Jazz Tone & Definition

[Norris]

I bought a brand new US standard Jazz several years ago, played it constantly and thoroughly enjoyed it. Then more recently I bought my Thunderbird and have played it ever since, the Jazz hardly getting a look in. Several people who come to our gigs have commented on the Thunderbird, saying how great it sounds, especially further up the neck compared to my Jazz. I hadn't really thought about it before, but they were right. The Jazz seems to lack clarity & definition above about the 5th fret, whereas the Thunderbird is a pure tone monster anywhere on the neck.

So, is this something that could be corrected, or is it inherent in the bass? Would a new set of pups help? I'm reluctant to change anything on the Jazz, as it's still 'factory' with barely a mark on it. It has had a decent set up, but is otherwise unmodified. It just seems such a shame for it to sit there in the case, but I'm unlikely to choose it over the T-bird at the moment - the T-bird sounds so much better.

Should I just stick the Jazz under the bed until it's 'vintage' and worth a packet no matter how it sounds?

[Wil]

Try rolling one of your pickup volumes down a touch - due to a quirk in the wiring, when both pickups are up full the mids are scooped a bit. When you roll back the volume slightly on one of the pups you get a little low mid bump that can add a lot of definition.

[lanark]

[quote name='Wil' post='1297185' date='Jul 8 2011, 01:33 PM']Try rolling one of your pickup volumes down a touch - due to a quirk in the wiring, when both pickups are up full the mids are scooped a bit. When you roll back the volume slightly on one of the pups you get a little low mid bump that can add a lot of definition.[/quote]

Of course you also tend to get a bit of hum too when both pickups aren't at max.

[Lfalex v1.1]

[quote name='Wil' post='1297185' date='Jul 8 2011, 01:33 PM']Try rolling one of your pickup volumes down a touch - due to a quirk in the wiring, when both pickups are up full the mids are scooped a bit. When you roll back the volume slightly on one of the pups you get a little low mid bump that can add a lot of definition.[/quote]

Rolling off the neck pick-up a smidge should do the trick. I nearly always have the bridge volume higher- YMMV, of course..

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='1297570' date='Jul 8 2011, 07:40 PM']Rolling off the neck pick-up a smidge should do the trick. I nearly always have the bridge volume higher- YMMV, of course..[/quote]
Other way round for me - when I had a Jazz - neck 100%, bridge 70%.

[Wil]

Yeah, I tend to back the bridge off 10% or so - I like the definition it provides, but I'm a P man at heart so the neck pup is always full on for me

I only recently discovered this trick - for years I'd always have both pups up full and wonder why the bass was getting lost in the mix.

Edited July 8, 2011 by Wil

[Vibrating G String]

I've found for me thinner strings give me more useable neck. Too thick and the tone starts falling off after about the 5th fret. YMMV

[lobematt]

As a new J player this is very useful for me! Why does it get lost in the mix with both pups on full? Is there a way it can be rewired to stop it?

[Wil]

Well, it might not get lost in the mix, as there are other factors to consider (if you've already boosted the mids at your amp to compensate then it's a moot point I suppose), but it's worth knowing about. The slight mid scoop is down to phase cancellation I think (hopefully someone with some technical knowledge will correct me if I'm wrong!).

All I know is, on my P/Humbucker bass (which is wired like a jazz) there's a far more "grunt" to be had by backing one of the pups off just a touch, so I tend to run it that way for 90% of our set, and then whack both pups up full when I want a smoother tone.

[wateroftyne]

Also - try dropping the pickups a bit. As you go up the neck, the strings might be getting a little close which will kill the definition.

[Norris]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='1299829' date='Jul 11 2011, 12:42 PM']Also - try dropping the pickups a bit. As you go up the neck, the strings might be getting a little close which will kill the definition.[/quote]
Thanks for that one. I generally play the Jazz with both volume controls at about 80% - never flat out, so maybe it's the pup height.

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1297921' date='Jul 9 2011, 01:45 AM']I've found for me thinner strings give me more useable neck. Too thick and the tone starts falling off after about the 5th fret. YMMV[/quote]
I always use Ernie Ball regular slinkys (50-105), so the strings are not exactly fat - and they sound fantastic on my T-bird (which I do have volume at 100% most of the time).

[Shylock]

This topic may be a bit stale now but perhaps the T'Bird is just the better bass!!

Firstly I have seen you play a few months back at Quorn and yes your bass sound was clear and impressive - a lot better the other bands I have seen there.

Secondly I have been messing around in band - 4 piece plus vocals - for a few years and playing a Fender MIM P Bass. I have always been disapointed with the volume/loudness of notes I play on the top two strings when the bottom two are too loud and boomy - especially half way up the neck. I put on some Seymour Duncan SPB3's and used them for about a year before taking them off and putting back the stock pick ups with an improvement, as I believe the clanky mids from the stock pups cut through.

Anyway a month ago I bought an Epi T'Bird (not quite a Gibson - I know) as a back up bass. But this bass is consistent across all notes and is not boomy. I can play on the top strings and be heard above the drums now!!

Okay it takes a bit getting used to but I love the slimmer and longer neck, the growling,thudding notes, the looks and most importantly I am now be heard on all strings.

Now saving for a Gibson T'Bird and may try a Tokai on the way.

[Oopsdabassist]

I put on one of John East's finest, a J Retro, onto my MIM Jazz, which rounded out the tone NO END, and being a direct replacement for all the standard pots, did away with the max vol 'balance' twiddly issues, great bit of kit, and John is a very helpful gent.

[civictiger]

If i'm honest I think you should point the finger at your strings rather than at your bass?

[Gust0o]

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1297641' date='Jul 8 2011, 08:40 PM']Other way round for me - when I had a Jazz - neck 100%, bridge 70%.[/quote]

This is what I currently do, and have no complaints. Well worth a try rolling one back. Suggest try both and see what takes your fancy.

[stingrayPete1977]

Ive always had the opposite problem with T-Birds lacking any higher register definition, I like em though.

[thisnameistaken]

What were you doing playing above the 5th fret in the first place? Sounds like human error to me.