Ok so when I got my Jaguar with flats I absolutely loved it and I thought it sounded great. Since then I got my Stingray with rounds and I have been playing it almost exclusively since (about a month).
Today I went to use the jaguar and it just seems to sound like it has a cold. I can’t even say it was just a warm fat tone it just sounded nasal and gross.
Is it just me? I originally liked the flats because they hurt my fingers less but now that isn’t a big deal.
Should I swap out the strings for rounds? Buy an EQ or try to work with the one on the amp?
I want to use this bass as a backup for gigs but in its current state it just sounds so different. I tried a bunch of combos of pickup knobs, tone knob and where I’m playing fretboard side vs bridge and nothing really did the trick.
No one can tell you what the difference in sensation is like. Trust your ears and fingers. They are the ones actually creating and evaluating what you’re playing.
It’s easy: The Stingray has a wonderful Humbucker pickup (and is active!?), while the Jaguar has just boring P/J pickups (in comparison).
I find Humbuckers also much better sounding than anything else.
It took me quite some effort to make my PJs sound good … but they will never sound as good as my old ESP with Humbuckers.
You could change the P/Js with something from DiMarzio (I have the DP126, and they sound cool now - after a lot of back & forth).
Or you could go active, with EMG pickups.
But PJ will simply never sound as deep as good Humbuckers (in my opinion).
So this Jaguar originally was active but the previous owner converted it and moved the jack from the side to the front. “The batteries always go dead ”
I kinda like having a passive bass but maybe I should convert it back.
I have two passive basses now … but I find active basses much better, to be honest! Never had an issue with batteries wit my active basses … they last forever!
I plan to convert , new short scale P-bass to an active fretless, to make the P pickup shine
Yea I think the problem is when folks don’t know to unplug their bass when they are done.
@Al1885 the previous owner left me what he took out I’m guessing that the active part is just a small pre-amp and the pickups are fine. Do you know anywhere that has a collection of guitar wiring diagrams? It’s a 2012 Vintage modified jaguar bass special.
100 is pretty much what I have now but I believe the active portion gives me 4 pots and a jack out the side (which I hate but that’s a different story)
This is a very interesting thread for so many reasons especially for me.
First thing first, if you worry about others would think that your basses sound different, don’t. Not only they don’t know they don’t care. Your band mate won’t even notice. That leave you.
If it bothers you that much then switch to rounds.
Many things happen on your journey you can blissfully playing whatever setup and loving it till one day you ear detect the slight hint of difference good or bad doesn’t matter but you discover something. The next thing you know you can’t unseen, unheard, or ignore the feel of the differences. It’s a good thing. Wait till you discover how much you like wider neck
Personally, I don’t want may basses to sound the same, it’s the perk of owning multiple basses. In my world I want the basses to be as individual as snowflakes but sadly they are so versatile that most of them can sound very similar to one another, that’s why I (by default) play my basses at center detent setting unless I need to change the tone.
If you want to go active I highly recommend EMG especially with jaguar. You’ll get clean tight punchy tone and hum free experience. Installation is just too easy even @Whying_Dutchman can do it. ,
I’d make a small discount offer to the EMG factory store on Reverb and on the message ask if they’d sell you the discounted wiring kit, sometimes they do for $25 so you can have practically a set of pickup for half price.
I think it was just that I remember how much I absolutely loved the sound of that bass and now that I play my other so much I just think it sounds weird. It’s funny you mention the EMG pickups because I had those on my first bass and after playing my other stingray I started not liking their sound because it seemed too robotic.
I think I’m just fussy.
I like the stingray I have because I can get punchy or thick and then if I want more of that I can move where I’m playing and it responds pretty well.
I think with the other bass I just have to appreciate it more and treat her like the special lady she is. Maybe I should just spend a week only on that bass.
and a graphic EQ pedal - at least if you plan to use it as a “comparable” backup.
Trying to make two bass sound similar (my ideal tone was somewhere between them at the base setting) has taught me some interesting lessons.
But modding is cool too
Thanks for reminding me about that video it is sooo good. I picked up a Joyo Monomyth pedal but it was a, “you guys are getting this for me for Christmas” deal.
Untill then I’ll see if I can squash dwarves with what I have.
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