Alternate tunings, different voicing and output level for different genre or style, fretted and fretless. I have 4 and have a different use for all of them.
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Why do you have multiple Jazz Basses?
- Thread starter Chrisk-K
- Start date
If you own a 4-string jazz bass, maybe you're interested in a 5-string jazz bass.
I have a 4 string fretted, 4 string fretless, and a 5 string fretted. All have Duncan quarter pound pups and high mass bridges. The 4 strings have a Gotoh 201B (I definitely recommend it!) The 5 string has a custom hipshot high mass bridge.
Just try out another Jazz and you might get lucky. I got the best sounding and playing Jazz I've ever played for $200 secondhand
I know, it's like having two same-shaped girlfriends. Crazy!!!
I was going on a vacation and didn't want to check one of my costly and/or sentimental basses in the airplane cargo so I bought a $250 squire, making my Fender Jazz count 2. This was two weeks ago. [Un]fortunately, the Squier is ridiculously awesome and even at "only" $250, I don't want to lose it. I'm going to have to pick up a real $50 dog next time.
To answer your questions: Now that I have 2 Jazz that sound the same and have the same output, I keep one tuned to Eb, the best key for metal.
But... but... everyone knows that D minor is the saddest key! \m/
You might have different pickups for different voicings. Then there's the rosewood vs maple board discussion. Different feel, different sound??? Black blocks, pearl blocks, hell, just because we deserve multiple Jazz basses. As long as we pay the bills. By the way, don't pay any attention to the P/J in the avatar. These aren't the droids you're looking for.
Different pickups, different finishes, different necks, flat or round strings... I could keep going but you get the point.
Broskie, I have a Geddy bass on black with CS60s. I'm thinking of selling my P bass and getting the sunburst Geddy model. Just because.
Terrible reason
Terrible reason
They look great, come in different colors, and chicks dig 'em!
Despite a lot of varied pro gigs, I can't justify "needing" more than one 4-string bass. For the occasional fretless recording I could easily borrow or rent. So about a dozen Stingrays and Jazz-type basses could easily be whittled down to a single bass if I chose to. It's convenient for me to have multiples, but by no means necessary.
If I can't alter the tone very significantly with my fretting hand, plucking hand, strings or amp then I should be practicing not shopping for another bass.
Despite a lot of varied pro gigs, I can't justify "needing" more than one 4-string bass. For the occasional fretless recording I could easily borrow or rent. So about a dozen Stingrays and Jazz-type basses could easily be whittled down to a single bass if I chose to. It's convenient for me to have multiples, but by no means necessary.
If I can't alter the tone very significantly with my fretting hand, plucking hand, strings or amp then I should be practicing not shopping for another bass.
I have two Jazz basses, a Geddy Lee Jazz (strung with Roto roundwounds) and a standard MIM Jazz (strung with optima flats). The only thing they really share is body shape. The pickups, the pickup spacing, bridges, fretboards, and body woods are all different, and both basses have that distinctive Jazz bass tone but also something else. The GL Jazz has a very aggressive tone, very suited for hard rock, the standard MIM Jazz has a very mellow tone, which gets used for mellower things and more groove oriented material. They both play different, as well. That is why I have them both.
Well, yeah. I've got ... Lessee....
4 string rosewood-alder fretted flats
5 string maple-alder fretted rounds
5 string maple-ash fretted. ground wounds
5 string rosewood-alder fretted active rounds.
5 string rosewood-alder lined fretless flats
5 string ebony-ash unlined fretless ground wounds
6 string ebony-alder unlined fretless flats
6 string maple-alder fretted flats
6 string maple-ash-fretted rounds (may make it active later)
and one semi-jazz
5 string rosewood-agathis fretted flats (squire PJ)
Um that's all I need to keep me happy...
I have two standard configuration VVT Fender Jazz basses,
One 60's pickup spacing, one 70's pickup spacing.
Yes, I can hear a distinct difference, even in the mix. So can the people around me.
I also have a fretless Jazz. No, I do not sound like, nor do I worship, Jaco. Boz Burrell, yes, Jaco, no.
One 60's pickup spacing, one 70's pickup spacing.
Yes, I can hear a distinct difference, even in the mix. So can the people around me.
I also have a fretless Jazz. No, I do not sound like, nor do I worship, Jaco. Boz Burrell, yes, Jaco, no.
