FourStrung Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Hi guys, I am a relative newbie on bass, been playing guitar until now but due to difficulty of finding a suitable bassist where I live in rural France I have taken up the bass and quite enjoying it now I am getting into it more. I have a donated Wawrick Standard Rockbass that while is quite playable, doesn't give me the sound I would prefer to have. Playing in a 4pce blues rock band for fun mainly, the odd gig for a few beers and plate of food if lucky. This week I played a Fender Jazz and a Squier Precision – this has just caused me more problems as I love the Jazz neck but the Precision sound. Now I need to find a bass that can deliver the two elements but cost no more that a Fender J or P. Looking for some pointers as I am a long way from any good guitar shops and dont want to start from scratch if a take a day out to go and test a few. I really like the look of the Squier Jaguar, they do a model with a humbucker or jazz & p style split but not sure about a Squier. I really want to step up on quality and sound of the Rockbass. Welcome any advice and suggestions Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Easy. Buy the jazz and change the neck pickup for a Pbass pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Depends on your budget, but there is a 2nd hand Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass for sale on here. Jazz neck and body, with a Precision pickup, and a Jazz bridge pickup. Really good quality basses. It`s up for £430, and is unlikely to hang around too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 A cheap solution that *may* give you what you're looking for is to get a jazz & wire in a series/parallel switch like the Fender S1 switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 See if you can find an SGC Nanyo Bass Collection (either an SB310 or an SB320 ideally) on French eBay - they do come up from time to time, and they're WAY cheaper than any Fender. The Bass Collections with the P/J configuration deliver an excellent Precision sound, while the neck is as slim and fast as any Jazz I've played. Bass Collection serial numbers are 6-digit, with the first two being the year of manufacture. You really want a serial number starting 95 or earlier. Later versions were manufactured at a much lower quality, dragging down the resale values of the originals, which is why you can pick up these basses for less than £200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 The Squier Standard series P is actually a Jazz necked PJ. I think it's been discontinued now though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 You just need a P with a J neck. Lakland Duck Dunn for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_B Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Or a Yamaha BB414... or, if you like the reliced look, an LTD Vintage-204... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 [url="http://www.fender.com/en-GB/products/search.php?partno=0146500323"]http://www.fender.com/en-GB/products/searc...rtno=0146500323[/url] [url="http://www.fender.com/en-GB/products/search.php?partno=0135762306"]http://www.fender.com/en-GB/products/searc...rtno=0135762306[/url] [url="http://www.fender.com/en-GB/products/search.php?partno=0254505506"]http://www.fender.com/en-GB/products/searc...rtno=0254505506[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skywalker Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Squier do a "P Bass Special" which has a Jazz Neck and both pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceH Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Aerodyne will do the job nicely, or a Jap 75 Reissue with the PJ config. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_B Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Or a Squier VM Jag... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzneck Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 See my name? The reason I used it is that I've just built my relic P-bodied, Jazz-necked bass using all of the hardware, electrics etc. from my very old P-bass which fell apart. Why did I do it? - I was able to get the bass I wanted. Have you considered getting a P-bass and fitting a Jazz neck to taste - be a little careful if you do go this route as you must ensure that the heel dimensions of the neck and the pocket dimensions of the body match perfectly. Just a suggestion, but some of the guys on here will have better/simpler solutions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostromo Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Yes . . Jazz neck with Precision sound is easy to find or make up yourself . . . Have a look at my list of Bass's on my sig block below - there are a couple there along the lines of what you're looking for . . . in fact my taste is very close to yours by the sound of it ? I'm always singing the praises of MIJ Jazz Bass Specials and Power Jazz Bass Specials . . . they are beginning to become a bit collectable but they are still about for a reasonable price if you look hard and long for one ? Also I'd highly recommend the make your own route . . . as you can see I've got a Fender Precision/Jazz Mongrel - Black Precision Body/Maple Jazz Neck w Black Binding & Block Markers - Japan/Indonesia 2008/2009 components. Well I call it an Experiment on my sig block below . . but its a great bass guitar and I've recently started taking it out to gigs as I like the sound and feel of it so much. Doesn't need to cost the earth to make a hybrid as you can sell off all the unwanted bits from the donor instruments on ebaY or the like. Mine worked our dead cheap, lovely Japanese body and the neck from one of the Squier Indonesian modified Jazz models . . lovely neck . . really nice. You may not realise it but your options are almost endless ! ! ! Good luck . . . feel sure you'll find what you're looking for if you keep a look out on the for sale section here . . or, if you fancied a go at putting together your own hybrid then thats an even more rewarding way of getting the end result you want ! Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Aw, God, you've got a Black Eagle . I stupidly tried one of those and a Shaftesbury Tele bass at the same time. I stupidly bought the Tele (on a years HP) and I've regretted it ever since. Black Eagle photo's pretty please. Whaddya mean off topic? Karl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 OOPS, missed the original topic. Anyway, shameless plug, I have a Japanese Aerodyne for sale, P/J config, jazz neck, just have a look in the for sale bit, under Karlfer. Good luck whatever you do. Karl. [quote name='FourStrung' post='1269760' date='Jun 15 2011, 10:29 AM']Hi guys, I am a relative newbie on bass, been playing guitar until now but due to difficulty of finding a suitable bassist where I live in rural France I have taken up the bass and quite enjoying it now I am getting into it more. I have a donated Wawrick Standard Rockbass that while is quite playable, doesn't give me the sound I would prefer to have. Playing in a 4pce blues rock band for fun mainly, the odd gig for a few beers and plate of food if lucky. This week I played a Fender Jazz and a Squier Precision – this has just caused me more problems as I love the Jazz neck but the Precision sound. Now I need to find a bass that can deliver the two elements but cost no more that a Fender J or P. Looking for some pointers as I am a long way from any good guitar shops and dont want to start from scratch if a take a day out to go and test a few. I really like the look of the Squier Jaguar, they do a model with a humbucker or jazz & p style split but not sure about a Squier. I really want to step up on quality and sound of the Rockbass. Welcome any advice and suggestions Thanks[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipperydick Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 old Bass Collection, I got one, plays absolutely great, but cant get it to sound like quite like a Precision. I put a Mighty Mite Jazz neck on a precision type body of unknown origin, Kent Armstrong vintage pickup. All ebay stuff, Cost not a lot, and I'm well chuffed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 +1 on the Yamaha BB414. Covers all bases (pun intended!!!) G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostromo Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 [quote name='karlfer' post='1270738' date='Jun 15 2011, 10:08 PM']Aw, God, you've got a Black Eagle . I stupidly tried one of those and a Shaftesbury Tele bass at the same time. I stupidly bought the Tele (on a years HP) and I've regretted it ever since. Black Eagle photo's pretty please. Whaddya mean off topic? Karl.[/quote] Do you really wanna see some pics of my old Black Eagle ? . . . If so I'll start a new topic . . . you choose which forum it should be in - and I'll start a topic and post up some pics ! Dont want to derail FourStrungs topic here which is clearly focused on "Jazz neck feel with Precision sound" . . . something which is well worth searching for in my opinion so a good topic to keep going ! ! Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 This is the kind of thing I have been seeking. I don't get on with fat necks but like the P-Bass sound. My own personal thing is now to have lightweight basses, as well as skinny necks, so a lot of the contenders don't get off the blocks. My SGC Nanyo Bass Collection is the lightest of all (actually about the same as the headless Hohner cricket bat) but doesn't sound much like a P-Bass to my ears - it seems to have a more 'modern' sound. I recently bought a Precision Bass Lyte - same shape (but smaller) body as a P-Bass, beautiful skinny neck. From the little I have played it before packing it off for some repairs, it sounded more like a P-Bass than the Bass Collection but still not exactly like a P-Bass. But I haven;t lived with it for long enough to have a major fiddle as yet. My #1 favourite bass is my Power Jazz Bass Special - P-Bass body but 'relatively' lightweight (under 9lbs), gorgeously playable skinny jazz neck. Sounds absolutely immense - great for rock - but, again, not that much like a P-Bass to my ears. Of the basses I have owned I would say a Westone Thunder 1A sounded more like a P-Bass without actually being a P-Bass than any other P-Bass-a-like mentioned. If you see what I mean - it has that special woody tone. The neck is *slightly* fatter than a Jazz neck - 40mm compared to 38mm, but not as fat as some of the P-Bass necks, which I believe can be up to 44mm. If only it wasn't so bloody heavy! Ditto Washburn Scavenger (eyes left) - 40mm neck, nice woody P-Bass tones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourStrung Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 I like simple solutions and thanks for what must have seamed pretty obvious Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourStrung Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 [quote name='FourStrung' post='1271553' date='Jun 16 2011, 03:36 PM']I like simple solutions and thanks for what must have seamed pretty obvious Cheers[/quote] Hey guys, Some great ideas, I really like the idea of just changing the pup or building a hybrid Think I just focussed on a stock solution – not like me as I am happy to swop out bits and customise to my liking Am very excited now by the thoughts of where I can go with this now Will post the outcome Thanks again for your suggestions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 [quote name='Nostromo' post='1271366' date='Jun 16 2011, 01:00 PM']Do you really wanna see some pics of my old Black Eagle ? . . . If so I'll start a new topic . . . you choose which forum it should be in - and I'll start a topic and post up some pics ! Dont want to derail FourStrungs topic here which is clearly focused on "Jazz neck feel with Precision sound" . . . something which is well worth searching for in my opinion so a good topic to keep going ! ! Cheers, [/quote] Yup please! You have enough gear to have your own topic on the Gear Porn thread, could spookily be called Nostromo's Gear Porn . Karl. Ps good luck FourStrung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I've swapped the necks over on both my Squiers and tend to use the P with Jazz neck on it all the time now. The only reason i keep the P neck on the Jazz is to try and get used to playing one at home, but as its on a Jazz i dont tend to use it much as i prefer the P tone. I've also had 2 Lakland Duck Dunns, and I also converted my Lakland DJ5 in to a PJ but never really liked the tone i got from that bass. My ideal bass would be a Jazz body, P pup i the correct place and a Jazz neck with vintage frets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASainty Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 [quote name='Jerry_B' post='1269951' date='Jun 15 2011, 12:35 PM']Or a Yamaha BB414... or, if you like the reliced look, an LTD Vintage-204...[/quote] +1 for the Yammy The BB414 are excellent basses that have Yamaha's typical high end build quality and the P/J pickups are very smooth, hot and punchy and really gives that bluesy sound when strung with flatwounds. You can pick them up on here for under £200 easy, for me I wouldn't use anything else with a P/J config. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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