I don't think there is anything like one of the two cuts through the mix better then the other. They both have different tone palettes and it's up to how you voice that sound in the room or in the mix that will decide wether you'll be heard or felt or not. And of course the sound your fellow muscians occypy in that space will be a deciding factor. The P-bass pu'p is generally a bit (25%) louder than the J-pu's so that has to be balanced as well as the fact that the J-bass will sound very different depending on what pu'p blend you're using while the P-bass with it's simpler layout appeal to many for that reason. There's no right or wrong here IMHO, both are great in what they'll do and the circumstances will decide what's the best choice of the day. You definitely need to own one of both
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Precision vs. Jazz identity crisis
- Thread starter dougjwray
- Start date
-
- Tags
- jazz bass precision bass vs vs.
I know this type of thing has been discussed before, but it always interests and puzzles me.
I own several P-Basses and Jazz Basses, of different wood combinations and strung with flats vs. rounds, etc., and it almost never fails that I get the most compliments for my sound when I'm using a Jazz Bass, yet from *my perspective while playing*, a Jazz sounds anemic and a P-Bass is more visceral and... more audible! My Jazzes have all had the series/parallel mod, plus I never shy away from trying different pickup blends when in parallel mode... yet the P-Basses just rattle my chest more and sound "louder." (Always with reasonable volume and usually with flat, or nearly flat, EQ settings on amps.)
To make things more complicated, I've often preferred the sound of Jazz Basses when I hear *other* people play them. But when I play them... again, they sound and "feel" weak and bland compared to a P-Bass.
Last night, I played at an open mic, and a couple of people told me again that my Jazz sounded great... even though I felt like I was working overtime to get any balls out of it.
I remember reading Will Lee's observation that Jazz Basses just seem to cut through a mix better. Maybe they cut through to everyone in the room... except *me*?
Anyone else want to comment on this form of psychoacoustic derangement?
I have played both on Gigs plenty and they both sound great, different because they are, but great. Maybe it's the Amp or Cab being a factor.
I agree, my jazz basses sound anemic on stage. Maybe that's why I play PJ basses, exclusively.
-this! If you haven't tried it already, get further away from your cabinet if you have room. I am also of the opinion that floor monitors with horns come pretty close to ruining the onstage sound. Wish they'd all go the way of dome tweeters rather than that silly horn. If you're hearing that sound more than the sound from your cab, could be part of the problem.
Did you play both basses at the gig?
Maybe your friends were just saying how good YOU sounded
Maybe your friends were just saying how good YOU sounded
I know this type of thing has been discussed before, but it always interests and puzzles me.
I own several P-Basses and Jazz Basses, of different wood combinations and strung with flats vs. rounds, etc., and it almost never fails that I get the most compliments for my sound when I'm using a Jazz Bass, yet from *my perspective while playing*, a Jazz sounds anemic and a P-Bass is more visceral and... more audible! My Jazzes have all had the series/parallel mod, plus I never shy away from trying different pickup blends when in parallel mode... yet the P-Basses just rattle my chest more and sound "louder." (Always with reasonable volume and usually with flat, or nearly flat, EQ settings on amps.)
To make things more complicated, I've often preferred the sound of Jazz Basses when I hear *other* people play them. But when I play them... again, they sound and "feel" weak and bland compared to a P-Bass.
Last night, I played at an open mic, and a couple of people told me again that my Jazz sounded great... even though I felt like I was working overtime to get any balls out of it.
I remember reading Will Lee's observation that Jazz Basses just seem to cut through a mix better. Maybe they cut through to everyone in the room... except *me*?
Anyone else want to comment on this form of psychoacoustic derangement?
Dude...
I haven't read the entire thread and this has probably been said, so I'll reiterate...
There's positively nothing wrong with your preference for the Precision. Or any other preference you may have. We all do. One man's beautifully scooped Jazz bass is another man's thin, lifeless Jazz bass. Roll with what ya know. I play mostly Jazz basses and Stingrays, but I love, love, love a throaty, grindy Precision tone, too. I miss having a Precision when I'm in the mood to hear it, too.
Carry on. Seriously. You're great.
Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions. I like the idea of listening to recordings... I've heard myself recorded many times over the years, but have never done an "A/B" comparison of the same tunes in the same venue, with the two kinds of basses.
The point of my original post wasn't to determine which bass was "better", etc., but to express a communication problem. It's the feeling of speaking what seems to be an clear intelligent thought and having it completely misinterpreted. "I'll have a hamburger with fries, please." "No, it's not supposed to rain today."
The point of my original post wasn't to determine which bass was "better", etc., but to express a communication problem. It's the feeling of speaking what seems to be an clear intelligent thought and having it completely misinterpreted. "I'll have a hamburger with fries, please." "No, it's not supposed to rain today."
Good basses count but your amp and cab are critical for getting your sound out there.
If I think there is a "problem" with the sound I'll always ask how the bass sounds in the room and to the rest of the band. If the answer is good I won't worry about what I think.
If I think there is a "problem" with the sound I'll always ask how the bass sounds in the room and to the rest of the band. If the answer is good I won't worry about what I think.
Are you using any preamp between the Jazz and the amp?Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions. I like the idea of listening to recordings... I've heard myself recorded many times over the years, but have never done an "A/B" comparison of the same tunes in the same venue, with the two kinds of basses.
