Precision-bass vs Jazz bass, same old story :)

Hi loud bassist :)

Do you prefer the p or the j-bass? and why?

I love them both but...

I love the sound of both but I only have a J-bass

P basses are sooooo fragile! :D

paul-simonon-pressure-fender-bass-smash-london-calling.jpg



may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass
 
I slightly prefer Precision pickups and Jazz necks. why? I like the simplicity and effectiveness of the P pickup. I started on an ibanez, so I think the slimmer neck is burned into my subconscious.

But I'll get down with any combination you can think of. I just recieved a humbucker J pup for my PJ bass, excited to try that out!
 
Last edited:
Do you prefer the p or the j-bass? and why? I'm just curious, I love the sound of both but I only have a J-bass
Sorry, neither one is even on the radar.
Stoopid question from UK user - what does “dime” mean in this context please? Full on?
Exactly.
DIME
To turn up an amp's or guitar's volume control to maximum.
 
  • Like
Reactions: underwhelmist
i prefer a bass that doesn't suck.. outside of that, i'm not all that picky.

that said, i played the same fender jazz for 40 years.. not because it was the best thing available, but because it's what i had, and i was too lazy to step away from my comfort zone.

i finally sold that bass, and bought a short scale jaguar.. and a sterling sub.. and another sterling sub.. and there's a beetle bass on the horizon.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: instrumentalist
My take = the narrow neck and the offset body are big attractants for a lotta folks to the J. I love both... but from a sound perspective, it's tough to beat a P for me.

The P has a "sound"... Ric's have a "sound"... Stingrays have a "sound"... several nice thru-bodies have "sounds"... and a few other basses do, too. While a good J has a great tone, it doesn't really have one of those trademark, unique sounds like other basses do. Sonically, it kinda sits in the P's shadow. YMMV.
 
I prefer the P. To me, it sounds less scooped than a J. I dime the volume and tone knobs and use my technique to adjust the tone.

That being said, a Jazz isn't wrong by any stretch.
I'm the exact opposite @two fingers fingers. I prefer the Jazz to the P, but just like you, I dime both volumes and the tone knob and use my fingers to adjust the tone.
 
Stoopid question from UK user - what does “dime” mean in this context please? Full on?
We call it dimed because a dime in the US is worth 10¢ and the maximum level on amps (at least older ones) is the number 10...unless you are Spinal Tap and then your Marshall has a number "11" on it.

So, yes, when we say it's dimed, that means it is turned all the way up as far as it goes.
 
My take = the narrow neck and the offset body are big attractants for a lotta folks to the J. I love both... but from a sound perspective, it's tough to beat a P for me.

The P has a "sound"... Ric's have a "sound"... Stingrays have a "sound"... several nice thru-bodies have "sounds"... and a few other basses do, too. While a good J has a great tone, it doesn't really have one of those trademark, unique sounds like other basses do. Sonically, it kinda sits in the P's shadow. YMMV.
I go p body, j neck. Ticks all the boxes. :thumbsup:
Funny, as sensitive as I am to neck size, i never noticed a preference with body shape.
 
Both. I have a P with Flats and J with pure nickel rounds. I alternate playing them daily. I go through phases where I prefer one over the other.

Someday I will finally build my jazz body, precision neck, P/J bass.

Nice!!

I have a custom P/J that I've strung with nickel rounds so far, but the flats are probably worth a try soon. My Jazz gives my ears perma-grin strung with DR Sunbeams. I also have my phases and I generally love playing both.

If my P/J didn't have an especially handsome quilted maple top, I'd consider having my luthier pals carve (taper?) the top edge so that it doesn't dig into my right forearm so much. One advantage of the typical Jazz body for sure.