P vs. J?

[PopsDiesel]

My son decided he wanted to switch from guitar to bass (my heart is broken:) I know nothing about bass other than a Fender is a good start. He will be playing in a bluesy cover band. The rub is that he is a lefty.

Any recomendations on P vs. J (what is the difference tonally and playability?) and where to find a lefty?

Thanks!

[ABKB]

Dont know about lefty, and the differences between any P or J can be quite striking from one to another of the same model so it's best just to try them. In general, and I will use generalities here because I have heard J's thicker than P's and vice-versa. But in general, a P have a humbucker single pickup will give you a thicker sound with a bit more "heft", but less room to maneuver as far as getting different sounds out of it. A J on the other hand with 2 sc's will give you lots of different sounds with a bit more mid range "punch" than the P.
Usually you will find the J bass to have a bigger neck than the P.

Again, that's just a broad swipe at things. I have seen J's with very skinny necks and huge baseball bats, likewise I have heard P's with very little heft and some with more. You really just need to try them to see what fits best. One recommendation though, try to play them in band situations if possible. I once had a J that I thought sounded thin and nasally, but when played in a band context, man the think smoked. So, YMMV. Best of luck!

[RichSZ]

Step into to any recording studio and the P is the standard. Yes, lots of variations, but the P is a perfect place to start.

-Rich

[ghoti]

J has more of what I call "point", and P has more "thunk". Sorry I can't be more precise, but that's basically the way I hear them. The way it's been explained to me is that P has more emphasis on the fundamental. I personally prefer the sounds you can get out of a J.

Personally I think it's easier to play a "right-handed" instrument as a lefty because your fingering hand does most of the work anyway, but that may be because if you have a classical background like me there are no left-handed string instruments. And it's easier to find a good instrument.

But if you're set in your ways, Guitar Center or another big carrier might have what you're looking for, or you can shop these guys instead:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/left-handed-electric-bass-guitars?N=100001+306320

[Jim S]

A must read: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159173

P

Wider neck
Chunky classic sound for rock and Motown
Fewer tonesJ

Narrower neck
Classic sound but different
Better for slap than a P
More versatile. You can blend in the amount of each pickup, there are two, for different tonesIMHO I'd start out with a J just because I love funk and it can cover rock too, from Marcus Miller to Geddy Lee. They do make P basses with J necks and visa versa, albeit less commonly.

[The Golden Boy]

A Jazz can do a pretty convincing P with the bridge rolled all the way off. A Precision cannot do a Jazz.

I'm more comfortable on the 1.5" nut width on the Jazz. I like the P body style better. I rarely ever use the bridge pickup on my Jazz.

[Bassomatic]

A Jazz can do a pretty convincing P with the bridge rolled all the way off. A Precision cannot do a Jazz.

Yup.

Make mine J. Or, better yet, P/J with J style neck (rosewood board, por favor).

[alanbass1]

First and foremost, you will find that Jazz basses have slimmer necks than P basses - especially the width at the nut.

P basses have a promounced upper mid hump in the frequency range which, when played solo, sounds a little uninspiring. However, this cuts through wonderfully in a band mix and this is where a P bass comes into it's own - especially against two guitar rock bands with a hammond organ going on as well.

Jazz basses have more tonal contrast but are quite thin sounding in comparision to a P bass. Both pickups max'd sound great when playing on it's own, but quickly gets lost in a band mix. The neck pup on a jazz bass is warm but doesn't have the mid cut of a P Bass, and the bridge solo is a bit of an acquired taste (for me anyway).

Both are classic instruments and, as a general rule of thumb, I would say if your son is going to play in a guitar centric rock band then a P Bass will be better suited. If not the jazz will give a wider tonal palet, especially if the band is going to play a wide range of music.

[alanbass1]

The other bass you should seriously consider is a Musicman Stingray. The SUB range is great value for money, but you can pick up the standard issue ones second hand for less than $800. These are seriously good value for money.

[Jim S]

Jazz basses ...Both pickups max'd sound great when playing on it's own, but quickly gets lost in a band mix.

I have to consider this utter nonsense. Do you know how many great recordings and session bassists use a J bass?

