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Chasing Obrad Lacarac's Postmodern P Bass Tone

finn_the_human

finn_the_human

Jan 26, 2023
25
46
#1
I've found my grail bass tone in Obrad Lacarac's Postmodern P Bass. I even like the slap tone from it, despite it being a P. Would love some help figuring out what I need to get close.

Some Examples

For most of the examples, he's playing through a simple chain:
> All basses with Elixir coated Strings.Recording chain...Bass - Radial JDI - Focusrite 2i2 - DAW.

I know I won't ever get the exact tone, I'm not Obrad and would be thrilled to ever play as well as him. So, lets set that aside.

What would you do to get there for under $1,000? I do not have a P bass, so I probably need one.



⚠️ Down the rabbit hole. Skip if you want...​


I assume this requires a Precision bass. Can I get 99% of the way without going all in on a Custom Shop Postmodern Precision with jazz neck and those specs? I prefer sub $1,000 instruments (after mods if necessary) because I always find myself hesitant to travel with or play more expensive stuff.

Maybe any Precision will work with the correct pickup and strings. If so, which?

If not, I've already overanalyzed a bit:

Things that seem important to get tone
1. Precision (optionally with bridge pickup)
* 34" Scale
* Narrow (jazz spec) nut width
* If a J or MM bass gets me there, then that works too, but I suspect this needs a P.
2. Maple Neck + Fretboard
3. Passive (or Active/Passive)
4. Roundwounds (can get his exact strings to start)
5. Radial JDI (meaning to get one anyways)
6. Pickups (no idea which)

My requirements that differ from his postmodern
6. A 5 string (my preference for long scales)
* 18mm+ string spacing.
* A good b string

Things that I would prefer but not require even though it may differ from his bass:
7. Tusq/Graphite Nut (I dislike bone)
8. Sub 9lbs

Things that would make it a closer match, but I don't know if they matter
9. String through body
10. High mass bridge
11. Vintage frets
* .085w x .045h
* Nickel (I usually opt for stainless if given choice, but just because of durability)

Things I don't know about (do they even matter?)
12. Body wood (I dislike basswood, but his is probably Ash)
13. Quarter sawn neck
14. Roasted vs. Non-roasted neck

Things I like but don't think affects tone
15. ️A bridge pickup (MM, P, or J)
16. ️Lightweight Tuners
17. Dot inlays (irrelevant for tone)
18. Fretboard Radius somewhere in the 9.5-12" range

I don't see a whole lot of options in the price bracket I'm looking at. Modding seems almost certainly required, but maybe just a pickup or tuner swap.

Options I see

Sire (would pick color with maple fretboard)
* P5 (wide nut?)
* P6
* P8 (nearing limit)

Sadowsky (expensive, but maybe 0 mods?)
* MetroExpress 21 Fret Hybrid PJ5
* MetroExpress 20 Fret Ultra Vintage P

Harley Benton (tariffs, poplar body not my favorite)
* PJ5 SBK
* MV-5PJ
* MP5-MN
* PJ-75

Ibanez
* Talman 5

Yamaha (Maybe... Is the P pickup in the right spot? Also, rosewood fretboard)
* 235
* 435
* 735

Ones I ruled out just because I don't vibe with them
* Schecter Stiletto

What do you think is the most efficient path to this tone (time and money wise) given the $1,000ish budget and willingness to do a few mods?
 
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#4
Hmm... interesting. That would be super convenient.

He's got some P-Bass comparison videos, and in every one the other P's don't nail the tone the same as that particular one. I assumed that meant it had something going on. I'm not yet good at identifying stuff like "low mid bump" or "high mid scoop" or whatever. I just know that with that particular bass it's spot on for me. If it were "any old P", then I would expect those others to also feel spot on, but they do not.

But... maybe it's any old P plus EQ to match whatever difference there is between mine and his.
 
#12
Swamp_Ronin said:
Always chase notes, technique, artistry, and music first. The tone will subordinate itself to these things automatically.

Chasing tone first is a consumeristic perversion, and an empty quest. I’ve never once found someone who reached the end of a “toAn journey” and was happy.
Click to expand...
For sure! I'm taking lessons and practicing diligently. Did not mean to imply that buying anything will improve my bass playing.

I'm frustrated with my current 5 string bass and looking to replace it now that I know more about what I want in terms of playing feel. Since I'm doing that anyways, it seems like as good a time to any to figure out what, if anything in a bass would help me get on that road.

Sounds like the answer is just P Bass, Rounds, and more skill.

I'm not by any means expecting this to just "get me there". I know I still need more years of practice and learning.
 
#13
Seconding people who say, yeah, it's a P bass. And tone is in the fingers more than anywhere else.

That said, I find different P basses, to me, sound and feel very different. And when I hear a P bass that I think sounds great, in a video or something like this one, and then get a chance to try it out in the shop—it always ends up sounding different, and I'm disappointed. When I get to try them out, I always end up really liking a bass that I would not have expected. Sometimes even two basses of the exact same model can sound and feel different.

If it is practical for you, go to shops, and try out as many different P basses as you can get your hands on. Focus on that tone that you are hearing from Obrad, and that you are hearing in your head, but do not pay any attention to Obrad's specific equipment (other than it being a P bass). Pick the bass that feels right for YOU, and which feels like it lets YOU get the tone you are chasing.

And I would add, do not expect that you need to spend $$$, especially for a passive P. I have some fancy-ish P basses, but some of my favorite tones (along somewhat the same lines you are looking for) come from my $200 Cort, and my $100 Epiphone.
 
