BASS
HOW TO BUY A BASS, PART 1 | Gary Lunn
So, you want to buy a new bass, eh? That sound. When you hear this sound there really of an electric bass that achieved more of a
is a wonderful problem to solve! It’s just like is no better way to describe it. Just listen to growl sound like an upright bass. It also has
Christmas when this happens. However, we any old Motown record and you will hear a neck that is made with dimensions that are
have to be good stewards of our money and James Jamerson playing his early 60’s Fender skinnier at the nut and wider at the base, much
make wise decisions when it comes to buying Precision Bass (with flat-wound strings) laying like an upright bass. Early on they were quite
a new bass. All I can do is offer you my opinion down a sound that is quite unique. Its texture comfortable to play. And hey, pay attention to
and maybe, you will identify with some of what has a deep but not offensive sound that cuts that classic Jazz Bass sound in the song “Low
I have to say. through the track without sounding nasal or Rider” by the band War.
obnoxious. I wouldn’t quite call it a ‘thump’
In my humble opinion, as far as fretted basses sound as much as I would call it a ‘thud’ sound. Leo Fender hit another homerun when he left
are concerned, there are four different classes The only way to really know what I’m talking Fender and formed a company called Music
of bass sounds: the Fender Precision Bass about is to hear it. Man. His flagship bass, introduced in 1976,
sound, the Fender Jazz Bass sound, the Music
was called the Stingray and had a sound totally
Man Stingray sound, and the boutique bass The Fender Jazz bass sound came into set apart from any of his previous inventions,
sound. I will talk about them one at a time. existence around 1960. It’s drastically different with yet another distinctly individual tone. It has
than the Fender Precision sound in that it has a a single, humbucking pick-up that is placed
The Fender Precision was invented by Leo unique ‘ping’ quality to it. It’s typically not ‘heavy’ closer to the bridge, giving it a slightly nasal
Fender in 1959 with the advance of his split or ‘thumpy’ sounding. It appeals to the low- tone that is offset by an onboard, electronic
pick up design. The two individual pick-ups frequency range in the ‘punchy’ area (for lack pre-amp. This addition offers low-end/high-end
that cover two strings per pick-up are placed of a better description). This effect is caused by equalization. The humbucking design tends
very close together in a unique harmonic the phase cancellation between the two blade to have a fatter sound. Its placement near the
position. Each pick-up’s location being slightly style pick-ups and their individual harmonic bridge makes for a punchy-yet-fat overall tone.
different creates a unique sound of harmonic placement. All of these variables interact with If you’ve ever heard Michael Jackson’s “Off The
textures that, when combined, creates what each other creating this unique sound. I believe Wall” song, you’ve heard this very recognizable
is affectionately called the ‘P-bass thud’ Leo Fender stumbled upon this sound in search bass sound.
Fender Jazz Bass
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December 2018
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