I've just done a session for a stage show. I deliberately used my StingRay because I can actually make it sound pretty close to a Precision Bass using playing technique.
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Every true bassist needs a P-bass
- Thread starter Greenman72
- Start date
Nice way to disparage a large group of the participants here. If you have to disparage that group by name-calling like a 7-year old, then nothing you say will have any relevance to me.
A feeble attempt at trolling, I'm guessing.
Your teacher is biased. Arguably, the P is heard on a lot of recordings and is highly venerated, but a "true" bassist doesn't need to have one in their arsenal. IMO.
Sure, you could try one out just see what the hubbub is, but ain't no thang if it ain't your thang and don't let your teacher get on you about it. I tried P basses at least 4 times in my life and I ended up selling them all. There are a number of other basses that have that sound too. Now if someone is going to pay you to play one, that's a new ballgame. I'm not anti-Fender by any stretch. I just prefer Jazzes. That's my thang!
Sure, you could try one out just see what the hubbub is, but ain't no thang if it ain't your thang and don't let your teacher get on you about it. I tried P basses at least 4 times in my life and I ended up selling them all. There are a number of other basses that have that sound too. Now if someone is going to pay you to play one, that's a new ballgame. I'm not anti-Fender by any stretch. I just prefer Jazzes. That's my thang!
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Uh oh comment police is here!! Maybe if you hadn't gotten knee-jerk offended you would have realized that my comment is actually defending what is commonly thought to be a silly "boomer" perspective among younger people. I'm saying the boomers are right on this one. It's not your job to go around finding things to be offended by and "correcting" people's comments by adding disclaimers to what are very obviously people's opinions.
True!
I've been falsing with a Jazz bass since 1978!
Decent? I'll keep you posted on my progress!
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D
If you're a "single band" player, and especially if it's an originals band... You obviously use the bass that's right for THAT band. If that's not a P-bass then no, you don't need a P-bass.
If you play lots of different stuff and especially if you do professional session work... Yeah, like it or not, I think you're gonna find that you will most likely need a P-bass sooner rather than later.
Of course there are lots of in-between "maybe" scenarios too. Personally I can't imagine NOT owning at least two P-basses. One with rounds and one with flats. That's the minimum requirement for the stuff I do.
As for P vs PJ... Just solo the P-pickup and I doubt anyone would notice the difference in a blind test. I've never actually done such a blind test myself but I'm a total P-bass nut and when I play a PJ with the P-pickup soloed I hear "P-bass". That's close enough for me, even though there is a theoretical difference.
If you play lots of different stuff and especially if you do professional session work... Yeah, like it or not, I think you're gonna find that you will most likely need a P-bass sooner rather than later.
Of course there are lots of in-between "maybe" scenarios too. Personally I can't imagine NOT owning at least two P-basses. One with rounds and one with flats. That's the minimum requirement for the stuff I do.
As for P vs PJ... Just solo the P-pickup and I doubt anyone would notice the difference in a blind test. I've never actually done such a blind test myself but I'm a total P-bass nut and when I play a PJ with the P-pickup soloed I hear "P-bass". That's close enough for me, even though there is a theoretical difference.
I came to the exact same conclusion over time.
I own 3 p basses, one with flats and a sound of the 60's, one with flat with a modern sound, one with rounds with a 70's sound.
I also own 2 jazz basses, one with flats and one with rounds.
This way, I can adapt to almost any type of music and bands.
I was also someone that purposely avoided P's until about 15 years in. I bought a P, didn't play it much and then I had to record some tracks in my home studio. I had a lot of high end basses and as a beginning studio user, the P sounded fantastic with no work versus the others. It was eye opening to me.
I'll still say that I could play all gigs on it and be fine but I like having others for tonal options. I also love how the limited options on the P make me focus more on the song and my technique instead of the instrument. I think you need one in the arsenal but you really must try your best to use a song appropriate bass, whatever that may be.
I'll still say that I could play all gigs on it and be fine but I like having others for tonal options. I also love how the limited options on the P make me focus more on the song and my technique instead of the instrument. I think you need one in the arsenal but you really must try your best to use a song appropriate bass, whatever that may be.
Weird.....I avoided a P-Bass like the plague for years!! Just wasn't my thing. Didn't like the neck at all. A few years ago, I saw an ad on Craigslist for a Brian by Bacchus P-Bass for $200. I went to check it out. Had a slim Jazz like neck on it. I bought it. I love playing the thing now.
My first "real" bass was a Bacchus p bass made in Japan. Its neck is now on one of my Franken bass and one of my best neck ever. Dark rosewood on maple, slim, smooth, rounded edges, perfectly straight and stable.
Bacchus is the best value for money IMO, specifically for their basses made in Japan that equals the quality of the Fender custom shop basses.
"Tradition" is just another form of peer pressure. Play what you want.
A P bass is a bass with a precision pickup in the same place as classic Fender Precisions, right?
Although Fender differentiate by body shape and pickup, the Mark Hoppus had a reversed P pickup and a Jazz body and was called a Jazz bass.
So, imo, a P bass has a Precision pickup regardless of body shape.
If you're looking to get a classic P bass sound, flats or round wounds, other Pickups might come close, some might even be indistinguishable, but easiest just to use a bass with a P pickup. Having said that, 60's wide nut basses might not be as 'fast' as Jazz width necks so that may influence your approach to the lines you play.
Personally I use a Fender P bass with a Jazz neck with labella flats and a Sadowsky Jazz with rounds.
Anyway, the answer is carrots with tort on the side.
Although Fender differentiate by body shape and pickup, the Mark Hoppus had a reversed P pickup and a Jazz body and was called a Jazz bass.
So, imo, a P bass has a Precision pickup regardless of body shape.
If you're looking to get a classic P bass sound, flats or round wounds, other Pickups might come close, some might even be indistinguishable, but easiest just to use a bass with a P pickup. Having said that, 60's wide nut basses might not be as 'fast' as Jazz width necks so that may influence your approach to the lines you play.
Personally I use a Fender P bass with a Jazz neck with labella flats and a Sadowsky Jazz with rounds.
Anyway, the answer is carrots with tort on the side.
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No. Every true bassist needs CARROTS. Carrots, I tell ya man, that's where it's at.
