Oh jeez not another P vs J thread!

[hondo4life]

Of course, a Ric sounds better than both P- and J- basses.

What is this I don't even

 

[MasonMinor]

Why don't we just make a jazz bass with reversed J pickups? (I'm joking)

 

[prowla]

What is this I don't even

...seem able to get my words out?

 

[Drucifer]

Get out of here with your trick questions. Drums don't have tone - mainly because the drummer is fired so there is nobody to play the drums.

Also, not a fair comparison, since drums are not musical instruments

 

[Wfrance3]

Is it too late to vote for carrots?

 

[buldog5151bass]

Play whatever makes you happy. I have both.

I am happy.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

This is a silly discussion. It doesn't matter if the Jazz has more sonic possibilities, you are only allowed to use it for jazz. Obviously. Whereas a Precision can be used for any kind of music and is therefore more versatile.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

You can get somewhat close to a P tone with a Jazz bass. You cannot get anywhere near a Jazz tone from a P bass.

Sorry, Snopes has confirmed that Chuck Norris did it back in 1969...with tort and flats into an Ampeg B-15.

 

[rogerbmiller]

J has more tonal options. You capture different timbre from the two uniquely located pickups. That is not possible with a P bass.

 

[bobyoung53]

Hear me out!

I saw someone mention in another thread that a Jazz-style configuration has more "tonal options" than a traditional Precision, split-coil does.

I'm not so sure. The jazz has more knobs, and more separate pickups, but I find that the onboard controls of a P create a huge swing in tone shapes, and that my P is much more responsive to amp eq and pedal chain than my J. Where did the idea of the jazz being more versatile than the p come from, do you believe it or not, and why?

No, it's like comparing apples and oranges, they both have their own sound and either can't sound like the other and yes a P bass will sound different from a stage to the audience, the P bass has much more presence live than a Jazz bass does.

 

[bobyoung53]

Also, not a fair comparison, since drums are not musical instruments

Ever hear the one about the drummer who wants to be a musician? He walks into a music store............

 

[bobyoung53]

This is a silly discussion. It doesn't matter if the Jazz has more sonic possibilities, you are only allowed to use it for jazz. Obviously. Whereas a Precision can be used for any kind of music and is therefore more versatile.

But only if it's precise music.

 

[Wfrance3]

Not enough info. Are we talkin' about a maple or rosewood fingerboard here....

 

[Antisyzygy]

Hear me out!

I saw someone mention in another thread that a Jazz-style configuration has more "tonal options" than a traditional Precision, split-coil does.

I'm not so sure. The jazz has more knobs, and more separate pickups, but I find that the onboard controls of a P create a huge swing in tone shapes, and that my P is much more responsive to amp eq and pedal chain than my J. Where did the idea of the jazz being more versatile than the p come from, do you believe it or not, and why?

The Jazz does have a wider range of tones available. Why wouldn't it? There are two pickups to blend and it also has basically the same tone control for the sweep.

However a Jazz bass can't get the P sound due to pickup location, pickup aperture (width), impedance and the hum-cancellation + series wiring involved.

So it's just a matter of which you like more. For what it's worth a J seems to cut more so it works well in smaller bands or in bands where the bass takes a prominent role (e.g. Funk). In a band with multiple instrumentalists you'll find a P slots in the low-end better I think.

Then there is the PJ which I personally prefer. Best of both worlds in my mind, even if it's not exactly the same as a J. Although I'd strongly prefer a PJ with the J pickup in the right spot. It's too tinny on most PJs due to being too close to the bridge.

 

[BillyH]

Glad I saw this. I was about to start yet another P J thread. I play 70s-present covers, rock and country. I'm looking for that old Motown sound inside my head. So, P or J????

 

[SactoBass]

I have a P bass and a J bass. I like having both, so I'm happy.

 

[thespoon]

PJ. Problem solved.

 

[micguy]

Which is more versatile - blonde or brunette?

 

[Stranger Danger]

View attachment 1068370 View attachment 1068371

What's happening with your knob situation?

 

[Stranger Danger]

Glad I saw this. I was about to start yet another P J thread. I play 70s-present covers, rock and country. I'm looking for that old Motown sound inside my head. So, P or J????

Either will suffice.