To Jazz or not to Jazz?

[selowitch]

Some people claim that in some P/J setups, the soloed "P" (J/bridge pickup turned all the way down) does not sound exactly the same is a P pickup by itself. If true, it might be because the mere presence of the bridge pickup adds impedance to the signal. I think for that to be the case, though, the wiring would have to be done entirely in series; a smarter wiring scheme would allow either pickup to completely bypass the other in its path toward the volume/tone pots and finally the jack.

Anyway, food for thought.

 

[GianGian]

Should I get rid of a beautiful and versatile bass for one that I will use alot more and really enjoy?

Of course you should. Basses are a little like women. It is not just because it looks good and people recognize it as being a nice one that it is the right one for you.
You are already happy with the Precisions, don't waste your time trying to like a Jazz.

 

[selowitch]

I've never enjoyed surrendering ownership of a bass, and I've always enjoyed acquiring a new one. So why give one up unless you have to?

 

[VWbug]

I've been bouncing back and forth with my MIA P bass and J for a long time. Both are ash with maple necks. I like them both for the reasons you said but recently found a light weight swamp Ash MIM Jazz with a rosewood neck and had the Model Js installed and it's like having both. I think you should keep it because you'll regret selling the investment. Also got a used Nonexport MIJ Areodyne Jazz cheap in good shape to also try combine the P and J possibilities.

Does this help?

 

[Tusec]

Both are essential nutrients. I'd keep both.

Anything beyond them is optional, but you gotta have at least a P and a J.

 

[yellofury]

all I know is that this was a funk machine
I only got rid of it because I had EBMM GAS

I thought the P pickup soloed sounded pretty much like a P bass
but thats just me

 

[Robotsatemygma]

I'll be honest here...

Since you go back to the P after playing the J (gotta love speaking in code lol) you can either keep it or sell it. Personally if you can afford to keep it then you should. But say you hit a financial situation then you have a way out, rather then selling it now and wasting it on other gear. This way it's a win win for you.

I personally originally started my bass "career" with Precisions. But I love Jazz basses now and can't go to anything else. I'll be buying a P after I buy one more Jazz bass!

 

[Batmensch]

I have an '08 like that too, except mine is the Charcoal Frost Metallic, and I too changed out the white pickguard for a black one. Looks OK, but I sometimes think I should have gotten the Candy-Cola instead. Yours looks Very nice.
Edit:
I would keep it, for all the reasons stated so far. I've considered selling mine to get a P-bass, but I keep hearing this little vocie in the back of my head,
"You'll be sorrryy!".

 

[jasper383]

I would keep it, unless you absolutely need the money. That's a beautiful bass.

 

[sok monkee]

My first two basses were jazz basses! If i could have any of the 20 or so I have owned back it would be with out a doubt those first two jazz basses

 

[precision punk]

That is one beautiful Jazz bass and I bet it sounds better than it looks!
Hang on to it!

 

[Nedmundo]

I'd say keep it, for the reasons others have mentioned. You never know when the "J bug" will bite, and you'll start turning to it more often. After starting with a J as my first Fender, I became enamored of P-basses, and I obsessed over getting the "best" P-bass that could match my J. (I finally found this with a G&L SB-2.) I still love P-basses, and like you I really appreciate their simplicity, but I've slowly migrated back to mostly J basses. Who knows? In another year, the pendulum might swing back the other way, and I'll have serious GAS for a Precision V or something.

 

[Fretlessboy]

I am on the other side of the state...I will hold it for you till you need it back.

 

[Fetzu]

I think that I will keep it for right now, see how things play out. It is such a beautiful color IMO. I have been spending most of my time by using the Jazz. It does feel good in my hands.
But there is something missing......

Thanks for all the input.

 

[AcidFripp]

To jazz is always the answer! That's a great-looking bass, it really is!

 

[HMZ]

I have an American 2010 Jazz and P bass. I love both. I find the p bass sounds great in a band setting but the jazz sounds great with the band and sitting by myself practicing. I go back and forth between them. lately I have been play the jazz much more.

 

[smittyxi]

I started with a P, and got a J second. I do the same thing where I try approximate the P sound on my J- with the neck pickup all the way on, and the bridge much lower. I'm still learning when and how to use that twangy bridge sound.

But a PJ, hopefully with a noiseless J bridge would be an awesome compromise in your situation.

 

[bh2]

I have a Jazz and a P and I feel the same as you about my Precision... I'm keeping it though... It's got frets.

 

[steamthief]

But a PJ, hopefully with a noiseless J bridge would be an awesome compromise in your situation.

This.

Man, I love the looks of a Jazz bass. I love hearing others play Jazz basses. I've bought and sold four pretty nice Jazz basses - a MIA '75 RI, a MIM Classic 60's, a Hamer Cruise w/2-tek, and a MIA Hot Rod Jazz. I really wanted to love each and every one of these and have it turn into my #1. What I discovered is that I didn't like the way any of them sat on a strap vs. wearing a Precision, and none of them sounded as good as my P/J. YMMV, it's all subjective.

If you don't dig it, sell it. It's OK. Yeah, it's nice to have it if you might need it someday, but will you ever really use it? Heck, you can always get another one if you sell and then change your mind.