Precision Bass vs Jazz Bass - What are the differences and Why they matter

Side by side look at the Fender Precision Bass vs Fender Jazz Bass.

Link to Tapewounds video:

[lighthouse]

I truly value your insights. I'm a beginner at age 67. The attribute of each instrument type can be daunting. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[lukehinkle]

I just got my first J Bass ever and have had a P Bass for about 15 years. The hum of the J Bass freaked me out at first, and I thought there was a wiring issue. I didn't realize J Bass is notorious for this hum. Messing with my EQ and moving it away from an electrical source and/or switching to passive vice active eliminates the buzz. I can see why you mentioned this, and that P Bass is more ideal for recording.

[keith.messier]

Well, this is just a great comparison, Jules. Thank you! I especially like that you intersperse the functional / design differences with tone comparisons. I’m a guitarist who’s just getting into bass, so understanding P- and J-basses seems like an ideal starting point.

[TheGodParticle]

Best review I've found so far, was in two minds about which to buy, especially when I'm spending a grand, that's a lot of money to me. Thanks again for taking the time to make this video, respect. Cheers

[rebelred]

Get both! I've been trying decide which is my favorite for 25 years and have ultimately decided that I simply need one of each. The way I approach a bass part while writing a song will vary depending on which bass I'm playing. On the P I'll tend to leave big space between notes, giving a track a thumpier more more funky vibe. On the J I'll tend to get more adventurous and melodic in my playing.

[thomasfioriglio]

Really great comparison. And I like how you didn't just focus on the tone, but other aspects as well, which for me, are all good things to consider.  

I played a P bass for years and loved them. Only within the past year and a half have I begun to play a Jazz bass. And I am now a convert. For me, the biggest difference is the neck. The Jazz neck is just sweet and feels so comfortable. As for the body, I always thought the body was ugly, now I love it. It does look odd on a stand, but strapped on and played, it looks balanced. The hum was a big negative for me. I switched out the pickups to humcancelling ones and that solved the problem of the hum. I also love how you mention turning down the volume. Definitely a simplicity to the P - one volume, one tone. I have noticed that when recording with a Jazz, I do like the extra option of tones available.

[henrygvidonas]

...And that's why people like Duck Dunn put Jazz Bass necks on their Precision basses. Precision Bass sound with Jazz Bass neck feel. Reggie Hamilton took a different approach and put a P-Bass splitcoil in his Jazz Bass. Whatever works.

[danielglowotz]

Perfect comment on the two groundbreaking instruments in terms of bass guitars. Well done and please go on with such videos!

[JCBassCovers]

I used to play a Jazz Bass as a teenager when I played at church and I liked it a lot tbh. The neck felt amazing

[vikingmike]

Great video on the differences between these two 'iconic' basses. Cheers! 😊

[nbl]

I've come to enjoy both. The P bass to me feels and sounds more full, neutral, and warm and is incredibly versatile. I used to think J basses were nasally, but I've come to appreciate the distinct brightness of their high notes when doing a fill and the necks are easier to play. But by far the best "secret weapon" underappreciated bass- are the fender short scales, which are absolutely unbeatable for 60's sounding indie rock, psych rock, and garage rock if you play them with a pick. Think Cage the Elephants "trouble"

[gustavochiozza]

Hi Jules! Is nice to see you again, in the bass world. I used to see you videos two or three years ago when I was learning guitar. But suddenly our band lost the bass player, so I’ve took the place. And I felt in love with this instrument. So glad to discover you have videos about the bass. This video seems great to me. Your thoughts are full of wisdom to me. Thanks.

[TheSAPGarden]

I can't believe how much I loved the fender jazz bass... and I made the choice uninformed 15 years ago. Unbeatable tone and versatility. :)

[ronwood]

I have one of each jazz bass has that growl on neck pick-up, the p bass just cuts through the middle of everything perfectly on every song
Love them both

[CB-ulnp]

I love my bass. I have the best of both worlds. I got an vintage 80s Fender P/J Jazz bass. Body and neck of a Jazz but with Pbass Pup and Jazz bass Pup in the bridge. It has a Gibson wiring scheme of 3 toggle switch and 2 tones and 2 volumes. Absolute pleasure to play with!

[domagojoinky]

I would like to add a precision bass to my collection. Sire P5 5 string is the one I am looking for. I like the ease of use and the tone. I am more of a jazz bass person but for recording I would like to get a precision. Lack of bridge pickup was something that got me off from having a precision bass but jazz bass does not have such presence on neck pickup.

[yorchibus]

I've got a Fender MIJ Jazz Bass with EMG Select Noise Cancelling pickups, it sounds gorgeous!

[senacht]

The pickup placements have a significant impact on the fundamental tone. Even with a Jazz, whether the bridge uses the 60s or 70s era pickup placement results in a noticeable difference in sound.

[erickleefeld]

I’ve got an early-‘80s Kramer “Pioneer Special” bass, essentially a P-Bass copy but with a Jazz-style neck. It’s a nice combination, feels like a Jazz and sounds like a Precision.

[stefanockay]

My first bass was Jazz, I got used to it, but then I tried P bass and I never wanted to play Jazz bass again. I don't understand why it's renowned to be more comfortable(maybe bcs older were very thick). I would say that this goes only for people with smaller hands. The thinner neck actually makes your palm "fly" and also you have to bend your fingers more - this I hate a lot.