The
Jazz Bass (or
J Bass) is the second model of
electric bass created by
Leo Fender. It is distinct from the
Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the
fundamental harmonic. It has a naturally more focused tone than the Precision Bass, with less low end and low midrange. Because of these tonal characteristics, the Jazz Bass is often preferred by bass players who seek a more noticeable sound, rather than serving as a background instrument. The sound of the Jazz Bass has been fundamental in the development of signature sounds in certain musical genres, such as
funk,
disco,
reggae,
blues,
progressive rock,
heavy metal and
jazz fusion.