Precision vs. Jazz Bass

I'm sure this question has been asked before on here, but I'm gonna put it up again. What's the difference in the two? The price on them seems to be comparable, styling is much the same, etc., etc.

Thanks for any light you can put on the subject!

http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/bass-guitars/bass-guitars/buying-guide.php#4

The necks are very different, with the Jazz much slimmer at the nut. The Precision has more true deep bass sound, while the Jazz has a distinctive mid-range.

Go to a local store and play them both. Then you'll understand the differences.

Neck profile is different. The Precision has a wider, deeper neck; Jazz is narrower and thinner.

Bodies are a different shape, obviously.

Different pickups.

I played in a band for years with a bassist who had both. He preferred the precision because it was easier on his back after 2hrs sets. I much preferred the sound on the Jazz, noticeably much more weight and sustain to the sound.

I played in a band for years with a bassist who had both. He preferred the precision because it was easier on his back after 2hrs sets. I much preferred the sound on the Jazz, noticeably much more weight and sustain to the sound.

Complete opposite experience on my end. I've played a Precision Bass for years, from high school until now. In my high school/college band, I would occasionally use the guitarists Jazz Bass. His bass was quite a bit lighter than mine (something I'd chalk up to a difference in the individual instruments rather than attributing to the different models), and while the Jazz had a wide frequency tone that was great in isolation, it got washed out in the band mix. The Precision had a low midrange punch that sat very well between the drums and electric guitar.

Complete opposite experience on my end. I've played a Precision Bass for years, from high school until now. In my high school/college band, I would occasionally use the guitarists Jazz Bass. His bass was quite a bit lighter than mine (something I'd chalk up to a difference in the individual instruments rather than attributing to the different models), and while the Jazz had a wide frequency tone that was great in isolation, it got washed out in the band mix. The Precision had a low midrange punch that sat very well between the drums and electric guitar.

I think our bassist's Jazz might have been ash bodied (it was sunburst), where as P bass was alder. Both American. I guess, as with strats and teles, there's a lot of variation.

There's a difference in sound to consider with 70s-style Jazz Basses too - the bridge pup is further back making for a snappier tone. Great for funk and some Motown stuff.

I played both types in the early '80s and prefer the Jazz Bass for its variety of sounds from punchy to smooth. I don't have any basses any more, but if was gonna start buying them again, a Jazz Bass would still be my go-to bass (because that's what I feel comfortable with, and I'm an off-set body fan). JM2C

I'd compare them to their equivalent Fender guitars: a Precision Bass is like a Telecaster, a bit simpler, straightforward and tonally pure, while a Jazz Bass is like a Stratocaster, a bit more complex and versatile, but not quite as ballsy.

Tim

Well, I just happen to own a 'matched set' of Fenders, 1994 MIM, same color and everything, rosewood boards. Weights are similar, but without a scale I'd have to say the P is a tad heavier.

The P has a fatter, more fundamental tone, particularly with the tone control backed off, but can get pretty mid-dy if pressed, and the amp set up to match.

The J has a much more 'in your face' sort of tone, which, after some time spent playing it, I believe is pretty classic Jazz bass tone--ready to jump out front at a moments' notice.

But my personal preferences (Jamerson, Dunn) mean that the P is the bass that goes to gigs with me (but to be honest, it's a back-up, though it does get to work out occasionally) while the J sits here next to my desk. The Jazz is maybe a bit more versatile, but the sounds the Precision makes are more in tune to the music I play. I prefer both the tones available AND the wider neck. Your preferences are your own, but maybe this'll help.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bass-place/137111-gangs-all-here.html

It's pretty much been said here already. Biggest differences are pickups and neck profile. Both of those come down to personal preference. You can play any type of music with either instrument, some genres are suited towards one or the other, but they are both great instruments. Often people will put a Jazz bass neck onto a P Bass body, and the opposite has been done as well, so if you prefer the sound of one to the feel of another, it can be done! I prefer Jazz basses. The neck feels better for me and I love the sound of the bridge pickup, but I played a P Bass for a few years. But trying to sum up the sounds of these basses on this forum isn't gonna work. You've gotta go play them!

