msmales555
Member
What really is the difference between the P-bass and the jazz bass? I play rock music, so getting a jazz bass just doesnt seem right, but i really don't know.
thanks - mike
thanks - mike
timmerman
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Hi msmales555,
Best thing is of course to go to a mucis shop and try them both, bearing that in mind here are some differences:
Neck and Fretboard: Jazz has a smaller fretboard and neck, so I do not know about your hand size, or whether you improvise a lot, some people feel the Jazz is a little easier to play, personally I think you will get used to whatever you use.
Pick-ups: The Jazz has two single-coils, which allow you to blend the sounds of each of them. For example your can back down volume on front pick-up and it will create a different sound. The P-bass has got just one humbuck pick-up which will give you only one sound, but you could still use the tone-pot to get some tonal varities.
The name and playing Rock: Well the Jazz is not really just for jazz music, anyone uses them in all kind of styles, personally I like them both, so if you want versatality go for the Jazz, if you are happy with just one good sound go for the P.
The Looks: Well do they not both look cool? Tip: find a suitable colour, not just plain black or white, although this is a bit of a personal one.
So go out an try them both, you can not go wrong really...enjoy....
Eddie de Timmerman
Best thing is of course to go to a mucis shop and try them both, bearing that in mind here are some differences:
Neck and Fretboard: Jazz has a smaller fretboard and neck, so I do not know about your hand size, or whether you improvise a lot, some people feel the Jazz is a little easier to play, personally I think you will get used to whatever you use.
Pick-ups: The Jazz has two single-coils, which allow you to blend the sounds of each of them. For example your can back down volume on front pick-up and it will create a different sound. The P-bass has got just one humbuck pick-up which will give you only one sound, but you could still use the tone-pot to get some tonal varities.
The name and playing Rock: Well the Jazz is not really just for jazz music, anyone uses them in all kind of styles, personally I like them both, so if you want versatality go for the Jazz, if you are happy with just one good sound go for the P.
The Looks: Well do they not both look cool? Tip: find a suitable colour, not just plain black or white, although this is a bit of a personal one.
So go out an try them both, you can not go wrong really...enjoy....
Eddie de Timmerman
A
adam_in_audio
New member
Timmerman gave you all the tech specs right on the money 
Just my own opinion: I've always used a Jazz bass for rock music, there's even a way to wire your pickup to sound even more like a p-bass (if that's what you want) that bridge pickup just seems to make a big difference. You can't go wrong with a Jazz! By the way, Geddy Lee plays a jazz bass...I think he even has a signature model now.
Adam
Just my own opinion: I've always used a Jazz bass for rock music, there's even a way to wire your pickup to sound even more like a p-bass (if that's what you want) that bridge pickup just seems to make a big difference. You can't go wrong with a Jazz! By the way, Geddy Lee plays a jazz bass...I think he even has a signature model now.
Adam
timmerman
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Thank you for your kind remarks Adam, there are many basses msmales555 could choose from and the Fender ones are perhaps not the most versatile ones, they are good for what they are, but they will give you a certain sound. I am not going to undermine what I said before, but you just have to look at your budget and ask yourself what sounds you like and then take it from there. So msmales555 why Fender? Like the looks or......?
Eddie de Timmerman
Eddie de Timmerman
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-=¤willhaven¤=-
New member
keep in mind that there are MANY P/J style basses out there now.
basically just a P-bass with a J-Bass pickup in the bridge position.
like so
http://www.studio-dyp.com/images/usedgear/new/pbass.JPG
best of both worlds IMO
basically just a P-bass with a J-Bass pickup in the bridge position.
like so
http://www.studio-dyp.com/images/usedgear/new/pbass.JPG
best of both worlds IMO
B
Bass Freak
New member
...you knew id be on this thread...
THE P-BASS!!!
j-bass's are smaller. i feel they are made for guitar players that switch over to bass. the p-bass is a beefy monster that just wants to be loved. the j-bass, i feel, has more of a trebley punch to it. while the p-bass has more of a punchy punch. if that makes sense.
as for the looks...
ive got a black p-bass. i changed the pick guard on it and made it that crazy silver shiney and black and crazy color one...it looks decent.
although, my friends dad works for PPG, and he painted my friends j-bass a gold/metal flake......its a nock out
the p-bass specials, as they are called, with the p/j pickups..sounds strange. i dont like them. im not sure why. i just like p-basses!
freak
THE P-BASS!!!
j-bass's are smaller. i feel they are made for guitar players that switch over to bass. the p-bass is a beefy monster that just wants to be loved. the j-bass, i feel, has more of a trebley punch to it. while the p-bass has more of a punchy punch. if that makes sense.
as for the looks...
ive got a black p-bass. i changed the pick guard on it and made it that crazy silver shiney and black and crazy color one...it looks decent.
although, my friends dad works for PPG, and he painted my friends j-bass a gold/metal flake......its a nock out
the p-bass specials, as they are called, with the p/j pickups..sounds strange. i dont like them. im not sure why. i just like p-basses!
freak
I
Imaduck
New member
Personally I hate the necks on P-basses, but I like the sound a little better (if we're just talking standard, I bought mine used, with differnet pickups that I like a lot, though I'm not exactly sure what kind they are). Most of the full-time bassists I know who like Fenders have both, but, as with everything, it's always personal preference. If you're buying new, definately get one with a body color other than black, simply because they resell for $30+ more than plain black ones (and look better, if you ask me). You can usually find P-Basses in pawn shops for pretty cheap, and occasionally you stumble on a Jazz too. I wouldn't limit yourself to just looking for the standard models though; find a good music store and try out the many, many different lines and models.
