what is the difference between jazz and precision bass

[jeremiahjay]

I'm a big fan of James jamerson, and i noticed that he is using a precision as opposed to a jazz bass, on which case he is a jazz bassist as well as a funk and r&b but why he preferred the precision. I have always been curious of the difference because my bassist friend has always been insistent of a jazz bass over a precision. please share to me your knowledge. also the j-style pick up vs. a p-style pickup. a single coil over a humbucker. please friends help me.

 

[phxlbrmpf]

Looks like someone didn't read a certain sticky thread!

 

[CBRStingray]

Search is your friend. Use it.

 

[jeremiahjay]

sorry for the ignorance but i happened to be in my workplace doing my work. i really don't have the luxury of time. to be honest i'd rather post blogs where i can earn as oppose to asking questions. thanks for the "help" anyway.

 

[Bass Tees]

Am I the only one who thinks it's kind of rude to shun somebody for asking a question that they could have found an answer to by searching or reading a sticky? I mean... we are here to talk about bass guitars. I would think some of you guys would find some satisfaction in answering a question like this. Just my 2 cents.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

They are two very different instruments. The best thing to do is go to Guitar Center and spend some time playing both. IMHO, everyone should have at least one good representation of each

 

[lefty007]

Am I the only one who thinks it's kind of rude to shun somebody for asking a question that they could have found an answer to by searching or reading a sticky? I mean... we are here to talk about bass guitars. I would think some of you guys would find some satisfaction in answering a question like this. Just my 2 cents.

In general, you are right, but there are some questions that have been covered SO many times, that it becomes an insult to us when somebody asks.

And, the search engine is there for a reason. It's only polite to use the search first and spend time reading about your topic of interest, than to simply initiate a new thread every time you have a question.

At least that works for me. 9 out of 10 times I find my answers by doing a search.

 

[mjolnir]

Am I the only one who thinks it's kind of rude to shun somebody for asking a question that they could have found an answer to by searching or reading a sticky? I mean... we are here to talk about bass guitars. I would think some of you guys would find some satisfaction in answering a question like this. Just my 2 cents.

Coming from someone who's been here since mid-06, I can honestly say I've seen some form of this thread pop up no less than a hundred times. Gets kind of old after a while. Now imagine how the REAL vets feel?

To the OP, the stickies are the best source of information for those looking for answers to the questions about the foundation of our instrument. I will however tell you that the physical difference between a P and a J is simple to explain, the tonal difference MUCH more difficult. There will be people here arguing the difference of tone between one J and another, much less a J and a P, 'till the end of time.

 

[Bass Tees]

Yeah I see your point for sure. Just seems like no matter what you post, there has already been a post just like it somewhere along the line. Seems like it can't hurt to get some fresh ideas and responses going every now and then.

 

[Bass Tees]

And I should probably clarify that I have also been coming here for years. I had to re-register because of email address issues.

 

[GregC]

In general, you are right, but there are some questions that have been covered SO many times, that it becomes an insult to us when somebody asks.

And, the search engine is there for a reason. It's only polite to use the search first and spend time reading about your topic of interest, than to simply initiate a new thread every time you have a question.

At least that works for me. 9 out of 10 times I find my answers by doing a search.

Big +1. I read TB for over a month before I registered and asked a question. There's so much good information here that has already been generously shared by TBers past and present. It's sitting on the server, just waiting to be accessed, and it's usually quite easy to find.

 

[MtManiac]

I'm a big fan of James jamerson, and i noticed that he is using a precision as opposed to a jazz bass, on which case he is a jazz bassist as well as a funk and r&b but why he preferred the precision. I have always been curious of the difference because my bassist friend has always been insistent of a jazz bass over a precision. please share to me your knowledge. also the j-style pick up vs. a p-style pickup. a single coil over a humbucker. please friends help me.

A Jazz bass is not just for Jazz - leo was trying to approach the jazz market with the J after he was unsuccessful with the P. The early P was more widely adapted by guitar players.

