Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

I have a couple J's and my brother owns a P, and he says that he likes the P more, but I'm always leaning towards the J. To me the J has a better look, a better sound, the P is kind of a thumping sound. That being said I've played several very nice P basses, with the Fender Deluxe Active standing prominently in my head. So in the end, it's more of something that you have to try out. I know people who swear by P's and I am in love with my J's. Good luck to you.
 
Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

For your first bass, you really can't go wrong with a J. It's a little easier to play because of the narrower neck, it's extremely versatile, has really great tone, sexy looks, very nice and comfortable feel.

After a couple years you may decide that there is a more specific sound that you're after. Then you can branch out once you have more practical experience...P, Ric, Warwick, etc.

I started with an old Tele bass, quickly went to a J bass, went to a Ric (absolutely loved the tones in the Ric), then to an ESP with actives, then back to the Jazz (with flatwounds).
 
Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

The two basses I've lusted after for as long as i can remember are a Jazz Bass and a Ric 4001.

Gonna have to wait a while before I get a Ric though. Them things be expensive!
 
Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

I like playing the P bass better, for the bigger neck/nut width. I like using the J bass better, because there is a whole range of sounds that a P bass just can't touch. You can get a J bass close enough to the boom of the P bass, but the P won't touch the high end and clarity of a good J.
 
Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

I like the J, but the Fender bass that has the small single coil, those sound awesome through a cranked SVT, that's what I know.

P's always sound good, but kinda generic to me, everyone plays them.

NOTHING sounds like a Ric though, Just sayin'.
 
Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

If this is for recording you can as well pick by what suits the recording.

Jazz basses have a lot of definition for fast runs and percussive play, 54 style Precision basses can lose definition but of course they have a lot more drive behind single notes.

More importantly, they fit differently into the sound spectrum. What else is going on in the song? Clean Stratocaster, maybe funky? Fill it up with the Jazz bass. A fat Les Paul going off all the time? Better move out of the way with a Precision bass. Have one of those mad keyboarders who should have his left hand tied behind his back? Jazz bass, no reason to add to the wannabe earthquake.

I wouldn't rule out 51 style Precision basses either, they have some real bottom to them. Don't be fooled by the pickup looking like a Jazz bass pickup, they are nothing alike. The 51 is more like a Precision bass than the 54 where the split pickup waters down things a bit (but adds growl). I'd like to have one but those MIJ pieces have very thick paint, not sure I trust.
 
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Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

whatever way you go, and whatever strings you choose.....buy a sansamp BDDI. Direct bass sounds like ass generally, and one of these gives you epic bass tone whether you are running straight to computer, out to front of house, and into any bass amp you care to name. Money well spent.
 
Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

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Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

shame there aren't any 5-string PJ basses in production (that i can find)
i've costed one via warmoth at around 1K

The Squier Jaguar bass (and im not sure, but maybe the true Fender one too) is a P/J and comes in a V string
 
Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

shame there aren't any 5-string PJ basses in production (that i can find)
i've costed one via warmoth at around 1K

I started building one, from a shape I made out of the upper of a Precision and the lower of a Jazz, check it out:

That was like a hundred years ago, I didn't finish it because I moved to a smaller house and gave all my woodworking gear to my dad and brother in law. This unfinished body and neck are at my parents' house, mothballin'

Mock up:
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Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

i like the shape, hopefully youll get around to finishing it one day. bet it sounds good when youre done!
 
Re: Educate Me: J-Bass vs P-Bass

Thanks man, I hope so too. I hope it sounds good, it's alder and still very heavy even after cutting the slab away to mostly the body shape.

I have to finish the PRS / Tele / Brent Mason thing too, it was going to be pretty cool.

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Only one I finished was the pimpin' purpleheart Telecaster

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