P Bass vs. J Bass - Who Wins?

[@alansolano4763]

My first workhorse instrument was an early 2000’s Mexican P and I never found a mix where it didn’t sound good. Decent bass and a good amp can take you a REALLY long ways

[@briansotobassist]

PJ for me but I also love the jazz bass neck

[@chuckfinley3152]

Pj with a jazz neck

[@p_sem]

PJ wins! Flawless victory!

[@bigoldnoob]

My preferred tone for picking on a Jazz is neck pickup full and bridge a little dimmed, tone all open. Adds the detailed high end while remaining P'ish virile.

[@MarcelvanderGraaff]

I second this. After a few months of playing bass and fiddling with the knobs, I ended up liking this set-up the most. It adds some extra definition to the tone.

[@kamarienedwards1757]

What is the song @8:01

[@pierremilleret698]

And what about a ... " PJ show " ? 😉

[@patribardiere]

If you can’t ear the difference between a P and a J bass, you sould be playing a Squire😂

[@rome8180]

I prefer the sound of the P bass. It's the "sound of bass" that's always existed in my head. I started out playing the J bass, and I could never quite get the tone I wanted. Then I got a P, and it was like a revelation. That said, because I started on the J bass, I prefer the J bass neck. So now I play a P bass with a J neck.

[@fanbladeinstruments]

You are not alone in that exact situation.

[@user-vt9fo3rq3m]

Same but reverse for me. Lol

[@hdr96k]

If you want P Sound and J sound with a Stingray thrown in with a J neck profile - Sandberg VM4. Absolutely amazing. My Fender Ultra is just horrible in comparison, and I'm a huge fender fan (that sound).

[@bassman108]

I too started on a Jazz bass but when I got a P bass it was what I was looking for. It was the bass sound in my head that a Jazz just couldn’t do.

[@DrKeremKoseoglu]

In my experience and subjective opinion, the neck profile has an impact on the sound. P basses with big, chunky necks often sound fuller to my subjective ears. I even conducted a neck swap on a P bass and had my musician friends participate in a blind test, with most arriving at the same conclusion. Does it make a significant difference in a mix? Probably not.

[@simonbowkett124]

TBH I feel the P vs J argument has become a moot point because prices are so cheap and quality is so good …. Sires, Squiers, even Harley Benton mean it’s not hard to get two or even three basses which are perfectly giggable at the cost of a single Fender USA professional.

[@nathanminert3119]

That's a good point, but I think the point of this video is more about how each of them sound in different musical situations.

[@senacht]

TBH at most stage volume levels, if you’re using round wounds the two basses are pretty much interchangeable.

[@CC-fi3pp]

Harley Bentons are hit or miss quality wise and are really not a brand I'd trust or wish to ever give my hard earned cash to. I'd rather buy a used Japanese Fender than any of your provided options.

[@simonbowkett124]

@@CC-fi3pp I’d rather buy a Tokai

[@CC-fi3pp]

@@simonbowkett124 I respect it.

[@JeanCharlesLEBELLEGUY]

Honestly, the best P vs J video ever seen. Awesome job Jayme. It's good to hear those basses comparisons by a "real" Pro player.

[@theroadhogs6227]

I've played my J bass since it was given to me as a birthday present by my parents 27 years ago. In that time 3 or 4 P Basses have come and gone, but I always gravitate to the J. I just like it, and I've used it to play everything from Country, Pop, Rock, Blues, 60s etc and never once had any complaints. As for people expecting you to play a P Bass in certain circumstances, that may be true, but that's their preconceptions and something which is becoming more and more a self-perpetuating truth the longer the internet exists. Joe Osborn did fine on a J, and you will too if that's what you choose....

[@VanjaSpirin]

I just generally like j-bass better. It is easier to play, and it can mimic p-bass with neck pickup solo. P-bass sounds always as p-bass. I liked p-bass much more before I realised that there is some kind of religious cult related to p-bass.

[@totalcommit7412]

P Bass all the way

[@gimmeagig]

I love the content you provide. You are one hell of a player. I play mostly ActiveJ basses 70s location sounds best to me. I also have a very nice PJ with EMGs and a BTS EQ cirquit but I hardly ever take out out of the house.This video is the best one I have seen on this subject. For me as well the J bass wins almost every time.