The J having two pickups with separate controls allows to to "dial in" a variety of tones whereas with the P your tonal variety comes purely from technique.

Jamerson picked the P because it was the industry standard at the time.

Neither is better - it's all personal preference. I'm a P guy, but I have a J also.

 

[moatilliatta]

Not to mention that if time is something one doesn't have much of, searching and finding answers right away seems to be the better option than waiting for someone to post.

 

[lovemybasses]

12 posts and only one friendly usefull answer - you people are unbeliaveable with "use the search button"
true, when I read whats the difference between J and P, it makes me nervous a little,but - this is talkbass forum, and we are here to discuss about the much loving bass here!!!
so,briefly and friendly:like BillMason said, none is better, as for the differences, there are some - P has wider neck, different pick up configuration, J are faster players I'd say, more comfortable with more wider tone spectrum available cause those 2 p-ups.
I am P bass man also, but there is times when I feel like playing my fretless or fretted jazz more than anything.

 

[mike_Ro11]

The jazz has 2 single coil pups. two volume and 1 tone nob.
The p has 1 split single coil 1 volume and 1 tone nob.
The jazz has a thinner neck.
The body and pickguard shapes are different.
There are probably more differences,
Go to GC and play them both see witch you prefer.

 

[Sorefinger]

12 posts and only one friendly usefull answer - you people are unbeliaveable with "use the search button".

Actually, my initial reaction was to write a "more useful" reply, but the OP´s statement about really not having "the luxury of time" p.´d me off a tiny bit.

I only started playing bass 2 1/2 years ago and had lots of questions back then - and I found the answer to most of them by using the Search button.

BTW, I do appreciate asking "old" questions to get new input - it makes sense as far as, for instance, experiences with certain equipment are concerned. But the differences between a J and a P haven´t changed for more than 40 years.

 

[Phalex]

The Precision and the Jazz are both Fender products, and therefore both either rock, or suck depending on your opinion of Fender.

Precision = fat neck
Jazz = thinner neck

They both sound fantastic, but completely different from one another.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Precision: the original.

Jazz: proof you can't improve on the original.

(I own both.....)

A lot of us prefer the sound of the P, and we tend to think that the J is a little softer, sweeter, and, well, wimpier. Leo Fender didn't really think he was making a bass for jazz players -- the name came from Fender Sales, who wanted a companion to the other "hot" item, the Jazzmaster guitar (also named by FS).

The name has been in use a lot longer than the bass has been used in jazz -- old photos of jazz groups (those that used electric bass, which was a small minority) show them with Precisions. It wasn't until Jaco came along that a Jazz was used in actual jazz music. His distinctive sound turned a lot of people on -- and you can't get that sound from a P.

Me, I ain't Jaco, and, if I were, I'd not be playing the kind of music I do. Guess I'd be dead, too, and that'd be a bummer.

 

[john turner]

cut the crap people. any more of this baloney and folks will be taking a vacation. if you don't like a thread's content you need to not respond.

 

[Funk 'N' Stein]

Even though a fender is not my bass of choice at the moment, I love them and will purchase one somewhere in the future

Difference between the two?

Well to my ears they both sound great but in a completely different way. Overall....I prefer the P bass sound because IMO it has more sonic personality than a jazz. I love the punchy mids of the P bass and the way the notes tend to swell. The P sounds much better up high too. The high notes have a lot more guts. You absolutely cannot beat it for recording. To my ear it is the best sounding bass on record (Dee Murray IMO had consistently THE best recorded bass tone ever and most of his stuff was recorded with a P bass)

The jazz sounds a lot flatter when played on the front pickup...much smoother sound to my ear. Great recording bass also. Coinicidently its a very good bass for playing jazz; especially good for walking by virtue of its smooth tone.

If you are a fusion player it is also a good choice because the back pickup allows you to dig in and play fast and the notes will articulate well (if you have good technique) . Having said that, I am personally not a big fan of the rear pickup tone soloed. Its too thin for my taste

They are both great basses...I dig the tone of the P and the looks of the jazz!