Fender bass battle
- Thread starter MikeS
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St_Genesius
New member
Re: Fender bass battle
Man, I like both so very much...
The J is more versatile, but the one thing that the P does it does well and it tends to sound good in the mix with very little tweaking. The same is also usually true to me for the both-pickups sound of the J, though, so don't think that the J will force you to spend a lot more time dialing in a useable sound.
Oh, and just to pre-empt anyone who reccomends a P-J as a best-of-both worlds option, that's not quite an accurate description. It WILL allow you to get a P sound and will also allow you to get a Jaco-esque J-bass bridge pickup honk, but the sound of the two pickups together is quite unique. It's cool, but it's not the same thing as both pickups on a Jazz -- which is my favorite Jazz sound, so I miss its absence.
Man, I like both so very much...
The J is more versatile, but the one thing that the P does it does well and it tends to sound good in the mix with very little tweaking. The same is also usually true to me for the both-pickups sound of the J, though, so don't think that the J will force you to spend a lot more time dialing in a useable sound.
Oh, and just to pre-empt anyone who reccomends a P-J as a best-of-both worlds option, that's not quite an accurate description. It WILL allow you to get a P sound and will also allow you to get a Jaco-esque J-bass bridge pickup honk, but the sound of the two pickups together is quite unique. It's cool, but it's not the same thing as both pickups on a Jazz -- which is my favorite Jazz sound, so I miss its absence.
Re: Fender bass battle
St G gave a good summary and my playing style makes me a complete J guy- Have a 5 str American standard (active) and I love everything about it-
The J feels like a faster bass to me, I love the neck width, and of course the tonal variety is emense- If you like 5 strings, the 5th string isn't as deep as a modern 5 string, but I still use it a lot-
My generalization (and it's just mine) is as follows-
If you are mainly a root player and need to hold the bottom with tone, consider the P bass..works for Duck Dunn and many others-
But if you are more of a passing tone player (as most gtrsts who play lead) the Jazz allows you to move a lot without appearing too busy, ie Geddy or the extremely underated Fran Sheehan (Boston's original bassist)
St G gave a good summary and my playing style makes me a complete J guy- Have a 5 str American standard (active) and I love everything about it-
The J feels like a faster bass to me, I love the neck width, and of course the tonal variety is emense- If you like 5 strings, the 5th string isn't as deep as a modern 5 string, but I still use it a lot-
My generalization (and it's just mine) is as follows-
If you are mainly a root player and need to hold the bottom with tone, consider the P bass..works for Duck Dunn and many others-
But if you are more of a passing tone player (as most gtrsts who play lead) the Jazz allows you to move a lot without appearing too busy, ie Geddy or the extremely underated Fran Sheehan (Boston's original bassist)
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Fender bass battle
The J *does* feel faster. It can also be more comfortable for people used to the smaller necks of guitars as the spacing at the nut is closer than that of the P. The overall sound of the Jazz is a bit thinner than the P, which is what makes it possible to play more notes without sounding like you've got boxing gloves on, but if you pump up the bass on your amp, you can get good thump and the detailed upper mids give it a bit more interest (imo) than the sonic THUDCLACK of the P.
Obviously, the real answer is to go to a store and play both. A lot. Keep in mind, though, that the P can often sound very ugly by itself but will fall into a mix beautifully. And don't let my above comments sound like an indictment of the P-J option. It's a cool combo. Try one out.
The J *does* feel faster. It can also be more comfortable for people used to the smaller necks of guitars as the spacing at the nut is closer than that of the P. The overall sound of the Jazz is a bit thinner than the P, which is what makes it possible to play more notes without sounding like you've got boxing gloves on, but if you pump up the bass on your amp, you can get good thump and the detailed upper mids give it a bit more interest (imo) than the sonic THUDCLACK of the P.
