P Bass Vs J Bass (the ultimate battle)

Leo Fender was an absolute genius. Having changed the world with the Precision Bass in 1951, Leo unleashed the Jazz Bass in 1960. But which one is the right one for you?

In today’s new video I’m going to talk you through the differences between these two iconic instruments. If you think they sound the same, you're wrong. They probably feel the same to play? Try again. It’s time to settle the P Bass vs Jazz Bass debate once and for all!

As always, see you in the shed…

Scott :)


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[magnessgaming]

I’m new to bass and recently got a J bass. I don’t regret my decision, I love the sound and It’s helped me make more friends. It’s also helped me get off my lazy ass and actually do something productive other than video games. All I can say is, whenever I get home from work or wake up in the morning and see that bass, I play it and my day brightens up!

[MRCHEEZUS]

"I will reveal my favourite at the end! Anyway here's this magnificient perfect P-bass that's friggin awesome. And also here's a jazz bass." <3

[RLRthings]

"it just sounds like a jazz bass"
Best description of a jazz bass ever;

[pinoycommuter]

I'd take the J Bass on a date, but will spend my life with the P Bass. :):)

[ghersic]

He really covered his basses in this one.

[pareidolion]

Never owned a split coil bass, but that Precision dark round tone is hands down my favorite! With the pickup tone on or off, it's great either way.

[lukebrogan]

I like how he says “if you could only have one” kind of incredulously. I can’t even afford to buy one Fender bass, let alone two.

[NyeJamesMusic]

I've found P basses tend to mix easily into virtually any rock/pop arrangement. Jazz basses seem to have their most iconic uses when the bass is a more prominent or even leading part of the arrangement (Geddy Lee, Joe Dart and Jaco come to mind).

J basses seem more engineered for cutting through a mix, but P basses can be easier to lock down that low end sweet spot behind a full arrangement. I have also found P basses to be more versatile with heavier distorted tones, weird FX and low subby stuff. J basses have still got that iconic stylish chonk that can be perfect for bass focused funk/jazz or rock.

I've found myself defaulting to using a P bass for most of the genres I mix, but when you really need that J bass chonkiness its difficult to substitute for. Just my two cents.

[gershwyndaniels]

I like the p-bass with the tone knob turned all the way down. I love the emphasis on the low frequencies. I love that sort of muffled sound. Not weak, but at the same time, not very invasive either.

[gxdhabakkagw]

So all those guys saying I had a fat neck were really just complementing my playability. Wow

[dougjones]

I'm a P bass guy. That p bass sound with the tone role off just does it for me. Idk what it is but the growl of the P bass just does it for me.

[Michiel]

For those who have a real hard time deciding... you might want to consider a Fender AM Ultra P Bass, which has a P-Bass pickup as well as a J-Bass pickup.

[MarkHooson]

I have a precision with a jazz neck and pj pickups setup. For me it's the best of both kinds.

[michaelbartram]

I thought I was a Jazz guy for the last 14 years but then I bought a P. I particularly love the meaty snarl it gives with a pick.

[Peter-Alexander]

As a beginner I am in the process of starting to know the different types out there and a new world openend up for me! I liked the sound of the neck pickup of the J bass but the fat tone of the P bass stole my heart! I also love the punchy sound of MM. Great video, many thanks.

[robhelenflaherty]

One thing to remember is the role of bass. There are many modern instruments that sound better than a P bass when played in your bedroom, but for something that sits in the mix of a band or on a recording, theres nothing much to beat the P bass. Four strings, two knobs, one pickup. Perfect!

[joelmondonedo]

When I started I used to play a jazz style bass, there was a specific tone I loved about it. It’s when you play both pick ups at approximately 80% volume, with tone at 0%. I absolutely love this tone, coz it was so round and fat. I had to compensate volume through the amp or maybe an eq pedal but it was so worth it. I automatically set it to this whenever I pick it up.

Then one day I decided to try a precision bass and I was shocked when I discovered that the same fat tone I loved was more easily accessible through the volume at 100% and the tone completely off. I had an epiphany -I been playing a jazz bass and yet the tone I’ve been emulating was a precision tone! Mind blown away.

Ever since then I’ve been using a p bass as my default, still changing to a jazz bass as needed depending on what project or band I was playing. I love them both but if I really had to choose I would go for a precision as my desert island bass.

[jeremyfarley]

brand new player here. I am about a month into learning. My learning instrument is the Glarry version of the Fender Jazz. So far I am having fun. I am learning rock and metal bass playing.

[Mini]

Resting my thumb on the J bass single coils is about a thousand times more comfortable than on the P bass. And I just really love the brightness and pop of the J.

[MrRepensteeltje]

Love the P-bass, tone up for Rock, halfway for Blues and down for Soul.