Best Bass for Playing With A Pick

[ahiddentableau]

I know I'm inviting a ton of cheeky replies with this, but I'm serious. I'm primiarily a guitar player, but I also play the bass. Unsurprisingly, I am more consistent and accurate with a pick than with my fingers, although I'm improving with the latter. But I'd like to know what you guys think: What bass sounds best with a pick?

Right now I have a P copy and I think it often sounds pretty good with a pick, especially on more aggressive rock songs. But I'm probably going to be buying a new (and much nicer) bass in the next few months, so I don't want to miss anything!

J

Oh yeah, and this is my first post after months of lerking. So be gentle.

 

[bongomania]

As you know there's not really any "best" for this... but it's hard to beat a good P-bass picked. Loads of the most desired punk and hard rock tones came from a P bass played with a pick. If you're buying a nicer bass, just get the best PJ bass you can afford, that way you also have the flexibility of using that J pup.

 

[dannster]

First let's get the cheeky response out of the way:
Preferably one with strings.

But seriously:
My GMP Roxie loves a pick but they aren't readily available.
T-birds love picks.

It's an individual thing though, depends where you hang the bass where you like to pick at and what's in the way. Do you like to anchor on the bridge or do you swing free or? Nothing to do but strap them on and try them out. What's best for one can be worst for the next player.

 

[GregC]

As you know there's not really any "best" for this... but it's hard to beat a good P-bass picked. Loads of the most desired punk and hard rock tones came from a P bass played with a pick. If you're buying a nicer bass, just get the best PJ bass you can afford, that way you also have the flexibility of using that J pup.

+ infinity. A P with a pick is primal, it's dirty and raw, and it rocks.




IMO.

 

[RockBoxBass]

no question. A P Bass with a full SVT stack and of course...what makes it all happen.... a $0.25 pick...

 

[vinxbass]

Some of my best recordings have come with Precision Bass played with a pick. I normally am strickly a finger style player, but the sound of a P bass with a pick sounds so tight and right on measure - you can't beat it.

 

[BenitoBassolini]

MY ESP-B50 does sound pretty great when I turn both pickups up and turn the tone to about 50% and pick at the bridge. Good for playing Justin Chancellor parts!

 

[EagleMoon]

I've never met a bass that didn't sound good with a pick. In fact, I think most basses sound better with a pick than fingerstyle, but that's me.

 

[Fawkes007]

P Bass, StingRay, T-Bird.

 

[ahiddentableau]

Thanks for the replies. It's cool to hear what other players think. And as a guitar player who's just faking it on the bass, I appreciate the fact that it comes from real bass players, too.

Thanks for the recommendations about T-Birds. For whatever reason I never even considered them. Probably because I don't play Gibson guitars. Guitar bias informing my bass preferences.

I was leaning P/J before, so I suppose that's the direction I'll go in. Gonna check out a T-Bird, though, if I have the chance.

 

[Solarmist]

I've never met a bass that didn't sound good with a pick. In fact, I think most basses sound better with a pick than fingerstyle, but that's me.

+1 ... ALL basses like picks ..... (especially with roundwounds) ..... why wouldn't they?

 

[Projectile]

I love the sound of a p-bass played with a pick! It doesn't get any more punk rock than that. I don't even listen to much punk rock, but that picked p-bass tone gives me shivers.

 

[GregC]

Great recent example:

 

[basadam]

... but it's hard to beat a good P-bass picked.

I almost agree. But, recently, I tried a J bass strung with flats, neck pup soloed, and the tone was heavenly with a pick. Also, there is that whole "Live and Let Live" album by 10cc, and Graham Gouldman plays a Rick with a pick, possibly one of the best bass tones I've heard in a live recording.

I know, I'm not helping...

 

[LCW]

i own 2 p bass am they both get used 99% of the time with a pick

 

[ahiddentableau]

Great recent example:

Nice. Cool song, too.

Guess it's hard to beat a P.

 

[Micolao]

if you're on the budget but you want a PJ with the best quality/price go buy a Yamaha BB414

best pick bass, trust me.

 

[lawsonman]

Rics and Precisions are hard to beat.

 

[mstott25]

Play this bass:
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Listen to Steve Swallow here:
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Now feel good about playing with a pick.

 

[cnltb]

Play this bass:
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Listen to Steve Swallow here:
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Now feel good about playing with a pick.

+1
But any bass will do just fine.