Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Thinking about Squier P-Bass or Jazz for learning on?


Dunkuk
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi,
I used to play guitar about when I was a teenager but got drawn into dance music about 15 years ago so any creativity with music has been through synths and drum machines. I've recently began socialising with people who play "real" instruments and fancy joining in by playing bass.

Some main influences would be
Dub Reggae
Older rock like Peter Greens Fleetwood mac
The more far out Jazz stuff Mingus etc

So I think I need something easy to play that I can get a warm sound out of, more fundamental than overtones if that makes sense.

I think a 2nd hand Squier looks like a good bet, Looking on ebay they seem to come in two types the Jazz bass & the Precision.

My thoughts on the differences so far after reading and watching some youtube clips are

P Bass
Faster attack sound?
Rounder section neck so possibly harder to play (I should note I'm tall and have largish hands if that makes a difference)
One pickup so less variation in tone

Jazz
Shallower section neck so easier to play? (not sure if this applies to the cheaper Squiers or only the more expensive end?)
Two pickups which are humbucking if used together but might br noisy if used apart
Extra pickup nearer the bridge which if I remember right from playing guitar gives a warmer sound

Obviously it would be good to compare them in a shop but it would be good to have some opinions as well. The Jazz sounds like it would be better but I'm concerned it may be noisy?

Any input gratefuly accepetd!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi there - there was a thread about this in the Bass Guitars section of BC. Looks like it may help you [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=17627&hl=precision+vs+jazz"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...ecision+vs+jazz[/url]

IMHO the Jazz has more variety of tonal options so it may be better suited to the varying musical styles you mention - that is if you are happy with the narrower neck and string spacing (I prefer a P neck personally)

Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Clarky' post='493805' date='May 20 2009, 11:02 PM']Hi there - there was a thread about this in the Bass Guitars section of BC. Looks like it may help you [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=17627&hl=precision+vs+jazz"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...ecision+vs+jazz[/url]

IMHO the Jazz has more variety of tonal options so it may be better suited to the varying musical styles you mention - that is if you are happy with the narrower neck and string spacing (I prefer a P neck personally)

Good luck![/quote]



As Clarky says, the Jazz has more tones to offer, although the p bass has a little more balls i guess, but just one sound that can be dulled or brightened by the single tone control. With the jazz, they have 2 pickups, and two volumes, one for bridge and neck, and a tone, that can be set to how you like it, and the bridge p/u gives more bite to the overall sound, rather than wamth. The P bass tends to have a wider neck, and although my hands are small, i love wide necks,my fingers tend to lay flatter on the fretboard, and thats just how i like to play, but thats just me! so i guess thats just personal pref. Theres a really nice walnut squire going in the FS section, thats a jazz bass. Seems you wanna do a few styles of music, so i would have thought the jazz would be a better option if you feel ok with the thinner neck.

GP.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can't speak for reggae or jazz, but blues-wise, I find the P gives you a classic plonky, uncluttered tone that I think sounds good in a band with multiple front-line instruments - e.g. two guitars, keys, and / or brass.

That said, I prefer a Jazz, particularly in smaller outfits, fills out a bit more. Neck pick-up full on, bridge rolled back a little bit, tone likewise. Warm and yummy.

Edited by skankdelvar
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='493848' date='May 20 2009, 11:51 PM']Can't speak for reggae or jazz, but blues-wise, I find the P gives you a classic plonky, uncluttered tone that I think sounds good in a band with multiple front-line instruments - e.g. two guitars, keys, and / or brass.

That said, I prefer a Jazz, particularly in smaller outfits, fills out a bit more. Neck pick-up full on, bridge rolled back a little bit, tone likewise. Warm and yummy.[/quote]

For Reggae a P-bass for sure for that classic sub, dub kind of tone.
Roll off the tone a bit and there ya go.

For Blues it's either way...depends on what kind of blues you play and how you want the bass to sound and feel.

For Jazz...Jazz bass all the way for the range of tones.

If just one? Well then the Jazz Bass because you can get a P-bass"esque" tone from rolling off the bridge and soloing the neck...but it's not got the ballsy sound of a P-bass.

Also to note, Jazz and P-bass have completely different bodies and necks to take into consideration.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most classic reggae was recorded with a Fender jazz bass and it's still favourite for dub/reggae - ask Familyman or Robbie S.
A precision will do it very well too, as will any bass - it's all in the heart and the fingers not the instrument.

You can hear 3 different jazzes playing reggae [url="http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=ALIONBASS&view=videos"]here[/url].

Jazz bass ain't too shabby for jazz and blues either I hear.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='neepheid' post='494196' date='May 21 2009, 01:18 PM']Why not get a Precision/Jazz pickup configuration? That should cover most of the tonal bases.

The rest is down to neck ergonomics and aesthetics.[/quote]

I agree...you could get a P-bass special which is a P-bass body with a J-bass neck and a P/J pickup config.
It's basically a P and J in one!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bloody hell, I'm even more confused!

I've realised I completely misunderstood the idea of a "thin" neck, I thought this meant front to back for some reason but obviously it means across the strings!

Jazz = 1 1/2"
Precision = 1 5/8"

So the thin neck I guess means it's easier to move around the notes but more "crowded". I have pretty large fingers so perhaps a larger neck would be better.

It seems as far as the sound goes people have conflicting views as well. The you tube videos of dub played with a Jazz sound nice, but I'm sure there are videos of dub played with a Precision as well just to confuse the issue.

I guess there isn't much in it, and as suggested it is more down to the person playing!

I think a visit to the local guitar shop is in order to put this matter to rest.

Thanks for the replies!

Edited by Dunkuk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...