Precision vs Jazz at a gig

[RichardW]

Did a two-set show on Friday evening. I'd been rehearsing with my Jazz (with tapewounds) leading up to the gig, but on a whim decided to bring my Precision (with flats) to the gig also. I decided to play the first set with the P and the second with the J, just to see what the difference was.

The P was superior for the gig. Stood out in the mix really well, with plenty of punch. J got a little lost in the second set. I couldn't hear it as well.

It was an interesting adjustment, too, having rehearsed on the more narrow neck of the J and then playing the gig with the wider neck of the P. Took me a few songs to adjust.

Thinking now my P should be the go-to for full band gigs, and maybe the J for more acoustic sets.

 

[bucephylus]

Could be.

But, one thing to keep in mind is treating the J like a P will surely lead to poor comparative results. The J is a different beastie. Notable successes with the J comprise instruments which are configured in no way similar to the P.

For one thing, the stock neck pickup on a J is generally far weaker and thinner than the P pickup. So, if you try to cop the P sound with the stock J rigging, you are automatically off to a bad start.

I use the Delano JMVC pickups on my J’s; and that neck pickup has a vibe somewhere between the ‘55 P pickup and the ‘57 P pickup. So, when I want it, my J’s def go into practical P territory. They do other things as well; and that is an area that the P does not excel as well at.

For sure the P is an excellent instrument, and may be a one size fits all for many players. The J offers a wider array of options; but, you have to do a little bit of work to achieve some of them.

 

[JakobT]

A good P-bass is hard to beat in a mix.

 

[WillyW]

They still make jazz basses? I’m not convinced they will catch on.

 

[socialleper]

Could be.

But, one thing to keep in mind is treating the J like a P will surely lead to poor comparative results. The J is a different beastie. Notable successes with the J comprise instruments which are configured in no way similar to the P.

For one thing, the stock neck pickup on a J is generally far weaker and thinner than the P pickup. So, if you try to cop the P sound with the stock J rigging, you are automatically off to a bad start.

I use the Delano JMVC pickups on my J’s; and that neck pickup has a vibe somewhere between the ‘55 P pickup and the ‘57 P pickup. So, when I want it, my J’s def go into practical P territory. They do other things as well; and that is an area that the P does not excel as well at.

For sure the P is an excellent instrument, and may be a one size fits all for many players. The J offers a wider array of options; but, you have to do a little bit of work to achieve some of them.

This.
Putting tape wound or flats on a jazz is like stepping on the gas and the brakes at the same time. Using rounds with the tone rolled off would be a more suitable use of a jazz.
Their EQ is scooped by design. If you are expecting big punchy mids you won't get them from a jazz.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Precision and Jazz basses are both great instruments, but you can’t EQ them the same. For a precision I like the mids at 12 o’clock with the treble at 2 o’clock and the bass at 3 o’clock. I haven’t owned a jazz so I really can’t give advice on that.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I think they are both good gigging basses, and I own P and J types. Current gig, I almost always use an active J with rounds. Switch the pickup balance so they aren't equal and you get more mids (just a small tweak is needed). Beyond that, I just find the J more versatile, without touching the knobs. My P with flats has a great fingerstyle tone, but is a bit of a one trick pony. The J has a very good fingerstyle tone, but is much more touch responsive, also has a decent slap tone, etc.

 

[Alexander]

I only have two basses - a Precision and a Jazz - both vintage. I debate which to take ahead of a gig, but it is always a last minute, quick decision and they get about 50/50% of playing time. Each time, I swear whichever one I picked is better than the one I left behind.

I have zero GAS for anything else

 

[RattleSnack]

Application also means a lot. I tried playing P on medium festival stages (1.000-2.000 people) and it felt inferior to Jazz. IME nothing moves big subwoofers like a Jazz bass.
But bottom line, it is all about personal preference. My preference is Jazz with dead roundwounds, works in any mix.

