Difference between P bass and J bass

[namelessone]

so whats the difference? I currently have a Jazz bass does p bass fit different genre and like Jazz bass is mainly for jazz music.HENCE the name.

thx

[5stringwonder]

It's all in the Bass FAQ.

http://soft.com.sg/forum/gear-bass/55039-bass-faq.html

For the record, the main difference between a P (Precision) & J (Jazz) Bass is the pickup configuration.

[shinobi]

don't forget the physical differences... jazz basses were given the name 'jazz' because fender thought that the slimmer body and neck profile would suit jazz players so the naming was due to physical rather than tonal difference

[seanydon]

Hmm, I'm not bass player but I think I might help.

Manufactured in 1951, the P-bass was the first solidbody electric bass to ever exist. However, most P-basses we see today is an augmented model to the original incarnation. Its primary feature is a singular split-coil pickup. Because of the nature of the pickup, being technically, humbucker because of the dual coil design, it gives a bassier, fatter sound. Because of this, it is no surprise the P-bass has been used a lot in rock and roll and its subgenres, although other genres such as motown, has seen frequent use of it as well.

The Jazz bass is offered almost a decade later in 1960 as an upper-market model. Now it has two separate single coil pickups. This offers a more midrange-rich sound. The pickup near the bridge is also known to be very punchy. Though known as a "Jazz" bass, it is known to be very versatile and has been used by bass players in almost every genre.

[lexxmexx]

Sometimes I wonder, if the J bass is so versatile, why don't they just stick to making J basses instead of 2 standards which had caused so much confusion

[trowaclown]

Versatile as it is, the Jazz bass can't cover the entire range of tones produced by the Precision. And the illusion of choice is always good for business.

[shinobi]

yeah baby... the p bass was the first electric bass ever produced. sometimes people don't want a whole arsenal of tones. they just want the original

[Musicana77]

but of course in the end it all depends on what your ears tell you. If you like the tone of which ever, get it. = )

[5stringwonder]

And to add to that, whether you like the feel of the bass. Since you already have a Jazz, just go try a P Bass to assess the differences yourself.

[hayabusa]

of course you can always mod your bass to house both jazz and precision pickups like stu hamm's URGE..