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Thread: Jazz Bass Questions

  1. #1
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Jazz Bass Questions

    I know that the Jazz Bass is known to have less bottom end than the Precision. It's so with my P and J Basses.

    Never mind. I hadn't really played my Jazz in a few months. I took it to practice today and had plenty of bottom end. In fact, the band remarked that it sounded great. I don't know what I was thinking. With the band today, it really was great. Low but growly at the same time.

    Really enjoyed playing it today.
    Last edited by ch willie; 02-10-2019 at 06:09 PM.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  2. #2
    Forum Member Laker's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    I haven’t really played my old Jazz Bass for 30 or so years, it just sits in a closet. What I do remember about my J bass is the volume controls for the pickups have a strange interaction where, if not adjusted correctly, really detract from the bass’s sonic capabilities.

  3. #3
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    It does have something weird with those volumes.

    But man after yesterday's practice, I won't be thinking of my Jazz as lesser in any way. I was so surprised a how well it performed and how good it sounded. I've played almost nothing but my Precision for the last 7 or 8 months. I guess I was letting the stereotype grow in my thoughts and forgot what the J really sounded like. 1st world problems, eh?
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member FrankJohnson's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Not sure I get the "less bottom than a Precision" . I will agree that if not adjusted correctly, can sound off, but that goes with any instrument.

    I Believe that P Basses can be voiced with more "Cut" because the pickup placement is more between the two J pups give or take (thinking stagger of split pup etc). That said, I don't usually have a problem with sound, its usually the neck width that gets me. Some of the slimmer P necks fit my hand better - but not all. That is the primary reason for my pref to J basses. The bridge pup and feel - thats a bonus!

    That all said - I have a Yamaha BB2000 with reverse P Pup up top. It has slight more mid tone and AWESOME tone.
    This isn't mine - but is REALLY close in looks......


    I think pup placement, How you play, how you set the amp/bass, and the guts as well all impact how much bottom you get.
    Kenny Belmont
    >:^{I)>

  5. #5
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    It's not true that J Basses lack bottom end. I do find that turning the tone control down a bit helps to keep a clear and rich bottom end.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  6. #6
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    J Basses are really versatile. I love both the P and J and glad they do different things and do them well.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member FrankJohnson's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by KennyF View Post
    While the stacked Volume/Tone pots of the AVRI '61 J-Bass bring mixed reviews, I can honestly say, it really doesn't lack anything... But that's just me...

    Seriously... This thing covers a LOT of sonic turf...

    I never get tired of seeing that :)
    Kenny Belmont
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  8. #8
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    I think it has more to do with the midrange, both from the stacked pup in the P and the pup position. I hear most of the difference in the low mids to high mids, with the P sounding “fatter”. It’s funny you posted this as I had pulled the J out out and played it this week, hadn’t been played in about 6 months. Sounded great! I prefer the P bass, but forget how nice a J sounds. More “clank” and openness to the sound.
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  9. #9
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    So beautiful.

    Here's mine--sorry that my photo is nowhere nearly as good as yours, Kenny.

    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member FrankJohnson's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by KennyF View Post


    Thanks! Here's one more then...

    Towel please

    You may recall - I have the 60s classic lacquer looks so similar. I also have the Roadworn, and the Suhr which is lightly relic'd - even more since I got me hooks into it.

    THIS - is such a classic look - along with the lefty Hwy 1 willie has. I just like the look. and not all subusts have THAT look - but these do!
    Kenny Belmont
    >:^{I)>

  11. #11
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Kenny, I love those chrome knobs. Adds another dash of class to that already classy bass.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member Volumeknob's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Misfits SIGNED-- Misfits approved :)
    [IMG][/IMG]
    The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits.
    T. Roosevelt

  13. #13
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Misfits! Tres cool.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member Volumeknob's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    thank you :)
    The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits.
    T. Roosevelt

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    Forum Member jrgtr42's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by ch willie View Post
    Misfits! Tres cool.
    No, Tre Cool is with Green Day. Jerry Only and a collection of hired guns is the Misfits (I don't know if the latest reunion shows counts, with Glenn, Doyle, Dave Lombardo and Acey Slade.)

    ********************************
    "Do you call sleeping with a guitar in your hands practicing?"
    "It is if you don't drop it."
    - Trent Lane, Daria, Episode 1-2.

  16. #16
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Tre Cool has no "s". How dare you challenge my authoritah! How dare you challenge my pretentious phrase! :)
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  17. #17
    Forum Member Volumeknob's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Jerry approving the bass I restored for my friend -- in their "lair" somewhere in the wilderness of NJ.
    [IMG][/IMG]
    The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits.
    T. Roosevelt

  18. #18
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    I need to get a pic of mine, she’s a lowly Squier but plays/sounds great. I put a Badass on it, DiMarzio Area J pups, new pots and cap, and Wilkinson tuners. Tuned BEAD, oh and I threw a Tort guard on her. She’s red with some dings, I love her.
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  19. #19
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Nothing wrong with a souped up Squier. I was a snob about them until I saw a band in Germany in a small club, 20 something years ago. Guy set up his gear, and I gave it all a snobbish look. Then the guy was channeling Jaco at times, Nathan East at others, and that bass sounded as good as any bass I ever heard.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  20. #20
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    My main two basses are Squier, I have ZERO qualms about them. I just meant that she’s not the prettiest girl at the dance... But she definitely has personality and a great singing voice! 👍 My favorite J basses are the Sunburst Stack Knobs, I’d LOVE to have one. I played my J last night at church band rehearsal and she sounded SO GOOD!!! So so good! The Badass bridge really helped this bass out. I don’t think they’re always necessary, sometimes the stock bent steel ones sound great, but it was a vast improvement on this one. Helped even out the response and added sustain.
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  21. #21
    Forum Member Volumeknob's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Did you say SQUIRE Bass
    [IMG][/IMG]
    The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits.
    T. Roosevelt

  22. #22
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Jazz Bass Questions

    Drool-worthy basses, VK
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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