Better than NAMM? / 59P's (worth it?) / Why all Jazz Basses AREN'T the same! | The SBL Podcast

Better than NAMM? / 59P's (worth it?) / Why all Jazz Basses AREN'T the same! | The SBL Podcast #113
For gear-savvy musicians, California’s Winter NAMM Show is the biggest event of the year, but is it the best? So on to this episode, and having crossed the Atlantic earlier in the year Ian brings you his report from Guitar Summit 2023. This three day event is Europe’s biggest guitar show, and a true walhalla for any bass guitar lover. Now there’s a thought!
In this episode...
Guitar Summit 2023 vs. The NAMM Show
How you can join our latest giveaway.
Vintage basses: worth the hype?
Are all Fender Jazz basses the same?
And much, much more!
[ - PODCAST - ]
► iTunes: apple.co/1O6P2oZ
► Spotify: spoti.fi/3M7ZlbY
► Stitcher: bit.ly/3BZNc4m
[ - SOCIAL - ]
► Facebook: / scottsbasslessons
► Instagram: / scottsbasslessons
► TikTok: / scottsbasslessons.com

[@backdoorarts5243]

Sooooo glad you mentioned Carles Benavent. My buddy and I went to see Chick Corea in 1982 and fully expected to see John Pattitucci with him. When the band walked out we see this short guy with a fretless Epiphone EB-type and we're like, "WTF is that?! Where's John?!?!" That feeling lasted about 5 minutes and then we were like, "John who?!" He was doing stuff we'd never heard before from sliding harmonics (not even Jaco did that!!) to this flamenco right hand stuff AND PLAYING WITH A PICK!! We spent years trying to find out who he was and where he came from, but before the internet it was a total mystery. He popped into my head again 5 years ago and I came to KZbin and THERE HE WAS!! If you're reading this you NEED to check him out. And then imagine seeing that in 1982.

[@MrAKbass]

Carles is IMHO the most original European voice on the bass. I met him in 2006 on a German Bass Day.

[@demogis]

Five Watt World makes excellent instrument specific short documentaries and already covered the P and J (and Ric and MM).

[@drew004jc]

the flannel is fire, costco did you right

[@Rustinho]

Ian is letting his inner grunge kid come to the surface. Next video: top 10 grunge bass lines feat Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Tad and The Melvins!

[@brunocyclist]

My bass teacher has Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats on the Squier 70s style natural Jazz bass with maple fingerboard and block inlays he uses in the lessons. He plucks over the bridge pick up with 100% bridge PU, 100% tone, 0% neck PU. It sounds absolutely awesome, very full, very thick while still very defined and incredibly punchy.

[@davidwinokur2131]

Just recently I took my Ibanez EHB1005 S-MS and installed a mini DPDT On-Off-On switch so the Bartolini BH-2 humbuckers can be made to be either outside single coils (ala Jazz Bass), humbuckers (standard wiring), or inside single coils (a more midrange sound). I've found that, for most music - especially slap - I prefer the Jazz bass sound, but the added flexibility is very welcome.

[@blueplateradio2]

I saw the Di Gier video with the "rockin' bald guy" and I thought to myself, that bass is like an SG bass. Great for rock and funk. That the guy squashes that thought at the end with some nice jazz licks. That brute has a software side.

[@gazfunk]

I have flats on my 75 Jazz. It sounds awesome. Its a funky dub machine. My drummer loves it. Its the only time he ever complimented my sound lol

[@warwicker22]

I was so excited to hear you give a shoutout to Soulman Pedalboards!! I have two and they’re absolutely amazing! Hopefully he can set up distribution in the U.S. sometime soon.

[@carlton1390]

Ernie Ball Cobalts on a Jazz Bass

[@patrickpeterson2174]

You will luv it Scott!

[@matthewwithanm]

35:30 "Buy basses, not food." - Ian (basically) 😂

[@pine3737]

I been playing professionally over fifty years and I been watching you for years. Now you got your buddy Ian with you I really love you both. I would love to just talk to you both sometime. Not only because of what you know but somethings you don't. Keep up the good work!

[@robertoepiscopo6558]

I was at guitar summit, I didn’t see you Ian, what a pity!

