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Which is Better Precision or Jazz bass (Pros and Cons)

M

mv209

Jul 18, 2008
10
0
33
#1
The first bass I ever played was a P-bass. I liked the wide neck wasn't a problem because I have big hands. There were only two downsides. Their is basically only one tone and I couldn't find a Good place to rest my Thumb. Later I tried out a J-bass the neck was pretty thin compared to the p-bass but that wasn't a problem, because my fingers are long, not fat. The pickups were pretty comfortable to use as thumb rests. I change the tone a lot pretty much every time a play a new song. The J-bass had also had two downsides. when I ever I solo pickup there is a little bit of hum and
sometimes when I'm playing my bass near electronics there is a really loud humming noise which forces my to put both pickups at full volume. I'm happy with my J-bass, but sometimes I wonder what It would be like if I bought a P-bass. Which bass do you think is better? Do you have these problems with ether bass?
 
#3
When I said the P-bass has one tone I meant that there is only one pickup so you can't blend pickups and I barely use the tone knob. I mainly blend pickups using the volume knobs to create different tones.
 
#6
mv209 said:
When I said the P-bass has one tone I meant that there is only one pickup so you can't blend pickups and I barely use the tone knob. I mainly blend pickups using the volume knobs to create different tones.
Click to expand...

If you play closer to the bridge you'll get a different tone to if you play on the neck. So even without touching any knobs theres more than one tone for ya.
 
#9
mv209 said:
The first bass I ever played was a P-bass. I liked the wide neck wasn't a problem because I have big hands. There were only two downsides. Their is basically only one tone and I couldn't find a Good place to rest my Thumb. Later I tried out a J-bass the neck was pretty thin compared to the p-bass but that wasn't a problem, because my fingers are long, not fat. The pickups were pretty comfortable to use as thumb rests. I change the tone a lot pretty much every time a play a new song. The J-bass had also had two downsides. when I ever I solo pickup there is a little bit of hum and
sometimes when I'm playing my bass near electronics there is a really loud humming noise which forces my to put both pickups at full volume. I'm happy with my J-bass, but sometimes I wonder what It would be like if I bought a P-bass. Which bass do you think is better? Do you have these problems with ether bass?
Click to expand...


I don't think one is better than the other. Providing both bass guitars are American Standards or American Deluxe models, they you have a quality build, and professional tone.

I myself prefer the jazz bass for its playability and tonal versatility.
 
#13
Baird6869 said:
+1.

This is like saying... what is better a Gibson Les Paul guitar or a Fender Strat.

Different styles call for different basses.

They are both great IMO but depending on the gig, I bring either or.
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Mabey, "Whats better? A Fender Telecaster with a split mid pup soloed all the time or a Gibson SG '61 slim neck with single coils?" :D

But really, they are two different, great instruments. The P has a big warm sound but can also do the rock thing very well. I find the Jazz to be bright and more versitile because you can choose the pickups you want to use or blend 'em together. They're not better than eachother, just different and its mostly preference; most professional musicians have both.

And for your Jazz hum problem- ever look into sheilding the pickup cavities? I don't know much about it but I'm sure someone on talkbass can tell you how you can eliminate unwanted noise.
 
#15
Munjibunga said:
Look. The jazz bass is so much better, I don't even want to talk about it. It'd be a waste of breath and a waste of bandwidth. End of discussion.
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expertly said...even though it's flat out wrong...

there's just some sounds that only a P can or will ever deliver...

don't "waste your breath" trying to tell me how a jazz can comp this sound...it can't....but as Bill Clinton said, "close, but no cigar"
 
#19
PilbaraBass said:
expertly said...even though it's flat out wrong...

there's just some sounds that only a P can or will ever deliver...

don't "waste your breath" trying to tell me how a jazz can comp this sound...it can't....but as Bill Clinton said, "close, but no cigar"
Click to expand...

As Billy Joel said, "You may be right ...", but who would want to get a P bass sound in the first place?
 
#20
tranceFusion said:
your favorite will be the one you don't own.. then you will be on here talking about your GAS like the rest of us :)
Click to expand...

That is so true. I have a Squier P bass that I absolutely love, but the moment I played a Mexican Fender Jazz, I fell in love all over again. I need one!

I didn't play any Jazz basses before purchasing my P. I bought my Precision on a whim because it was cheap and seemed like a good project bass. I wonder how I would have felt if I would have tried a Jazz first.
 

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