Why did Leo do this?

[jd56hawk]

If you want to get picky, I’m sure you could find a dozen previous threads that cover the same topic. Talk bass is repetitive - it just is. It just is.

And the worst thing about it?
We're all forced by Rule 17-LMNOP to reply to threads we find repetitive or uninteresting.

 

[JW56789]

I'm not nearly knowledgeable to wade into vintage discussions, so I'll just say IF I have a choice, the further away from the bridge the better. I like the highs the bridge pickup can add in to the overall, but after a certain distance for me it just begins to sound more twangy than tenor-ish.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

He did not. But to be fair, he wasn’t a musician. He was a radio repairman. Leo did not play bass. Or guitar. Or drums. Or even accordion.

With this in mind, I’d say he accomplished some pretty awesome stuff.

Nevermind that there was no commercially viable electric bass before Leo, so there was no "clue" to be had regarding how it would come to be used.

Hindsight is 20/20 and all that. Anyone who says Leo didn't have a clue has surely never innovated an entire genre of instruments that turned popular culture on it's head.

 

[rogerbmiller]

Carrots.

 

[funkinbottom]

We've had different views, guesses, an explanation video about how Leo Fender worked on pickups and placement. (ignored, or not viewed by most it would seem....)

Yeah, they just read the title and OP (or a post or two), then go immediately to comment, usually repeating what has been repeated several times already. Go figure.

A "debate" about P basses being a one trick pony and we're only up to page 5!

In a Jazz Bass thread no less. Cracks me up. Seems to happen frequently. Whether it's Fender Jazz, or a Jazz of a different name, it is usually just a short minute before the "universal" P debate begins.

 

[bikeplate]

Leo=not guilty

 

[micguy]

And the worst thing about it?
We're all forced by Rule 17-LMNOP to reply to threads we find repetitive or uninteresting.

You made me type this. ;-)

 

[Acoop]

Have you asked Lady google first? ... You may be better served with internet. ...

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

… all that being said, I still prefer the original, ‘60s spacing ..

 

[Ric Vice]

There are many ways to have those two different spacings on the same bass. My Lakland 55-94 is but one example.

 

[chuck3]

Great thread. Thanks all for the diversion. Love reading this stuff. I have no idea where my J falls on the spectrum but I kind of instinctively understand what you're saying. That's a Mike Lull (RIP) on the left. I look at G&L's online all the time and speculate as to what they sound like. Happy New Year to all!

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Great thread. Thanks all for the diversion. Love reading this stuff. I have no idea where my J falls on the spectrum but I kind of instinctively understand what you're saying. That's a Mike Lull (RIP) on the left. I look at G&L's online all the time and speculate as to what they sound like. Happy New Year to all!
View attachment 4519553

The Mike Lull Jazz looks like it has the 70's era. The top of the pickup is about even with the bottom of the middle know (bridge volume knob). Outside of the 70's that bridge pickup is almost 1/2" higher with the bridge pickup ending in about the middle of the Bridge volume knob.

 

[Gizmot]

Seriously?

if the Pbass is still “the king” why are there so many brands and models of basses on the market? Everyone could save money and a lot of time by simply buying one. I played a Pbass for quite a few years and after getting something else, my sound and playing improved.

 

[CaribooBass]

Thank you fine people for responding to my post. I have learned a lot for the post went as it usually does all over the place.
I found out that all of us here are passionate about our basses.
Both the P-bass and the Jazz bass are not “One Trick Ponies”.
Leo did not move the pickup spacing CBS did.
With the two other companies he was involved in he continued improving his basses and we should continue to follow his lead.
He designed and provided a platform that we as players have changed or added to the world of music.
Not bad for an accountant who had only one eye, and never played a note.
Many called him just lucky. Really ?
He worked right up to the day before he passed away to share his gift with us.
So who are really the fortunate ones, or are we just lucky ?

 

[El_Charro]

There is a lot of Fender Gurus in this forum and I would like to find out some information about the jazz bass pickup placement changes.
Trying to get this time line straight.

There are Jazz basses that where made in the Sixties and they where well on their way to being the well loved basses they are today.
The Seventies show up and Sir Leo changes the distance between the pickups.
Yes, and again Mr Fender creates a bass that has become the well loved basses they are today. ( Yes he was a blessed man).

So the questions I am asking are:
Why did Fender change the pickup distance?
What changes did this make in the instruments ?
Did they also change the pickups themselves ?
What was the end result?

Thanks
IQ36ESM

———————————————————-
To mess with everyone who thought that the P bass was somehow insufficient and wanted a Jazz bass…

I kid, I kid…

I think this question was answered (and answered sufficiently), however I find the idea amusing that he could have used it to somehow crush the expectations of those who weren’t true believers to his original creation…

Thanks! \m/

 

[fretlessman71]

Were the covers gotten rid of after CBS sold the company?

Just before, I believe.

 

[tvbop]

We've all had a bit of fun, its been good but seriously? Ya'll quibbling over a couple of millimeters in the position of a PU.
The effect of that tiny measurement totally disappears after the studio engineer and FOH dudes have done there thing. We are literally talking about something that has no bearing on the sound of any J bass. They all sound the same.

 

[chris_b]

. . . . So who are really the fortunate ones, or are we just lucky ?

Whatever choices we make, they are all valid.

I've been playing bass since the 60's and I'm glad I'm still around to experience the fantastic instruments and gear that is available these days. I'm sounding better than I could ever have imagined when I bought that first bass.

It's a great time to be a bass player.

 

[tvbop]

I'm sounding better than I could ever have imagined when I bought that first bass

Different take here. Honing my technique for 40 years is what's made me the player Iam today. Would even wager if I could find my heavy old 70's Columbus J bass I would now sound just the same. We all get way to distracted with the gear thing. I do believe greatness really does lie in well practised fingers.

 

[chris_b]

Different take here. Honing my technique for 40 years is what's made me the player Iam today. Would even wager if I could find my heavy old 70's Columbus J bass I would now sound just the same. We all get way to distracted with the gear thing. I do believe greatness really does lie in well practised fingers.

There are 2 sides of that coin. I was just talking about gear and sound.

On the other side, I was a pretty good player when I was 18. I was a pro, touring and recording. Doing pretty well.

I think that the experience gained in 50 years has improved me as a player, and "less is more" is a great lesson to have learned. I'm a different player to the one that joined that first pro band. The same? No, definitely better.