[@robertoepiscopo6558]

I have a bass I would love you try to see if you can get your sound out of it @scott

[@turbomoogle]

Late to this episode, but I have to comment on something near the end of the video. The jazz with flats. For about a year and a half now, if you asked me what my number 1 was, I will tell you it is my American Pro II Jazz with Daddario chrome flats. It is like the perfect point for me with room to grow on either side. Like to get brighter by going back by the bridge and with a lighter pick, or warm soft finger plucking up by the neck. Blending the pickups or sweeping the tone nob. And best of all, it almost always gets me inspired to play. Loved the episode.

[@mariusgoldhammer]

I talked with Larry Danielsson at a gig and he’s using an 80‘s Squier now, because he doesn’t want to take his 65 J on the road. He put EMGs in it, like he dis on the 65 and told me they sound identical to him. That’s why I put EMGS in mine and I loooove it! Warm, wide, crispy, whatever. Also, try thinner flats on a J, like 40-100. Never really liked flats on Js, but thinner Dunlops sound awesome. I am using them on a 69 and on my 66. Absolutely delicious! Was great seeing you at Guitar Summit, Ian!!!

[@replikasbuzi]

Hey!! I love your podcasts!!! Old listener here, I love the constant battle between the jazz and the P. I ran a long road trying out J-s and P-s. I love the versatility of the jazz, but i love the greasy meaty P sond. I feel that I found the excalibur, it's a japanese Ibanez Roadstar II PJ bass from 1985:D I think the vintage pj-s dont get their credit these days. They have the powerfull 80's P sound, but in addition you get a meaty J sound aswell, but in the center you get a funky slap sound that is very unique that is spanky but greasy too. You should try the PJ! Have a nice day, I am waiting the next pod!:D -Laszlo

[@Ben-ic1ve]

38:54 Scott you enabler 😂

[@admarhermans1]

It’s De Gier. Their basses are super cool and really of the highest possible quality. I was able to check one out once (a P style). Wow, what an experience! 🖖

[@Somer144]

Strats are exactly the same way, it’s definitely the single coils , they are more focused in a narrower field. for example listen to Eric Johnson, he can get a convincing Wes Montgomery jazz tone, I have never heard another Strat player do that, but distorted he can get and Eric Clapton dark woody tone, and then can go into a Jimi tone. I have played some magical strats, I played a Custom Shop in Cintioli’s in Philly and this guitar’s strings vibrated for 2-3 minutes unplugged sitting on a stool, no bs. I wanted to cry because I couldn’t buy it, this is when custom shop fenders were 2-3k.

[@WCruttenden]

I have a mid 80s Jazz with flats and I love it. But then I also have Seymour Duncan Apollo pickups on it too. They are essentially humuckers so no hum. For me, it's a great combination.

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks guys, always good ! If Ian is going to the UK, can we expect more 'Bass Grannies' excepts ?

[@ethanlocke3604]

Hey Ian, did you by any chance check out Adamovic basses at the guitar summit? I know it’s not really your type of thing but I’ve had my eye on them

[@robixbrown]

To Scott and Ian - what kind of jazz bass would be your one bass (specifically 60s vs 70s spacing)? I love my ESP amaze bass with 70s spacing so much in any setting and personally don’t love the 60s spacing scooped sound for some reason.

[@OlavSchneider]

What? You were in Germany? How cool would it have been if I had run into you. Maybe next time? I play a 70's Jazz Bass with these: Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flatwound Semi-Firm 50-105 Bass String Set and I'm loving it.

[@MrJosten72]

Also Gary Thain in Uriah Heep played a Jazz with flats. That’s my favourite Jazz tone.

[@MrJosten72]

Carles Benavent is fantastic. You so need to check him out. As for ‘your’ sound, I think Ian hits the nail on the head. ‘Your’ sound is usually a combination of all your influences. Having said that, certain sounds certainly seem to fit certain situations better than others. But it is weird that we think we need a ‘fusion’ bass to play fusion and a vintage bass to play other stuff. There’s no logical reason for thinking that, other than what you’re used to hearing. It’s about having the confidence to reinvent that.

[@rodolfopinheiro]

I didnt know yo were l9cated in Minneapolis, me too. I hope meet you around some day. Culver's frozen custard is great

[@ulis3082]

love the idea of an beautiful english made waxed canvas bass bag. I´m in!

[@owenspence]

I went to high-school in Pateley Bridge ❤

[@dougbright8202]

Scott, come to the states and do an SBL tour to meet the membership. Three stops, New York, Nashville, LA.

