Who’s playing a Jazz?

[LBS-bass]

Like mine

 

[Auspuff]

Who’s playing a jazz as your #1? Do you feel like you get buried in the mix?

I love the soloed sound of a jazz but am wondering if it gets lost a little in a mix. I’m playing blues, classic rock, funk and disco.

My current #1 is a Sandberg VM5 and it’s super punchy, which I like. I really like the sound of a 5string jazz but don’t want to get one to figure out it won’t punch through a mix.
Thoughts?
Thanks!

The #1 Bass, in my line-up: Fretless, MIJ Jazz Special.

 

[dougjwray]

I find this true in a guitar/bass/drums power trio. I like my Jazz in that setting, everything dimed, with a pick, because I'm sort of under/around the guitar, and with some clank on top for definition. It can be a huge, wide, supportive sound. I prefer a P for most other types of ensembles, just 'cause it sits so clearly in that sweet spot in the mix, but in a power trio a P drives right through the middle, while the J is almost atmospheric and bigger.

Very well said! I take advantage of the "both pickups at 100%, scooped" sound when a Precision would be just a little TOO obvious. "Atmospheric" is the perfect adjective. The "neck pickup only" Jazz sound can also be preferable to a Precision, even though a lot of people claim that it sounds the same. It's actually smoother and more polite, which can be better in some situations. Neck-only on a Jazz with the tone off and flatwound strings: a classic reggae combination.
For recording, I typically use a Jazz with flatwounds. It's a more controlled environment, where the flexibility and subtlety of a Jazz are great. Live, though, I almost always use a Precision. That clear low mid punch is just so powerful (to me).

 

[PhinDog]

Since so many folks listened to this one, I'd like to share another one - same band but different room/stage and I am playing the same bass here in passive mode this time.

This is a boomy room with an elevated stage. There's a very good sound system here and what you're hearing through the phone microphone is a mix of stage and FOH sound.

The bass here is boomier, lacks some of the definition it had in the other video, but I would hardly say it's lost in the mix. I probably could have tweaked the HPF a bit more to get rid of some of that. But basically, this is what it sounds like when I use the passive mode (the preamp was acting up that night). Getting my cab up off the floor might have helped some, as well, but I didn't bring my stand with me.

Overall I think the mix is pretty good here. I would not call this buried.

To really hear the bass, stick with this one to the end. It's a monotonous line but we start cooking a bit at the end of this one.

I like your band’s groove. Definitely a group playing to make the songs better and not over powering each other.
Are your bass pickup settings the same at each gig? First vid seems like it’s favoring the bridge a bit or at least plucking over the bridge. The second vid is less pronounced as you mention, at times a little far back in the mix. Both sound great and may serve the mix best. The second vid is the example of the bass being harder to hear from a jazz when the band steps it up. But as you pony out could be other factors and not the bass.
I’d like to find a group like this. Well done!

 

[LBS-bass]

I like your band’s groove. Definitely a group playing to make the songs better and not over powering each other.
Are your bass pickup settings the same at each gig? First vid seems like it’s favoring the bridge a bit or at least plucking over the bridge. The second vid is less pronounced as you mention, at times a little far back in the mix. Both sound great and may serve the mix best. The second vid is the example of the bass being harder to hear from a jazz when the band steps it up. But as you pony out could be other factors and not the bass.
I’d like to find a group like this. Well done!

Thanks. No, I try to find a sweet spot for each room and adjust my settings every time I play.

The big difference between the two videos for me is active vs. passive. I get a boost from the active mode (first video), and the preamp gives me a lot of definition on the brighter end of the midrange that I just can't get from the tone control in passive mode. So I feel a little bit limited in what I can do with the passive tone control versus the 3 band EQ.

An important point to consider here is that many players are not comfortable with an onboard preamp and will favor the passive basses. I've never gotten the same results with a passive bass or a switchable bass like this one in passive mode - so I usually have the preamp engaged. I couldn't for that show, because it needed repair. So, again, what others have said makes sense. You might need to look beyond the bass itself. A preamp is not the bass - it could just as easily be in a rack or on the floor, but it's adding some color to the sound. The bass is what it is.

