What's the difference between a precision bass and a jazz bass?

What's The Difference Between A Precision & Jazz Bass?

• So yeah, what's the difference, I want a bass but I'm not sure what kind to get. I was thinking of getting Mark's new bass (from blink-182). But I know it doesn't have a tone control. Is that really bad? I really like that kind of music. Mostly rock, pop, funk, all kinds really. But I think I heard Mark's bass has a jazz pick up even though it's a precision bass or something??? Is one more common than the other? Is there that big of a difference? And any good tips for a beginning bassist? I already play acoustic guitar. Thanks guys and gals for the help!!!

• Answer:

  Hey Denise: Both great basses, but like the other who posted, I too, prefer the Jazz over the Precision. For comparison, I am using the American Standard Precision and Jazz Models. Both have alder bodies. C shaped neck, radius is 9.5 inches on both. 20 Medium Jumbo frets on both, scale length 34 inches. Width at nut: Jazz: 1.5 inches, Precision, 1 5/8 inches. Always felt like playing the Precision was like playing a tree trunk! The bridge allows you to put strings on through the body or bridge. Biggest difference between the two is body shape. The countours on the Jazz and Precision are quite different if you study them side by side. Also, pickups and volume/tone controls. The precision features a split Alnico single coil, whereas the Jazz bass has two hum cancelling single coil pickups. The Jazz has two volume, one tone control, Precision one volume, one tone. Now.. on to Mark Hoppus bass. Its a Jazz bass body, Precision neck, with a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-style pickup. Also an Alder body, volume control only. Bear in mind one thing. He probably has more stuff tapped into that bass for recording and live performance than we can afford! Most players at that level have tons of high end pre-amps and other things that give them their "signature sound." For someone starting out on bass, if your into Fenders, check out the Standard Jazz bass. Less money, and more tonal options running through just an amp than his signature bass would have. Here's a link for one: http://www.zzounds.com/item--FEN0146200 If your already playing acoustic, I would recommend learning some blues songs on bass. Songs like Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Leave My Girl Alone", or "Texas Flood." These songs are around 60 beats per minute, which is ideal. Gives you a chance to hear how the bass interacts with drums, has great walking bass lines, and not to fast to where you cant keep up. In addition, a great foundation for going on to rock bass. By the way.... Geddy Lee from Rush used Rickenbacker basses live in his early years. He did use the Jazz for some recordings early on, as he thought it played a bit better. He later switched to Steinberger basses, Wal, then brought the Fender in permanently. He purchased his Fender Jazz from a pawn shop in Kalamazoo Michigan for 200 bucks! Hope this has helped, and good luck!