The point of my original post wasn't to determine which bass was "better", etc., but to express a communication problem. It's the feeling of speaking what seems to be an clear intelligent thought and having it completely misinterpreted. "I'll have a hamburger with fries, please." "No, it's not supposed to rain today."
IME, the Jazz generally benefits greatly from a decent preamp, which goes a long way towards eliminating the "thin" feel that the Jazz has with a lot of amps. There are a few amps that can take the Jazz bare bones, but not many. Even the 360 produces better results with some kind of preamp in front. There are a slew of Outboard preamps available now that will get the job done. My daily driver has the Sadowsky onboard; but, I've started using the Mesa Subway Pre/DI, and that's just as good with my unmodified '62.
The P OTOH is generally better right into an amp, needing no preamp. I suspect part of your perception may be related to signal chain.
I have both and in fact used the Precision (P/J) first set yesterday and the Jazz second set. I played the whole first set with no fuss but kept fiddling the whole second set with the tones, etc. (This was a jam). I let someone use the P/J (Fender) during the jam part and it sounded great and cut through very nicely. My Jazz is a lot prettier than the P/J so I tend to want to play it but end up using the P/J most of the time and it's almost always just plug and play as opposed to fiddling with the Jazz and yes they are anemic compared to a Jazz bass. The Jazz has a pretty tone but if you want b@lls use the Precision. That being said I WILL CONQUER THE JAZZ!
.
.No preamp, just the Jazz pickups in series mode (most of the time). I used to use a Sadowsky outboard preamp at times-- great piece of gear. But anyway, interesting point, and thanks.
I have the feeling that I'm indulging in navel-gazing and philosophizing while helpful people are giving me good practical suggestions. But, here I go again...
Here's another angle: My taste tends to run to P-Bass users: Duck Dunn, Carl Radle, Jamerson, David Hood, Tommy Cogbill, but also John Entwistle (on "Who's Next" particularly-- very round and fat, with just a *hint* of Rotosound sparkle on top, and compression). There have been many times when the Jazz has sounded virtually inaudible to me onstage until I've soloed the neck pickup (like Noel Redding or Family Man), to get the pseudo-P-Bass sound. I tend to like a mix where the bass fills out the bottom, and there are *just barely enough* mids and highs for the pitches to be distinguished. (But I do, indeed, want the audience to distinguish the pitches.) I like to feel the vibrations from the bass in my chest (but not through sheer volume-- I like to be asked to turn up). The Jazz just doesn't do that-- it's more of a sleek, elegant creature.
Could it be that the good folks in the audience prefer the various anemic (to me) tones of the Jazz because it is *less felt* and *more heard* by them, out there?
I think the answer really has to do with how low end sound waves travel, and the business of trying to get your "voice" to translate from one place to another. Again, A/B-ing basses at a gig and recording it makes sense.
(If I'm starting to beat a dead horse here, I'll stop. Thanks for your patience.)
Here's another angle: My taste tends to run to P-Bass users: Duck Dunn, Carl Radle, Jamerson, David Hood, Tommy Cogbill, but also John Entwistle (on "Who's Next" particularly-- very round and fat, with just a *hint* of Rotosound sparkle on top, and compression). There have been many times when the Jazz has sounded virtually inaudible to me onstage until I've soloed the neck pickup (like Noel Redding or Family Man), to get the pseudo-P-Bass sound. I tend to like a mix where the bass fills out the bottom, and there are *just barely enough* mids and highs for the pitches to be distinguished. (But I do, indeed, want the audience to distinguish the pitches.) I like to feel the vibrations from the bass in my chest (but not through sheer volume-- I like to be asked to turn up). The Jazz just doesn't do that-- it's more of a sleek, elegant creature.
Could it be that the good folks in the audience prefer the various anemic (to me) tones of the Jazz because it is *less felt* and *more heard* by them, out there?
I think the answer really has to do with how low end sound waves travel, and the business of trying to get your "voice" to translate from one place to another. Again, A/B-ing basses at a gig and recording it makes sense.
(If I'm starting to beat a dead horse here, I'll stop. Thanks for your patience.)
Just some food for thought, are the people giving you compliments on your tone when you pay the jazz other bass players? Wondering if in that case, the preference is simply down to your playing being more audible (based on the assumption that jazzes do tend to poke through a little more) and that bass players like listening to other bass players at gigs.
Then, there's that. The P tone is certainly a standard.
So, you do have the option to just take two basses.
If you want to stay with the Jazz, but want P tones, then you may need to focus on pickup refit options. PJ is on possibility. I've found more than adequate P capability for my purposes using the Delano JMVC pickups, which give both J and P worlds to work with. GL
So, you do have the option to just take two basses.
If you want to stay with the Jazz, but want P tones, then you may need to focus on pickup refit options. PJ is on possibility. I've found more than adequate P capability for my purposes using the Delano JMVC pickups, which give both J and P worlds to work with. GL
Just my opinion but I think you are overthinking it, if you like playing the Precision better play it you'll sound better and enjoy it more, you want to forget the bass you are playing and just make music, if you are thinking about the bass and are conscious of it while you are playing then play the P bass. You'll like it better and that will translate into you sounding better.
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. I mentioned before that I sometimes love the sound of another person playing a Jazz Bass, but don't hear it as well when I'm playing one. That's the source of confusion.
