What makes a J a J?

Titanium

Titanium

Mar 20, 2021
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#1
I’m looking to add another 5 string bass, and I really like the tone of a J bass. I don’t however, like a 34” scale, especially the tension on the B string. I know I want something 35” or longer, but the tone issue is where I’m a little unsure. With so many choices out there, I’d like to be able to start narrowing things down, but I’m curious, what characteristics of a J bass contribute most to its tone? Is it the single coil pickups and their spacing? Body shape? Tone woods (yes I think they are a thing, sorry if you don’t). I’d like to think that pickups factor in most heavily, but I’m curious what folks here have to say? Maybe there are other factors I’m missing, or there’s something I haven’t considered.
 
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#5
To me what makes a J a J are the pickups. That dual single coil sound is the single most defining factor. There is a lot of variation just with in that factor that makes it even more interesting. Variations such as spacing (60s vs 70s), pickup manufacturer, wood choice and strings.

I know some will reference the body shape but I have had jazz pickups on a precision body and it sounded like a jazz. Neck width is also a factor for me.

Just my opinion of course but that’s what defines it for me. Oh, I also agree with your tone wood assertion FWIW.
 
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#7
Killing Floor said:
Single coil pickups in a pair. That's all.
Click to expand...
Like that?

warwick-thumb-bolt-on-5-11559.jpg
 
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#10
I agree the two sc pickup config is the most legit but I have noise-cancelling J pickups (so they're 'buckers technically) and to me it's still a Jazz, especially with both pu's full-on.
Another question I'd ask, is, why does a Jazz typically make such a good five string? Other configurations can be great fivers of course, but something about a J fiver just works....
 
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#11
Titanium said:
I’m looking to add another 5 string bass, and I really like the tone of a J bass. I don’t however, like a 34” scale, especially the tension on the B string. I know I want something 35” or longer, but the tone issue is where I’m a little unsure. With so many choices out there, I’d like to be able to start narrowing things down, but I’m curious, what characteristics of a J bass contribute most to its tone? Is it the single coil pickups and their spacing? Body shape? Tone woods (yes I think they are a thing, sorry if you don’t). I’d like to think that pickups factor in most heavily, but I’m curious what folks here have to say? Maybe there are other factors I’m missing, or there’s something I haven’t considered.
Click to expand...
2 single coil pickups, in a very particular placement.

A 70's J, sounds almost nothing like a J. That's why it's a "70s jazz bass", and not just a "Jazz bass."
 
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#12
pbass2 said:
I agree the two sc pickup config is the most legit but I have noise-cancelling J pickups (so they're 'buckers technically) and to me it's still a Jazz, especially with both pu's full-on.
Another question I'd ask, is, why does a Jazz typically make such a good five string? Other configurations can be great fivers of course, but something about a J fiver just works....
Click to expand...
To me, jazz buckers don’t sound like jazz basses. That's why I never keep them in for very long.


Same goes for a split J in the bridge of a PJ. It doesn't sound right. The hum goes away, but they don't mix the same.
 
#15
You're asking about tone. The J tone comes from
  • Two single coil pickups
  • At the right locations
  • Under 34" scale strings.
You can vary these some and still have a J sound more or less. Stretch the scale to 35" and the tone changes a bit but not much. Move the pickups a bit and the tone will change some, but still sound like a J. Vary body and neck woods and the tone may change a smidge but - still a J.

Neck shape has a big effect on playability. Body shape mostly affects the looks.
 
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#16
JeezyMcNuggles said:
To me, jazz buckers don’t sound like jazz basses. That's why I never keep them in for very long.


Same goes for a split J in the bridge of a PJ. It doesn't sound right. The hum goes away, but they don't mix the same.
Click to expand...
Well akshully...the J pickup is single coil so it hums both by itself and with the P pickups unless it's a hum cancelling J pickup. Besides the tone and looks, the hum is another reason why I can't stand PJ basses.

As for body shapes my experience is that they contribute nothing. As has been written, a P bass with Jazz pickups sounds like a Jazz bass and a Jazz bass with P pickups sounds like a P bass. Obviously.
The neck may change the tone a bit. I have no proof of this other than a bigger neck made my Player P sound fuller but that's what I heard and felt, I don't have recordings. Big grain of salt.
My take on necks is I play what's comfortable, which to me is anything but a Jazz neck.
 
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#18
I think that the Nordstrand Fat Stack is the best compromise for a true single coil sound that hums when a pickup is soloed and a humbucker/split-coil mode for when you need it to quiet.

I usually play with the bridge pickup dominating. That's what a jazz bass should sound like to me.
 
#19
pbass2 said:
I agree the two sc pickup config is the most legit but I have noise-cancelling J pickups (so they're 'buckers technically) and to me it's still a Jazz, especially with both pu's full-on.
Another question I'd ask, is, why does a Jazz typically make such a good five string? Other configurations can be great fivers of course, but something about a J fiver just works....
Click to expand...
I agree about the Jazz 5 as long as it has a good low B and active eq. Some can and often do fall short in these areas.
 
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