Welcome @Sarah_B.
Unfortunately Jazz Bass only allow you to play jazz music genre only maybe fusion jazz but nothing else, that’s what it’s designed for. Pause for dramatic effect…
I’m just kidding! Actually it’s the opposite of what I just said. Jazz bass is a must have in any studio, especially classic setup because it offers wide range of tonal options.
Since Fender was the first to breakthrough the mass production of electric bass the get to name it what ever they like. At the time they wanted a name that would encourage the bassists to transition from big double bass to electric bass and most played jazz music so they named it the Jazz bass. I know it’s very scientific,lol.
Fender’s first mass produced bass is call the “Precision bass” because it has frets compare to the fretless fingerboard of the double bass, the notes are precisely in tune, hence the name. Gotta tell you they put a lot of thought into it, lol.
These are the 2 most popular Fenders to choose from, the p bass is a little bit of a narrower with the middle position split pickup, one trick pony in terms of tonal options but what it does, it does it really well. It has a little wider neck so a bit more space between strings.
Back to your question, then the Jazz Bass, it feature the narrower neck width, it’s easier to play especially with smaller hands. It features 2 pickups, one at the neck and the other at the bridge. That alone can offer a lot of tonal range already. The neck would sound warmer, and deeper than the bridge, which offer brighter crisper tone, then the combination would be even more interesting.
Of course that’s before any modifications for the players end. There are several third parties that offers upgrades from pickups to brides to tuners that they all claimed to deliver excellent sound quality.
Here’s my Squier classic vibe next to a top of the line made in usa fender elite jazz, they play and sound great. They sound almost the same with similar pickups upgrades.