That said, I like the way the bass sounds in both of those videos, but I'm used to using the preamp. So maybe I get more from it because I've spent more time using it. Hard to say.

 

[PhinDog]

Thanks. No, I try to find a sweet spot for each room and adjust my settings every time I play.

The big difference between the two videos for me is active vs. passive. I get a boost from the active mode (first video), and the preamp gives me a lot of definition on the brighter end of the midrange that I just can't get from the tone control in passive mode. So I feel a little bit limited in what I can do with the passive tone control versus the 3 band EQ.

An important point to consider here is that many players are not comfortable with an onboard preamp and will favor the passive basses. I've never gotten the same results with a passive bass or a switchable bass like this one in passive mode - so I usually have the preamp engaged. I couldn't for that show, because it needed repair. So, again, what others have said makes sense. You might need to look beyond the bass itself. A preamp is not the bass - it could just as easily be in a rack or on the floor, but it's adding some color to the sound. The bass is what it is.

That said, I like the way the bass sounds in both of those videos, but I'm used to using the preamp. So maybe I get more from it because I've spent more time using it. Hard to say.

That’s great!
Seems like that could start a whole other thread. Passive or active? But I agree. I like the flexibility of an on board pre. I feel like the pre on my Sandberg enhances the passive tone and doesn’t color it much. But can swing from modern to vintage very easily.

 

[LBS-bass]

That’s great!
Seems like that could start a whole other thread. Passive or active? But I agree. I like the flexibility of an on board pre. I feel like the pre on my Sandberg enhances the passive tone and doesn’t color it much. But can swing from modern to vintage very easily.

I'd love to hear what that Sandberg sounds like!

 

[PhinDog]

I'd love to hear what that Sandberg sounds like!

The VM5 with the reverse P and MM in the bridge. It’s clear and punchy. Great instrument.

 

[Geri O]

For me, it depends on the lead guitar player. If he's making a huge racket, I'm buried more with a jazz bass than I would be with a precision bass.

In your case, and with “that” guitar player, you probably aren’t the only one buried in the mix.

 

[Geri O]

Never had a Jazz bass that failed to cut through a mix but it definitely sits differently that a Precision.

That’s why I have both. Well, Jazz- and Precision-style.

 

[GreyBeard]

My Ultra Jazz V has taken over as my #1 as of late. It sounds good on everything and is easy to play.

 

[LBS-bass]

My Ultra Jazz V has taken over as my #1 as of late. It sounds good on everything and is easy to play.

I think that has the same preamp as mine.

 

[PhinDog]

My Ultra Jazz V has taken over as my #1 as of late. It sounds good on everything and is easy to play.

Those necks are super nice.

 

[GreyBeard]

I think that has the same preamp as mine.

It probably does. I'm also the lead singer on 60% of the songs. I just leave the preamp on, blend and EQ at center detent and play. Sounds good to me and my band mates.

 

[4StringDave]

I play a 72 P and a 66 J, both strung with flats. I find if I eq them differently, I can get an articulate sound with a nice top and bottom end out of both instruments. However, I prefer a J live, especially with flats. Something about really loud volumes makes a Jazz bass into a completely different instrument. My J is currently being restored to factory spec, pickups are being potted this weekend and a new body from MJT is on the way.
View attachment 4823640

I like the body - nice carvings

 

[Wisebass]

hi PhinDog

Funny thread!

My Jazz isn't my main player (I play mostly fretless these days),

but I played more gigs on my Jazz than on any other bass I ever had!

wondering if it gets lost a little in a mix

Never got lost in the mix! I just switch between my two prefered sounds.

It has everything to do with the BL soloing his flute and paying off the sound tech.

Yup! That's even worse than a lefty keyboarder


greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[badinage]

Thread needs more pictures.

 

[Bassmike62]

Aerodyne Fender Jazz (PJ), neck volume 100%, bridge volume 80%, tone 80%.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Thread needs more pictures.

View attachment 4824442

So true.

 

[arepa_funk]

The VM5 with the reverse P and MM in the bridge. It’s clear and punchy. Great instrument.

Haven't played one, but that's the same setup as the Reverend Mercalli 5. It's my go-to axe. Pickups sound huge, very versatile.