Everyone wants a P Bass!

[SMASH]

I've been wanting a P bass just to play some songs with that classic mid-range thump. 6-string basses don't offer much in the way of old-school mud, and I really miss that from the P-bass I traded. Now, if someone offered a stock 6-string P-bass, there's something I would sell my soul, my car, and part of my finger for...

Any bass with a humbucker at the neck position and a passive setting with a passive tone rolloff should get you there. I've done Queen covers with my LEJ 6'er set that way and it sounds right.

A typical J in series and played thumpy closer to the neck, maybe with some tone rolled off, can get pretty close too, especially once you factor the mix. Like a P pickup, 2 J pickups in series is a humbucker so the focus is on the punchy mids with some highs and lows cut off which, like the P bass, most people hear as a bigger low end even though it isn't.

I loved the fretless P bass I had, but never got into the fretted P basses.

 

[MIJ-VI]

*Does a bad Dean Martin impression* 'Ev-rybody wants a P-Bass sometimes...

 

[Tommygunn]

I agree, very Jazzy sound by the bridge.

Dan, I will have an Atkinson bass one day. Just letting you know.

I will hopefully by this summer!




Anyways Dan... time for my favorite song! P can do anything jazz can do better, p can make you a better player too! LOL I edited it a little bit

 

[Tommygunn]

For me, I wasn't crazy about the P until I tried one with LaBella flats. That was the secret. Flats just really compliment the P pickup. Like peanut butter and jelly. Within a band context, or a mix, it just sits perfectly. It does what a bass is supposed to do. It does not try to be a giant guitar.

I'd say the Roto swing 66 strings more than flats

^Mr. King of giant (anti-fail/attitude) guitar and the rest of the community aspires to do the same and we're proud!

 

[stiles72]

I have tried and tried and tried to like the P bass. I really want to like them but when it comes time to play it just doesn't do it for me. But they look great on the stand. I might buy one just to say I own one.

I pretty much play Gibson Thunderbirds these days, but I bought my P because because I almost felt "obliged" to owning one. For me, the P is like the grand daddy of electric bass. A P style bass was the first bass I ever picked up, it's what I learned on, and when I go into a music store, I always look for a P if I'm going to try out an amp or a pedal or whatever just because the P is such a "standard". I've been getting into oldies and motown over the last few years, and so I set mine up with flats and the ash try and pup cover, and I run it through a B15 at home. I do bring it to live shows when I gig with the oldies band, but often it just sits pretty in the stand while I play the T-bird. Even though it has flats and does sound deeper than a Jazz, it still isn't as dark and low as my Gibson.

 

[Kwesi]

How did you have your amp EQ set?

It was probably something along the line of bass, low mid, and high mid controls at 2 o'clock and treble set flat. I just don't think I'm a P bass kinda guy. Sometimes they sound good when other people play them (Pino ) but the P bass sound probably just isn't for me.

 

[Valerus]

Yeah, it'll fizzle out in another 52 years or so...

hahah, but if so, what will replace it!

 

[LowBSix]

I'm in search of a P5 with the "right stuff"!!!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Were I in a motown review band (as I was years ago), I'd get a 2nd hand p-bass ('70s sunburst, anodized gold pick-guard, maple fretboard) and put flats on it - just like I did years ago. This time I might get a J neck for it (I am used to the J spacing and like it). Otherwise, I have no use for a P-bass.

 

[selowitch]

I suppose I must either have small hands/fingers or just a not much stretch/reach, but I find that it's much easier to play in 1st position on a Jazz Bass than on a Precision. On the other hand, I usually prefer the tone of a Precision, though not always. A P is also easier for slapping IMO, not that I do much of that nor am I particularly good at it.

 

[jazzbass_5]

Just bought a p bass.... Wish I did long before this.

 

[mongo2]

I tried an MIM '57 P Relic today. It had the widest, chunkiest neck I've ever played on a 4 string.

 

[Nashrakh]

There was never any other bass besides the P for me. Own 2.

 

[J-Building]

Any bass with a humbucker at the neck position and a passive setting with a passive tone rolloff should get you there. I've done Queen covers with my LEJ 6'er set that way and it sounds right.

A typical J in series and played thumpy closer to the neck, maybe with some tone rolled off, can get pretty close too, especially once you factor the mix. Like a P pickup, 2 J pickups in series is a humbucker so the focus is on the punchy mids with some highs and lows cut off which, like the P bass, most people hear as a bigger low end even though it isn't.

I loved the fretless P bass I had, but never got into the fretted P basses.

Sounds like a very interesting idea. I'm definitely going to try it sometime But there's just something about playing right at that P pickup, and a thumbrest or ramp just doesn't cut it for me.

 

[king_biscuit]

I tried an MIM '57 P Relic today. It had the widest, chunkiest neck I've ever played on a 4 string.

I don't know what you are used to, but the Roadworn P necks a not that chunky and are very comfortable. I wish you could try my 74 P, now that's a chunky neck!

 

[xhawk5]

I don't get it. Had P's back when I started playing, but felt like J's and soapbars were like graduating high school and getting into college. I play J basses and Warwick now. Once I find a good neck, I'll finish my PJ. That's about as close as I'll get to a P. I always felt limited in tonal options. But what the hell do I know!
Cool thread. Interesting answers here.

 

[mongo2]

I don't know what you are used to, but the Roadworn P necks a not that chunky and are very comfortable. I wish you could try my 74 P, now that's a chunky neck!

I didn't just make that up. I'm well acquainted with '60s and '70s Fender P necks and I've played a few from the '50s and also slim J necks, and Peavey T-40s with it's wide but not so chunky neck, as well as bunch of other manufacturers.

I've tried several MIM Roadworn/Relic Ps in recent months and the one I tried yesterday has, by far, the widest and chunkiest neck I've ever played on a 4 string. I realize it may be an oddball since the other RW Ps I tried didn't have as much wide/chunk, but it was huge. I'm thinking I may buy it after the holidays.

 

[Surly]

I wish I had P-basses in assorted colors. One with flats and the rest with pure nickel rounds.

 

[chiplexic]

For me, I wasn't crazy about the P until I tried one with LaBella flats. That was the secret. Flats just really compliment the P pickup. Like peanut butter and jelly. Within a band context, or a mix, it just sits perfectly. It does what a bass is supposed to do. It does not try to be a giant guitar.

Yes, same here. As much as I liked the P's with agressive tone and round wounds, I wasn't sure I wanted that over the top snarl in every song of the set. Then I played a Pino Sign CS bass at GC and I couldn't put it down. The pickups,the neck, the TI flats. What a pleasure! Tighted up and focused that blury,flubby open E. What a beautiful, music thud it made. Whole new experience.

 

[marchone]

How do new Precision basses compare with '60s models? Sound, construction?