Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

F

Farkus

New member
Hi guys.

I'm a long time guitarist and I play enough bass to lay down tracks when I am demoing a song for others to learn. So let it be known I am not a bassist and as a result I don't have a lot of knowledge about the gear. Anyhow, I have a Fender Jazz V bass and I'm having issues getting the low B to blend well volume and tone wise with the other strings. I've played quite a few 4 string basses and this is my first and only 5 string. It seems like no matter what I do that low B is just thuddy sounding...no real definition. And I don't think it's the bass itself...the other 4 strings sound pretty good actually. Just to be clear, the low B doesn't have any buzz, action isn't super low or anything like that. So is this likely a setup issue? Possibly a pickup issue? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

Some possible explanations.

1) Lack of string tension. I'm guessing that your low B string feels as if it isn't fully up to pitch even though it is.

2) Old strings.

3) Passive pickups. Opinions vary on the ability of passive, high impedance pickups to sense low frequencies.
(Musicman five stringers feature passive pickups through an active pre-amp and EQ.)

4) Dud instrument cables.

5) Amplifier. You have not mentioned what amplification and/or effects you use. Opinions vary on the ability of small loudspeakers to reproduce very low frequencies.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

That's one reason why I don't have a 5 string bass. In fact, I bought a 4 string Jazz bass, was shipped a 5 string by mistake, and I sent it back. I could have kept it even though it cost more. That low B string doesn't have the definition of the other strings.

The other reason is that as a guitarist, I need a point of reference on the neck. I'm used to both edges of the neck having E strings. On a 4 string bass I don't have that on the high strings, but I can look at the low E to know where I am. On a 5 string I no longer a point of reference at either edge, and then don't know where I am or what notes I'm playing. Too confusing for me to make the conversion. Had I been a long term bass player instead, a 5 string would be no problem. But after decades of playing guitar, it's an 'old dog, new tricks' thing for me. 4 string basses do everything I need.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

blueman335 said:
That low B string doesn't have the definition of the other strings.
Click to expand...

On certain basses, sure. On most of the 5 strings out there now, I find the B string is really decent; the B on my Streamer LX right now is great and sounds tonally even with the other strings. Instrument design is going to play a HUGE role in that B string sounding as good as it can, and with Fender they seemed to just take their 4 string model and apply it to a 5, with results that have already been mentioned.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

I get the same thing on my 5-string Cort. I've always thought the string was perhaps dead, but I don't play the thing enough to be bothered changing it.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

What string gauges are you using?

On my Warwick Streamer Stage 1, even with its 35" scale length, changing from .40 - .125 to .45 - .135 makes a big difference to the feel. This is especially noticeable on the low B string.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

I would change strings.

Personally I don't like the normal bass strings which are nickel plated steel on hex core. They sound really bad to me when fretting.

The DR hi-beams would be be my first try to fix this. They change both, they have stainless steel winds and also have a round core so that they don't get too bright.

You can buy single strings of that set:
http://www.bassstringsonline.com/DR-HI-BEAM-Single--Low-B-String-120--135_p_132.html
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

Thanks for all the replies guys! So to answer a few questions about what I'm experiencing:

I don't have a bass rig. I have used different rigs to occasionally jam with others but my bass playing is about 99% recording and for that I'm using modeling. That can be line6 or Avid models. I HAVE had the same B string response with live rigs as well as sims. I don't care for FX too much on bass other than some compressor or EQ normally. I rarely use any bass distortion.

Cables are a non-issue. They work great with my other instruments and I don't have any poor quality ones either.

Funkfingers mentioned a loose feeling B string. It DOES feel a bit flabby to me. The feel isn't my primary concern, it's the sound, which is not only dull but also quite a bit lower in volume than the other 4 strings. Maybe I should use a higher gauge? My current strings are Ernie Ball Slinkys: Gauges .045 .065 .080 .100 .130. I have used other brands in the past with the same results. And no I don't let string changes go for very long, especially if I'm playing more than an hour a day on it.

To be honest I've been wrestling with this for a long time but have been recording more recently and it's just getting on my nerves more and more, especially the volume imbalance. I've considered going to GC and trying some 4 string P's and J's but I don't really want to spend more money if I don't have to. Also, I don't know if it's super important, but my Jazz V has a pau ferro fretboard...it looks like the bass version of a SRV strat, lol.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

Farkus said:
To be honest I've been wrestling with this for a long time but have been recording more recently and it's just getting on my nerves more and more, especially the volume imbalance. I've considered going to GC and trying some 4 string P's and J's but I don't really want to spend more money if I don't have to. Also, I don't know if it's super important, but my Jazz V has a pau ferro fretboard...it looks like the bass version of a SRV strat, lol.
Click to expand...

