Choose between 2 basses

[Gibfenderson]

A new bass player in a band ( formerly guitar player) but loving it.

I have 2 basses already but really just need to keep 1. Not sure which one to sell. Opinions from more experienced bass players appreciated. Especially the why to keep this one part.

Bass 1/ MIM Deluxe P bass special-

the good- active controls- easy to adjust without going to the
amp ;wide range of tones; noiceless, good action and
neck.
the bad- sounds a bit like it is under a wet blanket. Blends into the
background and we are a three piece band. Guitar, bass and
drums!
the ugly- none really! Blizzard pearl looks great.


Bass 2/ HWY 1 Jazz Bass

the good- lots of punch in the sound. Cuts through - I have to turn
down! good action and neck.
the bad- more narrow range of tones; hum might be a problem.
the ugly- not 100% sold on the faded sunburst finish. But if it relics
quickly could be a cool looking bass. Opposite on the
Blizard pearl- first scratch and it will swearing followed by
tequilla!

Please don't ask me to keep both.

Please don't bring up changing pickups- it will confuse me ( i hate multi tasking even in the mental state).

One or the other stock. Which one????? thanks in advance.

[Brian Scherzer]

It's an easy choice.....the bass that cuts through. Nothing else matters if you can't distinguish the bass sound from everything else.....especially in a trio.

[Bassomatic]

Hard to fix a "wet blanket". Easy to roll off the treble on a jazz for less cut when desired.

[Thor]

It's an easy choice.....the bass that cuts through. Nothing else matters if you can't distinguish the bass sound from everything else.....especially in a trio.


+1000

What ever sounds better in the whole band context is the one to go with. If you can't keep both - keep the J.

If you don't want to change pickups, think about adding an outboard pre-amp. Might get you closer to the tone you want.

As for the first scratch in the finish - if you're gigging it, it's gonna happen. Make sure to buy good tequilla ;)

Congrats on the new gig - enjoy holding down the bottom!!

Cheers,

Edward

[Gibfenderson]

thanks to the late night crowd ( umm - real gigging musicians)

so far 3 for the Hwy 1 Jazz.

[Gibfenderson]

+1000

What ever sounds better in the whole band context is the one to go with. If you can't keep both - keep the J.

If you don't want to change pickups, think about adding an outboard pre-amp. Might get you closer to the tone you want.

As for the first scratch in the finish - if you're gigging it, it's gonna happen. Make sure to buy good tequilla ;)

Congrats on the new gig - enjoy holding down the bottom!!

Cheers,

Edward



Ahhhhhh! Outboard preamp brilliant!!!!!! HEY, COULD A BASS PLAYER NAMED THOR BE WRONG?????

[Jake]

What they said. And get yourself a push/pull pot for the Jazz so you can switch between parallel and series wiring for the pickups. You'll no longer suffer from what you perceive as a "narrow range of tones".
:dude

[lowendgenerator]

I would keep the Jazz for the faster neck and blendable pickup sound. I have the offspring of the 2 you mentioned. A MIM Jazz Deluxe. It's going to be buried with me. :D

[Glenn D.]

Keep the J, and eventually rewire for series/parallel. Easy mod and sounds great.

Glenn D.

[bbocaner]

i don't love the jazz bass sound, and the precision special is a pretty cool instrument. How about a u-retro deluxe preamp and some lindy fralins in the precision special?

[PB+J]

lose the active bass. Your expereince fits mine exactly, in 30 years of bass playing--passive pickups are better for most situations. they have a focused sound and a narrower frequncy response that cuts through more readily. I've had a whole boatload of fancy boutique basses with active electronics--Ken Smith, Zon., Spector, rick turner; I had an MIM j deluxe that was a good bass until I pulled the active electrinics out--then it became an excellent bass.

A lot of bass players love their active basses. I've always preferred passive and it sounds like you do too

You could probably take some light buffing compound and a drill mounted buffing whell to that hiway one and end up with a nice gloss finish

[Gibfenderson]

Thanks for all the good feedback.



butttttttt........... now I am liking the P Special!!!!!! It had a fatter ( like thunder ) low end at last rehersal.

Ssssooooo......... I just don't know. I am going to keep both for awhile..... at least until I have some more experience under my belt.

It is going to come down to which one i bond with it first. Or ( Oh my God!) like my guitar collection- each one has its unque qualities!!!!!

I am trying to cut back on being a gear whore. I was hoping - 1 bass, 1 solid body Guitar, 1 semi- hollow guitar and an acoustic.

[lowendgenerator]

Well look at it this way, you've already cut it down to one P style and one Jazz style, that's good enough isn't it? :D

[kipknee]

lose the active bass. Your expereince fits mine exactly, in 30 years of bass playing--passive pickups are better for most situations.

Obviously, YMMV.

I've had better experience with active pickups. Of course, my active pickups are Alembics. My Alembic Spoiler has been my go-to bass for over twenty years and umpteen playing situations.

However, given a choice between your two basses, I'd definitely go with the Jazz. Not because of the passive pickups, but because it just generally feels/plays/sounds better. I've owned and played several Jazz basses with both active and passive pickups. Overall a very versatile instrument.

Not a fan of P-basses. I've always found the tone to be mushy and not very defined. Also, they seemed a bit of a one-trick pony.

[Gibfenderson]

Obviously, YMMV.

I've had better experience with active pickups. Of course, my active pickups are Alembics. My Alembic Spoiler has been my go-to bass for over twenty years and umpteen playing situations.

However, given a choice between your two basses, I'd definitely go with the Jazz. Not because of the passive pickups, but because it just generally feels/plays/sounds better. I've owned and played several Jazz basses with both active and passive pickups. Overall a very versatile instrument.

Not a fan of P-basses. I've always found the tone to be mushy and not very defined. Also, they seemed a bit of a one-trick pony.


Wish it was that easy of a decision- The Deluxe P special has a jazz neck and a P body. Both necks are comfy. The Dlx P Special has a jazz pickup in the bridge. It is going to come down to sound and I like them both for different reasons. I am going to follow my instincts for the next few weeks and see which one I go for first.

[Gibfenderson]

To clarify- the pickups aren't active on the Deluxe P Special- The controls are: Volume,Blend, Bass, Mids & treble. Pretty wide door for adjusting from the bass and not having to fiddle with the amp.

[tkozal]

P Bass special is more versatile. I think it really depends on what kind of music you play, P's and J's are different beasts, but P Specials have feet in both camps....I always liked those...

[Gibfenderson]

We play originals but much in the style of Classic 60s and 70s rock. Both were good choices for a very new bassist ( did some research and some testing).

The necks are almost identical, both alder, both rosewood fret board. It is coming down to the pickups that are in there now!

As my technique is improving - I seem to get more snap from the J bass single coils.

LOL- see which one I like better tomorrow!

[lowendgenerator]

If you have the access to do so, record yourself playing both basses and listen for the better sounding bass. You may hear something on playback that you missed while you were playing it. Just another idea...