A Jazz Bass is tricksy to put in a stand. The Precision sits better. Based on your music styles, I’m betting you’ll want flatwound strings.
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P or J for me?
- Thread starter rawchuck
- Start date
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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get a Squier p bass and put the remaining funds into a Roth IRA
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with two pickups the J is more versatile. the P is the ultimate in simplicity --- that actually works!
if you're mostly interested in how it sounds: both sound great, but again, the J has options that the P doesn't have.
re: recording: unless i specifically wanted to nail the sound of a p-bass i'd choose an ax with two pickup locations strictly for the aforementioned 'versatility'.
IME, putting feel, "ergonomics," and overall playability ahead of "that sound" has always worked out better for me in the studio (i.e., axes that you play well = sound good!). YMMV
i agree with all who are recommending that you consider one of each given your budget. if you only want one: a J will give you more tonal/sound options than a P --- it's just the way each one was designed, from the beginning.
good luck with your search and with your choices!
if you're mostly interested in how it sounds: both sound great, but again, the J has options that the P doesn't have.
re: recording: unless i specifically wanted to nail the sound of a p-bass i'd choose an ax with two pickup locations strictly for the aforementioned 'versatility'.
IME, putting feel, "ergonomics," and overall playability ahead of "that sound" has always worked out better for me in the studio (i.e., axes that you play well = sound good!). YMMV
i agree with all who are recommending that you consider one of each given your budget. if you only want one: a J will give you more tonal/sound options than a P --- it's just the way each one was designed, from the beginning.
good luck with your search and with your choices!
As stated already, for what you're doing just get a quality PJ. You can run direct without an amp and record just fine if you have a good bass. A jazz (IMO) is going to be too growly / midrange forward for what you're looking to record. The main thing is getting a bass that records well. Sire Marcus Miller would be a good starting point as far as price.
Enough has been said already, but I wanted to stress the ergonomics point.
If you can go to a local GC it would be great: ask to try a few P's, maybe 3 or 4. Play each for 5-10 mins. Get a feel for the necks, the bodies, the contours and how they sit on your lap. Take some notes and Sleep on it.
Come back the next day, do the same with a few J's.
Draw your own conclusion as to which is more comfortable to play and find a nice specimen to take home.
If you can go to a local GC it would be great: ask to try a few P's, maybe 3 or 4. Play each for 5-10 mins. Get a feel for the necks, the bodies, the contours and how they sit on your lap. Take some notes and Sleep on it.
Come back the next day, do the same with a few J's.
Draw your own conclusion as to which is more comfortable to play and find a nice specimen to take home.
My advice is a PJ. I have a mid 90’s (Suhr era) N series PB that is really a PJ, I’ve been gigging and recording with it for the last 18 years. Having played PBs and JBs over the last 50 years, including owning one of each, my PBj is the best sounding-playing Fender bass I’ve ever had my hands on.
That said, within your budget, there are a lot more options than just Fender Bases, and would also suggest you consider a used instrument. Take a look at the classified above on this site. Loads of tremendous basses at significant discounts off retail.
Finally, take your time and be sure what type of bass, brand and model you want. But be patient. The right bass at the right price will show up soon enough.
Good hunting, and best wishes.
My .02¢ Buy a Player-P for a few hundred and string up a set of Thomastik Infeld flat wound’s. There’s a very good reason why those strings are 3x the cost of most other string sets.
Save your money and DO NOT spend that amount on a studio bass. Go to a shop and try a couple of instruments that you’re interested in to make your decision on the feel of Jazz vs Precision. For well under $1k you will find plenty-o-bass.
It’s personal preference between Precision and Jazz and PJ. I think where you are really going to hear differences is in your string choice. Don’t skimp on investing time and money in learning how they all feel and sound.
It sounds like you are aiming for a specific tone. It takes some time/effort on your part to find what You are looking for. Like most things in life, the good stuff takes work and is rarely found just by asking a simple question.
That “woody” tone of a Jazz neck pickup is something I love and is why I will not ditch my 60th anniversary Jazz despite moving mostly to short scale basses.
At least one other person mentioned the JMJ Mustang. I second that suggestion. First, it’s short scale and at 30 inches, it sits comfortably between the approximately 25 inch scale of most electric guitars and the 34 inch scale of P and J basses and you may find it easier to play. Second, while it is not as smooth sounding as a P, to me it is really a better P like sound than most Ps.
Just get a P. That's the most commonly used bass on recordings. Ignore the J's are versatile schtick. Both basses are roughly identical. J's you've got to twist knobs to achieve that versatility. P's you change how you pluck the strings.
I personally favor the P, but a J is a winner as well. You can't go wrong with either one. However, as a guitar player, you might prefer the thinner neck of a J. There are plenty of Ps with J necks to be had out there. The world is your oyster.
