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When did you become a Jazz Bass guy (gal)?

#223
My very first bass was actually my father's back up '69 fender jazz bass. His main bass was a pre cbs '63 jazz bass. Just a few years later I bought my first bass (brand new from manny's shop on 48th str.), that's the '78 fender jazz on the pic below and I still own this bass! Actually I'm going to play it right now, cheers!

78jazzbassnatural.jpg
 
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#226
winterburn69 said:
He was only known to use it on a few songs, not for full shows AFAIK, and HTWWW has JPJ's Classic tone IMO.

I always thought it was weird he was pictured with it on the cover though.
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Generally I'd agree with you, except that there is so much photographic and audio evidence from roughly 70/72 that seems to indicate that was likely his "go to" for a while. Listen to disc 2 from BBC Sessions - Full Show from April 71 - SCPB all over that. Bootlegs from Japan of the same time period, working sessions for Zep 4 (also boots) all over youtube. Then there are the pictures, unless pics were taken only when he played Black Dog, Immigrant Song and Heartbreaker (these three jump out as most obviously the SCPB), I think it's safe to say he favored that bass from sometime in 1970 through 72. Then he migrated to the Jazz, with a brief period of also using the Bass V.
 
#227
First bought a Amer. Stnd. P Bass 5 string after many hints by my church WL that they needed a bass player. Spent many hours at SA and GL trying different bases. Almost got an Ibanez 5, but the active had so many buttons and switches I thought it would detract from my learning and playing. Fast forward to church, someone swapped all the lightbulbs on stage to those stupid pigtail flourescents and there was no way to stop the buzz. Kept the P bass but was advised to try s jsazz bass. Went back to GC and tried a Amer Stnd Jazz Bass; same neck, loved it. Between the two have been happy for 5 years, no GAS, just want to take the girls out more.
 
#234
I don't know that I'm ever going to be a one type of bass player but I got my first Jazz this past Christmas and now can't imagine not having at least one. It's a Squier VM 77 and initially was kind of "meh" about it but after a bit of fret work and finally dialing in the neck I love it.
 
#235
I always liked the shape, I think my affliction of wanting some started when I got my fretless and put it in "single coil" mode all the time. Then the trips to play the jazzes over and over have gotten me smitten with the sound.

I trust a noise gate and some shielding will get me over my aversion to hum. It only bothers me when not playing.
 
#237
I initially thought I wanted a P-Bass, but I can't stand the necks on them. So I decided to try out an Aerodyne. Really liked it, but wasn't totally sold. Then I look over, and there's a used American Deluxe Jazz. I try it out, and instantly fell in love. It's been my main bass for the past 4 years.
 
#238
Dr. Cheese said:
Playing my Peavey Forums so much has reminded me that for most of my bass playing life, I was not a Jazz Bass player. If anything, I loved Stingrays and soap bar loaded basses the most like Modulus and Ken Smith. I think the first Jazz style bass I really bonded with was a Guild Pilot V, and later I bought a Fender Jazz Deluxe V to get more of a Marcus Miller sound.

I also think all of the Jazz talk on TB moved towards Jazzes too. In history, we talk about the "invention of tradition," where people adopt something, and soon act as if they have always done it. I guess that is me and Jazz Basses.
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Got my first Jazz in '93. Brand new American Standard. I started out on a 3/4 Harmony from a garage sale. Then graduated to a short scale Ampeg P bass copy from another garage sale.

I always wanted a Fender. I didn't know anything about them, but I new most of the bass players I admired played them.

In '93 I went to work for the local small town music store. I could get an employee discount, so I told the owner I wanted a Fender Bass. He said "precision or Jazz?", I said I didn't know. So he showed them both to me in the catalog. I chose the Jazz because it had two pickups and three knobs. One more of everything than the P!

A couple weeks later I had it in hand. Midnite Wine, before it was an MIM color. I played it for years, sold it when I was really poor, and never got around to replacing it. I had a million other basses, but never quite made it back to the Jazz for some reason.

Fast forward to now- about two months ago I decided it had been long enough, and I ordered up a brand new Am Std Jazz Bass. Olympic White this time.

From the second I first unboxed it and plugged it in, it felt like I had gone on a really long road trip, and had finally made it home.

For me, there's just nothing like a good Jazz Bass. I'll never be without one again.
 
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#239
Ive tried to fight it. I got a black MIM in 2012 didn't have it long. Then this year I went through several. A 96 MIA in white it had holes drilled in the body but played awesome. I sold it because of the holes. Then I got a Stagg knock off that was cool but not the one. Then I picked up a jaco clone made by Vintage. Sold it. Then I picked up a affinity 5 string jazz and put noiseless pickups in it. I like it but I'm waiting to put a new preamp in it. Then a Carvin jazz clone. And now I I have this.
20161213_203110.jpg

It's a Vintage Modified with Quarter pounders and a Audere 4 band preamp and I'm in love.
 

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