Generally accepted differences between P-style and J-style?

[neptunefix]

I know there are a variety of pups in each style, but what are the fundamental general differences in sound between P-Bass and Jazz pups.. and also what uses are most common for them, and what uses are most common for using the bridge setting?

 

I had previously thought neck pickup was common for rock, especially for good bottom end, but I realized some modern rock bands like Deadsy and even one I saw recently, the Toadies manage to use the bridge pup on Jazz basses without being jazzy or metallic/twangy sounding. I suppose having EQ and a quality equipment (and skills) helps in any situation.

 

I tried a Yamaha guitar with active EMG pups and I liked the neck sound, but the bridge was so clanky and metallic.. ick. I'm not a bassist, but I currently own an Ibanez GSR200 P/J. Seems pretty decent, compared to all the basses I've tried at the Guitar Center (but who knows, it's so noisy in there.)

[jasper383]

Listen to the soundclips of the P and J basses at lakland.com

 

Both styles can be used for any kind of music.

[Pickdust]

 

Listen to the soundclips of the P and J basses at lakland.com Both styles can be used for any kind of music.

 

 

+1

[davidM]

its also about how you play, with a pick or your fingers, your attack, what kind of amp you have, what kind of speakers... and so on.

[Zon5string]

 

I know there are a variety of pups in each style, but what are the fundamental general differences in sound between P-Bass and Jazz pups.. and also what uses are most common for them, and what uses are most common for using the bridge setting? I had previously thought neck pickup was common for rock, especially for good bottom end, but I realized some modern rock bands like Deadsy and even one I saw recently, the Toadies manage to use the bridge pup on Jazz basses without being jazzy or metallic/twangy sounding. I suppose having EQ and a quality equipment (and skills) helps in any situation. I tried a Yamaha guitar with active EMG pups and I liked the neck sound, but the bridge was so clanky and metallic.. ick. I'm not a bassist, but I currently own an Ibanez GSR200 P/J. Seems pretty decent, compared to all the basses I've tried at the Guitar Center (but who knows, it's so noisy in there.)

 

 

I'm curious to find out how you can tell which pickup a player has selected?

[WillPlay4food]

 

I'm curious to find out how you can tell which pickup a player has selected?

 

 

I couldn't tell you which pickup was selected, but I can certainly hear the tonal difference of playing by the neck vs. playing by the bridge. At least, I think I can based on listening to the tonal differences in my bass when I vary my plucking position.

[Crescent Seven]

Jazz basses are used for jazz, Precision basses are used for precision.

C7

[Trauma_Luna]

 

Jazz basses are used for jazz, Precision basses are used for precision. C7

 

 

LOL this is a signature for sure!

[DevilRaysFan]

 

I'm curious to find out how you can tell which pickup a player has selected?

 

 

Mid pickups have a "burp"-quality (for lack of better description)

Bridge pickups have a "nasally"-quality (also for lack of better description)

[neptunefix]

 

I'm curious to find out how you can tell which pickup a player has selected?

 

 

They each had basses with empty pup cavities in the mid/neck position. Plus, their basses had a metallic sound that was only really noticed when the rest of the band wasnt playing. The bass lines seem to have a softer attack, more mids, and to be less muddy when played on the bridge.. it blends in super well when the distortion and drums are going. of course, there is a loss of boomy-bottom end, as far as I can tell. (although, my experiences are limited.)

[Hawkeye]

I've owned two American Standard Precisions, one an ash-body / rosewood board 2001 and my current ash-body / maple board 2006. I find the Precision to have more of a bouncy, and low-mid heavy sound. It has plenty of bottom but has (what I call) a woody midrange bark to it. Because of the slightly pronounced mids, I find a Precision usually makes an excellent recording bass. Hundreds (if not thousands) of songs have been recorded with a Fender Precision.

 

I've played quite a few Jazz basses and currently have a MIJ fretless with EMG's and active circuit, plus a 50th Anniversary MIA Jazz Deluxe with Suhr pickups and active circuit.

 

When blended I find the Jazz pickups give a smooth tone with more lower end bloom and a more even response through the frequency range. I don't use bridge pickups soloed at all. I just don't go for that sound. I usually have a 50/50 blend which seems to me a very good, fits most songs, all around, meat and potatoes tone.

 

My Lakland Skyline Joe Osborn 5 (not a Fender but still a Jazz bass) has the same evenness and balance to it that my Fenders have. It's all passive, but has a very nice string-to-string up and down the neck balance which suits a large number of styles.

 

My recently-acquired Godin SD-5 is a P/J and has an unbelievably thick sound with a very big and deep-sounding B-string on the P-bass neck pickup. The J-bridge pickup is nasally, thin, and midrangey and I have that dialed back about half way to take the edge off the D & G strings.

[lug]

 

I find the Precision to have more of a bouncy, and low-mid heavy sound. It has plenty of bottom but has (what I call) a woody midrange bark to it. Because of the slightly pronounced mids, I find a Precision usually makes an excellent recording bass.

 

 

yup

[GreaserMatt]

 

Jazz basses are used for jazz, Precision basses are used for precision. C7

 

 

LOL