Obviously, the real answer is to go to a store and play both. A lot. Keep in mind, though, that the P can often sound very ugly by itself but will fall into a mix beautifully. And don't let my above comments sound like an indictment of the P-J option. It's a cool combo. Try one out.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Fender bass battle
I prefer the Jazz. First, there's the neck. The 1.5 inch nut is most comfortable for me. Anytime I play on any wider neck it feels like I have to work at it and the notes don't seem to fall where they should. (does that make sense- I guess it's a string spacing issue.
The pickups are cool. I don't use both very often- I pretty much solo the 'neck' pickup most of the time for a semi- P sound.
What I don't like is the big body.
I prefer the Jazz. First, there's the neck. The 1.5 inch nut is most comfortable for me. Anytime I play on any wider neck it feels like I have to work at it and the notes don't seem to fall where they should. (does that make sense- I guess it's a string spacing issue.
The pickups are cool. I don't use both very often- I pretty much solo the 'neck' pickup most of the time for a semi- P sound.
What I don't like is the big body.
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Fender bass battle
Oh, but the J bass is so much prettier and better balanced than the P. That bigness is stretched out in such a way that it sits great...well...not the 5-string. Those bigass Fender tuners are just too damn heavy. Which is the beauty of the lightweight tuner they use on the American Deluxe series...
Oh, but the J bass is so much prettier and better balanced than the P. That bigness is stretched out in such a way that it sits great...well...not the 5-string. Those bigass Fender tuners are just too damn heavy. Which is the beauty of the lightweight tuner they use on the American Deluxe series...
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Fender bass battle
I sometimes prefer the neck on a P. Sometimes.
I've often toyed with the idea of building a bass that had a Jazz body, P-neck and a P pickup squezzed in between two Jazz pickups. I just think it would be fun. I need to become a pop star so I can fet Feder to build that for me.
I sometimes prefer the neck on a P. Sometimes.
I've often toyed with the idea of building a bass that had a Jazz body, P-neck and a P pickup squezzed in between two Jazz pickups. I just think it would be fun. I need to become a pop star so I can fet Feder to build that for me.
GuitarGuru88
New member
Re: Fender bass battle
My Uncle owns an American Fender Jazz Bass, When I asked him why he didn't get the P-Bass he said that because he picks the strings with a pick, the split singles get in the way. He said that the p-bass is more for finger picking because the pickup is there with a place to put your thumb.....personally I dont really care, each are really good. But I think if I had to choose Id go for the jazz...looks better IMO!
My Uncle owns an American Fender Jazz Bass, When I asked him why he didn't get the P-Bass he said that because he picks the strings with a pick, the split singles get in the way. He said that the p-bass is more for finger picking because the pickup is there with a place to put your thumb.....personally I dont really care, each are really good. But I think if I had to choose Id go for the jazz...looks better IMO!
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Fender bass battle
Cool stuff. Thanks a bunch guys!
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?
I am primarily a guitar player, but I do like to lay down bass lines whenever I write something. I'm still a pick user when it comes to bass... can't quite get great snap when it comes to using the fingers. Thunderous bass isn't really what I'm looking for, either. Tight, punchy, snappy (or however else you want to describe it) is more important than bring down the house.
Again, thanks bros!
Cool stuff. Thanks a bunch guys!
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?
I am primarily a guitar player, but I do like to lay down bass lines whenever I write something. I'm still a pick user when it comes to bass... can't quite get great snap when it comes to using the fingers. Thunderous bass isn't really what I'm looking for, either. Tight, punchy, snappy (or however else you want to describe it) is more important than bring down the house.
Again, thanks bros!
bryvincent
New member
Re: Fender bass battle
i'm not a bassist but i prefer the jazz bass. mainly for looks and most bassist i like uses them(marcus miller, geddy lee, duff mckagan, jaco pastorius, noel redding and ben harper's big bassist). and i like the new aerodyne j-bass.
i'm not a bassist but i prefer the jazz bass. mainly for looks and most bassist i like uses them(marcus miller, geddy lee, duff mckagan, jaco pastorius, noel redding and ben harper's big bassist). and i like the new aerodyne j-bass.
