Another question about Fender basses

[brianh]

Hi Janek,

I hope this post isn't redundant. I know playing comes first but I've been reading through your posts and was just wondering specifically which Fender basses one should try to get for recording. I'm not referring to P and Jazz basses, but which (new) model. I think most of us cannot begin to justify buying a vintage bass for $10,000...

I've been enjoying a 62' reissue P-bass...any experice recording with one? Also, what about Fender style basses (Sadowsky, Lakland, Lull, etc...)?

Thanks for the help!

[janekbass]

Brian,

First of all I can't really say when it comes to Fender copy basses such as you mentioned in your post. I haven't used any of them, but then never really would as I have heard them and can pretty much hear the difference, and have no need to go with something else when the original is still the best for me.

as far as the new ones go.... I like the pino Palladino model, the Reggie Hamilton model, and any of the relic/custom shop models that really capture the feel of a vintage bass.

I was forunate enough to check almost all of them out at last years namm show, and when I go to the studio to do sessions and producer wants a fender/vintage sound I have a pretty good idea of which bass to rent for the song. I own a super basic mexican P-Bass actually, which has been incredible on so many sessions. It's played pefect for every track I've used it on.

The bottom line is that fender basses rock. For almost anything I do in the studio I can take a fender and it'll be pretty much perfect for the track. i do of course play Fodera basses when I'm playing my own music right now, but that isn't always the right choice of bass for studio dates and commercial music.

I hope to have a good collection of fender basses one day, but will always use different things for different music.

I hope this helps.

Easy,

Janek

[paksepa]

Originally Posted by janekbass

I own a super basic mexican P-Bass actually, which has been incredible on so many sessions. It's played pefect for every track I've used it on.

do you still play that mexican p-bass for sessions? i'm thinking about getting a p-bass for myself but can't really decide yet if i should go vintage...

[janekbass]

I use all kinds of fender basses for all kinds of different situations. I do use the mexican one from time to time. I have people rent me vintage basses for some shows and sessions, and I have a couple of american standard p-basses of my own that I tour with from time to time.

I recently used one of my american P-basses on these tv shows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTw82PQ20qc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZlWDzFbf6c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_T48UbBXqk


made sense for the music, and at the end of the day that's what it's all about.

Easy,

Janek

[Double Agent]

The questions was not directed at me, but.....

I recently got a used MIM P-bass to have one is strung with flats on it 100% of the time, as I was tired of going back and forth between rounds and flats on my P/J (and it kind of defeats the purpose of using flats as they are meant to stay on a bass for years). Anyhow, I got a MIM P-bass and installed a Fender Original P-bass pickup in it that I had lying around. It sounds absolutely phenominal with the pickup swap, as good as, or better than, any P-bass I have tried, and I've tried 1-2 AV '62 P-basses before. Before the pickup swap, it sounded good, but not any better than the other MIM P-basses in the store. It may not have the feel of the more expensive models, but it actually does play really nicely and I don't think that the difference in playability is so great that I should/would spend another $1000+ on a more expensive P-bass.

I spent a total of about $400 on this bass ($330 for the used bass, about $65 for the pickup), and I wouldn't hesitate to bring it into any studio or live situation. If you don't want to drop a ton of money on a good-sounding, traditional P-bass, I highly suggest going this route.

PS - Love the tone you're getting on those YT clips, Janek!

[weejimp]

Help needed! I have a Fender Precision circa 1977/78. Just joined talkbass and am a complete amature when it comes to guitars. This was given to me by a friend around 10 years ago. I've got lots of pictures of inside the neck but am clueless as to whether its the real deal or not. Its in absolute mint condition and I have lots of pics but I'm not sure how to upload them. Don't play myself and it seems a real shame its not being put to good use. Any suggestions?

[pierreganseman]

wrong forum

[janekbass]

'fraid this isn't a gear forum.

plenty of other places on talkbass to ask about gear.....

Easy,

Janek

[Lorenzini]

DIG these gigs, Janek!

Awesome vibe, too, great boppin'!

[kevcooke]

Janek, when you play P-basses do you have a preference for either rounds or flats?

[janekbass]

I have both setups on different basses..... it all depends on the music, and the playing situation.

Easy,

Janek