Will Lee, Marcus Miller, Geddy Lee, Tim Commerford (Rage, Audioslave), Jason Newsted (later albums), Walter Becker, Adam Clayton (U2), Mark Epstein (Joe Banamassa), Chris Chaney (Alaniss Morrisette, Janes Addiction), Chuck Panozzo (Styx), etc.
.

[ronw]

I have to consider this utter nonsense. Do you know how many great recordings and session bassists use a J bass?

Will Lee, Marcus Miller, Geddy Lee, Tim Commerford (Rage, Audioslave), Jason Newsted (later albums), Walter Becker, Adam Clayton (U2), Mark Epstein (Joe Banamassa), Chris Chaney (Alaniss Morrisette, Janes Addiction), Chuck Panozzo (Styx), etc.
.

Jim I agree. I own a 73 Jazz and have used it in many bands and many recordings; of all the comments I received about its tone, none of them have said anything about my sound being lost in the mix. Dude, I consider a J much more versatile than a P. Some earlier posts commented about the J being thin. They must have been plugged in to a 8 inch Crate. :-)

Can't really go wrong with either bass. Just don't sell the Jazz as something thin or lacking....for it's anything but that!

[alanbass1]

I did not say that a jazz bass does not hold it's own in a mix at all and yes I do know how many great bass players use a jazz bass. I did say that both pick ups turned up full tends to get lost in a heavy multiple guitar/organ mix and I stand by that comment, which is why I don't play my Jazz when playing in a two guitar band. I also consider a jazz bass more versatile than a precision (which I also pointed out in my post). However, a P bass has a natural upper mid frequency boost that does cut through in a two guitar live mix without swamping the stage with bass.

[just ken]

The original poster is stumbling onto the great P v. J debate that I think is very similar to the strat v. les paul issue guitarists have.

To that end put me in the J camp. Every concert I've been to where the bass player had a P, I couldn't hear anything in the venue but low end mush. Sure it had "heft" and "thunk" but utterly indistinguishable from the kick drum and whatever else was occupying the low spectrum. I've been in small, medium, and large venues with the same result.

To my ears, a Jazz cuts through and sits in the mix better. Purely subjective though, my goodness some of the most amazing bass players and songs recorded were on P basses with flatwound strings (Duck Dunn and James Jamison come to mind).

[Jim S]

The original poster is stumbling onto the great P v. J debate that I think is very similar to the strat v. les paul issue guitarists have.


Yeah. Get both for the kid!

[suttree]

Any recomendations on P vs. J ?

i definitely prefer peanut butter to jam :D

either one is a great place to start. as a lefty, fender has always been a great company for putting out lefty products. i'd say if he's really into rock and hard funk (chilis etc) then a p-bass, anything else, a jazz is the more versatile bass most players would agree. he can always trade out/up when he's more sure of what he wants himself. good luck

[skylabfilmpop]

I own one bass, a 71 P. Its never not appropriate for any style, records great, and plays great. Jazz basses sound good too but sometimes can sound a little small and articulate and I can think of a lot of situations like probably the majority of music your kid listens too where a J would not be as good as a P, that is unless hes a big weather report, Uria Heep, or Rush fan. A good japanese 57 or 62 P reissue can be had for $5-600 on ebay. If he is not very tall, or is very yourng you might also consider a Mustang or musicmaster bass thay sound GREAT! again Japanese versions of one of those available very reasonably. Don't be bummed, if he gets halfway good he could actually get a payong gig, jeez i can't throw a rock around here without hitting a great guitar player!

[ghoti]

Have him play both and see which he likes the feel and sound of.

I prefer a J's sound and versatility. Or get something else. Dean's inexpensive models sound really good to my ears.

[Robal]

MTD Kingston bass is nice for the money. Well designed and versatile.

[Jack]

I started on a J and switched to a P. P gives me that low down reggae bass sound that I like, plus most other recorded bass sounds. J is more versatile, but I don't really like versatility in bass the way I do in guitar. I just find a good tone and go with it.

+1 he should try both in a store. He may have some bassist that he likes that uses one or the other and that may tip the scale.

[cameron]

The P or J issue aside, another thing to keep in mind is that G&L is the lefties' friend.