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which one would you choose...
- Thread starter bon viesta
- Start date
in my eyes, i see the p bass as the “old faithful” workhorse, and the jazz bass as the shiny deluxe model, complete with binding and block inlays.
a P is like a feisty broad while Js are classy dames, both have their desirable virtues.
I can't tell if you're talking about the basses or the women in that last part. If (and only if) we're talking about basses, keep both around.
id take both just so i didnt tip over from a stroke trying to decide..
you seem to be eyeing the "looks" of the things...they're the same! looks are for kids. which one plays better for your needs? does it have the right feel? do you even know what the 'right feel' is for yourself?
per your question: i'd choose the better instrument for me --- plenty of parameters to consider, but "what it looks like" means nothing if it's not the best instrument to play.
i voted "dido."
you strike through the heart!!!! i do seem to eye the looks of things, because i want to be somewhat unique, even if sunburst isn’t a very unique finish. i WANT to care about the looks at least as a factor, but for playing needs, i’m thinking something funky and just ever so slightly percussive. i play with my fingers, but i love the sound of the old chicago (cta) albums with peter cetera using a pick on a p bass. to me, the jazz bass screams “deluxe“ with those block inlays and binding. it looks... unique. “above average”, if it were. i’m looking for the p bass sound, with a little extra kickyou seem to be eyeing the "looks" of the things...they're the same. looks are for kids. which one plays better for your needs? does it have the right feel? do you even know what the 'right feel' is for yourself?
per your question: i'd choose the better instrument for me --- plenty of parameters to consider, but "what it looks like" means nothing if it's not the best instrument to play.
i voted "dido."
to account for my use of fingers. that’s why in my mind i’m thinking jazz. bridge pickup very low volume, neck pickup all the way up there. also i tend to put my thumb up on my neck and pluck right in front of the neck pocket on the body. make of that all what you will, doctor. 
Personally I much prefer the tone a P is capable of to a J, I do prefer the slimmer neck of a J though, but doesn't help you much either way if we don't happen to share the same personal preferences.
Looks would be my least concern when picking which, in fact to me it becomes totally irrelevant if the tone and playability doesn't happen to suit me, and in reverse if a bass matched perfectly to my personal preferences in terms of playability and tone I'd have it even if it happened to be the ugliest bass I've ever seen.
Also to me the neck J in no way sounds like a P with more kick, to me it sounds like a more polite and smarmy/slick (smooth, if you want a more neutrally charged word) P with complete lack of balls and edge (of course depending on which specific pickups we are actually comparing to each other, but pretty much in general and per usually).
Looks would be my least concern when picking which, in fact to me it becomes totally irrelevant if the tone and playability doesn't happen to suit me, and in reverse if a bass matched perfectly to my personal preferences in terms of playability and tone I'd have it even if it happened to be the ugliest bass I've ever seen.
Also to me the neck J in no way sounds like a P with more kick, to me it sounds like a more polite and smarmy/slick (smooth, if you want a more neutrally charged word) P with complete lack of balls and edge (of course depending on which specific pickups we are actually comparing to each other, but pretty much in general and per usually).
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I was wondering if someone would pick up on that... Chicago was never very popular in the UK but I was (still am) a stalwart fan and Cetera's bass tone was one of the early hooks that got me playing it in the first place. Happy memories!
and also, i love how rickenbackers sound. and jazzes can sound very much like rickenbackers (if done right). jazz basses have a lot of pickup and therefore sound variation, and for me that’s a total plus. i use a p bass currently, a poorly set up one (it’s been in a basement for ages) and the sound really gets boring. same sound, it’s quite “meh” to me. i mean to be fair it’s only one pickup.
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the neck on it is comfortable, for the most part, but a smaller nut width and maybe a slightly shallower neck would be nice feeling. by the way, i’m utilizing the power of PARTS BASSES!!!! when it comes to either option i chose, to make sure i get it just right. allparts necks are quite thick, or at least thicker than 60s jazz basses, so i don’t think the actually width of a 60s jazz would be a fair pro or con for this situation as it relates to me. though, if it DOESN’T relate to me, have at it!!!
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Purely aesthetics, I like the jazz better for the block inlays and bound neck. Although, I’d much rather have the P bass as I HATE how jazz basses play and feel on my body.
If you like the P better but want the extra range of tones drop in a Tonestyler or whatever. But honestly the difference is subtle. I can palm a basketball so I’m ok with a deeper neck or a nut width, whatever that is.
I chose P, but I like the looks of the Jazz more. I just know that I love the sound of a P and I have had issues finding my sound with Jazz pickups. But that Jazz is perfection in the looks category.
the sunburst jazz with covers and binding and blocks looks very... industrial. it looks perfect. almost looks a bit 1950s-ish... 
That is a question that a lot of us here at TB refuse to answer... mainly because it's just too difficult!
I have both Ps and Js. I will be playing my P for weeks or months and have no interest in picking up my J... then all of a sudden, "it" happens.
My main player is a Jazz, there's times when I wish I had the P. When I was exclusively playing the P there was times I wish I had the Jazz. A PJ never really filled either of those voids, so I have one of each and am awaiting a L2500 for everything else.
That being said, I do play the Jazz more than any other bass. It's however most likely because off all the customizations I've done and the fact that it's fretless.
That being said, I do play the Jazz more than any other bass. It's however most likely because off all the customizations I've done and the fact that it's fretless.