[@collegeofcool8109]

Also might want to check out the Dragonfly’s from Japan, and the Miura’s

[@ezbass]

As a luggage junkie, I need more info on the bag company you mentioned.

[@davidwinokur2131]

Meta seems to use a lot of Lace pickups. Lace pickups are very different in construction from conventional pickups. I have a pair on one of my basses.

[@admarhermans1]

Benavente! Great! He played with a pick on mostly fretless basses. He played hollow basses too. Huge player! He could play any freakin’ bass. 🙏 🖖

[@h.markhorton8188]

Can anyone answer this question? What is the most obvious difference/?advantage? ?disadvantage? Of using flatwounds in you bass?

[@basilpunsalan5901]

Laura Lee from Khruangbin uses old flats on her J Bass. I'm pretty sure reggae bass legend Aston Barrett used flats.

[@admarhermans1]

You might love Robbie Shakespeare’s sound: like a go in between of Family Man and Marcus: ‘Slave to the Rhythm’ my friends. And, get a boost on the 250Hz. on the bass sound, like he taught! 🙏

[@MrJosten72]

As someone else has said, pretty sure Me’Shell uses flats.

[@admarhermans1]

When doing a docu on the Fender P bass, and dive deep into their players, you might want to spent some time on those who played very intricate and complicated music on those nice Fender beastst (fusion like/ early ‘progressive’ rock) like: John Wetton (King Crimson); Dee Murray (E. John and many others); Tom Fowler, Patrick O’ Hearn and Scott Thunes (Zappa); Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge); Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple and many other bands and projects). There’s also some footage of Jacco playing a P on KZbin. And don’t forget all the modern Jazzers (NY scene) and groovers that played P’s! And a female player that just kills! A very hip player: Julie Slick from Adrian Belew’s band. They dooooo play all the intricate lines on P basses; all styles! Their sounds are great and huge and beautiful and tasteful: don’t need no fancier basses!! 😉 All of the above are highly accomplished players, able to play almost any music besides their own or their bands. They did it all just on P’s! And, when somebody does a video on Fender P’s, they’re never in those. It’s always the same great heroes like Jamerson, Dunn and you know who. 🖖

[@martinheath5947]

Birds custard powder is simply (super cheap) starch plus colouring plus vanilla flavouring, (sold for a huge mark up) Marketing genius maybe, but nothing like real custard.

[@rebootver]

I'm also a huge fan of jazz bass + flats combination (and a pick for additional attack). Love it. Jazz with rounds can sound a bit to harsh for me, espiecially when slapped. But I'm a bit weird - I have a jazz strung with flats as my main bass and a p bass with rounds for rock stuff, so don't listen to me xD

[@Nugmania1]

Hey Big Brother Rik weighing in, Jazz basses are all slightly different, set up is crucial to how you will sound , the perfect set up leads to better technique which leads to what’s in the sausages

[@eldorado5319]

Want bright flats? Try GHS brite flats. Want even brighter but not rounds? Try GHS pressure wounds ( I love those 😍).

[@soulstart89]

Nice advice. So would you say ghs presswound sound like dead still roundwound strings?. I love that tone.

[@eldorado5319]

@@soulstart89 Yes, GHS pressurewounds are less bright than rounds but stay like that for a long time (that's also why I like them). They feel smooth on your fingers, but not as smooth as flats, they are halfway there. And the tuning is way better than old rounds.

[@jeffhedback3912]

David Hood...look no further for THE iconic J bass with flats

[@ragsna1630]

P bass documentary😍😍😍😍

[@Squares1960]

Ah, custom made leather gig bags by SBL ! Bring it on !

[@admarhermans1]

I feel like Ian, playing Jazzbasses (live). I own and play multiple ones (stupid!), but it might just be because of a little issue I got just now because of you guys: every gig, every Jazz, it’s in my mind: what’s she’s going to do tonight? And, more important: what not? I’ve played three nights this weekend, and monday is my day off of work (that’s the reason of my multiple comments (sorry)). Two nights out of three, I brought a Fender Jazz. Never know what she’s going to do... I think about Ian point now and think he might be on it. There were some strange tonal issues with basses I tend to know... Jazzes are weird sometimes. Ians right. Yesterday afternoon: my last gig of the weekend. I took a Fender P. Same band as the day before. Joy! Not tonally, particularly(I like the J for her multiple sound options), but I exactly got what I was expecting with the P. Easy gig! For me (and FOH even) the P. did the job easily. ...although, I love the J more sometimes... But that’s just the Jazz in my head. Question to you all: what’s the Fender Jazz sound? How do we make it work (always!), like a P does? 🖖 Strange.