Oh, and I play my Jazz with rock, works just fine, but whatever sounds good to you is what's best for you.
Oh, and I play my Jazz with rock, works just fine, but whatever sounds good to you is what's best for you.
lpdeluxe
The Precision Bass Guy
The "Jazz" in Jazz Bass dates from the '50's and has nothing to do with its suitability for one kind of music or another. In Austin in the '60's and '70's I don't remember ever seeing another kind of bass...in fact, I have played J basses for many years and no body ever accused me of being other than a rock player. Go with the J. Eventually you'll outgrow the P and wish you had the J.
Garry Sharp
Lost Cause
Or you could buy a G&L and be really happy
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-=¤willhaven¤=-
New member
Farview
Well-known member
Fender isn't the only company out there making basses. Try a Conklin.
timmerman
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Hi Mike,
Have you been playing for a long time, if you have do not feel offended, choosing the right instrument in the beginning is though. There is so much out there and most of what is on offer is good [I am talking brands here, not a second-hand model with some faults through being abused or whatever....] So with Fender and G&L and Musicman Stingray all being mentioned here you can't go wrong. All very good basses, so you just have to look I what the bank-balance shows for this week and take it from there.
Cheers, Eddie de Timmerman
Have you been playing for a long time, if you have do not feel offended, choosing the right instrument in the beginning is though. There is so much out there and most of what is on offer is good [I am talking brands here, not a second-hand model with some faults through being abused or whatever....] So with Fender and G&L and Musicman Stingray all being mentioned here you can't go wrong. All very good basses, so you just have to look I what the bank-balance shows for this week and take it from there.
Cheers, Eddie de Timmerman
msmales555
Member
purchased bass
thanks for all of the help.
i ended up getting a near new fender mexican jazz bass for 250. its in incredibly great shape and sounds wonderful.
thanks for all of the help.
i ended up getting a near new fender mexican jazz bass for 250. its in incredibly great shape and sounds wonderful.
NL5
Unpossible!
-=¤willhaven¤=- said:
I have always wanted to play one. I've heard the same thing. But, for now, I'll stick with my customized Guild.
lpdeluxe
The Precision Bass Guy
msmales55, I played a Squier JB ($150 new, w case!) for a bunch of years and had very good results with it (I now play a Carvin LB20 with JB-style pickups). The J Bass is like the Strat: very sensible, good sound, versatile You ought to get some good years out of it.
timmerman
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Hi Mike,
$250 is near £125 which is a very good deal for a Jazz, so enjoy it all along the way and have a nice ride.
Cheers Eddie
$250 is near £125 which is a very good deal for a Jazz, so enjoy it all along the way and have a nice ride.
Cheers
Eddie
D
DJL
Self Banned
I own both (Fender Americian P and J basses) and I like both. The P has a fatter feeling neck and is more of a one trick pony type tone... where as the J has a faster feeling neck, more tone control, and is easier to slap.msmales555 said:
Toki987
Rock Steady
'and for even more versatility over the J, P or the PJ, the " jazz deluxe" has active electronics hooked to two very clean and quiet pickups, separate bass and treble control, balance control with master volume that allows you to pan emphasis back and forth between the pickups, that is a bit more efficient than working two volume knobs, and a midrange eq boost. I`ve owned 10 fingers worth of jazz basses and this is the cream of the crop. Well worth the $.
The '75 that is mentioned above, with a badass bridge it is called the "geddy lee special". Other than the bridge the 75 was a cosmetic beauty with really superb neck binding, large block inlays, and a heavily laquered finish. I had the '75 and also have a '77 copy of it made by Ibanez. 'very punchy sound that cuts through great in most any live mix with a good amp.
The '75 that is mentioned above, with a badass bridge it is called the "geddy lee special". Other than the bridge the 75 was a cosmetic beauty with really superb neck binding, large block inlays, and a heavily laquered finish. I had the '75 and also have a '77 copy of it made by Ibanez. 'very punchy sound that cuts through great in most any live mix with a good amp.
S
shinealight
New member
I love the look and feel of vintage jazz basses, but I prefer the Gibson EB-0 or the Rickenbacker 4003.
A
Adam P
Well-known member
If you find that the Jazz Bass neck suits you better, but you like the style/shape of the P-Bass, check out the Deluxe P-Bass Special. It retails for just a little less than the Deluxe Active Jazz (I love mine), at right around the $500 mark IIRC. The Deluxe P-Bass Special has a P-bass body, Jazz Bass neck, P pickup in the standard P-Bass position (I hesitate to call it the neck because its not really that close to the neck) and a Jazz pickup in the bridge position. I can't recall the controls offhand, but a quick trip to Fender's website or even Musicians Friend should fill you in. I think its either a volume and two tones or two volumes and a tone. Another cool thing about it is that it has a gold anodyzed pickguard (its metal, not plastic like most pickguards). It looks really nice with a red finish. I had my mind set on one of these but was able to get the Deluxe Active Jazz for about $10 more, so I bit on it. The Deluxe P-Bass Special will probably be my next bass unless I can come up with the money for a G&L or a Gibson RD Artist. As for the MusicMan Stingray, they sound really really good, but I personally hate the way their necks feel. I thought it was like a wider version of the P Bass neck. I think the neck on the Sterling is a little better, but playing them turned me off to them, despite their sound.
