is it the pick ups and neck style? if so, would it still be considered a jazz bass if I swap out the pickups?
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What makes a bass a jazz bass?
- Thread starter jnevi9nr
- Start date
Depends what you swap them for. If you swap them for a pair of lolly sticks, then I'd argue that it's no longer a jazz bass.
S.P.
S.P.
Then you would just have a Jazz bass with different pups.
If it was built as a Jazz bass, it is a Jazz bass. I think the body shape is probably the #1 indicator of a Jazz bass. However, if it is not a Fender, it is simply a "Jazz styled" bass.
If it was built as a Jazz bass, it is a Jazz bass. I think the body shape is probably the #1 indicator of a Jazz bass. However, if it is not a Fender, it is simply a "Jazz styled" bass.
I have a J-bass and love the thing. The width of the neck at the first fret is slightly thinner than that of non-jazz bass guitars.
~Damien
~Damien
no, its a fender.
oh yes, pickup placement, thats true too.
when we say body shape, are we referring to the neck or what else?
oh yes, pickup placement, thats true too.
when we say body shape, are we referring to the neck or what else?
I have a J-bass and love the thing. The width of the neck at the first fret is slightly thinner than that of non-jazz bass guitars.
~Damien
thats what I thought, like compared to the precision bass by Fender.
- 2 single coil pickups placed as those on the Fender Jazz Bass
- bolton construction
- passive electronics
- 34" scale
- 4 strings
- maple neck
- bolton construction
- passive electronics
- 34" scale
- 4 strings
- maple neck
- 2 single coil pickups placed as those on the Fender Jazz Bass
- bolton construction
- passive electronics
- 34" scale
- 4 strings
- maple neck
so if any of these are not true, then its not a jazz bass?
like a 5 string bass without a maple neck? how about if you have active electronics?
- bolton construction
- passive electronics
- 34" scale
- 4 strings
- maple neck
so if any of these are not true, then its not a jazz bass?
like a 5 string bass without a maple neck? how about if you have active electronics?
Completely disagree about the active electronics especially when Fender produces active Jazz basses and I think they may know a thing or two.
it is a bass that may look like a jazz bass, and that may sound somehow similar to a jazz bass.
the question is "what makes a bass a jazz bass"
If one of those above isn't fullfilled, it ain't a jazz bass
My own definition for a Jazz-style bass (since, strictly speaking, a Jazz bass is whatever Fender calls a Jazz bass - see below) would include:
-offset waist body
-two pickups
-bolt-on construction
As far as what Fender might call a Jazz bass, the 1980s Jazz Bass Special that Fender made should show how elastic their definition really is.
-offset waist body
-two pickups
-bolt-on construction
As far as what Fender might call a Jazz bass, the 1980s Jazz Bass Special that Fender made should show how elastic their definition really is.
Um, please note that Fender (and YOU) are referring to them as "Active Jazz" basses for a reason. A "Standard Jazz" is always passive otherwise they'd call them "Passive Jazz" basses instead.
Above and beyond any characteristics, a "Jazz Bass®" is a Fender. That and only that is "What makes a bass a jazz bass". Everything else is a copy, an imitation built and sold on Leo's coattails. Its a little sad that so many copycats have knocked off his design for profit, rather than come up with their own ideas, but its legal.
I think its disingenuous (to be polite) when people refer to their cheap imitations as "my Jazz Bass®", or even "my Jazz". To them I say step up to the plate and get the real deal, or refer to it as "my SX SJB62QMD 3TS" instead of inferring that you have something you don't.
At least the players with the expensive Jazz Bass® copies usually refer to them as such.
I think its disingenuous (to be polite) when people refer to their cheap imitations as "my Jazz Bass®", or even "my Jazz". To them I say step up to the plate and get the real deal, or refer to it as "my SX SJB62QMD 3TS" instead of inferring that you have something you don't.
At least the players with the expensive Jazz Bass® copies usually refer to them as such.
This is what I see: usually on a "Jazz" bass, you have a 1 1/2" nut, 34" scale, 2 long pickups, usually single coil, but not always (you can upgrade to humbuckers). For instance, the Yamaha RBX A2 is a Jazz, so is the Peavey Foundation. Usually passive electronics, but there are upgrades, of course.
The offset body is also a common imitated trait, but it's not always the case.
Often the bass is a complete copy of a Fender Jazz except for the shape of the headstock, which is a trademark.
The offset body is also a common imitated trait, but it's not always the case.
Often the bass is a complete copy of a Fender Jazz except for the shape of the headstock, which is a trademark.
My definition of a Jazz bass is:
J style bridge pickup.
Offset body.
Headstock shape.
Bolt-neck.
J style bridge pickup.
Offset body.
Headstock shape.
Bolt-neck.
