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Does everyone NEED a P bass?
- Thread starter Holy War
- Start date
I think it's whatever works for you. I prefer a bass with two pickups. I've had a few P basses, but ended up selling them for the lack of a bridge pickup. James Jamerson sure killed it on a P though. Your bass is part of your sound, a big part. Find the one that fits your own bass personality.
For me they work.. One of the three is equipped with a humbucker in the bridge position and I do love my fretless Jazz...
I own a P-bass copy, but I'm ripping out the P pickup and replacing it with a Ric high gain. So I soon won't really own a P-bass.
I don't regard it as necessary in the slightest.
I don't regard it as necessary in the slightest.
No. I sold my last P-bass over 10 years ago. The closest thing I have is this, which I've had for a couple months, but didn't exist until this very moment.
I think they should put to death every bassist that doesn't have a p bass... and then give ME their basses 
lowtide
Commercial User
...or a J. i have 3 of them (Deluxe, '77, MIJ fretless)
but yeh, definitely get (or keep) the P
suppose theres one in every crowd. thanks captain obvious but the 2 topics are different from one another
Agree that they are popular basses, particularly here @TB, but I'm buying a Mexie P just to have a fender in the stable. How stupid is that?
-richard
Need? Well, of course not. Are they a worth considering? Well, sure!
It seems like your Stingrays probably sound pretty similar, maybe sell one and replace it with a Precision? I have both a Precision and a Stingray and they complement each other well enough that, between the two of them, I can cover any tone I need (doesn't mean they can cover absolutely ANYTHING, just that they cover my needs).
Oh, and they both sound fantastic.
It seems like your Stingrays probably sound pretty similar, maybe sell one and replace it with a Precision? I have both a Precision and a Stingray and they complement each other well enough that, between the two of them, I can cover any tone I need (doesn't mean they can cover absolutely ANYTHING, just that they cover my needs).
Oh, and they both sound fantastic.
You mean a real P-bass - the original single-coil version like this one?
Heck yeah!!!
Just kidding... I'm having a blast with the '51 reissue but they're probably not for everyone.
I would never say everyone *needs* anything, other than what they're comfortable & happy with. For every great recording that was made with a P-bass, I could probably name one or more that was made with something else.
Having said that, I must confess my '78 (the split-coil most people are thinking of when they say P-bass) has been a mainstay.
My advice: Since you
1. Like the Ps sound, but dislike its feel and
2. Dislike (Or at least don't find practical) the Js sound, and like its feel
Try putting a J neck on your P, see if that makes it more useful to you.
1. Like the Ps sound, but dislike its feel and
2. Dislike (Or at least don't find practical) the Js sound, and like its feel
Try putting a J neck on your P, see if that makes it more useful to you.
I personally love P basses. But if the sound's not for you, then trade it or sell it. It shouldn't just be lying around.
i've tried numerous newer P basses and they don't quite do it for me. i've been fortunate enough to play some older ones that knocked me out. some of the higher end boutique P type basses sound good too. but the newer P basses as soon as i need to dig in, they let me down and get lost in the mix. most have had dead spots. I tried G&Ls passive P bass and didn't have the umph. for me, i like what the active electronics do. for that reason i like the Stingrays and G&Ls. there are some other companies, Yamaha, Warwick and even Carvin and Peavey that i think cut through the mix better than any newer p bass. there's a reason why most people have to mod their P bass to get it to sound good. Of course there's the folks who'd rather have a Fender and Ampeg because of the name, regardless how it sounds. cuz that's what they're 'suppose' to play. There was a time when everyone thought if you were going to play Metallica it would have to be w a pick on a 4 string. maybe you'll find something that will work and start a new direction. let's us know what you decide and why.
