Fender bass battle

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Fender bass battle

Let me start off by saying I own one or two of each. As far as the looks it's a personal preference thing. I like the neck of my jazz bass, I think its faster. I like the tone on both basses. But would have to say that the jazz bass is more versatile.But thats just my preference. As a kid I owned a 1971 P bass, and I loved it. I think I liked the body style the best. But now I love the Jazz body style better,it feels better in your hands.

Hey Steve,aren't you still a kid? :laugh2:

I agree that the Jazz Bass is more tone versatile,but I actually like the more even shape of the P Bass..I Mean the P Bass looks just like an overgrown strat,but the J Bass has the weird shaped body by comparison,after this,I'm at a loss because I'm not a bass player... :smack: :laugh2:

 

[bryvincent]

Re: Fender bass battle

The Aerodyne is a cool bass, but it sounds VERY VERY dark, has unordinarily hihg string tension and is very hard to keep clean. It shows fingerprints like nobody's business. I'd highly suggest playing one before buying. Don't assume that you're just getting a cool looking P-J. It's really it's own animal and one that has more niche appeal than might be immediately apparent.

Oh, and Golden Boy was right to plant the B.S. flag where he did. Both basses can be played in a variety of ways and in a variety styles of music.

maybe its because of the basswood body.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Fender bass battle

That's the only halfway decent theory I've ever come up with, yeah. And it's probably not anything that a set of bright pickups couldn't counterbalance...in fact, I imagine the DiMarzio UltraJazz pups I've got in my J-bass would work better in the Aerodyne...

maybe its because of the basswood body.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Fender bass battle

im definately more of a P-bass guy. sounds much more huge and deeper, i like em a lot better than J

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Fender bass battle

If you can't decide between the 2, you may consider trying one of these:

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Fender bass battle

...which would be yet another option: the P+HB setup with active electronics. Cool basses. NOT really a bass that covers the ground of both a normal P and a normal J. In fact, they don't really do the J thing at all. Those HBs sound more like a J meets a MM...

 

[ex-250]

Re: Fender bass battle

i love that bluish/green finish on the one on the right. dont have any need for a 5 string though

 

[Artie]

Re: Fender bass battle

I'm in the market for a bass. What would you bass guys think of something like the Fender Zone bass?

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0135800347

I'm looking for something that can do Mike Watt to Steve Harris (and Michael Anthony's thumping bass on Fair Warning).

This is a bit silly for me to jump in here 'cause I've only had a bass for a short time, a long time ago . . . but I love those "Zone" basses too. I'd like one for the same reason Mike wants a P or a J.

I'd still like to know what the "Zone" designation means, though.
In fact, I just saw a Dean "Zone" guitar.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender bass battle

The P-Bass has a fatter, deeper, thumpier, more persussive tone, IMO...think James Jamerson on all those great old Motown hits from the 60's like Heat Wave, or Duck Dunn on all of those great old Stax/Volt hits like Hold On I'm Coming, Try A Little Tenderness, or Mustang Sally. Mustang Sally is an especially great example of the P-Bass.

The Jazz Bass has a lighter and clearer tone that's not as dark as the P-Bass tone, and my mind right away goes to Jaco with Weather Report or with Joni Mitchell. Or Louis Johnson of the Brothers Johnson or the guy in Earth, Wind and Fire.

The necks are usually differant too with the Jazz Bass having the narrower fingerboard and thinner, faster neck.

Love 'em both! If you get the MIM version you'll probably want to put better pickups in...Duncan's of course!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fender bass battle

IMO a P Bass is far more versitile...I know it only has one pickup and 2 controls, but you can get lots of different tones froma P bass, J basses always sound thin to me...I do like the J bass though, and I have to admit...I can't choose...I have one of each!!! That said If I could only have one Fender bass, I'd stay with the P bass...with a J bass pickup in the bridge!!!

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Fender bass battle

I love them both....

My P-bass is the 1st "electric guitar" I ever bought...still have it!

But I would love a beat to sh!t worn out "reliced" sunburst fretless Jazzer ala Jaco....if only that would make me play like him!!!!!!

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Fender bass battle

My active Jazz Bass gets me pretty much all the sound I need.

 

[frigginalex]

Re: Fender bass battle

I'm a P-Bass guy all the way. I like the tone and the feel of the neck better.

Those hummer-equipped P's are really nice. They give a very full tone to an already full-sounding bass.

 

[bert123]

Re: Fender bass battle

...

One thing I remember from a description I have read... is that the P-J hybrid is a P-body with a jazz neck, and of course the jazz bridge pickup with the P pickup above. That right?

...

You are describing the Deluxe P-Bass Special, Jazz neck on a Precision body. When my daughter got one 2 years ago they had passive P-J PUPs looks like they have gone active since then. Good choice for learning instrument for a variety of music according to Forum members back when I was looking.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Fender bass battle

The P-Bass has a fatter, deeper, thumpier, more persussive tone, IMO...think James Jamerson on all those great old Motown hits from the 60's like Heat Wave, or Duck Dunn on all of those great old Stax/Volt hits like Hold On I'm Coming, Try A Little Tenderness, or Mustang Sally. Mustang Sally is an especially great example of the P-Bass.

when i think P-bass i usually think geezer butler. though he dude use some rickenbackers back in the day, i think hes most known for p-basses

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Fender bass battle

the guy in Earth, Wind and Fire.

Verdine White. A madman to see live. 54 years old and HYPERACTIVE!


Oh, and he's good on bass, too!

 

[MikeS]

Re: Fender bass battle

Thanks a ton for the info, bros. Yes, I'd like to stick with a Fender MIM, only because I am familiar and comfortable with MIM gear. That, and being a guitar player first, I just don't think dropping the coin for a MIA is appropriate, either.

What it boils down to is I need to go play both and see how I like the feel of them. You fellows have certainly given me enough to think about! Thanks again!

--Mike--

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: Fender bass battle

Seems like that has the best of both worlds except for the jazz shaped body

Actually it's the P shape ...

 

[gordon_39422]

Re: Fender bass battle

Hey Guys, this is a very informative thread! I have also been looking into picking up a bass, but wasnt aware of the differences in the J and P basses... Now I will know what to look for when I go shopping... And I agree with the MIM theory... I am a guitarist first, so I want to save my dough for good guitar gear... Hence the MIM bass.. I need something to use when I records my songs...

Thanks for sharing all this useful info,
Allen

 

[Bludave]

Re: Fender bass battle

I am not a bass player, so take that into consideration. I do own a '78 Jazz bass though.

I trhink both of the basses you mentioned are great Basses for certain things.

IMO I feel that a P. Bass is better for Rock and Roll to Hard Rock. A Jazz Bass would be a better choice for playing cleaner stuff, like Blues and Jazz... Even Country.