Can a Jazz Bass Really Sound Like a P Bass?
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Published 2023-09-07
Undoubtedly, the Jazz Bass is the more versatile of the two tonally speaking, but how close can it really get to the P Bass sound?
In today's episode of The Stringjoy Show, our resident bass expert Philip Conrad puts this theory to the test.
Philip Conrad is an Atlanta-based bassist and video contributor at Stringjoy. Check out his channel at @philipconradmusic
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All Comments (21)
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Where do you stand in The Great Jazz Bass vs P Bass Debate?
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Good vid! Two Jazz tricks: 1. For a beefier-feeling neck, if you have threaded or multi-groove saddles, widen the string spacing from the standard 19mm to 21mm. Some 70s/80s Jazz basses came with this spacing if I'm not mistaken. 2. For a fat sounding neck pickup sound, put the tone near zero and roll the neck volume down a little. Add a little bridge to taste if desired. The magic of passive electronics will give you a massive fat dub-like tone.
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I always tell people, a Jazz bass neck pickup on its own is almost identical in sound to a P bass, and this video proved it. I would like to see a blind test to see what people really hear, vs what they THINK they hear based on what’s on the screen.
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It was close but the J-Bass still had that mid-scoop happening. The P-Bass did exactly what it was designed to do- sit in the mix and provide the fundamental. That J-Bass sounded great, but nothing records quite like a P-bass.
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You can still hear that unmistakable midrange presence that makes Jazz Bass what it is..
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Always love these videos from Philip!
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Glad you mentioned the PJ configuration. I just picked up a yamaha bbp4 and absolutely love it with dadarrio chrome flats. I mostly keep the p on full and blend in varying amounts of j, though i can go the other direction if the song calls for it. The craftsmanship on the bass is quite remarkable and the neck plays like butter
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Thanks for showing the frequency graphs, very interesting. And good video
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Unless the knobs on your amp are glued you can make a lot of basses sound like a lot of other basses.
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PJ is my preferred configuration. Picking one over the other, it would be Jazz. I like the variety of tones that I get out of a Jazz over the Precision. You can't go wrong with either. I'm also a huge fan of the MusicMan...
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Very good descriptive comparison. I own both and they definitely each have their own distinct characteristics. Also own a 2000 Hot Rod P which is a P/J configuration. Glad you mentioned that at the end. Kudos
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P bass for me 100%. Offset jazz bass looks better tho. I have a fender blacktop jazz, which is a jazz body with 2 pbass pickups. Best of both worlds for me. I will say I do think they both have their place, and are both amazing, but for me a pbass is THE bass sound.
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Close enough that you'd never be able to know which is which in a mix without looking
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you have a great way of imparting your knowledge, kudos to you
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When I made my P bass into a PJ, my biggest mistake was to not understand the importance of positioning for the J pickup. Slap bang in the middle between the bridge plate and scratchplate looked aesthetically pleasing but doesn't sound as good as having it (by its own width) closer to the P pickup. Pickup placement is key to all bass tone and Leo Fender knew what he was doing.
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A jazz will never sound like a precision. If you have one of each you have the majority of sounds you'll ever need covered.
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My old school bass collegue once told me that sound of P bass can be compared as open slap into face while J bass sound is more like karate punches. Both can be used by a good "fighter" according to situation, but the key is ALWAYS in your hands
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You are making excellent points about how the instruments themselves can influence the player in his styling. That is to say that the way an instrument looks feels and sounds will inspire his or her imagination in different emotions and inspirations.🎉
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Well done! I’ve discovered a Dingwall NG modern sound. Talk about articulation… wow. Love to hear your thoughts.
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Yeah Phillip!!! Glad to see him here
