"all you need is a P-bass," or the do-you-need-a-traditional-bass conundrum

Interesting post. My main go to bass for gigging for the last seven years has been my Sadowsky. It's so flexible and I can always find my sound, or the sound appropriate for the song. I recently took my 75 fretless PBass out of retirement. I'm in a new project where it is an appropriate bass.

I started bass on a 69 fretted Precision back in the 70's and I've had three since. I read a TB post somewhere that said they loved active basses, but a Precision should be run passive. I had to agree and it made me realize that I need that unique sound in my arsenal. But instead of going fretted, I'm sticking to it being fretless. With both of those basses, I have it covered.

I've tried my Sadowsky in passive mode and I like the active sound too much. A Precision is unique, yet versatile because of its distinct voice.

I find it interesting that this came up for someone else at the same time.

 

It sounds like you know what you like and it's working for you, so just keep playing and making music! I do think there's something to having a "go to" bass you pretty much always play, so don't overthink things.

I had a really nice Warwick Streamer Stage 1 and then a Lakland 4-94 that were my main basses. They both eventually developed neck problems and I fell in love with the P-bass for its simplicity. If you're happy, don't worry about what others think or start second guessing yourself...play on!

 

I know P basses are hugely popular, but I just never got the appeal myself, not bad, just "meh". I look at them as just one more tool in box.

 

For years, my sole fretted bass was a Modulus Q5 that I used for literally everything. Then I joined TB, got gas, and bought a P that I strung with flats. Having a bass that sounded like the bass on every classic recording was eye opening. However, the only time I intentionally chose a traditional bass over the Modulus was when I was doing classic country, it seemed appropriate. For every other genre, I really don't care which bass I play. I grab whatever I'm in the mood for.

BTW, being in a Steely Dan tribute band sounds like the coolest gig ever!

 

So, what occurs to me is: what do YOU say?

You're the bass player, You have quality instruments and you like the sound they give you. In fact, you say they "talk to you."

So I suggest you create YOUR own "episode" based on your own experience and wisdom, and go with that. You don't have to live by what others tell you; YOU are the bass player.

The "episode" in my head goes something like this:

- I'm the bass player. I decide what bass to play and how.
- I don't own beater basses because I keep all my instruments in excellent condition.
- If I won't play it in public, I don't own it.
- I will listen politely to suggestions from others whose judgment I trust (and ignore suggestions from those who I do not trust), but the final call, right or wrong, is mine.
- If I make a wrong decision, I will learn from it and go on.

 

comes down to the vibe of the instrument. old/new-passive/active- 4,5,6 string-what ever floats your boat!

 

I have one that looks retro that I always use for an oldies gig. Mainly for the look but I enjoy playing it. But it has modern accoutrements.

I don't know why your band mates would care what you play unless you needed to project a certain visual image. Do you tell them what they should play?

 

I'll bet I have at least thirty basses in the house. I have basses from Dingwall, Alembic, Lakland, Kubicki...and basses from China and Indonesia bearing various brand names...as well as an ample supply of Fenders. Five of these are Fender Precisions. I gig with whatever pleases me at the moment. I also am not in an atmosphere where the looks of the bass are going to affect me in any way.

"All you need is a P bass" should be updated to "All you need is a bass."

 

Do you need one? No. But they're nice to have. I love mine, all three of them.

YMMV of course.

 

I love P basses and they tend to record incredibly well and are nearly Ergonomically perfect for me.

I just prefer 5 string active basses and haven't found a 5 string active P that I fell in love with.

I still love my 1974 P but love my Foderas and FBass more.

 

You do not need a traditional instrument in the arsenal....


...Unless you do.

By this I mean if you need a p-bass for a gig, then you need one. Studio guys need them.
If you are picking a bass that you know will work for any genre because you don't know what you'll have to play on it, then a p-bass will cover that.
If you have instruments you love that fulfill your needs that are modern in character, then you don't need a p-bass.

 

I really feel a lowely P bass is all you really do need as a bassist. There have been allot of improvements over the P bass but in the end Leo got it right.

 

I agree with both these statements. However, a lot of other luthiers got it right, too. There are many basses that will work for any genre.

 

I don't care how many albums P basses have been played on, how many people say everyone should have one, or it's all you need etc. They're just not for me. I also find they're limited in the electronics department. Now a bass with a PJ setup, that's a different story!

That said, I did buy a Peavey Fury as a backup. It was inexpensive and it really is a beater! But I seldom play it, it just sits on its stand. My Sadowsky is the gigging machine!

 

Agreed. But a p-bass is a good place to start.

 

You play very expensive basses.....your brain will not let you acknowledge that a "cheaper" bass is just as good.
Its a placebo kind of thing.

 

I think you are projecting.

 

Funny that you mention Steely Dan. Both times I saw Steely Dan it was Freddie Washington playing his Precision and both times the bass was completely lost in the mix. I had a Precision for a little while which, to my surprise, I really didn't like at all. When playing it all I could think was, "I wish I had my Jazz in my hands". My main basses (the basses I take to gigs - be they on large stages or in tight bars) consist of a Lull M5V, MTD 535 and Sadowsky Standard 5. I have played all of those basses in a wide enough variety of settings (from jazz cocktail sets to smooth R&B to old-school R&B to reggae to current top 40 pop) and feel confident with any one of them in any of those circumstances. I definitely don't need a P. Having said that, I know some people listen more with their eyes than their ears. For those people I can usually get away with using my Lull (which looks very "classic Fender" and doesn't seem have the association with "slick and modern active" for some folks that the Sadowsky has). If not I also have a Fender Jazz '62 re-issue). I will take my most prized basses anywhere but on a plane. When I fly I bring my Fender Jazz simply because, should anything happen to it, I won't be totally devastated by the loss .