 

[JRA]

Thinking now my P should be the go-to for full band gigs, and maybe the J for more acoustic sets.

although i have a very nice P (from parts), i would never tell anyone that a single pickup configuration is as versatile as any two-pickup ax (all things being equal re: competence/reliability). there's a reason why some cats want more than what a P can deliver. i'm thinking you need to learn how to use either one of your instruments for any gig...even though you may always have preferences. good luck!

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

This.
Putting tape wound or flats on a jazz is like stepping on the grass and the brakes at the same time. Using rounds with the tone rolled off would be a more suitable use of a jazz.
Their EQ is scooped by design. If you are expecting big punchy mids you won't get them from a jazz.

Flats on a jazz are awesome. Joe Osborne , JPJ.....hundreds of others would agree.

 

[king_biscuit]

How did you have the Jazz bass controls set? When I play a Jazz I almost always run both pickups wide open and adjust the tone control a bit -- usually rolled off a quarter or so. P basses almost always sound better in a mix than Jazz basses though.

 

[king_biscuit]

If you haven't seen this you might enjoy watching. It's a pretty good discussion about how a Precision fits into a mix:

 

[Spidey2112]

I only have two basses - a Precision and a Jazz - both vintage. I debate which to take ahead of a gig, but it is always a last minute, quick decision and they get about 50/50% of playing time. Each time, I swear whichever one I picked is better than the one I left behind.

I have zero GAS for anything else

Ditto... most recently, only a couple of gigs under my belt, but have played both live, through same sound support. I could go with either one...

... made possible by my guitarist, who usually plays with a nice clean sound... not a whole lot of distortion to compete with.

 

[InhumanResource]

For one thing, the stock neck pickup on a J is generally far weaker and thinner than the P pickup. So, if you try to cop the P sound with the stock J rigging, you are automatically off to a bad start.

Yeah? I wouldn't say they are exactly the same but I think most would be pretty hard pressed to tell the difference. A little EQ usually covers it in my experience.

 

[AlexanderB]

Precision and Jazz basses are both great instruments, but you can’t EQ them the same. For a precision I like the mids at 12 o’clock with the treble at 2 o’clock and the bass at 3 o’clock. I haven’t owned a jazz so I really can’t give advice on that.

Eh... Ok? You have not owned a Jazz, but you say they cannot be EQ:ed like a Precision?
I own both types, use rounds on all my instruments and EQ my passive P and J the same, on stage or at home.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Eh... Ok? You have not owned a Jazz, but you say they cannot be EQ:ed like a Precision?
I own both types, use rounds on all my instruments and EQ my passive P and J the same, on stage or at home.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

Application also means a lot. I tried playing P on medium festival stages (1.000-2.000 people) and it felt inferior to Jazz. IME nothing moves big subwoofers like a Jazz bass.
But bottom line, it is all about personal preference. My preference is Jazz with dead roundwounds, works in any mix.

My p bass and flats says nothing but pure dub

 

[AlexanderB]

IME, the more emphasized upper mids and more "attention grabbing", complex harmonics on the Jazz makes it easier to detect and to follow. Amplifying the Precision with similar articulation is more demanding (regardless of eq), which goes for both "backline" and PA. I can easier "get away" using my Markbass LMII with my Jazz, which remains more focused and solid. The Precision will tend to be either a bit muddy until it gets too loud, or too clanky all the time.
With a better amp (pre+power), the Precision becomes as well defined and articulate as the Jazz, should I want it to.

 

[socialleper]

Flats on a jazz are awesome. Joe Osborne , JPJ.....hundreds of others would agree.

Those are some pretty old school references. That sort of thuddy tone doesn't really work in today's market. Plus. JPJ has played more basses with different tones than it would be easy to list. You can't really say he it locked into one tone.
As much as I dislike flats on P basses, its commonality is undeniable. Flats on a jazz is a little weird. It is fighting the inherent tone of the bass.