Whats the deal with jazz basses?

[OOZMAN]

The old Jazz looks like wood, and wood feels comfy to most players. The new bass looks like molded plastic... cold and sterile

But the whole shape of them.. no bevels, no color co-ordination, no... elegance or sexiness. Again, this is just my opinion.

Now that's a fair visual comparison eh? A well worn or perhaps beat up Jazz vs a pristine... err.. what ever that is.

You have a point, but thats just the first thing that popped up on google image search. You get the point though, you can still imagine a pristine jazz bass looking at that picture, and the results will be the same. Plus, some people prefer the look of worn J basses.

Its an ESP LTD JM-500 by the way.

EDIT: pic changed.

 

[williamk]

This is true. I personally prefer basses with 24 frets. However am still contemplating a new bass and thought I'd ask since this is a community you know, and without getting personal it would've been nice to just get some plain old advice and notions cleared.

seriously man, try one!

 

[purfektstranger]

The jazz bass has nothing to prove.....the thousands of artists who make their living playing them can vouch for that.

 

[RobJ]

And for me the result would be that I prefer the Jazz, same as before.

Play what you like, like what you play, and allow others the same courtesy.

 

[THIRSTYGUMS]

one of the most cliche- played out statements to be found posted on talkbass goes like this "i've tried every type of bass out there or (insert boutique bass) and i keep coming back to my JAZZ BASS"
for good reason

 

[williamk]

one of the most cliche- played out statements to be found posted on talkbass goes like this "i've tried every type of bass out there or (insert boutique bass) and i keep coming back to my JAZZ BASS"
for good reason

surprisingly I keep going back to my 175$ danelectro...!

the "best" bass is always the one you're used to the most I guess

 

[Winfred]

You get the point though, you can still imagine a pristine jazz bass looking at that picture, and the results will be the same.

No. The results will be the same to you.

 

[GRAHAM SG1]

Whats the deal with Jazz basses, hang on, I will go and ask Geddy

 

[dbd1963]

I've tried a few basses in my days, but not as many as some of you guys have. When I started out, I had a prejudice against Fender -- I can't remember why now. My first bass was a Peavey t-40. I didn't care for it, and may have thought Fenders would be about the same. But when I finally did try a Fender Jazz, a couple of things hit me right away.

First, I have small hands and the 1.5" neck was very comfortable. Second, it made some sounds that I recognized from years of listening to records right out of the box. I had been struggling to get some of those tones with other basses by tweaking settings and only getting something that might have sounded like a distant relative on a good day.

So that's basically why I love the Fender Jazz now -- feel and tone. I don't much care what it looks like or what color it is.

Now I've got a Fender Precision to go along with it, because that bass makes a certain tone right out of the box, and you instantly recognize it.

If I had the money, I'd have a Rickenbacker and a Steinberger too. Another pair of iconic tones.

I should add, of course I can understand not being interested in the Jazz if you really aren't looking for that tone.

 

[Salamenster]

But the whole shape of them.. no bevels, no color co-ordination, no... elegance or sexiness. Again, this is just my opinion.

NO ELEGANCE OR SEXINESS?!

The Jazz bass has class, while remaining cool.

I think J's are the most sexy basses on the market, they have the most curvy and classy appearance on the planet.

It's the kind of bass you could bring to a metalgig as well as a shady jazz club for a 'select' audience, while wearing a tuxedo.

But to each his own, and I accept and tolerate your opinion.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

I just dont understand why people think they look good either...

How can someone say this

looks better than something like this

Invalid Link Removed

That's why. This is how wars start.

 

[R0VER]

Whats the deal with Jazz basses, hang on, I will go and ask Geddy

Thanks. Please ask mr miller too while you're at it

 

[R0VER]

But when I finally did try a Fender Jazz, a couple of things hit me right away.

First, I have small hands and the 1.5" neck was very comfortable. Second, it made some sounds that I recognized from years of listening to records right out of the box. I had been struggling to get some of those tones with other basses by tweaking settings and only getting something that might have sounded like a distant relative on a good day.

Thank you for understanding and for the input!

 

[GRAHAM SG1]

Thanks. Please ask mr miller too while you're at it

Just did and he says that the Jazz is the best bass in the world

 

[Thrill-House]

I think one thing that makes the jazz bass (and the P-bass even more so) great is that its a relatively simple design that sounds great and plays great. A jazz bass doesnt need a ton of complex electronics or features to get its great sound. Makes it easy to fix and modify. Many companies making more modern basses put all this extra stuff in them, and in the end it really doesnt sound any better than a simple jazz or p.

 

[R0VER]

Just did and he says that the Jazz is the best bass in the world

Lol okay

 

[solderjunkie]

I think one thing that makes the jazz bass (and the P-bass even more so) great is that its a relatively simple design that sounds great and plays great. A jazz bass doesnt need a ton of complex electronics or features to get its great sound. Makes it easy to fix and modify. Many companies making more modern basses put all this extra stuff in them, and in the end it really doesnt sound any better than a simple jazz or p.

I love this guy!

I couldn't have written better myself

 

[SteveC]

I think one thing that makes the jazz bass (and the P-bass even more so) great is that its a relatively simple design that sounds great and plays great. A jazz bass doesnt need a ton of complex electronics or features to get its great sound. Makes it easy to fix and modify. Many companies making more modern basses put all this extra stuff in them, and in the end it really doesnt sound any better than a simple jazz or p.

I agree about the simple design. That's why I keep a jazz bass around. I also like my modern bass. In the end doesn't sound better than a jazz but it does sound different and sometimes that's the sound that you want. Most times for me, actually. My Roscoe is my main bass, but I do keep my Geddy Lee jazz around...just in case.

 

[Kwesi]

Jazz basses are awesome. All there is too it. If you don't dig them, you're not awesome. Sorry.

 

[BawanaRik]

Great looking bass.

Of course the covers are in the case now, but they looked a treat for "picture day"