using a jazz bass for punk rock

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Derryl Jennifer of Bad Brains plays a jazz bass. I consider BBs to be one of the best punk bands ever if not THE best punk band ever. However, I don’t know any other punk bassists who use a jazz. I must be missing a few. Who else plays punk on a jazz bass and is the Precision better for punk? It is a two parter. Thanks.

 

[Gaolee]

I don't know why you can't play whatever you want on whatever bass you want. Maybe he used a Jazz because somebody found one in a dumpster. That's the proper punk reason for just about anything.

 

[DigitalMan]

If there is a best bass for punk, then the punk thing to do would be to not use it.

 

[terribilino]

What about Klaus?

 

[garp]

Not a true punk band per se, but indisputably influenced by the genre.

 

[JRA]

I don't know why you can't play whatever you want on whatever bass you want.

^ !!!!!

Maybe he used a Jazz because somebody found one in a dumpster. That's the proper punk reason for just about anything.

 

[Dave W]

I've heard that Matt Freeman used one every now and then.

...And Out Come the Wolves sounds more J than P to me.

 

[Axstar]

Solo'd neck pickup on a Jazz is a pretty good punk tone. Buy one of those old Peavey Mk III amps and the accompanying 2 ohm 215 cab, and you will have a pretty stellar punk rig.

Punk is a bit about who will blink first, though I find some of the punk ethos contradictory and confusing. I think that as long as you totally own the gig/situation/tone/whatever then you can use whatever bass you like.

 

[Mildew Jones]

I recall reading in Bass Player Matt Freeman interview that he used a Jazz for touring, but I can't recall if it was Rancid or when he was playing with Social Distortion. I'm not into punk, but he's a great player, waaaay more chops then your average punkster.
MJ

 

[Bassa Nova]

Norman Watt-Roy of the Blockheads is famous for using a sand colored 60s Jazz

 

[FugaziBomb]

If there is a best bass for punk, then the punk thing to do would be to not use it.

This is the best answer. Honestly, any bass will work fine. I have played punk gigs with every conceivable bass configuration short of a Hofner, and I bet that would have worked fine, too.

 

[Bass Man Dan]

Arthur Smilios from Gorilla Biscuit and World Be Free uses Fenders.

 

[AztecViking]

I really like that Wikipedia claims that The Bad Brains were originally a Jazz Fusion ensemble. That would actually explain their unusual level of technical proficiency.

From Wikipedia...
"The band was first founded in 1976 as a jazz fusion ensemble called Mind Power[5] in the mold of bands such as Chick Corea's Return to Forever and John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as R&B musician Stevie Wonder."

Bad Brains - Wikipedia

 

[Killed_by_Death]

The Punk Rock thing to do is play whatever you like.

 

[sing-modulator]

I think it's weird when people choose a bass for a genre, and doubly so when it comes to punk.

The best bass for punk is the one you wanna kick the most ass with while playing!

 

[Plastalmonus]

I play Skater Punk on a Dingwall Combustion 5. Use whatever you want

 

[knumbskull]

If you count the Jesus Lizard as punk**, then David Wm. Sims did - great tone. And it was a cheap copy, so extra punk cred.

**kind of, but arguably something more original.

Jazz basses played with a pick can sound very bright and aggressive, perfect for punky sounds. The sharp, "spanky" attack cuts right through guitars.

 

[Lesfunk]

Klaus Flouride! Nuff said...

 

[40Hz]

I find some of the punk ethos contradictory and confusing.

The only punk ethos I’m aware of is:

1. Don’t try lead. Don’t try to follow. Don’t walk alongside. Go your own way. Do your own thing.

2. Hands on is everything. Don’t try - just do!

 

[Epopour122]

As long as you're better than sid vicious who cares what bass you have! Play a jazz, play a P, just make sure its raw.