[@giamax74]

I have that Geddy Lee signature! Amazing bass. Great video btw!

[@ryanslauderdale]

Simple. You reach for a Jazz Bass when you want to express yourself musically. You reach for a Precision Bass when you want to make money doing it.

[@luciosalustiano5837]

I prefer the P tone. I dont understand why they say "J Bass is more versatile" the P is so versatile too! But, If you like the full-bodied tone of Pbass (smooth and imposing) and the presence of Jbass tone ( clear and brigther) and you dont want to change the Bass in the gig: buy a PJ and be happy!

[@CC-fi3pp]

Worst thing you could do is get a PJ. They are the worst of both worlds.

[@Basslightning666]

I've owned both, but ended up sticking with the 1960 P Bass long term for my playing style, grooves!!. But you are right Bro, the J Bass is better for any Funk or Progressive Bass attack.

[@bassman108]

We get it, you’re a Jazz bass guy!

[@chickentwisties2298]

I don't like jazzes basses they're too bulky and they stab into you where as the P Bass doesn't do this.

[@DavidSekala]

I have p basses and j basses. Dispite having short fingers I still like the fat neck of a p bass.

[@Cap683]

The differences narrow the better your amplification is. I will say that I see a lot more Precision Basses on KZbin musical performances.

[@shredwardc656]

It's all in your fingers if you ask me. Also change your effing strings.

[@miguelmoreno-gd1zt]

Best approach ever for this topic. Thanks Jayme

[@RickDeckardCain]

That's why I like my L-2500. Neck pickup in series is what I use when I feel the song would like a P bass. Bridge pickup in parallel can get you in J bass territory. Or you can use any combination of series/parallel and pickups to get its own great tone -- love it with my rock band. To round out my tonal options, I also have a Ray35 because neither a P nor a J can sound like a Stingray.

[@DrKeremKoseoglu]

Achieving the exact P, J, or StingRay sound with an L-2500 has always been a challenge for me. While it can get close, the pickups' power can be overwhelming. Sometimes, the multitude of options becomes a distraction, and I catch myself chasing tone instead of the music. I prefer the simplicity of straightforward instruments, and the same goes for Lakland 55's.

[@RickDeckardCain]

@@DrKeremKoseoglu Agreed, getting the exact P or J sounds from an L-2000 is impossible, but it can get close enough in a live setting. Which is good enough for me, because I don't like swapping basses mid-set

[@DrKeremKoseoglu]

@@RickDeckardCain I'm glad that it works for you! Personally, I'm a bit wary of switching basses or adjusting my EQ/pickups mid-set. After all, I'm in the dark about what the audience is hearing through the FOH system. I opt for the most suitable bass and tone for each gig and consider it frozen after the sound check. I rely on my right hand technique and placement to fine-tune my sound.

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

I like both, though I love the J Bass more (if I was to own just one Bass). Best solution, a P/J Bass, problem solved 😎 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@CC-fi3pp]

That's the worst solution, I knkw the PJ is the hipster kids favourite but a PJ takes all the bad parts of the J, which there are many, hiss, falls over when proped against a wall or amp, then adds new problems like botchong a huge hole near the bridge messing up resonance and contributing to neck dive and adding even more complexity and noise to an awful hissy circuit. It's a straight P or nothing. Everything else (passive) is trash.

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

@@CC-fi3pp that's an opinion, however, I've seen so many P/J Basses sounding great. Yamaha, Fodera etc.

[@CC-fi3pp]

@BlackRootsUNLIMITED Those aren't true PJs - they slightly change the formula to address some of the issues I pointed out. Some are botched up just well enough to fool us at 1st others are still trash. Regardless, the almighty P in its purest form rules supreme and always will.

[@TenFalconsMusic]

. A quality preamp will get you there from here, regardless which you prefer. What's more, it's saves you from lugging around extra basses when on tour. Alternatively, a P/J configuration + preamp should have you completely covered if you need need a little more of both.

[@irakliy1969]

P is for Squidward, J is for Spongebob.

