Does everyone NEED a P bass?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Holy War, Jul 21, 2009.

  1. Holy War

    Holy War

    Sep 18, 2008
    VA Beach
    im on my 2nd P at the moment which happens to be a 2008 model. its a great bass...but im just not sure that its for me. i havent owned it that long and am starting to wonder if I should keep it or not. Part of me wants to keep it for the fact of just having that classic sound around, and part of me wants to sell\trade it for something I would use more. What do you guys think? To put things into perspective I own 2 stingrays and the P and am in a hard rock band at the moment
     
  2. LCW

    LCW Inactive

    Mar 2, 2009
    OREGON!
    Nah you dont need a p bass. To be honest its all i own and i am getting tired of it and need a change. Stingray thats whats in my future
     
  3. SpamBot

    SpamBot

    Dec 25, 2008
    St. Paul, MN
    Depends on the band(s) you're in, IMO. Many genres need you to be able to pull out the P every once in a while. Hard rock is not one of those, especially since you have the Stingray which is also a classic.
     
  4. I would buy a cheaper p bass (squier or SX) to keep around. I think everybody should have one but if it's something you're not going to use alot, then have something cheaper that works so you don't feel so bad for laying down alot of cash for something you rarely use.
     
  5. yes
     
  6. No,just a bass with P pickups.
     
  7. How much money have you got? Would you regret selling it? Are you keeping it right now simply because you can, or because you think you might actually use it some day?

    The P-Bass sound can be nailed by other instruments now, to most ears closely enough anyway. How easily do you think most listeners could distinguish between say even a P-bass and a Stingray for example? Not many out with bassists and some other musical circles. My girlfriend can't consistently tell the difference in sound between my 1978 Fender and my SX.. hell at first i thought she was just deaf, but then this was backed up by most of my family.
     
  8. Holy War

    Holy War

    Sep 18, 2008
    VA Beach
    ya I just have no idea what I would want replace it with...
     
  9. purfektstranger

    purfektstranger

    Apr 10, 2003
    Canada
    Irrespective of what kind of bass it is...you have to ask yourself whether or not you will kick yourself in the a$$ after you sell it.
    If so then I say keep it if you can afford to. If not then ditch it and get something you will use. Life really is too short....
     
  10. octaverazor

    octaverazor

    Jun 3, 2009
    Houma, LA
    Sell it and get a corvette $$.
     
  11. I'm currently expecting a new P-Bass to arrive at my door in 2 days, If you have money you should keep it. Depending on the kind of music you do (rock), you can always use it in other genre of music like motown or whatever.

    Every bassist should have on in his arsenal if he can afford it. I owned one in the past but traded it and I regretted it
     
  12. stflbn

    stflbn

    May 10, 2007
    Nashville
    I never thought so, but then while waiting on my custom 5-string '51 TeleP that Rod at Regenerate Guitar Works is building for me I decided to buy and tweak an SX P-bass.

    I've 'really' grown to like it, love it, and enjoy the hell out of playing and what's it's sound brings to specific genre's.

    So I'd say 'yes' if possible every player should have one. You can fake through the sound, but the real true tone and vibe is not fake-able.


    .
     
  13. bass_snake

    bass_snake Inactive

    Aug 13, 2008
    Stouffville, Ontario
    Keep it. You might need it someday. Maybe sell one of your Stingrays??

    Fred
     
  14. +1 on a couple of the comments above. I think you need a bass that can replicate the pbass tone. Plenty of non-pbass designs can nowadays. Some do it very well. The Ibanez ATK does a great Pbass and also a pretty good Musicman for not too many dollars.

    I currently play two LEJs (Lowend Jazz basses) for all projects. Both are jazz style basses but they can cover all sorts of growly and dubby pbass sounds.
     
  15. Pickebass

    Pickebass Supporting Member

    Jul 12, 2004
    San Antonio, TX
    You need a Pbass... don't ask the question again!!!... Just joking... It is one of those sounds that you need on a regular basis. I have found that the Stingray can get you pretty close if you have to have one bass
     
  16. I dont have one. Wouldn't mind one, I have always liked em, but I dont need one. I am considering ditching my only Jazz at the moment too, and I profess to be a die hard Fender (and high end copies) guy.
     
  17. ^ this.
     
  18. I have a few..

    Honestly there are better values in the copies..

    That being said ..... IF you do session work, it is kind of the first bass to pull out until they get over the name plate.

    I only play my Pbasses for new sound guys OR when meeting new people..

    When its my choice I'm actually playing a $60 PBass copy (no not an SX) with tapewounds... feels better and sounds better than my $$$$$$$ Pbasses.
     
  19. Overflow

    Overflow

    May 13, 2009
    Absolutely.
     
  20. Holy War

    Holy War

    Sep 18, 2008
    VA Beach
    my problem with most Fenders is that the jazz doesnt cut it in my bands mix...and the playability of the P does not fit my ergonomics per say...and im 5'11'' 175. the EBMM style basses just fit me like a glove but i do love that P sound