What do you all consider a "J" bass?..Read on to clarify

[FishDub]

Many countless threads have mentioned that one needs to have a P and a J in the arsenal. And while I don't disagree, what do you consider a J bass?
-Any bass with two J pickups?
-OR, a Fender J specifically?
-Or maybe perhaps a Fender J clone?
I, myself own what I consider 3 J-style basses- A Fender Flea Jazz, an MTD Beast(Bartolini Js) and a Tune Maniac(EMG Js). So when you want to add in a J to your arsenal, what do you usually hunt for?

 

[Kallen]

I consider it to be down to the body style/pickup configuration, the same for strat copies where companies have similar guitar bodies and pickup configs, just different hardware and headstocks.

 

[Bass V]

1) Fender J specifically
2) anything that matches or surpasses that classic range of sounds / tones

 

[jd56hawk]

Funny thing is, this is a jazz bass.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

I consider it to be down to the body style/pickup configuration, the same for strat copies where companies have similar guitar bodies and pickup configs, just different hardware and headstocks.

This.

"Jazz bass" (and "Precision Bass") has become generic to a type of product, like Kleenex, or Band-Aid.

If it has the offset waist, two pickups (of any type) in the appropriate spots, and a control plate, it's a jazz bass. I have Harley Benton jazz basses.

If I'm referring to a Fender/Squier product I'll include the brand name.

A PJ on a P body is an enhanced P.

 

[Picton]

Offset waist is important, but two single-coils are more important. 34" scale is the third necessary feature.

I'd reserve the term Jazz or Jbass for FMIC products; anything else is a J-style.

 

[KaseOfBass]

Sonically, my Roscoe Century 5 JJ is every bit a jazz bass even though it looks nothing stereotypical of the sort. I absolutely consider it, and others like it (jazz pickups - singles or humcancelling - in correct 60s or 70s position) a jazz bass.

However, I'll concede if you said J-style bass, I'd think of the standard jazz body and configuration.

 

[FishDub]

Sonically, my Roscoe Century 5 JJ is every bit a jazz bass even though it looks nothing stereotypical of the sort. I absolutely consider it, and others like it (jazz pickups - singles or humcancelling - in correct 60s or 70s position) a jazz bass.

However, I'll concede if you said J-style bass, I'd think of the standard jazz body and configuration.

Nice!

 

[JimmyM]

Slow day on TalkBass?

Never thought a whole lot about it. Still don't. Fender owns the trademark, so I suppose they win. Doesn't do me a lick of good.

 

[TolerancEJ]

I would include any bass in that general offset shape, with 2 single coil pickups. Fender, Sadowsky, Alleva-Coppolo, Valenti, G&L, etc.

 

[fretno]

A J pup in the Neck & Bridge makes a J to me

 

[TheReceder]

Is a Honda that Looks like a Harley, a Harley? I may offend some, but to me... they can ride pretty similar, but I know that If I rebadged the Honda... at the wrong bar I'd get the **** kicked out of me.

A Jazz bass is a Jazz bass, no matter what mods you do to it.
I agree with the OP, any other brand is a "jazz style" bass. They can be as good, better, or worse than any fender J Bass. It's just wood, strings and Electronics, put together with varying degrees of quality.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi FishDub

what do you usually hunt for?

Stopped hunting Jazz basses a long time ago!

It has the F word on the headstock.

Some guys insist on that "trademark" thing. I don' t care.

I have Harley Benton jazz basses.

That' s okay for me! A Squier Kleenex does the job too!


I think that the pups and their position define what we call the Jazz Bass sound.

When we talk about a Jazz Bass body it has that "offset contour"

And a Jazz Bass neck is not a baseball bat!

All the three together will make a Jazz Bass for me!

greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[bwildt]

I'll take a shot at it. I think it is more configuration and sound rather than looks. If it has a 34" (or maybe 35") scale, and 2 single coil pickups in the approximate location of a Fender Jazz, then I consider it a Jazz. I'll allow both passive and active examples. If the bridge pickup becomes a humbucker, it is now a modified Jazz. If there is a humbucker in the neck or both positions, it becomes something else. Just my thoughts.

 

[alembicguy]

Any bass with Jazz in its name

 

[MobileHolmes]

J shaped with Jazz pickups. Don't care who makes it. Warmoth in my pic I consider a J bass even though it isn't a fender. Would say the same about sadwosky,lull, cheap knock offs, etc.

In contrast, say a carvin LB70 with 2 j pickups but a non Jazz body wouldn't be.

I'm on the fence on a Guild Pilot

 

[Trouztrouz]

Player 1: I have a Lakland Jazz bass.
Player 2: How can that be?! There is no such thing as a Lakland Jazz bass!
Player 1: Oh I misspoke horribly, I meant to say that I have a Lakland Jazz-style bass.
Player 2: Now I understand perfectly.

- A conversation that never was, and never will be.

 

[JRA]

Slow day on TalkBass?

I think that the pups and their position define what we call the Jazz Bass sound.
When we talk about a Jazz Bass body it has that "offset contour"
And a Jazz Bass neck is not a baseball bat!
All the three together will make a Jazz Bass for me!

when you want to add in a J to your arsenal, what do you usually hunt for?

i only have one, but it has the attributes wisebass listed. it's a jazz bass for sure...not that it matters for me.

 

[Michael Jewels]

To me, any bass that gives an approximation of a Jazz bass tone, which means a lot of instruments.

I always say my Ibanez BTB gets a convincing Pre-CBS Precision tone on the neck pickup, and I think it does.


It also approximates a Jazz bass tone when both pickups are on or especially when the bridge pickup is soloed.

Think of The Lemon Song tone.

And, I will now invite the assembly here to collectively rise up against me, by saying that my Stingray kind of approximates a Jazz bass tone!

We all know what a Jazz sounds like, and what a Stingray sounds like. They are very different sounding, but they are both in the "burpy," category.

Think of a Jazz on the bridge pickup, and a Stingray being played over it's pickup. The sound is not the same, but I would say sonically, they're cousins.

That is all.

Mike

 

[Cristiano Oliveira]

One of my basses is a Fender Blacktop Jazz Bass. It has all the Jazz Bass features but its pickups are split coil P style ones. Wouldn't it be a Jazz Bass, even with Fender naming it as one?

And what about a G&L jb2? It has all Jazz Bass features but the non offset body. Wouldn't it be a Jazz Bass?

This subject has always been very confusing to me.