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What would you do? (jazz bass related question)

bassman74

bassman74

Jan 2, 2007
2,282
720
Montreal
#1
Hi,

i play a jazz bass and i like it very much. At home i play over the neck pickup so no problem, it sound warm and round....

When i play live the only place i'm really confortable when standing is playing over the bridge pickup, which make the bass sound thinner, a little too thin for my taste...

I'm thinking about 3 options

1) installing an audere JZ6 preamp and using the low z-mode for the bridge pup and mid z-mode for the neck pup

2) installing and aguilar obp-1, the aguilar preamp coloration, should make the bass sound thicker and warmer

3) since i wanted to replace the body with a new usacg body (in a near future), i can get the body routed for a MM/J pickup setup instead of JJ

what would you do???

Thanks for your help guys
 
#4
Not to sound like a jerk, but this is what myself and many others have done. Become comfortable and familiar with playing in all spots. This will allow you to change your tone without moving any knobs at all. Heck, if I wanna get really thumpy and staccato, I play with my thumb. Like Bubinga said, it's a jazz bass, that's what it does, and very well.
 
#5
I usually hate it when people suggest doing what you know the OP doesn't want to do, but in this case it really does make sense what randall is saying. Perhaps you can consider it part of your practice routine to play standing with your hand in different positions. It really will open up a lot of sonic possibilities that you can use within a song or a set of songs. Do you have a cover over the neck pickup? If so, try removing it. If not, try putting one on. Try finger rests or thumb rests if that works for you. What I'm saying is IF you can work on this and get comfortable playing in other locations, the rewards will be well worth the effort.

P.S. Sorry, I know that wasn't what you wanted to hear.
 
#6
PDGood said:
I usually hate it when people suggest doing what you know the OP doesn't want to do, but in this case it really does make sense what randall is saying. Perhaps you can consider it part of your practice routine to play standing with your hand in different positions. It really will open up a lot of sonic possibilities that you can use within a song or a set of songs. Do you have a cover over the neck pickup? If so, try removing it. If not, try putting one on. Try finger rests or thumb rests if that works for you. What I'm saying is IF you can work on this and get comfortable playing in other locations, the rewards will be well worth the effort.

P.S. Sorry, I know that wasn't what you wanted to hear.
Click to expand...


+1 I gotta agree here. I had the same "play in one spot" syndrome for a long time. I still usually tend to play near or almost right over the bridge pickup, but that's more of the tone I'm going for. There are songs that have 'forced' me to play more in the center or closer to the neck p/u, and it absolutely makes a difference. Hope this helps. :bassist:
 
#7
Maybe, you are all right. I'm lazy, i know.

First, i doesn't sound thin on my warwick corvette when i'm playing over the bridge pup

second, my hand naturally falls on the bridge pickup when playing hard while standing.

I will modify my practice routine but i Will surely do one of the 3 modifications listes in the first post
 
#10
even if you change to an active pre, during practice itll sound thick and in live situation, even though itll sound thick it wont sound as thick as you play during practice. My point, grass color changes after you hop over. Just practice your technique or just boost the bass up on your amp.
 
#11
+1 on expanding your right hand technique ..
On any given song, i will play closer to the neck or to the bridge depending on the TONE I want to have, and it makes a big difference .. It's IMO a BIG limitation to feel confortable playing over only one spot or another.
I'm certain that with a little practice you could addapt your technique to be confortable, and in the process have a much bigger amount of tones available just by using your fingers, without having to turn any knob or changing pickups :) That's one of the things people are pointing at when they say the tone is in your hands, and why a great player will sound good, wether playing a million dollar bass or a 60 buck cheapo.
That's my advice, fwiw.
 
#13
depalm said:
You get plenty of plucking hand space on a J, why spend all the time on the same spot?
When you realize how many different sounds you could get just by moving your hand across the bass body…
Click to expand...

THIS

The beauty of a J bass is that even with both p'ups wide open, where you pluck really effects tone - so force yourself to move about a bit to get the tone you want. When I'm playing out, I'm constantly changing my hand position to fit the tune or moment...
 
#14
bassman74 said:
Maybe, you are all right. I'm lazy, i know.
I will modify my practice routine but i Will surely do one of the 3 modifications listes in the first post
Click to expand...

Bad habits in technique can be really hard to break. I played a certain way for 16 years, then I changed my technique and it opened my playing to a whole 'nother level.

Remember in The Matrix when Neo wants to bend the spoon....
"Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible..... it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself".

Hang in there and give it a try. It's worth it!!
 
#19
I play a jazz bass because i sold my warwick german corvette....

I'm dumb sometimes.... I sold it because i like the vintage sound also and i couldn't afford to have 2 basses at the same time....

Today i regret it because, vintage basses don't cut throught without exterior help...
 

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