What Fender bass do you prefer?

JakeK · Post by **JakeK** » Sun May 11, 2008 2:41 pm

I have a question for all the bass players out here: which Fender bass is your favorite?

I don't own a bass, but I can play to a degree. I have sampled both the Precision and the Jazz at music shops many times. From what I've tried, I like the Jazz because you can get a wide variety of tones with it, and the neck is nice and slim. The P-bass is good, but there's something about it missing that the Jazz has.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sun May 11, 2008 2:58 pm

I prefer the feel of the Jazz, and the tone of the Precision. Some P's, especially 50's and 60's reissue models, have really wide necks that I found very uncomfortable in the past, though i'd like to take another crack at owning one.

I'm a bit sour on Fenders at the moment, though. I played a gig with my Jazz last night (no backup, of course), and ended up spending the whole night tinkering constantly to find "my" sound, to no avail. Plus, there was some issue with the D-string - notes weren't sounding at all past the 8th fret or so, and the ones before that might as well have not been there. Damn Fenders and their damn dead spots. Damn!

paologregorio · Post by **paologregorio** » Sun May 11, 2008 4:01 pm

My GL J-Bass had a couple of dead spots until I had it set up properly. It's perfect now wrt to playability and tone.

I look forward to the day when I can add a 4003 to the stable... or maybe a 381 or WB bass if one is ever built

windchimp · Post by **windchimp** » Sun May 11, 2008 5:38 pm

Now I'm just a parlor talkin' hack who entertains the family pet more than a paying audience, but from what I've seen Jazz vs. Precision is one of those Ford vs Chevy things. Both have a certain signature tone, although either can be dialed in to sound like the other to a point. The neck is the biggie for alot of people - if you like 'em slim then the Jazz is for you.

If you can, check out some Lakland basses. I was on the verge of picking up a Fender Classic 50's Precision (to go along with my Jazz) until I tried a Skyline Bob Glaub. The Jazz (one of those Geddy things) is a nice player although the slim neck is tough for me to get accustomed to...I prefer to wrap my hands around something more substantial.

I like the Glaub so much I may just unload the Jazz!

If you settle on the Jazz thing, check out the Lakland Joe Osborn. The thing about the Laklands is quality. Fenders seem to very hit-and-miss these days.

1965 · Post by **1965** » Sun May 11, 2008 6:04 pm

Jazz bass by far, then the Mustang. I don't have big hands, so I can play a P but it's not fun like a J

tennis_nick · Post by **tennis_nick** » Sun May 11, 2008 6:11 pm

My fave is easily the Jazz bass. the reason? Well... ok... you're not gonna like it...

I find pretty much anything can sound like a Precision. It's not hard. Only a Jazz bass sounds like a JAzz

1965 · Post by **1965** » Sun May 11, 2008 6:13 pm

tennis_nick wrote:I find pretty much anything can sound like a Precision. It's not hard. Only a Jazz bass sounds like a JAzz

Word.

winston · Post by **winston** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:35 pm

I voted for a P Bass because I like the growl mine produces. I do like the slimmer neck of the Jazz but if I am being honest I have a better bass than a Jazz........my 4001.

deaconblues · Post by **deaconblues** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:55 pm

Definitely the Jazz, but after messing around on my roommate's Jazz once in awhile and playing a '75 4001 in NYC this weekend, there is no comparison...for tone, playability, and mojo, Ric basses win hands down.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:57 pm

dpowell wrote:playing a '75 4001 in NYC this weekend

What, no call?

deaconblues · Post by **deaconblues** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:04 pm

I was only up for one night! My friend's a big Mets fan, but the game was rained out Friday. Luckily they honored tickets for the double-header Sat.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:38 pm

I have found a happy compromise with my California Precision Special that has a Jazz neck with Seymour Duncan P/J pickups, a vintage P and a Classic Stack J.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:59 pm

P/J all the way.

winston · Post by **winston** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:30 pm

jps wrote:I have found a happy compromise with my California Precision Special that has a Jazz neck with Seymour Duncan P/J pickups, a vintage P and a Classic Stack J.

Couldn't make up your mind eh Jeff? That sounds way too complicated. It probably is a good compromise though.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:57 pm

winston wrote:
jps wrote:I have found a happy compromise with my California Precision Special that has a Jazz neck with Seymour Duncan P/J pickups, a vintage P and a Classic Stack J.
Couldn't make up your mind eh Jeff? That sounds way too complicated. It probably is a good compromise though.

Except for the SDs it came stock with the J neck. Oh yeah, I did add the vintage knobs, BA II bridge and Hipshot Ultralite tuners, too. Other than that it is stock!

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