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#16
_Obra_ said:
Hey,
I was very surprised when I saw this thread...someone is talking about ''my tone'' :)!

Completely unexpected, interesting and flattering!

If I can be of any help, I'm here to tell you everything you're interested in 👍.
Click to expand...
Well hello!

So, from the discussions here, it sounds like just getting a P Bass will be the only gear part of this, which is great because those are plentiful (less so in 5s, but 🤷), cheap, and simple. I want a different five anyways, so now is a good time.

My main question for you is: compared to the other Ps you record with, what if anything do you notice is different about that postmodern?

People are saying it “just sounds like a P”. And, that _particular_ bass sounds just so good to me in all recordings. I don’t intend to actually buy a Custom Shop bass, just wondering if there’s anything that stands out to you.

I could imagine it being anything from something about the setup to pickup response to “I feel more inspired playing it”. Whatever you notice about it would help me as I try out different options.

There’s a dearth of five strings Ps in general and especially in stores near me; I’ll hit up everywhere I can in the twin cities. And, I may have to audition some via good online return policies 😁. Any and all tips you have that might accelerate or ease my search would be greatly appreciated!
 
#17
Often the difference in a couple P basses tonally is less about the bass and more about the player.

If one bass “feels” better and more inspiring to a player, that’s going to come out in the tone. You’ll hear it. The comfort and confidence will subtly affect the players attack and technique. So even though two basses can “seem” identical, one might sound better because of the player.
And those same two basses, the OTHER bass may sound better in a different players hands, for the exact same reason… they may be more comfortable with and confident in the other bass.

I guess my point is that the most important thing in “tone” is the player. As you build confidence and really get comfortable with your chosen instrument, that will result of better tone.
 
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#18
finn_the_human said:
Well hello!

So, from the discussions here, it sounds like just getting a P Bass will be the only gear part of this, which is great because those are plentiful (less so in 5s, but 🤷), cheap, and simple. I want a different five anyways, so now is a good time.

My main question for you is: compared to the other Ps you record with, what if anything do you notice is different about that postmodern?

People are saying it “just sounds like a P”. And, that _particular_ bass sounds just so good to me in all recordings. I don’t intend to actually buy a Custom Shop bass, just wondering if there’s anything that stands out to you.

I could imagine it being anything from something about the setup to pickup response to “I feel more inspired playing it”. Whatever you notice about it would help me as I try out different options.

There’s a dearth of five strings Ps in general and especially in stores near me; I’ll hit up everywhere I can in the twin cities. And, I may have to audition some via good online return policies 😁. Any and all tips you have that might accelerate or ease my search would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Hello to You to, I would be happy to answer your questions 🙂

In recent years I have tested and recorded a large number of P basses for the needs of my YT channel, but primarily I was interested in what makes them different, when at first glance they are all the same.

I can't answer any better than what @Dark Horse wrote in the post before mine - If the bass feels good and inspires you to play, it will be reflected in the tone. That's exactly what happened to me with the Postmodern P bass I have. I bought it based on the specifications I read, without trying it first, like many basses before, but with this one I hit exactly where I wanted.
I like the narrow (38mm nut) neck like on the Jazz Bass, and I like the quarter-sawn wood for the neck. I also like the RDS bridge with the possibility of strings both through the bridge and through the body, but I don't think any of that affects the sound nearly as much as the pickup.

While the previous Postmodern basses had a Custom Shop 62 pickup, this one has a Custom Shop 57 installed at the factory for some reason. Watch the video where Boby Vega talks about this pickup, but in short, it has raised pole pieces below the A string. That gives A string a different, saturated sound if the pickup is leveled normally. I lowered the part of the pickup where the pole pieces under the A string are raised, so that it wouldn't give too much of a saturated sound, and that's it.

That being said, I also don't think the pickup is crucial for why that bass sounds good. Even with some other pickups (and I like Fender's CS62 the most), that P bass just fits me well and I enjoy playing it.
Every day, anywhere, even in front of thousands of spectators, I would play any Fender P bass as long as it was well-set up to suit me, and most importantly, to look cool to me (CS62 pickup would be just a great addition to the picture).
Also, good strings usually mean more than an expensive pickup (not to mention the speaker, amp...)

All in all, if you like that sound get any P bass, put good strings that feel nice under your fingers and good to your ear, and play.
If you spend a lot more money on a bass, chances are you'll get a better feel and a slightly better sound (but no promises).

I'll be here if you need anything else...:thumbsup:
 
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#20
One thing I would clarify about my response: the OP is saying there seems to be something magical, a little extra sauce, when Obrad plays the Postmodern P. Something magical about that bass.

Some posters are saying, there is nothing magical about a particular bass. Can get the tone with EQ, strings, pickup, etc.

I agree with the OP, there definitely IS something magical about certain basses. Something that you can't boil down to just EQ, strings, or pickups. That has 100% been my experience.

BUT, also in my experience, what is magical for someone else won't be magical for you, probably. Part of the magic is how that bass fits with your rig, your practice room and recording setup, and most importantly, your playing style.

Magic is real! And, it is totally individual. If you were able to pick up Obrad's Postmodern P, (or Geddy Lee's #1, or Billy Sheehan's Wife, or whatever), you would still sound like regular you: there would be nothing special, no miracles. BUT, there is a different bass out there that will be YOUR #1, that has a little extra sauce and magic when YOU play it.
 
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