Do I need a Precision bass?

[Larry Mal]

Now, I know I want one. They're nice basses and all. I'm just wondering if I'd have any real sonic territory that was new if I bought one.

Here's what I have these days, a nice Stingray Classic:

And I know that doesn't sound like a P Bass. I guess I'd want to know if the necks felt a lot different, I've played P Basses and don't remember. I always thought the Stingray had a wide neck at the nut, but I look at specs online and Fender and MusicMan are saying the P Bass is quite a bit thicker there. Is that really right?

But anyway, I also have these nice G&Ls, a JB, so I've got my Jazz Bass covered. But what I wonder is about the L1000. If there's any instrument I have that I think would cover the P Bass action it's this one. And I've had it for 20 years, I love it, it'll be with me when I die.

But what do you think? Would buying a Precision Bass really open any new doors for me, whether sonically, or in terms of playability? Or am I just spending money to be spending money.

 

[BazzTard]

who cares WHY? everybody has to have a P

and everybody needs another bass

ALWAYS

 

[JimmyM]

Lots of bass players have gone their whole lives without a Precision and done fine. I'm not one of them. I love the Precision. You don't NEED one but they are fun to play and sound great, unless they have crap pickups. As for neck width, you can get used to anything.

 

[sambass0124]

Even you don't need a P, you can still get one..... You'll love it

 

[Larry Mal]

Well, that's actually kind of the point... I like to get used to different neck widths. I find I play a little differently on them. So if there was a difference then that would be a plus.

 

[lundborg]

The C width neck typical for the mid '60:s Fenders might be something for you to try out. (There might be a reissue with that size neck, IDK.)

 

[RED J]

In my view, if you want a collection of basses that will cop any bass tone known to man, and that was my particular goal, yes, you need a P bass.

 

[Dave W]

I always thought the Stingray had a wide neck at the nut, but I look at specs online and Fender and MusicMan are saying the P Bass is quite a bit thicker there. Is that really right?

The Stingray's nut width is 1 5/8"

Fender has 3 different nut widths on 4 string basses:

"A" Width: 1 1/2" (typically J bass nut width)
"B" Width: 1 5/8" (most modern P basses. It's the same as your Stingray)
"C" Width: 1 3/4" (Older P basses and models that are meant to look/feel like an old bass)

 

[ciarian]

I have 2 words for you "Steve Harris"

 

[fourstringdrums]

If you've already got the Stingray you'll adjust to the P just fine. Personally I'd get one. You have a lot of bases (pun intended) already covered. For me the P is the only thing missing.

The L-1000 doesn't quite do the P thing like a P does. It has the active MFD's so it's clearer and more aggressive sounding. I'd still get a nice passive P and throw some flats on it.

 

[jthisdell]

You have alot of basses but they are all similar and a P would be nice but not that different (IMHO) from your other three.

I have a '71 P that I have owned for nearly 40 years but recently added an Ibanez AEB and an NS NXT 4 EUB, which I love and use most of the time now. So three basses as you but three very different bassses. If I added a fourth it would be a 5.

 

[Dave W]

The L-1000 doesn't quite do the P thing like a P does. It has the active MFD's so it's clearer and more aggressive sounding.

L1K's are passive.

 

[fourstringdrums]

L1K's are passive.

Oh they are? L2K's are active aren't they? I thought they were the same just minus a pickup and a series/parallel switch only.

Well either way, they're more aggressive than a split pickup P.

 

[iriegnome]

I have 2.. Why would you not have one?? Silly question...

 

[Gorn]

Get a PJ.

 

[mark beem]

No, you don't "need" one, but they're nice to have!

 

[Mystic Michael]

But what do you think? Would buying a Precision Bass really open any new doors for me, whether sonically, or in terms of playability? Or am I just spending money to be spending money.

The bottom line is that nothing sounds quite like a Precision Bass, except a Precision Bass. So none of your existing instruments can entirely substitute for one - depending on how close "close enough" works for you - which of course requires a subjective determination on your part, not one that anyone else can make for you.

So a Precision Bass will definitely sound different from your Stringray, your JB, and your L1000. It will feel different; it will bring its own unique vibe. How different it will sound compared to your current instruments is for you to evaluate. How different it needs to be in order to justify its cost, is also for you to decide.

MM

 

[Pandastylebass]

Short answer: Yes
Long answer: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

 

[WaldoNova]

It's like ice cream. Even if you prefer chocolate every once in a while you want something different. I recently bought a Mike Lull PJ24, awesome bass!!!, and I should have just gotten a P since I only use the P pickups and leave the bridge pickup off. Some songs just have to have the Preision tone, IMO,YMMV and all that.

 

[neo 7]

My MIM P neck feels a wee bit thinner than the neck on my Stingray Classic 4.