Old Man Riva Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I've always found the tone control to be the thing that gets me the sound I want from a Jazz - pretty much rolled all the way off. Never really find myself messing with the p/ups - both up full. Bobby Vega makes me want to give up, btw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I got my best Jazz results (in my opinion) with both pickups up but with the bridge pickup backed off just slightly. Then it's down to how you address the bass, just as with any bass, there's no mystery... it's still in the fingers. The Jazz is generally used with roundwounds for that mid-growl, which sounds great, but I had most fun with flats. A dual-pickup bass with flats can sound monsterous live - you get a really solid, fundamental tone that works very well with the drums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I love the sound of jazzes but jazz necks are a bit on the small side for my liking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='Old Man Riva' timestamp='1432284172' post='2779944'] Bobby Vega makes me want to give up, btw! [/quote]I know! He makes everything look so bloody easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I don't agree that a Jazz bass can sound like a Precision. You can mod or redesign a P bass as much as you like, but nothing else sounds as good as the standard P bass, which is why in reality they have ceased to evolve. They don't need to. But like any 2 pickup bass, the wide tonal pallet of a Jazz will give you enough rope to hang yourself. The main reason for a bad sounding Jazz is the guy who twiddled the knobs. Don't over analyse the sound of a Jazz bass. Most of the players listed in the previous posts were almost certainly playing stock basses (except Bobby Vega). They sound good because, amongst other things, their good ears can get great sounds out of their instruments. We have as much of a chance if we work harder at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1432293188' post='2780071'] I don't agree that a Jazz bass can sound like a Precision. You can mod or redesign a P bass as much as you like, but nothing else sounds as good as the standard P bass, which is why in reality they have ceased to evolve. They don't need to. [/quote] I agree, it can't. It's all down to the time and effort Leo took over the final placement of the split pickup (which is technically a humbucker). That above everything else is why a P sounds like a P and why it still endures after sixty-odd years. It can't be replicated by using the bridge pickup on a Jazz - it's a totally different bag of frogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 (edited) [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1432293188' post='2780071'] I don't agree that a Jazz bass can sound like a Precision. [/quote] Maybe not [i][b]exactly[/b][/i] like a P - but within a band mix at volume, I think most bass players would struggle to tell the difference with their ears. Very few punters could and the vast majority wouldn't give a monkeys anyway! With a bit of judicious EQ, I can make my J basses sound enough like Ps (to me) that I don't need a P bass. That's why I no longer have any P basses! Precision connoisseurs will disagree of course, but to my reasonably discerning ears it is close enough Edited May 22, 2015 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1432293878' post='2780082'] Precision connoisseurs will disagree of course, but to my reasonably discerning ears it is close enough [/quote] See? I disagreed before you even said it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1432293862' post='2780081'] It can't be replicated by using the bridge pickup on a Jazz - [/quote] Replicated, no. Approximated - yes (IMO) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1432293932' post='2780084'] See? I disagreed before you even said it. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1432293932' post='2780084'] See? I disagreed before you even said it. [/quote] I also think they sound totally different. For me the Jazz needs a bit more eq-ing with the band, the P just works treble on or off. Might have to try myself a PJ one day. off topic, but when I showed NWR (name dropping lol) my 1970 Precision he picked it up played it and asked me if I'd considered adding a jazz pick-up to it lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 Tim Commorford on Bulls On Parade by Rage Against The Machine - brialliant J tone from the bright end of the palate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 The Camel - Snow Goose album is a great example of a Jazz being used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockfordStone Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1432280101' post='2779895'] Don't understand where this 'thin sound' criticism is coming from! A Jazz can be hefty as feck if you want it to be. [/quote] This, i've used my jazz bass for metal bands and it has out hammered it's pointy alternatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1432293878' post='2780082'] Maybe not [i][b]exactly[/b][/i] like a P - but within a band mix at volume, I think most bass players would struggle to tell the difference with their ears. Very few punters could and the vast majority wouldn't give a monkeys anyway! [/quote] But is that through 10s, 12s or 15s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 Nick Beggs using a 5er jazz these days. John Levine used one for a while. Jeff Berlin used to use one around Bruford One of a Kind album. Dave Hope from Kansas used one altho he did use P as well i believe. Quite a few of the new Prog bands are using J's - apologies i can't remember their names. I'm a fan of them but i also like Precision sound as well. Some GAS there too. Prefer the J neck to P neck Run mine both Vols full and play with tone to get different sounds for different songs. Works for me. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 From Jaco to Familyman, from bridge to neck pup and everything in between Most Jamaican reggae from the 70s was recorded with Jazz basses. It is still Aston Barrett and Robbie Shakespeare's favoured instrument. [media]http://youtu.be/VdFTtOAXd5s[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='ras52' timestamp='1432297136' post='2780137'] But is that through 10s, 12s or 15s? [/quote] All of 'em! 18s too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 (edited) I like the sound that Linley Marthe gets from his. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuY4JP5TcTk&spfreload=10"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuY4JP5TcTk&spfreload=10[/url] Edited May 22, 2015 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I was playing classic rock in a band using a jazz for a while, never had any complaints (though I did tend to deploy the S1 switch a lot ). I still have it and it was only when I started doing more modern britpoppy/mainstream stuff that I switched to a P regularly at gigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I'm probably in a huge minority, but visually I just can't be arsed with them. That much more than the tones (and there are plenty in there, I agree) puts me off completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1432305093' post='2780264'] I'm probably in a huge minority, but visually I just can't be arsed with them. That much more than the tones (and there are plenty in there, I agree) puts me off completely. [/quote] I feel your pain. I think I've narrowed my annoyance down to the metal control plate. That's why I've got a G&L JB-2. Edited May 22, 2015 by ras52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1432305093' post='2780264'] I'm probably in a huge minority, but visually I just can't be arsed with them. That much more than the tones (and there are plenty in there, I agree) puts me off completely. [/quote] [quote name='ras52' timestamp='1432305441' post='2780270'] I feel your pain. I think I've narrowed my annoyance down to the metal control plate. That's why I've got a G&L JB-2. [/quote] For me, it's the offset body that I find off-putting. Certainly not a deal-breaker - I mean, I certainly wouldn't say no if somebody offered me a Jazz bass - but I just prefer the traditional Precision body. I actually think the separate control plate is a very handy idea, much more convenient than having to unscrew the entire scratchplate like I have to with my P clone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Riva Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1432303843' post='2780245'] I like the sound that Linley Marthe gets from his. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuY4JP5TcTk&spfreload=10[/media] [/quote] That sounds like a family of flies in a jam jar having a drunken row at a family wedding while a group of an angry locals throw stones at a corrugated iron shed roof..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 [quote name='Old Man Riva' timestamp='1432305682' post='2780276'] That sounds like a family of flies in a jam jar having a drunken row at a family wedding while a group of an angry locals throw stones at a corrugated iron shed roof..! [/quote] And can you do that with a Precision? Quite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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