To the bassists here : advice needed, Precision or Jazz bass ? + small bass amp
 

I'd like to get a Fender bass, but I'm undecided between a Precision or a Jazz Bass. Indeed the Precision is said to be more "rock oriented" in sound (but maybe that's bollocks) while the Jazz Bass is said to have a more comfortable neck, and I also prefer its look (but I'm not sure if I'll like its sound with more medium).

Links :
http://www.thomann.de/fr/fender_squi...e_pbass_60.htm

http://www.thomann.de/fr/fender_squi..._j_bass_60.htm

I know those are Squiers but the new Classic Vibe series are really said to be very good quality (even better than the Mexican Fenders).

So which model would you recommend (it's mainly to have fun playing some of my favorite bass lines, by bands such as The Cure, The Smiths, Television, Radiohead, off course SY, Jeff Buckley, and so on) ?

That'd be nice if you could also help me on choosing a small bass amp (around 150€, it's just for playing at home) ;)

The Precision is a classic and although its limited in what sounds it can get it's certainly going to nail the ones you need. The jazz bass does have slightly more variety and looks a lot slicker, but personally I prefer the Precision. Try them out more with the neck in mind, in order to see which one you find the most comfortable. Honestly, the difference in sound is pretty minimal. And while I've never played one, I've heard that the Squire 'Classic Vibe' series is better than the MIM Fenders too.

As for amps, Warwick do a really good range of small combos in their 'Sweet' range. They have a wide range of tones and are very robust. I'd definitely recommend this if you're thinking of playing with a drummer, even if its just jamming (they come in 150 and 250 watt versions). If you're literally just going to be playing alone, or into a multitrack, then Warwick's Blue Cab range offers a slightly less powerful (from 15-60 watts) but even more affordable option. Although both are incredibly cheap for what they offer. (New, the 'Sweet' range is around 300 euros, whereas the Blue Cab is about half that.) The only problem with either though is that you can't connect them to an extension cab - although given what you're looking for, that shouldn't be an issue.

Thomann Links:

Sweet 15:2: http://www.thomann.de/fr/warwick_sweet_152.htm
Blue Cab 30: http://www.thomann.de/fr/warwick_blue_cab_30.htm

This should be fine for you

don't go over the top

you can't go wrong with either...I've had lots of basses, but the one that gets played the most is my p bass.

i just played one of those jazz basses today, it was actually really nice.

For small bass amps. there's lots of choices - it never hurts to look for used ones.

Almost all the bands you mentioned have bassists that play P-Basses, so I'd probably go with that one if sound's your #1 priority.

J-bass is more versatile, but I also like a trebly picked bass sound.

In terms of a small bass amp, Laney's Richter range is meant to be pretty good too. I've used another Laney bass practice amp and it was fine. Like Warwick, they come in a variety of outputs from around 15 - 60 watts. And they're well within your price range.

http://www.thomann.de/fr/laney_rb2_richter_bass.htm

Thanks a lot for the input (at least the one that was relevant :D).

I'm wondering, are you moving from guitar to bass? I tried the switch the other way around a few years ago, moving from bass to guitar and found it unbelievably difficult. If you are moving over from the ordinary guitar you might find the jazz bass' narrower neck a little easier to adjust to. Otherwise I'd still say the wider necked P. Bass is all round the better bet. No bass provides that distinctive thud quite like a P. Bass.

No it's in complement.

So I think I should try them out to make up my mind (but the trouble is I'm afraid no music shop around my place have any of the two basses...).

Jazz. Trust me, you will be much happier in the long run. Precisions are too limited, you can get all the sounds from a precision bass on a jazz bass + much more. Precisions aren't good for finger playing tones or slapping. Jazz basses are universal basses

J > P

the neck on a jazzbass is narrower at the first fret than at the twelve by a good bit. kinda like on a real jazz bass (upright)
the precision bass is chunkier up there.
I prefer the feel of the Jazz Bass. the pickups are ballsier.
the precision bass has a limited tone. it more or less depends on where you pluck the string along it's length. closer to the bridge/over the pickup/ near last fret.
the jazz bass however has two pickups and it can pick up the subtle bits a lil more. it's noisier in that respect, so if you're just starting out, it could be a challenge. but hey why not get the dynamics down first before the licks?

Yo, didnt see this. Did you get one?

If not, yeah as everyone says get the J Bass. I recently started picking it up in school once a week or so and it was a Squier Standard series Jazz bass and its quite amazing. Apparently, the basses that Squier makes are really good and durable.

Also like you said the classic vibe are very good. I hope that I'll save up enough money to be able to buy the arctic white classic 60s for christmas because it looks amazing and the neck looks brilliant. Haha I'm also thinking of just getting the standard j bass, I need to decide.

as for the amp:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--HTKKB15

I know its over the price range but its amazing. School has 2 and i was amazed just how good the eq and the shape controls were combined with the j bass.

Or just looke at any Hartke amp. Ampeg is good as well. Dont know much more about bass amps.

let me just post a random picture from google to prove how fucking amazing this thing looks like:



I'm really freaking out about that neck finish.

I'll go for the Jazz Bass indeed. From Squier today I've tried a Jazz Bass (the Vintage Modified - which is very good) and a Precision (a Standard one), I really prefer the neck of the Jazz Bass.

I'll buy the amp a little later I think (to save money...).

Thanks again everyone :cool: