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The Disappearing Jazz Bass

E

Epac

Jan 6, 2010
71
2
Bronx, NY
#1
What's up everybody,

I purchased an American Standard Jazz Bass, maple fretboard, almost a year ago. I was debating for a minute about whether or not to go with a maple fretboard or rosewood, and I remember a fellow bassist telling me he felt maple fretboards give out a "thinner" sound than rosewood fretboards. I didn't take this seriously at the time, since there's alot that goes into a bass tone, not just one element, BUT i'm a year into playing this thing and I've had some issues with the tone just disappearing in the mix. I went into the studio for my band's first EP; had some issues with the Jazz sitting well in the track, just not having enough presence (pretty traditional problem, I bought a P soon after ;)). I've had the same problem live, at my home studio, etc. It's like the bass just blends in, and I feel I lose some technique by playing harder to compensate.

I'm thinking about trying to install some Nordstrand NJSE or NJSV pups to give some more presence to my bass. i really dig the warmth of the J maple, but I definitely need some more presence, some depth, to the sound. Trying to decide if I should keep the J or just look for something else with a J feel. It just seems like a very elemental issue with the bass that could be fixed?

I'm wondering if anyone else has had this issue with Jazz Basses with maple fretboards, and if switching out pickups had any effect, and if so which pickups would work? Im weary of paying for the nordstrand pups and finding that the "thin-ness" is just the natural character of my bass.

Thanks,

E
 
#2
I think its more of a jazz bass problem than a maple neck problem. I've had some really thin sounding rosewood necked jazz basses. I always found that using more of the neck pickup made the bass heard more in the mix, although it doesn't sound as good as a P-bass pickup.

Try swapping out your strings for something else and fiddling with the EQ settings. Its a lot cheaper than buying new pickups.
 
#4
I have my action fairly low...wish my bass would play faster, but it's decently low...could that be impacting the whole thing?

So it's a Jazz thing, hey? Standard J pickups are a little light?

Pushing the neck pickup on the J just get's a fuzzy, muddy tone to me, at least.

I guess I gotta compensate on the EQ side...
 
#6
Not all basses require the same equalization. Before changing the pickups I would:
1. try the following eq with your amp, Bass at 2/3 o'clock, Mids flat, Highs 0/2 o'clock. IMO many bass players use too much mid-scoop. And as it was said before, slightly favor the neck pickup.
2. Try to use DR HiBeam Strings. I love them on my Jazz.
3. Try to lower the pickups a notch (since you have a low action and say the neck pickup sounds muddy)

Personally I think maple neck Jazz basses sound better.
 
#7
huh.

i've always found a good barky jazz to stand out in the mix.

try 500k pots, which will add treble and "character" to the tone; they go a long way towards making the sound really say "J-bass" or "P-bass" in the mix, rather than just "bass".
 
#8
Maple fretboards have a considerable bite with roundwound nickel or stainless, but the later even more so. I found the stock pickups in my '08 American Std J to be a bit lacking. It was easy to lose myself in the mix if I favored the neck pickup so I usually favored the bridge pickup ever so slightly and dialed in more upper mids. I finally ended up with a set of CS 60's pickups and got a much better sound, a bit fuller with more texture. It sits better in the mix and I can favor the neck pickup and still be heard.
 
#9
I have a MTD Grendel 4 with maple board. I had changed the pickups a few times while searching for a very open and blossoming sound. I tried the Nordstrand NJ4's and liked the them but finally found the pups. My luthier recommended Joe Barden's so I tried a set. Everyone that has played this bass just loves it. Very open and uncompressed with a multitude of different tones. I could not be happier. No matter what tone I dial in or what pickup I favor, the bass can be clearly heard. I also have settled into DR LoRider Stainless.
 
#11
also, jazz basses have lower output than many others, so pushing the preamp gain and/or adding compression helps to fatten the signal. jazz basses sound great with a little overdrive "grit" in the signal.
 
#14
Everything just mentioned is great... but want to know the easiest, cheapest method to get your J to cut through?

Solo one of the p'ups! It took me over a decade to figure out that there is a reason why Js have 2 volume knobs LOL. A solo neck p'up will give you a round, low mid heavy thump like a P which sits very well in the mix (add a little bridge for taste). Visa-versa: solo bridge will give you an even more cutting tone (almost crass, especially if you have a 70s style bass), now add a little neck if you want some more booty!

As you may know, you'll get some hum on most stock/entry-level pickups when soloing them. (FYI - Most name brand upgrades have noiseless technology. I switched to DiMarzio area Js, and I'm happy as can be).

I guarantee this will solve 90% of your problems. The right strings, pickups, eq/overdrive, and setup will take care of the rest.

YMMV - Godspeed!
 
#16
I'd recommend having someone look at the setup just to make sure everything is as it should be. Other good suggestions here with respect to pickup heights and utilizing both volume controls to change the blend between the pickups. I'd add one more. If you don't now trying backing off the tone control more. Many players simply run it wide open but it's often better to back it off some.

If none of that gets you what you want, a pickup swap may be ticket. I have beautiful 83 Fullerton AVRI 62 Jazz. Liked the bass but just never sounded like I thought it should. Installed a set of Lollars and it completely transformed the bass. Nordstands, Fralins, Duncans or Dimarzios may do the same for this one.
 
#20
johnny5string said:
Before changing out the pickups try replacing the cheap pos capacitor with a paper in oil one. I replaced mine with a vitamin q .2. It really opened things up. Sounds more like a vintage j.
Click to expand...

Dont waste your time with this one, cap value can change your sound but they type of cap will have very little to no effect on your tone.
 

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