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Every true bassist needs a P-bass

"Every true bassist needs a P bass."

  • Yes--and it should be the first bass you buy. No substitutes.

    Votes: 39 4.6%

  • Yes, eventually you need a P bass, but it doesn't have to be the first one.

    Votes: 178 20.9%

  • Yes, but you can get a P/J and have virtually the same thing.

    Votes: 69 8.1%

  • No, that's nonsense.

    Votes: 566 66.4%
  • Total voters
    852
#65
Maybe amend the thesis: "Every (hobbyist) bassist (in a classic rock cover band) needs a P-bass"

I'm racking my brain trying to recall if I've ever seen a bassist in a Latin or jazz act play a P. I don't think I have. R&B sometimes, maybe, but far from a requirement. Definitely a rock perspective to think of the P as some kind of standard.
 
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#66
GretschWretch said:
A lot are, but as a class not every gatekeeper is always "invariably wrong." When we are evaluating a bass for possible purchase, are we not acting like gatekeepers?
Click to expand...

To my knowledge, the slang term “gatekeeping” is defined as “when someone takes it upon themselves to decide who has access or rights to a community or identity”.

Those people, as this bass teacher is so aptly demonstrating, are invariably wrong.
 
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#69
loveandbass said:
ive been playing for a long time. Played and owned high end basses, poverty basses, mid grade basses....sometimes, only a P bass will do. It just fits right in there perfectly. Its the hammer in the bass tool box
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I have also been playing for a while. Played a lot of different basses...and never found a P bass to be required. I've owned a few, including one currently, and rarely play it. As I understand it, the music has continued, as have space and time.

I scoff at the notion that a particular bass configuration is "required". Its asinine.
 
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#72
A player should use one that suits him or herself best. I voted "Nonsense".

Get a new teacher and play what you like.



EDIT : Just to clarify, I own a Precision. And it's a "real" Fender P bass. And it's a Sunburst. And it has a tortoise shell pickguard. And it's got flats on it. But that's because I love that kind of P bass. I don't think everyone should.
 
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#73
MDBass said:
To my knowledge, the slang term “gatekeeping” is defined as “when someone takes it upon themselves to decide who has access or rights to a community or identity”.

Those people, as this bass teacher is so aptly demonstrating, are invariably wrong.
Click to expand...

Except that that definition also includes legislators, editors, teachers, librarians, and lots of other professions whose job descriptions entail a certain amount of gatekeeping. Any profession whose mission is to provide access to knowledge or information on a limited budget has to do a certain amount of gatekeeping; it's part of the selection process, and it also has to do with quality control.

But I doubt these people all are always invariably wrong.
 
#74
I play primarily P basses and I have so many questions, starting with, “wtaf is a ‘true’ bassist????”

Seriously, the tribalism and prescriptivism has to end, everybody. If we all played the same thing, the same way, with the same strings, and the same amp… how boring would that be??? Yuck.

I really love bass guitar, and that literally includes all bass guitar. Played poorly, played well, Jazz bass, Stingray, Tbird, Fodera, metal, country, rock, 6-string, 3-string, aluminium neck, rosewood, maple, neck through, 2x4’s, bolt on, active, passive, whatever ya got, gimme.

Tell these people to please stop.

Edit: wait… so Paul McCartney and Jack Bruce haven’t been real bass players?
 
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#75
I'm a firm believer in, if you want to be hired for sessions in a variety of popular music genres, you do need a Pbass, but that's along with at least a couple other options. The P certainly doesn't need to be your particular numero uno or "voice" but for that work it is prudent to have one on hand.

But saying "Every True Bassist...." is just a ridiculous statement.
 
#76
I have two P basses.....been playing for over 30 years, most of that professionally ....Ive never used a P bass to gig and never had a need to for studio/sessionwork.....I recently did an experiment ( and wrote a thread about it) about trying to use my 1980 P bass all night....I used it twice and it didn't make it past the second set: for variety band situations like I often play, it didn't do it for me....but at least I tried and can officially say that in these threads.....I am keeping this bass though and don't plan on selling it
 
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#78
backin82 said:
I have also been playing for a while. Played a lot of different basses...and never found a P bass to be required. I've owned a few, including one currently, and rarely play it. As I understand it, the music has continued, as have space and time.

I scoff at the notion that a particular bass configuration is "required". Its asinine.
Click to expand...
K
 
#79
GretschWretch said:
Except that that definition also includes legislators, editors, teachers, librarians, and lots of other professions whose job descriptions entail a certain amount of gatekeeping. Any profession whose mission is to provide access to knowledge or information on a limited budget has to do a certain amount of gatekeeping; it's part of the selection process, and it also has to do with quality control.

But I doubt these people all are always invariably wrong.
Click to expand...

Evidently you missed the “takes it upon themselves” portion of the definition.

None of the professions you mentioned are self appointed positions.
 
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