Why not sell the 5 string rather than keep dealing with it, and put that money into a 4 string Jazz or Precision? You're not playing enough bass to justify having two.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

This might be a very easy fix. You didn't mention if your strings are roundwound or flatwound -- if they're roundwound, I came across a cheap fix that works wonderfully for me.

First off, I typically use nickle roundwounds, and I avoid Ernie Ball -- my preferences in roundwound bass strings are DR and D'Addario. I wouldn't change string gages, unless you want to try a D'Addario balanced-tension set.

I have had a problem with E strings going dead long before the other strings in a set. The last time it happened, I had Mike Lull take a look at it. I ended up having him put a stainless steel roundwound E string to match with the nickle A, D, and G. The end result is that the E is just a hair brighter than the other strings, but I only notice it if I'm listening for it. It certainly is far less noticeable than when the other three strings are brighter.

In your case, you might try using a stainless steel B string (and perhaps E string, depending on how it sounds relative to your A, D, and G strings) along with a nickle roundwound set. I guarantee it will wake your ears up.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

blueman335 said:
Why not sell the 5 string rather than keep dealing with it, and put that money into a 4 string Jazz or Precision? You're not playing enough bass to justify having two.
Click to expand...

I've certainly been thinking about it, but if there's something I could do to improve it without having to go to the hassle of selling and the extra $ that will entail I thought I'd try that first.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

BlueTalon said:
This might be a very easy fix. You didn't mention if your strings are roundwound or flatwound -- if they're roundwound, I came across a cheap fix that works wonderfully for me.

First off, I typically use nickle roundwounds, and I avoid Ernie Ball -- my preferences in roundwound bass strings are DR and D'Addario. I wouldn't change string gages, unless you want to try a D'Addario balanced-tension set.

I have had a problem with E strings going dead long before the other strings in a set. The last time it happened, I had Mike Lull take a look at it. I ended up having him put a stainless steel roundwound E string to match with the nickle A, D, and G. The end result is that the E is just a hair brighter than the other strings, but I only notice it if I'm listening for it. It certainly is far less noticeable than when the other three strings are brighter.

In your case, you might try using a stainless steel B string (and perhaps E string, depending on how it sounds relative to your A, D, and G strings) along with a nickle roundwound set. I guarantee it will wake your ears up.
Click to expand...

This sounds like it's worth a try...
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

If you do try it, I'll be interested to hear how it turned out for you.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

I have picked out a set of stainless D'Addario roundwounds to order. I'm thinking about just trying the whole set and troubleshooting from there. I'm really hoping this helps, otherwise I'm going on the hunt for another bass. I will definitely come back and let you know how it goes.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

Farkus said:
action isn't super low or anything like that.
Click to expand...

How are you assessing the action?

If you are accustomed to eyeballing four string bass guitars, the distance that a low B string needs to sit clear of the fingerboard can appear alarming at first.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

Just embrace it

EQ your amp so that the low string sounds good... then all your other strings will sound even better because they sounded fine before

ommmm
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

Funkfingers said:
How are you assessing the action?

If you are accustomed to eyeballing four string bass guitars, the distance that a low B string needs to sit clear of the fingerboard can appear alarming at first.
Click to expand...

He's putting on a set of stainless steel rounds, so that will help make any fret-buzz issues much easier to diagnose.
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

I'm curious how your experiment went.

My (MIM) Jazz V has been strung E-A-D-G-C for about 13 years now! (I always attributed the anemic B to my amp since that low B needs a lot of juice, but maybe the whole pickup is just not quite capable of those frequencies)

I'm thinking of picking up a MIM Jazz for the thin neck, I played one this weekend and remembered how darn wide the Jazz V's neck is!
 
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Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

PFDarkside said:
I'm curious how your experiment went.

My (MIM) Jazz V has been strung E-A-D-G-C for about 13 years now! (I always attributed the anemic E to my amp since that low B needs a lo of juice, but maybe the whole pickup is just not quite capable of those frequencies)

I'm thinking of picking up a MIM Jazz for the thin neck, I played one this weekend and remembered how darn wide the Jazz V's neck is!
Click to expand...

What strings are you using?
 
Re: Fender Jazz V issues-would like some insight

(Sorry for the iPhone induced typos)

I usually buy a 6 string set, either GHS Boomers or EB Slinkys. I believe I end up with 100-80-65-45-30/32 depending on brand. I just went digging in my box of stuff this weekend and found an unopened package of DRs (6 string pack) I'm looking forward to cleaning and setting up my bass with these as its been literally years since I last changed them!
 
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