Here's my midnight confessional (actually, it's 2:15). After playing for hours and not recording a thing, I realized the Jazz and I are done. Kaput. Finished. Something has happened between us the past few months where I just lost the tone I loved with it. I tried so hard to get a P-bass sound I've now lost my Jazz sound and feel lost playing it. I'm so darn used to the LaBellas that nothing else feels right, even though the Fender flats are beginning to mellow.
So I'm working on "Happy" by Pharrell Williams because it looks to be the next orchestra piece, and the Precision is laying a great groove where every note has punch and volume. It's making me stop to look in the mirror and ask, "Is that you?" Then I went to the Rogue and even though the overall volume level is quite lower, the overall tone is fine as it zips around the fretboard playing. Doesn't sound as good to my ears, but different and that's okay. Then the Jazz. At first, I'm rocking with the deep notes but there are no mids, or at least not like the P's mids. It doesn't feel good in my hands, the rosewood board sounds dark, and I'm not enjoying it. As soon as the song is done, the bass is off and back on the stand for the night. I somehow killed it and yet, no one has arrested me.
Has the Precision vexed me this quickly? You P-players, have you succumbed to its siren voice as well? With the combination of the feel of the neck, the comfort of the body, and the playability, I may never return from P-land ever again, except to use the Beatle bass for certain songs. When I hit a note, like on Billy Joel's "Vienna," it sounds just like the record. I know, it sounds dumb, but this has become a new world for me. I've never owned anything, musically-speaking, where the fewest controls have given me the most appreciation of what it can do. Tweaking either the volume and/or tone rewards you with the same basic tone, but with just a slight nuance to it. The Ibanez I was looking at had two volumes, a blend, an onboard three-band EQ, and I think a couple of switches that brewed coffee. I'm not that kinda musician who needs it all.
I was still tweaking tonight with intonation as I could tell my A-string was a little flat, but even that is fun to do. And I've only had this thing for a week! Wait until I get to know it. I know with confidence I have found that tone in my head (finally) and can only hope you all do too in case you haven't yet. It's there, keep looking. Soul Reflection, when that bass you just purchased gets to you, don't talk to anyone, don't listen to anyone, don't even buy a pizza. Just get to your music room and begin the romance. If yours makes you half as happy as mine does for me, you will love it.
Okay, sleep deprivation has caught up. Thank you for reading this very sentimental review. I'll discuss hardware and the like down the road for those interested. What I may do though is strip the Jazz of the vintage bridge, put it back to stock, add the bridge to the P, and sell the Jazz. Between the Precision and Rogue, I'm good. I'd as soon let someone else enjoy it. Plus, I think I'm due for a combo or something. But that's how strongly I feel for this hunk of wood and wire.
Good night to all on this planet! Play some bass tomorrow...
FL
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