metro thru a 8x10 and it has 450 watts into 4 ohms with extensive EQ, so NO problem dialing in punchy tones but hey its a J bass....want a J bass on steroids? an 80's Peavey Foundation with Super Ferrites which are under $300 all day long, sometimes 1/2 that.

Are you sure your strings arent sort of dead? Are they rounds?
 
#160
As far as strings go I would also suggest GHS roundwounds. For something a bit brighter but still fat definatley try DR pure blues.

But if you are considering a pickup replacement too, I wouldn’t look anywhere else than the Fender Custom Shop 60s pickups. Just read the reviews on Sweetwater. Very much worth the price.
I can’t recommend them enough.

Hope this helps
 
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