BASSMAN64
New member
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.
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.
MattPete
New member
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).
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).
kmcguitars
GuitarArtologist
Re: Fender bass battle
Another vote for the J- bass. I own a J-Bass and a G&L L1000 That is
in essence a P-bass redesigned By Leo 40 years later. The G&L is far
a superior Instrument in every way. But when it's time to put a bass
track down I go for the J-bangger? I can't offer up a reason... I just
like it better.
Another vote for the J- bass. I own a J-Bass and a G&L L1000 That is
in essence a P-bass redesigned By Leo 40 years later. The G&L is far
a superior Instrument in every way. But when it's time to put a bass
track down I go for the J-bangger? I can't offer up a reason... I just
like it better.
bryvincent
New member
Re: Fender bass battle
aerodyne jazz bass:
:32: :32: :32: and i think they're made in japan too.
aerodyne jazz bass:
:32: :32: :32: and i think they're made in japan too.
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GuitarGuru88
New member
Re: Fender bass battle
Seems like that has the best of both worlds except for the jazz shaped body
MattPete said:
Seems like that has the best of both worlds except for the jazz shaped body
Re: Fender bass battle
Matt P- The active electronics and J side of the Fender Zone is idential to my Jbass, so I expect this is probalby a very useable combination-
Mike S- Off topic- One thing that hit me early on with bass is that it's nearly impossible to get a 'bass' sound with a pick- Or to put that another way, there is a very defined sound that occurs when you use a pick that can be useful for that very specific sound, but it's hard to cover the range of bass playing that way-
The reason I bring this up is that I almost immediately moved to 'classica' gtr' style picking on the bass and this brought me a much wider range of sounds with little effort, ie use the thumb for the lowset note and the first 2 fingers for the higer notes just like classical gtr-
This got my fingers stronger and more fleible to the point that I could move to 'standard' bass position with the thumb anchored- And finally, I forcred myselft to learn mixed picking on gtr and foudn that it gives you some interestign sounds on bass as well (holding pick with thumb and first finger and using other fingers for higher strings)
The reason I went off topic is that this all evolved naturally and now I mix all of these styles without even thinking about it..classical still works great for chords or mixing up with slapping, and I'm betting you will find the right hand takes off faster than you imagine
Cheers
Matt P- The active electronics and J side of the Fender Zone is idential to my Jbass, so I expect this is probalby a very useable combination-
Mike S- Off topic- One thing that hit me early on with bass is that it's nearly impossible to get a 'bass' sound with a pick- Or to put that another way, there is a very defined sound that occurs when you use a pick that can be useful for that very specific sound, but it's hard to cover the range of bass playing that way-
The reason I bring this up is that I almost immediately moved to 'classica' gtr' style picking on the bass and this brought me a much wider range of sounds with little effort, ie use the thumb for the lowset note and the first 2 fingers for the higer notes just like classical gtr-
This got my fingers stronger and more fleible to the point that I could move to 'standard' bass position with the thumb anchored- And finally, I forcred myselft to learn mixed picking on gtr and foudn that it gives you some interestign sounds on bass as well (holding pick with thumb and first finger and using other fingers for higher strings)
The reason I went off topic is that this all evolved naturally and now I mix all of these styles without even thinking about it..classical still works great for chords or mixing up with slapping, and I'm betting you will find the right hand takes off faster than you imagine
Cheers
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Fender bass battle
The "neck" pickup on a Jazz falls in the same location as the P pickup.
Neither bass is more or less designed for finger style or pick style.
I've been looking for a place to use this smiley: :bsflag:GuitarGuru88 said:
The "neck" pickup on a Jazz falls in the same location as the P pickup.
Neither bass is more or less designed for finger style or pick style.
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St_Genesius
New member
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.
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.
