What's the deal with all the P basses?

[Swipter]

I see everyone looking to buy or trade for a P bass. Love my Jazz bass, never played a P bass. What's the difference? Why the P over a Jazz?

[Matthew_84]

Opposite sound from a jazz. A jazz is a versatile, growly, beast that accentuates the upper mids. A P Bass, to me, is a thumpy, warm, boomy mother that accentuates the lower mids. One isn't better in my opinion, but having both is pretty essential.

[waynobass]

I wouldn't call them opposite sounds, just different. And having both is a luxury, not a necessity.

(Sorry to be argumentative.)

[Matthew_84]

No worries, LOL. Your post may be a little more accurate anyway.

[waynobass]

Your tone descriptions are good, sir.

Paradoxically, a P-bass often cuts through a mix better than a Jazz.

[MrLenny1]

It's THE Rock axe.
A P-Bass & Ampeg 8x10 rules the rock world.

[bassgod0dmw]

P basses are awesome, that's why!

So are J's, Rays, Rics, and pretty much everything else.

[Ezmar]

Originally Posted by waynobass

Your tone descriptions are good, sir.

Paradoxically, a P-bass often cuts through a mix better than a Jazz.

That's because contrary to what conventional wisdom would say, lower mids cut better, because that range belongs exclusively to the bass. Upper mids and highs get eaten up by guitars and cymbals. Nothing wrong with having those frequencies, but they CANNOT cut. Can't slice through bread with bread, no matter how much bread you use. You just end up with a mangled mess, and everyone is sick of bread.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

P basses are awesome, that's why!

So are J's, Rays, Rics, and pretty much everything else.

+1!!! Play what you like.

I like P-basses.

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by Swipter

I see everyone looking to buy or trade for a P bass. Love my Jazz bass, never played a P bass. What's the difference? Why the P over a Jazz?

The p-bass is sorta like a jazz except it sucks.

[steamthief]

Originally Posted by Ric5

The p-bass is sorta like a jazz except it sucks.

Come out of hiding and read my avatar.

[Bassmunnky]

It works

A True Plug and Play Machine

I HATE it..Practicing it alone. BLOWS

Tracking to Tape...Yeah..Okay - Perfection. That's why I have 2.

I use my Jazz to Practice! Sounds pretty. Have 2 of those

[Swipter]

Thanks all. I am a,ways looking for another bass. I will have to play one. Sounds interesting.

[bluestarbass]

I do love the sound and looks of a p bass, but to me it comes down to the neck. I feel like I'm gonna snap a jazz neck. My first bass was a Spector, so I just got used to thick necks.

[Rudyboy98]

P basses are extremely versatile. Years ago when recording engineers were recording bass tracks..only a P-would do. Today, there are so many basses to choose from..it's ridiculous. Of course, any bass will fit the bill now. But for those who have played both a P- and a J -bass...the difference is varied all depending on your music style, amps, recording equipment, etc. Just consider the variety in sounds a good thing!

[Metaldood19]

P necks have nice fat necks compared to the thin necks found on J's. P's also have a very punch tone to them, they're just different basses. I'm keen on J's but having a P is on my to do list as well (with flats).

[soulman969]

Jazz Bass = mid punch, growl, more harmonics and tonal variation.

PBass = low end thump/thunder, more fundamentals and singular tonality.

What each does is does well and for those of us who like Fender style basses we find a use for both. I tend to prefer the Jazz Bass more for blues and funk and the PBass more for rock and r&b stuff. It's nice to have a choice or so Leo Fender thought.

[j.kernodle]

this is a topic I'd hoped would be discussed here for quite some time.

simple answer is this, it's a great sounding bass. I've got a ray, a jazz, and a streamer II. they aren't better sounding than my P, just different.

[wolfmancharlie]

both basses have their places, however the p or the P/J have been my number ones.

[Bald Steve]

Everyone else seems to have the tone piece covered, so I'll go ahead and be the vapid one. And I can't believe I'm going to say this, but P-basses are also really "in" amongst the touring scene around LA now. You show up at an audition without one (preferrably road-worn - either artificially or real miles), you're nuts.

That said, having one is essential. I've never shown up on a session without a P-Bass strung with flats, a modern 5 (currently an AC LM5), a Jazz Bass, and a fretless. Probably 7/10 times the P takes are the ones that get used. I can't use the P live, though. Given my current schedule at 4-7 nights a week, 20 hours minimum live in high-energy band settings, that fat neck with medium flats just slaughters my wrists.