[@tombowman9463]

Yes! Strays all sound different from each other.

[@thenashvillebassmentor594]

Yeah but Entwhistle did the Thunderbird thing, I mean he could’ve done fusion I think….but yet he was such a rock star tho….idk….Ian ya have to get a Berger!

[@latonyahemingway3752]

Doesn’t Meshell play with flats? You hit the nail on the head. Larry Graham and Meshell have the best jazz tone ever!!! I think a 60’s style jazz and flats plus your technique is the key.

[@MrBazzabumble]

I can see a blindfold challenge for Scott in the pipeline

[@collegeofcool8109]

Scott, sounds like the Alleva J 5 might be your voice??? J

[@SquareWaveSymphonies]

You should talk to Mick of That Pedal Show if you're wondering what people who play Strats think about this. That guy knows his Strats. Haha.

[@gordonplatter9162]

Wouldn't Amps and Amp settings make a difference

[@adammono1839]

Joe dart! Jazz bass with flats! Before he went to musicman he played tonnes of jazz with flats.

[@admarhermans1]

Dear Scott, You’re going to be stuck between a rock and a hard place, in between worlds you need both. First: stay with F Basses, like the Banana bass you’re giving away. You never had a better bass doing ‘that one side of you’. There’s no better ones out there. You’ll go crazy looking for one. Second: get a P bass back! Hell, get the Nate Mendel back, or get a De Gier Soulmate (and/or a Bebop, but than, there you go again..). Stay away from flatwounds, because you’ll be having the same tonal problems in a band situation. Put some nice roundwounds on it, and let them be for a year or so. Longer, if you dare! 😄 I do, and I love it! I guess you’re not a one bass, one tone, one esthetic guy. There’s always your Jazzbasses. Find ‘the one’ with those: just one queest (like a knights search). Just one issue, instead of multiple ones. Man, you need multiple brains to to find the mix of all those things you search for! Too much. Two basses are ok. They’ll be, one together. It’ll be like you and your spouse: 2 are 1. So, there’s the one you’re looking for musically and ‘bassicaly’. No worries. After that, play and relax for a long while: stick to those two, whatever. Ok, dive into the Jazz for you, if you like. One issue is better than lots of them. Fender basses are strange: we dream of the perfect one, but they’re not out there. They simply just don’t exist! (Ask Me’Shell... 😉) Playing Fenders is all about learning to live with some things you don’t love about a every specific instrument. Just try to live and play like players used to do. They had one or two, or sometimes three instruments, all with their own issues. Play them and don’t get distracted. Live with those one, two or three, like the greats used to do. Heck, they never stopped playing or felt unhappy because their basses weren’t perfect! Never! Take Jacco’s ‘Bass of Doom’: when listening to lots of recordings of him playing that very bass, you definitely can hear it sometimes had issues. Jacco played it anyways, always. This bass was not the perfect bass whatsoever. It was just one of two basses he had. Period. I’m not a Jacco fan, really (except for his work with Metheny and Joni Mitchell). But he is a great example when speaking about instruments I think. John Deacon played on just two Fender P’s (stripped and painted multiple times over) and one StingRay for all those years. I love your ‘one of one’ philosophy! But, that only works if you want to stick with one sound, despite the (style) of music. Like Jacco, Family Man, or Gary Willis. But, Scott, you love and play multiple sounds! Man, you can’t win a formula 1 race with a nice Mercedes family van and vica versa. So, you need more than the ‘one on one’ bass, period. 🙏 The ‘one of one’ is you, is us all really, not our freakin’ basses, tools or utensils, 😄. Like a marriage... Such a lovely struggle, 😄. 🖖

[@erickroth]

Near Canada? You’re hardly in Duluth…

[@KaltOhm]

Lovely bass, but I feel like this weird edge groove would end up bothering me, like it could bite quite hard into your forearm.

[@lunacy_bass]

Eventually there's a time of your life when ALL your clothes come from Costco.

[@MrRickburns]

Endoskeleton

[@tombowman9463]

Strats, not “strays.”

[@johnhepburn538]

You Wife’s Car won’t increase in value. You need a real pre CBS p bass Will take you to the next level