Why would you choose a P over a J?

[buldog5151bass]

I played a jazz as my only bass for over 20 years. I just prefer the sound of the P. I also find the body more comfortable. I've always played a P neck (that's what my jazz had when I bought it), so that doesn't have anything to do with it.

 

[LoTone]

I get your point about the rivalry. However, personally, it took me a little while to understand the nuances between the two instruments.

What I am trying to get across is that, this particular type of question comes back over and over, I think, because when you are using a J and you have never used a P, it is not immediately obvious what makes the P different.

In my case, I had to use both for quite sometime before sorting them out.

 

[BassGeekJack]

The Precision is like a big warm hug. Jazz is like a hi-five. I'm a hugger

 

[rashrader]

I’d buy a P Bass if I were cool enough, but I’m not.

 

[easyj]

Well I suppose you could open it up to any musical situation where you need attack, articulation and clarity, without losing any bottom end.

If you are a very talented player, and are playing in a jazz or fusion trio where you are featured and using a great variety of sounds, you could choose a Jazz bass because you know you will take advantage of its versatility. No argument that a Jazz can be a better choice, but I just see a lot of seasoned bass players who regularly gig, playing popular genres music, doing a great job with a Precision. I think a Precision is a solid bet for the majority of gigs. It thumps, it cuts, it delivers the classic bass tone that is expected, most of the time. For the less frequent exceptions, like you mentioned, it would still deliver very well.

I think a Jazz shines in unique situations, where a Precision shines in typical situations. That’s why I mentioned “if you don’t know what your situation is going to be”.

 

[klejst]

Personal preference is mostly what it really comes down to.

 

[mrcbass]

I know a lot of guys have a P bass as their weapon of choice. What is it about that model that would make you choose it over a J bass? I own both 4 and 5 string J basses and every time I pick up a P it just doesn't speak to me. Perhaps it's because I'm used to the neck on a J? I dunno. Sound is so nuanced anyway.

So what is it about P basses that grab you?

For me it is the simplicity of it. One volume one tone knob. No battery. (I know some jazzes are passive as well). I like to be able to quickly shift tones on the fly - the double knob passive jazz didn't work for me in this aspect. I was late to the party, but am a solid convert. Doesn't work on fretless for me, but my fretted basses are now Ps.

 

[mickebas]

It all depends on what’s the flavor of the day. They both have their areas of excellence. Depends on a lot of things. String type, amp, acoustic environment, music style, drummer etc.
I personally need both and can never really 100% decide which one to play. Also to be able to do a decent comparison you should have a good P and a good J. Then you need to dial in the amp to fit that precise bass.
The answer is a never ending topic here on TB.

 

[Lava]

In my last group I was playing slap bass half the night and I preferred the jazz type bass for that. I've played straight rock and blues gigs that I preferred to play a P bass with. I can use the J bass for rock and blues as well, but I don't like doing slap with the P bass. But that's me...

 

[MoeTown1986]

I choose a P over a J when I want simple looks, simple tones, and simple playing. Sometimes, less is more.

 

[Rib 13]

What I am trying to get across is that, this particular type of question comes back over and over, I think, because when you are using a J and you have never used a P, it is not immediately obvious what makes the P different..

Ive said this in a thousand threads: There isnt any rocket science in a P-bass -- its a pickup in that sweetspot in relationship to the bridge (usually Series-wired but not necessary). Can be active or passive. Thats it. Theres no magical unicorn poop involved. P-bass enthusiasts always argue the simplicity of a P-bass, and I agree with this, but by virtue of that same simplicity, its very easy to replicate on many many basses...For example, solo the front pickup on a G&L L-2000, put it in Series mode, turn off the pre-amp and its pretty much a P-bass

What makes Precisions cool is what they are: they look cool, especially in the hands of certain players (I think Dee Dee Ramone looks the coolest with a P-bass)...P-basses ooze mojo...they are a classic....and all this will come together to inspire the player to approach bass playing a certain way

IMO, thats whats cool about P-basses......

 

[teh-slb]

Doesn't work on fretless for me, but my fretted basses are now Ps.

P's the only fretless that works for me

 

[Leonid Nidis]

No need to choose get both
Recently I got a stingray with some kind of switch(series\paralel maybe?) and I think it does a p and a j well

 

[Killens84]

If Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Hulk were bassists, they would all play a Precision... It’s science.

 

[lermgalieu]

P has more meat on the bun

 

[beaglesandbass]

I know a lot of guys have a P bass as their weapon of choice. What is it about that model that would make you choose it over a J bass? I own both 4 and 5 string J basses and every time I pick up a P it just doesn't speak to me. Perhaps it's because I'm used to the neck on a J? I dunno. Sound is so nuanced anyway.

So what is it about P basses that grab you?

I don't like the shape of the J body, nor the weight

 

[Corevalay]

I have owned many P's and J's. I like them both. I have gone months just wanting to play my Jazz, then I take the P out and just want to play my P from now on.

My exact sentiment. I love both! Lately I've been in P-Bass mode, but just today I picked up my jazz again and thought "Man, I miss this!". So I'm sure I'll play the jazz for a few weeks now. Add my Stingray into the mix and it's a constant struggle of which to play!!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I'm not being an ass with saying this because I've also found it true for myself, but (in general) the more you play with a band the more you play a P bass. The more you play at home, the more you play a J.

 

[mattj1stc]

To the original question, I ended up playing a P for several reasons (despite owning around 24 basses at one point). First, it is unassuming, relatively inexpensive and robust/sturdy. I had owned a Dingwall AB-2, which was great, but it was an expensive bass that everyone wanted to touch or play (fancy woods, fanned frets). Second, the P works well in terms of setting up/dialing in quickly. It only has one pickup, a volume knob and a tone knob. I've had other multi-pick, multi-control active basses, which gave me more things to adjust and play with, but I'm not sure I ended up with anything radically different in terms of tone. This leads to my last point - the P bass is the most recorded, most heard bass sound - to most people's ears, it sounds right and fits into the mix in a way that it's supposed to (again, less messing around trying to get the right sound). My only concession to modernity is that I play a 5 string because I got tired of down and drop tuning.

 

[twinjet]

I know a lot of guys have a P bass as their weapon of choice. What is it about that model that would make you choose it over a J bass? I own both 4 and 5 string J basses and every time I pick up a P it just doesn't speak to me. Perhaps it's because I'm used to the neck on a J? I dunno. Sound is so nuanced anyway.

So what is it about P basses that grab you?

Why would I? I wouldn't.
I ditched an American Fender purchased brand new in favor of this old L-2000 I found in a pawn shop. Beats out everything I've owned.

To answer the question, I'd take a Jazz over a Precision because I need some variety in my sound. A Precision Bass doesn't necessarily offer that.