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Why would you choose a P over a J?

#161
vindibona1 said:
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?
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Yeah, it's totally for the sound it makes with those split single-coil pickups that are wound in opposite directions so they are actually humbucking. I think it's because its a basic, heavy, bass sound without as much nuance as the Jazz. It's very effective and LOTS of recordings were done with it. Session players almost always have one in their stable because studios will often request it - they know how to get the sound they want out of a Fender P-bass. Luckily most of them also know how to mix a Jazz Bass into their mix too.

Personally, as you can see in my avatar, I play a Jazz Bass and I have since I bought my '65 Jazz in 1966...yeah, I'm an old fart. But I just love the sound I get out of my Jazz with everything dimed and my amp running flat except for a little boost at ~250Hz. Just love it!

If I ever get a P-bass though, I will get it with and early 60's shallow C-shape neck with a 7.25 radius, which is exactly what I had on my '65 and also what I have on my Jazz ('82 MIA). The neck on the P-bass has always been off-putting to me. It just feels clunky. Surprisingly, my grandson has a Squier P-bass with the P-bass split pickups in their normal position as well as the Jazz bridge pickup, and the neck on his is actually pretty shallow and far more comfy that other P-basses I've tried.

But really, the P-bass has a pretty specific and well known sound and that's why they play it. I'll keep my Jazz thank you!
 
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#163
vindibona1 said:
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?
Click to expand...

For me it’s all about how a bass sounds in context, not by itself: I was a J only player for a long time, but after years of spending my time primarily recording and playing live instead of practicing by myself, the P is generally what gives me the sounds I’m after: especially for the kind of music I’m generally playing.
 
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#164
I've always loved P's for their simplicity as well as the looks, feel & tone. That being said, I've really been digging my J lately & the way it articulates what I'm trying to do. Either way, I'll always have at least one of each. Not much help, I know... sorry
 
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#171
I've always been a Pbass guy but recently I've owned 4 jazz basses and quite like them very much, it's a different beast. They both have their unique characteristics, I only own 3 basses, 2 are pbasses and 1 Jazz, I alternate all three between gigs, by the way my jazz has flats!!
 
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#172
The Jazz has lots of goods sounds, but for my purposes, no one truly great, widely applicable sound. Accordingly, I’m always fiddling with the knobs. The P, on the other hand, gets the sound in my head and...done.

That said, I like plenty of bands where the Jazz was the main bass used, such as Led Zep, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Rush... plus lots of my friends’ bands and less famous bands I’ve seen live over the years. The Jazz sounds good, and in some mixes, a Jazz actually sits better than a Precision. But when I’m playing a Jazz, I just always want my bass to sound a bit more, well, bassy.

The Jazz has its strong points: flexibility/variety, brightness, better looks (imo), nicer neck (imo), but...

Meanwhile the P has: the quintessential tone (depending on what you’re going for, of course), the lighter weight (generally), and simplicity. And you can lean it up against your amp better.

I only choose a J if I hear a J sound in my head for something (which is rare for me) or, more likely, when I just get the itch to pull out my cool Jazz bass. Pretty much any time else, I choose a Precision*. It’s simple and it sounds right

*(or my Mustang, which is kinda a li’l P)
 
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#173
I think it goes without saying that both the P and the J are great basses. Just look att the electric bass history and it's all a matter of what kind of player you want to be. That said I personally find that it's very differnet depending on what jazzbass you're using. I have an original vintage 1961 J that has a much more deep sound from the bridge pu'p than the newer ones I've played . Also the neck pu'p sounds different and warmer than they do nowadays. That bass with medium to heavy flats really have all the bottom and fullness I'll ever need. Maybe I won't slap on it but even my P-basses sound a bit thin at times comin from that particular J.
But most of the time a standard P has a more flat response and therefore sits really good with a rock/pop/country bassdrum in the mix. As far as solowork goes I mostly prefer the jazz... but not just any jazz. It has to be a good one :)
 
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#174
I just want to share my (limited) experience. I started playing bass around two years ago, I've been a guitarist for 20+ years. I tried many different popular basses and bought a P. I tried different strings and always ended up with flats, so P and flats is my go-to tone. Not the most versatile setup for a P, but it works for the music I generally play. I crank every knob, adjust the amp settings for the room and it always sound good in the mix.
I recently decided to get another bass and bought a Music Man Caprice (PJ configuration). I didn't want to get a "pure" J because I always liked just the bridge pickup on Jazz basses, and I still wanted to have a P pickup available. That's what I'm using right now, with rounds, so I can cover a bigger palette of sounds.
I don't know if I prefer my P or PJ, it's too soon to decide, but the simplicity and the ability to sound great in the mix of a P bass is fantastic. I think every bass player should own a P bass, honestly.
 
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#176
MDBass said:
For me it’s all about how a bass sounds in context, not by itself: I was a J only player for a long time, but after years of spending my time primarily recording and playing live instead of practicing by myself, the P is generally what works better in the mix better: especially for the kind of music I’m generally playing.
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And I'm the other side of the coin. I've always played a Jazz. Didn't like the bulky neck on the P-Bass, though I understand the tone preference many folks have for it.

I've played live since 1966. I toured with a nightclub group across the Western and mid-Western US playing 5-nihgts a week, 50-weeks a year, for 3 years in the early 70's. Continued to play weekend gigs after that. I've done a little recording, once in Hollywood, and a second time at studio in Granada Hills, CA for ATCO. Actually have a recording session scheduled this coming Saturday in Seattle. I do home recording from time to time too. I run a really clear warm sound through my amp and cabs, and typically run my EQ flat with a little boost at ~250Hz in the low-mids. Controls on my Jazz Bass are dimed and that sound sits very nicely in the mix, both live and recorded.

No question though that LOTS of studios prefer a P-Bass because they know how to make it sound good in the mix. If I were doing a bunch of session work, I would buy a P-bass and put a Jazz Bass neck on it specifically for the studios that ask for it. But personally, I much prefer the sound of my Jazz over a P-bass.
 
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#178
mouthmw said:
I played Jazz bass for years, live and a some recording. Always wanted a P bass though. When I switched to a P bass years ago, I tried to get on with J basses as well, but I always ended up selling them. I prefer the tone, feel, neck (no more thin necks for me) and looks of a P bass. I still dig J basses, no doubt, but P bass is my thing. P and Ray is what I use nowadays, as both do it for me.
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when you guys talk about p or jazz basses are talking specifically about fender Squier models and all those which replicate the shape of them ?
 
#179
vindibona1 said:
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?
Click to expand...
Well... if any of my 24 basses really "grab" me, it's my 2 Ricks; a '73 4001, and an'01 COY 4003. But, I do have a P-Bass; a left handed, "A-spec" necked '78 P-Bass - and I've owned it for 34 years, come next July. However, out of the 26 basses I've owned - and the 24 I still do - I've never owned a Jazz Bass. Why?
1. They feel weird when I try to play one. And, they hang off my shoulder funny. Don't know why; offset body, maybe? Anyway, they just ain't comfortable. And, before you say anything; for some reason, Rick's fit me like a glove. Which, come to think about it, might be why Jazz Basses don't...:eyebrow::eyebrow:
2. Jazz Basses have electronic... foibles... that Fender either won't, or can't, fix. And, I don't see why I should have to live with them - or fix them myself.
So... if you like Jazz Basses? Great; you won't get any grief about that from me. And, please; feel free to treat yourself to all the ones that I won't be buying...:whistle:
 
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