Precision VS. Jazz for Alternative Rock

[heath_r_91]

Sorry if this has been covered, but my Stingray hasn't been hitting the sweet spot in my current band (Alternative/Rock).

I think either a Fender P or Jazz would work best, but I'm having a hard time deciding which would fit better - even after playing numerous basses of each model.

The band is along the lines of Alkaline Trio, My Chemical Romance, and Bayside. Not trying to plug but if you would like you can listen to our album at Link Removed.

 

[Dub56]

Id say either one should work fine. But I've always liked the way P basses sound in that genre, even though I'm mainly a Jazz guy.

 

[wagstaff]

Get a Pj bass then you can have the P and dial in the J if you want more clarity

Alternativly, you could try out both, see what fits best in your hands.

Mark

 

[puddin tame]

you know there are other kinds of bass besides a p, j or stingray

 

[FletcherML]

All those bands you listed as comparisons use j's on a lot of their stuff. Dan from alk trio just switched to p basses. Nick from Bayside busts out a p bass live every now and then and that sounds awesome. Either way you'll do fine. I swear up and down by p basses my self, follow your heart... that's what I always do

 

[heath_r_91]

Get a Pj bass then you can have the P and dial in the J if you want more clarity

Alternativly, you could try out both, see what fits best in your hands.

Mark

As I said in the first post, I have tried out many different P and Jazz basses and I am still having troubles deciding.

you know there are other kinds of bass besides a p, j or stingray

I do realize this. However, I feel as though a P or Jazz may work best for what I'm going for. What do you recommend? I really want to stay away from active basses.

 

[5string5fingers]

P bass is like a good pair of jeans,it goes with anything.

 

[onionpuzzle]

the old saying goes (something like this)

A P-bass will sit in the mix awesomely and a J-bass will cut through it nicely.

what kind of style / end result does your band need out of bass ?

 

[JimmyM]

you'll no doubt wish you got the other one no matter what you get but for alternative, i don't think you can beat a precision. most of my basses are pj's because it's nice to have that jazz sound now and then, but 90% of the time i run p only.

 

[knumbskull]

loads of bands i see in London playing that kind music are using J-basses with a pick, FWIW.

if you've already tried each kind of bass - and you have a very nice bass to start with, so you clearly know your stuff - not sure what else we can add??

take a risk! i vote P, just because i like them...

 

[heath_r_91]

you'll no doubt wish you got the other one no matter what you get but for alternative, i don't think you can beat a precision. most of my basses are pj's because it's nice to have that jazz sound now and then, but 90% of the time i run p only.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of! I'm sure I'll end up with both but it's a matter of what I want now.

Does the P/J have the ability to really be the middle of the road between the two? Meaning does a P/J with the J turned off sound like a P or does it have different tonal characteristics? Also, how close can it get to a normal Jazz sound?

So many questions - so many answers

 

[heath_r_91]

what kind of style / end result does your band need out of bass ?

I think the golden tone is SOLID low end with the new-string zing. I hope that makes sense.

My Stingray can almost get there but it tends to be too middy and very clicky.

Then again, I may just be crazy

 

[onionpuzzle]

I think the golden tone is SOLID low end with the new-string zing. I hope that makes sense.

My Stingray can almost get there but it tends to be too middy and very clicky.

Then again, I may just be crazy

sounds like a Passive Jazz bass with mid to lighter gauge strings, the treble rolled off a bit on EQ, and a bass boost on the Amp.

YMMV

 

[JimmyM]

That's exactly what I'm afraid of! I'm sure I'll end up with both but it's a matter of what I want now.

Does the P/J have the ability to really be the middle of the road between the two? Meaning does a P/J with the J turned off sound like a P or does it have different tonal characteristics? Also, how close can it get to a normal Jazz sound?

absolutely it'll sound like a precision with the j off, and it'll sound close enough to a jazz that you'll be able to fool people on recordings. a jazz might sound just a tad brighter in the neck pickup, that's about it.

 

[Xavier Zed]

As I said in the first post, I have tried out many different P and Jazz basses and I am still having troubles deciding.

If you can play, then flip a coin P or J, or as suggested a P/J. If you're not sitting the mix properly examine you rig, change strings and/or attack method, maybe use a pick. Because if a Stingray can't cut it well...

 

[JulienJeff]

recently, I went to 2 gigs where the bassists used fender US J basses... I was both times dissapointed by the way it didn't "fill", by the way it didn't have as much presence as a P bass.

 

[JimmyM]

If you can play, then flip a coin P or J, or as suggested a P/J. If you're not sitting the mix properly examine you rig, change strings and/or attack method, maybe use a pick. Because if a Stingray can't cut it well...

you know, after all this time, i can't get used to musicman basses. i once used dave larue's beautiful custom sterling on a session once and loved it, but on a regular basis, i don't think i could deal. great bass, beautifully made, just not for me.

 

[5string5fingers]

recently, I went to 2 gigs where the bassists used fender US J basses... I was both times dissapointed by the way it didn't "fill", by the way it didn't have as much presence as a P bass.

I personally don't think you can make judgment of a bass, on someone else's sound. It could have been their eq,their technique,their guitarists,the sound guy,the room,their amp,many things can change how an instrument sounds in a mix at a gig.

 

[Xavier Zed]

you know, after all this time, i can't get used to musicman basses. i once used dave larue's beautiful custom sterling on a session once and loved it, but on a regular basis, i don't think i could deal. great bass, beautifully made, just not for me.

I am a recent convert myself by way of the Sterling Ray34. I can't get enough of it, except for my MIM Reggie with a 50's classic P neck. Both active, and I thought I was strictly passive kinda guy. The MM bass is a prereq in any players stable, a very useable and bouncy tone.

 

[heath_r_91]

I am a recent convert myself by way of the Sterling Ray34. I can't get enough of it, except for my MIM Reggie with a 50's classic P neck. Both active, and I thought I was strictly passive kinda guy. The MM bass is a prereq in any players stable, a very useable and bouncy tone.

While the Stingray is a great bass it just doesn't quite sit right with my current band. I'm definitely going to keep it, it just won't make it out on tours with me.

Thanks for all of the input so far!