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I used to think that a backup wasn't really necessary, since something VERY odd would have to happen with my primary player to put it out of service... then it happened. Two of the tuners broke. Yes, really. No idea how - didn't drop it or anything. Backup bass = good idea!!
Further down the road I got a decent passive Jazz that became my go-to player, but I also have a couple others that have their own identity and I really love them, too. One is a '79 MusicMan Sabre, which is an absolute diesel (sort of the dimensions of a Sterling, but with a HH layout and different preamp). It gives me nice sounds with either pickup solo'ed or delivers one of the most aggressive slap sounds EVER when I run both pickups together. The other is a P/J with active EMG's - again, different and a terrific addition that's just as useful as the others.
Along the way I bought and sold another second-hand passive J-bass that just didn't hang with my first one. No need for it with my favorite Jazz at home. I really love the three instruments I have because they each fit me well, so they're relatively easy to play at a show, but they're also different in terms of their sounds. Different, but very useful.
Further down the road I got a decent passive Jazz that became my go-to player, but I also have a couple others that have their own identity and I really love them, too. One is a '79 MusicMan Sabre, which is an absolute diesel (sort of the dimensions of a Sterling, but with a HH layout and different preamp). It gives me nice sounds with either pickup solo'ed or delivers one of the most aggressive slap sounds EVER when I run both pickups together. The other is a P/J with active EMG's - again, different and a terrific addition that's just as useful as the others.
Along the way I bought and sold another second-hand passive J-bass that just didn't hang with my first one. No need for it with my favorite Jazz at home. I really love the three instruments I have because they each fit me well, so they're relatively easy to play at a show, but they're also different in terms of their sounds. Different, but very useful.
They might be tonally different in the realm of Fenders, but they're still more similar than different in the realm of bass guitars in general. They're not going to do an aggressive Spector growl, or the huge, expansive, fill the mix out sound of a Bongo, or do the real heaviness of a Warwick.
They do complement each other well, I cannot disagree. But they're still cut from a very similar tonal palette-the midrange.
If you are looking for a backup, get another Jazz. If you are looking for an alternate bass, get a P. If you are looking for a GAS-infused lifestyle get both and then keep getting more.
Get a decent PJ model. It will expand your palette as well as provide a backup.
Fender American Standard P or a Stingray all 5 stringers to compliment my Fender American Standard Jazz V,...
I would say get an american standard P bass OR a good 5 string if thats your thing. I'm in the same boat.
I have a rule about buying basses/guitars. If I'm going to buy another one, it has to legitimately bring something tonally different to the table that my other instruments can't quite get. For example, I like Jazz basses, but that doesn't mean I want to have a bunch of 'em... or even two of 'em. If I have a jazz bass that I love the sound/feel of, I don't feel the need to have another one. I'm sure I could find another jazz bass that sounds a little different (better or worse is subjective), but it'll still sound like a jazz bass. What I want is something with a different tonal character that I can't get from a jazz bass. Not to replace it, but to add to my tonal palette. I'm one of those people who see guitars as tools and I think every bassist/guitarist should have a few standard tonal choices at their disposal. I'll also return or sell an instrument that doesn't bring enough 'different' to the mix.
You can answer your own question by thinking about what kind of tone you feel you're lacking from a jazz bass and go from there. The conventional thing to do would be to get a P-bassto go with your J - and that's not bad advice. They're both industry standards and you can't quite get a P tone on a jazz (and vice versa) - but try some other humbucker-equipped basses as well and see what you like. Anything with an HB (or two) will take you clear away from a single-coil jazz bass tone. Personally, I'm gassing hard for an Epi Classic IV Pro T-Bird. I was going to build a parts PJ, since I haven't owned a P-style bass in a while, but after hearing and playing the Classic IV T-Bird, I put the PJ project on the back burner. I'd also love to have an EBMM Sterling. Completely different HB tone than either the P or T-Bird. It's also a real Swiss army bass. Speaking of which, an MIA or CIJ Jaguar has a lot of tonal options too.
It all depends on what you want. But whatever you end up getting, make sure it's something that you like. Something that has a tone that excites and inspires you. Not what other people on the internet say you should have.
You can answer your own question by thinking about what kind of tone you feel you're lacking from a jazz bass and go from there. The conventional thing to do would be to get a P-bassto go with your J - and that's not bad advice. They're both industry standards and you can't quite get a P tone on a jazz (and vice versa) - but try some other humbucker-equipped basses as well and see what you like. Anything with an HB (or two) will take you clear away from a single-coil jazz bass tone. Personally, I'm gassing hard for an Epi Classic IV Pro T-Bird. I was going to build a parts PJ, since I haven't owned a P-style bass in a while, but after hearing and playing the Classic IV T-Bird, I put the PJ project on the back burner. I'd also love to have an EBMM Sterling. Completely different HB tone than either the P or T-Bird. It's also a real Swiss army bass. Speaking of which, an MIA or CIJ Jaguar has a lot of tonal options too.
It all depends on what you want. But whatever you end up getting, make sure it's something that you like. Something that has a tone that excites and inspires you. Not what other people on the internet say you should have.
I had only one bass (at a time) for 25 years... Then about a decade ago, I came across this place called TalkBass...
You say yourself that you're looking for a new bass. Why? Why do you want a new bass. Someone said it above; get something your jazz bass doesn't. I'm in the same boat (as said above) and the 2 things I dont have (other than another jazz bass) are:
A p bass/ a passive bass with flatwounds
An active 5 string bass.
Right now I'm gonna go with the P bass
Thanks everyone for your opinions and suggestions. After hanging out and trying a number of basses I've decided on a Fender P bass select. Until next time...
We always need one more bass to complement the basses we already have. That's the wonderful, frustrating and hugely expensive thing about this hobby.
If you are looking for a polar opposite to your Jazz bass, then I have to agree with the others suggesting a Stingray or similar active bass with a Musicman pickup in the sweet spot.
There's even basses that can kinda do both (albeit not perfectly). For example I recently built myself a hybrid Warmoth/Allparts MM/J with active/passive switch and series/parallel switch... it ranges from jazzy to downright beastly
Yay! Thirty-six posts in, someone finally picks up on "complement," which is what I think the OP really means. "Compliment" would be like the new Bass #2 telling Bass #1, "I really like your set-up." (Which could be construed as a pickup line, so perhaps I'd better split.)
