Anyone else having trouble recording a Fender passive Jazz 5 string bass?

[kid klash]

I'm working with a band that has a bass player with a passive Jazz five string, and it's muddy and thuddy, no matter what DI, preamp or bass amp I've tried. The intonation is really bad too, although I think it's because of his playing technique... REALLY hard picking, really squashing down on the strings. I asked him to try recording one of the bass tracks over with a Jazz 4 string and it sounds great... but he still wants to use the 5 string (even though it sounds terrible). Makes me wish I was working at a burger joint...

 

[spoonie g]

sounds like maybe the culprit is that big ole' 5th string?

 

[spoonie g]

...and I forget to mention; I've recorded a Fender Jazz 5-string before. The low notes seem to be a bit easier to work with with a bit of compression. Seems I also used an mxr DI and a bass amp at the same time?

 

[kid klash]

Anyone else?

 

[Hard2Hear]

I wouldn't recommend a *bit* of compression.

Have you tried compressing the crap out of it? If you have a really good compressor you can hit it really hard and even out the entire sound. Then run that thru a parametric eq to get the sound you want to get. Or swap them around, whatever works best.

I record a Hamer custom shop active 5 string from time to time and it sounds sweet.

H2H

 

[Tadpui]

I wouldn't recommend a *bit* of compression.

Have you tried compressing the crap out of it?

That would be my suggestion also.

And maybe a larger gauge B string on the bass for a little more tension on it, just to make it less likely to be floppy and loose?

Then, steal his bass and take it to a tech for a setup and a string change!

 

[kid klash]

Then, steal his bass and take it to a tech for a setup and a string change!

I'm sure that would help more than anything... and a few bass lessons too!

I've recorded plenty of five string basses, but this is the first MIM Jazz 5, and it's just not happenin'...

Oh - and I'm already squashing and EQ'ing it. He also put on a new set of RotoSounds before the sessions started. Still sounds flabby, thuddy and lifeless.

 

[acorec]

I'm working with a band that has a bass player with a passive Jazz five string, and it's muddy and thuddy, no matter what DI, preamp or bass amp I've tried. The intonation is really bad too, although I think it's because of his playing technique... REALLY hard picking, really squashing down on the strings. I asked him to try recording one of the bass tracks over with a Jazz 4 string and it sounds great... but he still wants to use the 5 string (even though it sounds terrible). Makes me wish I was working at a burger joint...

If it is a mexican (or anything NOT made in America) then the pickups are not even close to being useable. It sounds like it needs better pickups and a setup.

 

[spoonie g]

I wouldn't recommend a *bit* of compression.

Have you tried compressing the crap out of it? If you have a really good compressor you can hit it really hard and even out the entire sound. Then run that thru a parametric eq to get the sound you want to get. Or swap them around, whatever works best.

I record a Hamer custom shop active 5 string from time to time and it sounds sweet.

H2H

I was relating to what I did for my specific recording session.

 

[kid klash]

If it is a mexican (or anything NOT made in America) then the pickups are not even close to being useable. It sounds like it needs better pickups and a setup.

Yeah, it's an MIM Jazz 5, but the funny thing is that his MIM Jazz 4 sounds damn good (and his late 60's Precision sounds killer!). The Jazz 5 pickup may be the bad-tone culprit, but I think the intonation and "out-of-tune-ness" is caused by his playing technique.

If you were going to suggest a replacement pickup for his Jazz 5, what would it be?

 

[Hard2Hear]

EMG's They're killer in any bass. Best sound I've ever heard.

H2H

 

[kid klash]

EMG's They're killer in any bass. Best sound I've ever heard.

H2H

Cool - thanks. He's checking out EMG's and Bartolini's I believe. Also, he wants to keep it passive, like his other basses. Anyway, I'll pass on your recommendation about the EMG's to him.