I understand there are many factors, some people use Ricks or synths, etc., etc....but for most rock and country, do those of you who use Fender basses tend to prefer a Jazz Bass or Precision Bass? Out of those two, which would be your go-to?

konradh


 I understand there are many factors, some people use Ricks or synths, etc., etc....but for most rock and country, do those of you who use Fender basses tend to prefer a Jazz Bass or Precision Bass? Out of those two, which would be your go-to?

I have a P-Bass because they have a fatter sound and that Fender "growl".  P-Basses have a little less "fatness" (whatever that means) and are a little cleaner which is why many jazz players prefer the "jazz" bass.  I would guess that more rock player use a P-Bass and definitely more jazz players use the J-Bass.

Both are great basses but would have to choose the P Bass. The flat neck on the Jazz can get uncomfortable for me after a while especially at the first couple of frets.

I prefer the Jazz neck as it is thinner than the fat necks on most P Basses.

There is another option to consider.  Fender makes bases that have Jazz necks and P Bodies AND which have both the P pickup & a Jazz Pickup.  P Necks can be thicker; Jazz necks are thinner.  Here is their less expensive model: http://www.fender.com/basses/precision-bass/deluxe-active-p-bass-special/   Fender makes a more expensive version, American made version.  Of course, some people just put a Jazz neck on a P Body.
I like having the combination of both P and J pickups as it is easy to dial in the tone needed.  BTW, I have a Rick and a Gibson which have totally different tones.  But most of the time in my little basement studio I just use the Fender Deluxe P, but it is active and many people prefer passive basses.

I have a J-bass Deluxe MiM. (the deluxe is active) 
I think the different sounds I can get out of it is great, much more than a "regular" Jazzbass. 

On top of my head, Jaco (Pastorius) and Marcus Miller has J-basses, Fender signature. They have quite different sound though :)

Sting uses P-bass, and also has his signature with Fender.

[<font]I have a P-bass special which has the body of the P and the neck of the J but the fingerboard is rounded like the P. It is the best of both worlds. I used a Precision a million years ago and it was a great bass. You can't go wrong with either just find out what's best for you.

Thanks, guys! I have recorded both many times over the years in the studio. I didn't want to influence the comments, but my initial uneducated thought was that many players I know like the feel of the J-Bass, but I personally kind of lean slightly towards the P-Bass for the indie folk and country-rock I write because it seems to cut through a bit more. Not being an expert bass player, however, I thought I'd ask you guys/gals who know their way around a bass. I am seriously considering adding the NI Scarbee Bass and may start with P-Bass and add the J later. Sound on Sound just reviewed the Scarbee Rick bass and raved about it for progressive rock and other applicable genres. Peace and thanks again.

PS I have tried to record bass with an actual bass instead of samples; and playing bass cleanly is way harder than it looks if you don't do it every day. And being creative while keeping things simple is a huge challenge. I tip my hat to all you bassists.

I've always felt like the P-Bass mixes itself.  Even the cheap Mexican models just lay quite nicely in the mix.

I'll go against the grain and say that the Jazz Bass has a more aggressive top end to it and if that doesn't work with what you are doing it's something else to have to deal with.

My druthers would lean toward the J-Bass but I know the P-Bass would be the smartest choice.

You really can't go wrong with a P or a J bass.

If the bass role in most of your music is more "fundamental"... where the bass is primarily supportive (Pretenders, U2, Green Day), I think the P is the better choice.
Sits perfectly...

If the bass role is a little more featured (Rush, RHCP), the J will give you a little more articulation.

Another bass you might want to consider is the Stingray.
Also records well...
The SR has an aggressive character... which you may or may not like.

A friend of mine bought both and customize it. He put the jazz neck on the Precision body.