Jazz basses, what's the point?

[HeadlessBassist]

6 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

As someone who plays both, I'll play devil's advocate and ask is failure to get results out of both types of tried, tested and proven instruments, a failure of the bass or the player?

 

I don't think it's a failure in either case. Basically, some instruments suit certain people, particularly in terms of playability and sound. And we all have different hands and ears. I just accept that I'm not really a Precision player. I've tried many times, but I always migrate back to the Jazz. I love the sound of a really good Jazz bass and how it feels and responds to my light, dynamic touch.

 

My sort of P-alike for sessions is a Vintera II Mustang with Thomastik Jazz Flats. It's close enough for Jazz, as it were. 

[Stub Mandrel]

I was playing devil's advocate.

 

I think more likely some people get a sound/feel they really like and simply aren't motivated to try hard with other instruments.

 

Me, I get motivated by playing different instruments.

[Russ]

I never quite understood Jazzes back in the day. Loved the look, the balance. and that scooped sound for slap and pick work, and the bridge pickup for fingerstyle, but making them work in the mix in a band context (especially one with heavy guitars) was always a bit of a challenge. 

 

Two things fixed that - firstly, and most obviously, dial the bridge pickup down about 20% from maximum, or, if you have a pan, dial it a bit more towards the neck pickup. Instant barky mids. Different to the mids on a P, but just as punchy. Secondly, compression. Jazzes LOVE compression. Don't be afraid of adding loads, the amount of additional thickness you get is worth the small loss of dynamics. 

 

I don't play Jazzes any more, but that's what worked for me. 

[80Hz]

I’ve been trying to come up with an unpopular opinion here, but the truth is I pick up my Jazz and say, ah, this sounds nice and plays great. Then I pick up my P and say… well, sounds nice, plays great!

 

There’s a lot to be said for knowing each sound well and when to deploy it. There’s so much territory can be covered with two pickups (or one!) with different strings and playing techniques. It’s also fine to stick everything on full and not overthink it😁

 

This reminds me that I’ve never actually had flats on my Jazzes. Some homework to do there.

[Stub Mandrel]

1 hour ago, Russ said:

Two things fixed that - firstly, and most obviously, dial the bridge pickup down about 20% from maximum, or, if you have a pan, dial it a bit more towards the neck pickup.

 

A good jazz, neck maxed, bridge dialled down a bit is loudest setting.

 

Bridge turned to about 10% is the sweetest sound.

 

The volume and tone on a p-bass are redundant except for home practice late evening...

 

 

[tauzero]

3 hours ago, SimonK said:

Wow - eight year necro-bump!!

 

Revived purely to slag off the Jazz bass. Seems a bit pointless. They're basses.