[@rjforbes4804]

Nice video Jayme! Upon first glance. I was surprised that you were doing a video on this but I knew it would be musical and not just playing the same runs over and over again over different settings like most other channels do. I also really liked it that you actually picked a 'winner" instead of the usual wishy washy "they both win" that these videos often declare. It doesn't matter if we agree. It's all about you using the right tool for your jobs. I have to admit. I'm envious of your P bass tones. I have a tough time getting a P to sound quite the way that I want it to. Sometimes you want more mids than a J with both pickups on. It was nice that your single pickup Jazz playing wasn't noisy like they sometimes can be. Great playing as always. Keep up the good work. Thx!👍

[@deadbeatstudios]

thanks so much! I'm glad that you used the word "musical" in describing my video, to me that means it was a success :)

[@JacknCarolyn]

The neck profile is the game maker. My first fretless (35 yrs. ago) had a p-bass profiled neck. One day I got a sharp pain in my left thumb. I didn't have any pain on my Jazz ever. One day I picked up my fretless and wham like an electric shock the pain came back. I've since tried P-bases of all ages. The big necks get me. The 2x4 especially. Now I have a PJ with a Jazz neck. I've never had that pain again. Some can and some can't play P- basses.

[@wilson713]

I primarily played in midwest emo bands and went for more melodic basslines. Almost always played a passive 4 string J bass with a pick. D'Addario 45-100 nickel strings. Love the piano tone you can get out of it

[@marcdicamillo9453]

This is the best P v J bass video out there! Btw, that Warwick thumb sounded amazing.

[@MadMagicPaul]

Why would anyone try to EQ a P to sound like a J? Their different sounds are what makes them great.

[@nerigarcia7116]

I've preferred the J just in playability and tone. I've always liked the heavier overall tone. You can get good growl out of it with effects, but I've just like the J for how it feels.

[@TurkeyShaman]

You're asking the wrong question, the question should be "is the P or J bass even worth buying when the Stingray exists?"

[@mrnogot4251]

“I don’t play with a pick very often” followed by 20 clips of him playing with a pick lol

[@fanbladeinstruments]

With my natural finger tone I hate the mid scoop on a J, I always find it lacks any punch in the low mids, turning down the bridge pickup a little brings back the mids but takes away the clarity, it was always a compromise. Add to that the weight of the Jazz and I grew to loath Jazz basses. PBASS FOREVER

[@fromaggio7654]

P bass has better mids!

[@HectorGallegosmusic]

I want to agree...badly...just so I can buy a jazz bass....but I need ANOTHER P bass with rounds on it in a 5 strings to compliment my Pbass with flats.

[@MrChopsticktech]

Anything without frets

[@thomasfioriglio]

Nice video. And a different approach to P vs J. I had played a P bass for years, until I tried a J bass a few years ago. The thinner neck and versatility of the pickups gives me what I like and need.

[@nicoladani3539]

I have both, a jazz bass and a p-bass with flats. And also a 5 strings music man stingray just in case.

[@d.s.9692]

J basses are super versatile and comfortable to play. I get the appeal. I've owned a J bass. But I have such deep love for the particular sound of the P bass that I can't stop playing them. I just wish they always had the J bass neck

[@SwashBuccaneer]

I picked up a P/J bass for my first bass when I started playing a couple of years ago. Loved the versatility of having both pickup configs. :D

[@DrKeremKoseoglu]

In my experience, blending PJ pickups results in a distinctly different sound compared to blending JJ pickups. It's often more ringy and with fewer mids. Moreover, P-J pickups are typically designed for blending, which can sometimes compromise the pure P or bridge J sound. Don't get me wrong, I own a PJ and adore it, but, in my view, it doesn't replace the need for having dedicated P and J basses for their unique characteristics.

[@daveweed2765]

Nope PJ all the way.

[@Xilent_Nexus]

@@DrKeremKoseogluexactly how I feel. I started on PJ basses and the tones does not compare. It’s a good alternative but not pure sounds from each.

[@ryan_454]

That Fender P with the pressure wounds was the one. That thing sounded great.

[@samlelowitch]

I'm impressed that you played with Dolly Parton. She is an absolute gem! One thing about a P-Bass is that it tends to be lighter than a Jazz Bass because the body has less mass. Also, the center of gravity on a J-Bass leans more toward the headstock. This is one reason why I tend to favor the P.

[@AlbertoJorgeSoares]

Is it not the other way around? Because, if the J-Bass has a thinner neck and a bigger body than the P-Bass, then the gravity center has to lean less toward the headstock.

