Precision Bass vs. Jazz Bass

[spacenuke]

Ok folks, I can't find a suitable section for this, so I'm just gonna leave it here.

So i was hoping to learn more about P- and J-basses. What's more suitable for rock music? What are the tonal differences between these basses? What's the difference between the P- and the J-style pups and necks?

Thanks guys!

[kent]

A Jazz bass is much more versatile and generally a more agressive sounding bass depending on the pickups you have. A Jazz will also usually give you more attack and high end simply because of the pickup placement. I can't really tell you anything about the differences in necks and playability. Most of my experience with both basses is with recording them and playing next to guys using them live.

[Globbits]

Ive always prefered the jazz bass, don't know why, maybe because marcus millar uses one...

[darren wilson]

I like the tone of a Jazz bass much better... they have more "snap" and "growl" than a P-bass, which tends to be more mellow and even in tone. Both are used fairly extensively in all kinds of music, but i'd have to say that a Jazz bass probably cuts through a bit more with a more distinctive tone.

Jazz basses also have much narrower necks than P-basses. Some may prefer it, others may not.

Personally, though, i really like the sound of humbucking/soapbar pickups in a bass, especially when coupled with active electronics. And MusicMan StingRay basses sound absolutely wicked.