Fender Jazz vs. Precision blind sound test - Can you tell which is which?

Quick demo showing that the front pickup on a Fender Jazz can sound very similar to a Fender Precision bass. The 2 basses are very different. The Highway One Jazz is:

Made in the USA
Heavy
Has a rosewood board with jumbo frets
Has a high mass bridge
Has standard Jazz bass single coil pickups

The Fender 50's Road Worn is:

Made in Mexico
Lightweight
Has a maple fretboard with vintage slender frets
Has a vintage style bridge
Has a vintage voice P bass hum cancelling pickup

This Fender Precision vs. Jazz demo was recorded using a Boss GT-10B direct into the computer.

[computerscientist]

When I heard the 1st one I thought "That one must be the P-bass", but then when I heard the 2nd one I immediately realised that the 2nd one is actually the P-bass, not the first one. Technique makes a difference, definetely!

[jim_merk]

Would be hilarious if you played the same bass the whole time!

[robertsmithers]

I guess the lesson is -- don't rack your brain deciding which bass to own... GET BOTH!

[skyviewdesign]

Best analogy I heard was Jazz is a calculated karate chop to the neck, while Precision is a drop kick to the chest. Great A/B comparison!

[hof]

The lows are the dead giveaway to me. The P low end is just so thundering. The difference really wasn't as noticeable as I expected though.

[mattsparkes]

Great idea for a video!! I’ve been playing P’s and J’s for 20 years, and I was TOTALLY WRONG 🥴

[hits]

No way!! That's amazing! The Road Worn is so much brighter and has much more clarity. I was for sure that was the J Bass!

[themosaito]

More blind taste tests, please. That was great!

[SevanStick]

Which shows what I say for decades: get a Jazz. You then have already a precision.
People don‘t believe it though.

[kingdeedee]

As someone that currently doesn't own either (I play a Stingray) I seriously thought it would be easy. I always just associated the "Jazz Bass" sound to guys like Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorious and Geddy Lee, but then you realize how important the Jazz bridge pickup is to each of their sounds, and you notice how often people just don't use the Jazz bridge. I never thought they'd be so similar, though I did notice some differences. So I completely blew this one. Great video man!

[hughes]

The Precision has a more rounded low end where the Jazz has more sharper highs, and a slightly scooped midrange.

[HaloDaycare]

Finally. I hate the videos where they compare a jazz bass with both pups on full to showcase the variable options. Compare what is most similar. You nailed it and we appreciate the video. My only gripe is the fact that the strings are 'different.' That affects tone drastically.

[anthonysclafani]

New Year's Day is one of the best basslines ever

[dubmoth]

Fabulous video on a brilliant idea... Lucky me, I got it right but only after the second song. Most importantly, it made me fall in love with my Jazz basses all over again!

[jsgovind]

It was actually a little tough for me as I associate the jazz bass tone with the rear pickup. Love your comparison videos. :)

[computerscientist]

This was so funny. I listened to the first couple of seconds of the very first bass and was ready to give you an answer with 100% certainty. They are so different

[scstinger]

I absolutely love P-bass’s and picked it out right but oddly enough I like the clarity of the jazz bass more?? Thanks for doing this test 👍

[rrrripbing]

I've just bought myself a Jazz bass (I prefer the punchier tone) and it sounds identical to Bass 1. So that's what I went with. I think the confusing thing, for me at least, is that you would think the Jazz would have a warmer/mellower front pickup compared to the single pickup on the Precision but that isn't the case. They both sound great but very different tone wise.

[segatortoise]

Thats amazing how close they sounded!!

[jcsk]

Lol. As this jazz sounded more "greasy" I thought it was a precision. This prove my point (too me) that I didn´t need a P bass and I can do what I need with my neck Jazz Bass pickup.
By the way great selection of songs. Thanks for this.