

I know this comes up constantly and I've gone through a lot of the old threads. Most of them end with "get whichever one looks better to you" or "they're basically the same bass", which is fair enough, but I couldn't find a clear answer on the part I actually care about. So here goes.

I've played guitar my whole life. I had an Ibanez GSR205 for a while, fell in love with the thin fast neck, and had to sell it when money got tight. Now I'm getting back into it properly and choosing between two Harley Bentons. It's not a money question, they cost about the same. What I'm trying to work out is which sound is the better place to start from.

The necks are identical: 38 mm nut, 12" radius, D profile, 20 medium frets, graphite nut, passive JJ, Roswell Alnico 5 pickups, two volumes and a master tone.

Three differences, as far as I can tell:

**JB-62CC** \- basswood body, laurel fretboard, '60s pickup placement  
**JB-75MN** \- American ash body, maple fretboard, '70s pickup placement, brass saddles

**What I want to play:** jazz, blues, Massive Attack, U2 around Zooropa, but also Marcus Miller and Flea. Coming from guitar, I keep gravitating toward playing melodically up the neck rather than just roots and rhythm. **Right now the main thing is finding my own sound and my own way of playing.**

**Questions:**

1. **Does the JB-75 actually use '70s pickup placement, or is it the same body rout as the JB-62 with different cosmetics?** If you own one, could you measure from the bridge saddles to the edge of the bridge pickup? This is the big one for me and I genuinely can't find it anywhere.
2. Which spec is the smarter starting point? '60s placement is more even and neutral, '70s is brighter with a deeper mid scoop. Which leaves more room to find your own thing?
3. Maple vs laurel fretboard - audible in practice, or not really?
4. Ash vs basswood at this price - honestly, is there a difference?
5. Anyone owned both?

Please don't tell me to save up for a Fender or Miller. I know, and I will eventually. Right now what matters is getting started.

  
Thank you, guys.

Another JB-62CC vs JB-75MN thread - but this one's about the sound