I'm a pbass fan myself but if for some reason you decide you have to have the jazz, ten minutes with a soldering iron and a push/pull pot for series parallel will get you a decently usable P tone.

Just don't tell the purists I said that.

I prefer the P-Bass specials: Precision body, jazz neck, J & P pickups, blend knob for the best of both :)

I played a early 70's P-bass for about the first 10 years of my "career", switch to a Jazz bass for the next 20 with no desire to ever go back, like the punchier tone of the Jass, I can always dial it bassier. Then got a G&L L2000 and have played if for the last 5 and play it most of the time. The G&L plays very well and is very smooth, but the Jazz still has a growl and punch I like. The jazz I have, has exceptionally hot pickups in it. It reads 11 on an ohms meter.

Thanks, all. Now that I'm better informed, I'll go to a GC in KC and check 'em out. I'm leaning towards the Precision, but a hands-on tryout will decide. Thanks again . . .

I'd compare them to their equivalent Fender guitars: a Precision Bass is like a Telecaster, a bit simpler, straightforward and tonally pure, while a Jazz Bass is like a Stratocaster, a bit more complex and versatile, but not quite as ballsy.

Tim
Good analogy Tim.

That is why I have a Squire Deluxe Jazz 5-string with active pre-amp. It is like having a "More ballz" switch right on the body....

:o)

I feel the Jazz is punchier because of the pickup design and bridge pickup...the P-Bass is more "buttery" and smooth.

The general explication:

P-bass is for "band players" who provide the fundamental thump in a song, without being too flashy or too up front.

J-Bass is for flashier up front players who want to stand out in the mix a bit more.

P-Bass was Fender's attempt to make an instrument to appeal to double bass players: the same reverse gears, a very wide and thick neck, very simple electronics, same tuning.

J-Bass was Fender's attempt to make a bass that would also appeal to guitarists:
Slim, easy to play neck, more elaborate electronics that would also allow the player to stand out in the mix.

Of course, actual bass players have done whatever they've wanted with both models. Entwhistle used a P-Bass for loud balls bass lines that way up front in the mix. John Paul Jones used a J-Bass without being to prominent in the mix.

Get either (eventually you'll have both anyway)

Strings (rounds, flats, etc.) will have a strong influence on tone. As will playing style. I played a jazz with flats fingerstyle, favoring the neck pickup about 80/20 and it was quite smooth with a touch of grunt. It sounded a little like a Precision, but not that much. The P/J combos are another option.

It really is best to have a couple of different basses for different styles of music.

Have you considered a Jaguar Bass? Best of both basses imho, slim jazz bass neck but with both P/J pickup configuration. I had both a P bass and a Jazz bass, I now just have a Jag and I love it.

You could always look for one of these: Fender Precision Special.

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/superbadj/Precision.jpg

Precision body.
Jazz neck.
Obviously, one pickup from each.
These are passive. I've seen a similar active setup.

to me, the perfect bass. Was a matte black finish that I stripped and painted in a nice pale sonic blue.

I diggit.

As a guitar player, I find the Jazz bass neck to be easier to play when I do play bass. The Precision neck is considerably wider/thicker, and feels it.

This is an easier transition for me.

I have had both, loved and hated both and now have just a Fender Jazz bass that I love.
I like the neck on the Jazz. If you have larger fingers you will take to the P better. Mine are smaller. I did learn to play a P with little problem. The Fender PJ style bass mentioned in the above post are quite nice. They allow for the thumping low with the bridge pup off and a clearer tone with it working in unison with the P pickup. The only problem is, unless you get a noiseless J style Bridge pickup you will get some hum when the bridge volume is turned up (not bad though and depends on where you are such as a room with florescent lighting or not). Personally I like the S-1 switch used in the 2004 J bass I had that allowed standard parallel pickup arrangement or with the two wired in series mode for a close P type tone. I bought a Fender S-1 and put in my 2011 American Special Jazz bass and love it. I do not recommend the S-1 switch for a P bass as splitting the two pickup halves of a P just gets a lower output and not as good of a tone.

