Does everyone NEED a P bass?

[Ric5]

I have 2 and I am going to build a 3rd ... all 5 stringers.

 

[ghostjs]

well heck, if no one wants their P, they can give it to a worthy cause (me)
ive been dying to own a higher end Precision (i sold my squier P and i kinda regret it). i own a MIM jazz and im thinking of getting a MIM P or save for a stingray...

 

[AndrewMagrini]

I'll be honest, I own a Pbass and I'm loving it for all its worth. But (IME) it doesn't fit all the music I'm playing. For the ambient-rock band I'm in, I prefer the extended range of my Warwick. For my jazz and folk recording gigs, I'm warming up the NS Design WAV I just got. The Pbass has a perfect home in the singer-songwriter and pop recording gigs I've been in lately.

To better answer your question, I think it really depends on the context in which you use it. It works excellent in a lot of sitations, but there are also some where its just outside the capabilities (IMO and IME). I'm just happy being able to utilize it when its needed.

 

[jmain]

I had a PJ for years, but got my first real P today. I'd have to say yes, for me anyway. But if the ergonomics ain't doing it for you but the tone is, find it in another bass.

Do you have a HH Stingray?

 

[electracoyote]

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

+1

I reached this exact point after about 20 years of making P basses my #1 bass. Now I've got a serious Jazz fetish, and have sold off all my P's except for one.

And I'll never sell that one, just in case someone tells me, "we really NEED the P bass sound."

 

[Holy War]

I had a PJ for years, but got my first real P today. I'd have to say yes, for me anyway. But if the ergonomics ain't doing it for you but the tone is, find it in another bass.

Do you have a HH Stingray?

no two single Hs...on in black with rosewood board and the other in natural ash with a maple board. Both have 3 band EQs

 

[no1likesme]

no

 

[lousybassplayer]

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

I see your point there. Thats kind of why my Jazz is on the block right now (need to fund a new cab, its the only one I don't need for my current body of work). Still if you love the sound it seems worth it to me to overcome weird ergonomics to a point. I am 5 8 and 135 and I am playing a 6 string MTD KZ right now that is abit big and heavy for me, but it is doing what I need it to do and very very well so I am dealing with the size. For now......

 

[Tuppy]

Like anything it depends on your playing style. I own 2 basses with P style Pups (Cort Action 4 & Yamaha BB400 FL) and one with a MM humbucker (Washburn RB2500). The Washburn is the most versatile.

So no, I do not need a P bass (Especcially Fender) anymore then i need a Gibson EB-0 (ew) or Danelectro Longhorn

 

[Holy War]

ya...Ithink I may just stick with the stingrays for now. ive always wanted an SVT-CL so maybe I can trade the P for one of them. Ill have to think about it

 

[UncleBalsamic]

No.

 

[Joe Gress]

I'm going to get rid of my P+J and my Jazz, and keep my p bass.

 

[Roundwound]

Throughout my music "career" I have always come back to the P-bass. If trading up will make those Stingrays sound better in your current gig, then do it. However, expect to buy another P at some point in your career...They always seem to fit the bill again at some point.

 

[lousybassplayer]

FWIW I resolved myself to that fact about he P and my J. God knows when a an AC version of either becomes approachable for me I'm on it like a white on rice in a snowstorm. No sense in worrying, there are guys on here who have been through more basses than I have even seen, so I doubt the buying/selling.trading thing will ever stop.

 

[cassanova]

Does everyone need a P bass? Nope, contrary to popular belief they are not the end all be all bass.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

YES !!!

gotta have em' I have 4 and they all Play, feel and sound a little different.

peace Capt. Kirk

 

[kesslari]

No.

I've played bass since the early 1980's. Done a lot of gigs and enough recordings to speak of.
I've never had a P-bass.

If I were trying to make a living in the studio I'd have one, but I'm not.

 

[flipper_gv]

I guess a good jazz bass is enough to cover P bass territory with a good neck pickup soloed.

 

[calebbarton]

every time i try and buy a p bass i pick one out, pro and con it with other basses, i get all excited and get ready to shell out the cash and then i buy a jazz bass. im not sure why...........it just happens. i dont think i can help myself.....

 

[El Kabong]

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

You could always build a P bass with a Jazz neck