[@samlelowitch]

@@AlbertoJorgeSoares You could be right but to me it seems like the center of gravity on a J-Bass is further forward. Maybe it's just a matter of perception.

[@adammartin8026]

The two will never sound the same but they both sound amazing in the right song. I’ll always prefer a p bass

[@leegallatin480]

Fantastic video bro. I was on the fence for pick playing with a J or P .... So I looked up NOFX Mike's tone....and here I landed ...... question answered . Thanks!

[@stevehurst916]

Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it. P and J are totally different animals. No way you can get a Jazz Bass to sound like a Precision. Get both and pick the right one for the song. I like my Jazz bass taught and round sound, but I LOVE my Precision's punch and growl. It's so open and alive. A groove machine. Rock 'n Roll

[@theaudioguy2923]

great info... but I have a question, what about the sound and variability of the PJ Bass which I have several and I have the hardist time selecting one for the other, so I choose the PJ. would you be interested in redoing this video but include the PJ with just as much info... I just cant understand why the PJ gets such low attention. your assistance will be greatly appriciated. thanks

[@craigridley9618]

Either will work in most contexts, so the winner’s the one you prefer. I’m a P bass player through and through. There’s a lot of Jazz bass players whose sound i love, but it doesn’t feel right coming from me. It’s not my voice.

[@stevegresock5939]

GREAT VIDEOS!! Wondering what amp your using?

[@Toastrodamus]

You know, I've been back and forth over this discussion for almost 40 years and ultimately it is a very boring argument. Here's what it boils down to: Which instrument gets you the sound you are looking for with the least amount of f**king around on EQ? You can kinda get more or less whatever you want on whatever bass by fine tuning the EQ, but no one has all day for that nonsense (and in a studio, time is money.) Also, the more EQ you put on stuff, the less natural it starts to sound. If you need scoopy, go with the J. If you need that warm midrangey thing, go with the P. Use the instrument that gets the job done with the least amount of tweaking.

[@albertosergi588]

Trust me man, you’re a such a thunderous bass player so you’re be able to make play well also a broomstick 😊 Anyway I just seen this video cause in this battle between J vs P, I’m more oriented to buy a PJ as best of two worlds. But I’m not sure of PJ slap tone. And now I’m more confused 😂😂😂

[@marc_leblanc]

As a guitarist who wanted a bass for recording demos, etc... I went with a PJ bass thinking I'd cover all my bases (no pun intended). Now I wish I had gone the route of a Jazz. I prefer the tone of a Jazz way better than the Precision - for my styles of music.

[@Belman5]

OMG.....that Warwick Streamer at 14:05 sounds absoultely phenomenal.

[@pattonPwr]

Pbass all day

[@SisterRose]

I like that you say "This isn't the way I find it most useful" but then go on to show what all the variants sound like anyway and the specific contexts where they are more useful. I love the P-Bass slap tone but it's definitely *easier* to learn slap on a Jazz Bass

[@caqueto3347]

I am wondering what do you thing about the PJ Fender combining the Precission and jazz mics??

[@intheblues]

Great video man!

[@deadbeatstudios]

Thanks dude!!!

[@JohnnysaidWhat]

nothing beats a p bass with flat wounds for old school? My shortscale violin bass would like a word 😂❤

[@nashbasscat]

What is with people not being able to say “Precision” anymore. It’s a Precision Bass, not a “P” Bass. Is it really benefiting you to save two syllables. Have we gotten this lazy?

[@kirksneckchop7873]

P bass was my first bass, so I have a special affinity towards them. But the answer is of course to get both a J and P bass!

[@MichaelThomasOflaherty]

The Precision sounds clearer and more beefier than a Jazz Bass. I have played both a P bass and a J bass

[@aaronl7669]

wow, fantastic playing and advice!

[@ThundersMcCoy]

The best bass Fender ever made was the Japanese Jazz Special. Of all my basses It's my favorite. Had I known shit from shinola when I got it I would have bought a couple.

[@MrChopsticktech]

I got a mid Nineties Made in Japan fretless and l love it.