Night and day, maybe...

The Precision landed on my Hercules stand, first. It was setup great, an awesome color, and for a 'used' bass-it looked as if it had recently left the factory. The neck width at the nut was no problem. The sound did not move me like a Jazz model. Hence, it went to a home where it would be more appreciated.

The jazz sound, or something close is what captures, and keeps my interest. Some jazz-style basses have a thinner, or narrower neck than a Precision.

If you spend enough time listening to recordings of both, and playing them as a 'test' to your ears, you'll be better prepared for a decision on selecting one over the other. You could buy one (or more) of each! :mrgreen:

Jazz for me. It's just something about the higher notes on a bass that I love. Also the neck and body I like better. And looks.

Obviously a highly subjective thing.

I have a P-Bass and it's the only one for me. I can use a Jazz and get by, but with my Precision I can *dance*. I have a buddy that has a Jazz and it is so obviously right for him . . . . .

Play a few examples of both and make up yer own mind!

Precision to me.
I love that sound, it's just awesome, neck is more comfortable to me and the pickup sounds great even on 15W guitar amp.

P-bass for me. Mine is a pure and simple weapon of thump. As has been said, the Jazz has a thinner neck and narrower nut - always feels like a big guitar to me, but if you're coming from the guitar that might be good. I do a lot of Bvox so I like my guitars to be simple...

Precision: thump. Jazz: punch. Precision: fat neck. Jazz: slim neck.

Different combos of the pickups and necks are available on special models to combine these features.

Jazz neck. Precision body/pickup. Done.

Jazz neck. Precision body/pickup. Done.
Plus a J at the bridge and preferrably a really good bridge. Now, yer done :mrgreen:

Though I'm playing Sterlings and Stingrays more that J's and P's these days. Still have my #1 83 Fender p, with J neck, bAII bridge,. Sadowsky J at the bridge and a Vintage Vibe split. It's pretty much a magic bass for roots and country stuff. It's a total mutt. The only original parts are the body, neck plate and the screws. the J neck is from 97. Plays like a dream in spite of the scars... Brings the thump in spades. I'm sending off to Mike Lull for some rehab work shortly.

Plus a J at the bridge and preferrably a really good bridge. Now, yer done :mrgreen:

Though I'm playing Sterlings and Stingrays more that J's and P's these days. Still have my #1 83 Fender p, with J neck, bAII bridge,. Sadowsky J at the bridge and a Vintage Vibe split. It's pretty much a magic bass for roots and country stuff. It's a total mutt. The only original parts are the body, neck plate and the screws. the J neck is from 97. Plays like a dream in spite of the scars... Brings the thump in spades. I'm sending off to Mike Lull for some rehab work shortly.

I put a Babicz Bridge on my Jazz and love it. Very nice adjustments and boatloads of sustain if you need it.

Heard good stuff about babicz. I'd like to try but time is tight these days...

Heard good stuff about babicz. I'd like to try but time is tight these days...

It is the coolest and most innovative bridge I have seen to date!

Jazz neck. Precision body/pickup. Done.

yup, that's what I built, works great
along with my two P-bass, now I want a 60 Jazz in surf green

I've owned both. The ergonomics of the Jazz is superior (no neck dive); the sound of the Precision is better. I'm not willing to chop up my current no-pickguard fretless Jazz (looks and sounds awesome) to slam a P-pickup into it, but I might get another and do so.

My Steinberger L-2 is still my bass of choice, though, always will be I'm betting.

Have you seen the Fender Aerodyne P/J Jazz Bass?

I've owned both. The ergonomics of the Jazz is superior (no neck dive); the sound of the Precision is better. I'm not willing to chop up my current no-pickguard fretless Jazz (looks and sounds awesome) to slam a P-pickup into it, but I might get another and do so.

My Steinberger L-2 is still my bass of choice, though, always will be I'm betting.

I cured that by adding a Fender S-1 pushbutton switch/250K Pot on my Jazz. Depress the button in the middle and you get both pickups tied in parallel for a "close approximation" of the P tone.