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

#225_at_10min04sec_HushMyCriticalOpinionatedDumbasMouth_ThatsEweOnWith_THE_LateNtBand_OnTV🇺🇸🇮🇱✝️

[@justinc246]

Very good comparison. I am a huge fan of both P and J basses but weirdly enough when I couldn’t decide between the two and I could only bring one bass, I end up going with something with a musicman style bass

[@musicintercity3192]

The best P vs. J content so far. Congrats!🙏

[@williamgarrett9479]

sorry but i am really sick of slappers......its a bass guitar..so how about some bass for a change

[@recordlabeldao7820]

Its not a fair compairson when u have a active jazz bass against a passive p bass

[@chrisparker5278]

Trick question. The answer is Thunderbird!

[@erickleefeld4883]

P-Bass sound (pickup and placement) with a Jazz neck.

[@siddcoutto]

Sick bass playing. I totally enjoyed this video.

[@VeitLehmann]

This was rundown of the those classic basses, maybe the best and the last one ever needed! If I could only have one bass, it would be my J, which is a modern 5-string with active/passive electronics and splittable humbucker in the back (Clover Apeiron H.5 with Delano TheHybrid electronics). But I think adding a P is totally worth it, especially if you put flats on it, this makes a huge difference. Or maybe sth. like a Mustang for an even more different sound/feel with its short scale. But both the classic P and J are really unique in their versatility and character, you'll never go wrong with either.

[@saltyocean5259]

Jazz ist the best, bec the best music is reggae 🎉

[@SquizbarDeAlienOfficial]

Has anyone ever told you that you kinda look like Cory Taylor?

[@catfishmudflap]

Only rock 'musicians' think music is a competition.

[@johnvarner3854]

Just keep two E.Q. pedals on the floor.

[@Russsssss]

JB is just an update from PB.

[@seungjaeyune2008]

I like p behs tone because it sounds more natural

[@jasonswitzer1748]

So… thoughts on PJ basses?

[@chunhungmok3474]

PJ is King, best of the both world

[@FrosTBerQ]

Most realistic and useful comparison video I found in years!

[@cmenacez8748]

I have the ultimate solution…PJ

[@bobbarker14]

Just get one of each.

[@WayneGreen-b4y]

Neither one. They're both crap.

[@ricoricardo2099]

I like jazz bass

[@ineedhelpwithaname]

Love this video. There’s that song again at 5:30…who knows that is? Been trying to find it forever since it was in another video.

[@deadbeatstudios]

thanks! that's just some production music that was sold for TV/film so that means there's no artist, release, or way to hear it outside of this channel or on whatever movie it ends up in :/ sorry!

[@yakov.lopatin]

What do you think about P-H?

[@ЯрославШевченко-х7й]

15:09 abomination

[@KevinWilliams-c2p]

Slap bass is irrelevant

[@tonyrichengod9280]

PJ FTW!

[@elperrodemessi1590]

PJ bass for the win

[@lummond]

I swear to God slapping on a P wasn't a thing until KZbin bass demos. That P-Bass 1kHz snarl is the antithesis of a good slap tone.

[@Cap683]

I personally wish that slap bass had never been discovered. In real world music, it is just not used very much.

[@lummond]

@@Cap683 yes yes yes!

[@jasondorsey7110]

​@@Cap683Stanley Clarke rocked slap in the 70s, since then it hasn't really evolved and is now quite stagnant

[@someonesomewhere8805]

Everyone’s different. I personally love the nasty dirty sound of a slapped P.

[@martinheath5947]

Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots. P bass slap tone for days!

[@fernandoroza6061]

Ken Smith wins...

[@Ralferator]

you are wrong!

[@MarkMarxonsBassChannel]

This video was awesome 🔥💯

[@zombieprepper01]

OMG. Another P vs J bass video??? J/K 🤣 great video. Really boils down to what the individual likes. So subjective even when get into the technical differences between the setups. Subscribed.

[@Funkybassplayer]

Sting, Chuck Rainey, James Jameson, Donald Dunn, Pino palladino, john deacon and me of course😉 all played the p bass. It’s an open and close case. At least for me. 😁

[@ZoltanBrozek]

Flea, John Paul Jones, Noel Redding, Gedy Lee, Paul Turner, Tim Commerford, Marcus Miller, .....and me of course ;-) all played the J Bass. It's and open and close case. At least for me too 🙂

[@Funkybassplayer]

@@ZoltanBrozek great. And funny. 👍🏻