Getting more 'attack' from a P-Bass

[commonplayer]

I'm primarily a P-bass player, and I love the idea of keeping things simple - one bass, two knobs. But a few recent studio experiences have me wondering if I need to augment my situation in some way. I'm also not a studio guy, just showed up to record some tracks for a friend, so I'm not expert in how it all goes.

In the past year, I recorded two separate tracks with an American Standard P-bass. Both times, the producer (same one each time) remarked that I wasn't getting enough 'attack' from the bass to situate it properly in the mix. Even after opening up the tone fully, it still wasn't quite enough for one of the tracks - I ended up using a pick super close to the bridge just to get a little more bite. The track sounds ok, but not nearly as meaty as it should've been. (I should note that I was using GHS pressurewounds on this particular bass).

My question is, (without of course knowing if the pickups were faulty) should I look into adding some sort of overdrive, or a preamp to my setup? Right now I just go PBass into amp (or DI in the studio), no effects. I've always loved the P tone, but if it's going to be my workhorse, what could I do to maybe add a little more presence to it? FWIW, I typically play rock in the style of bands like Wilco, MMJ, Dr Dog, etc. But I also take on some Motown/Soul stuff from time to time.

 

[CoarseBass]

Pressurewounds are the first thing to go, in my opinion. A P Bass should be able to bite and chime pretty effectively with bright round wounds on there. If you need more, a lot of classic 'bright' or sharper attacking rock tones are as simple as a PBass with treble boosted along the way...that'll get you into a surprisingly gritty tone, without needing OD.

But that said, OD is the most fun effect, why not try it?

 

[bolophonic]

Brand new Pressurewounds have plenty of punch. Old ones, not as much.

 

[MarkoYYZ]

Attack is usually a word that describes your technique and not something that gets adjusted in the tone. More attack = digging in harder and getting more volume out of the strings, which also opens up other tonal characteristics. This might include a little more fret noise, but also the strings themselves will give you a different response. The increase in string travel will also react differently with the magnetism of the pickups which can further color the tone.

Were you maybe trying to play too clean, being in the studio, or is your playing style a little on the lighter/smoother side?
.

 

[Nedmundo]

Depending on the year and model, it could be the pickup. IMO, some stock Fender pickups, like the one I had in a 2004 Am. Series, do indeed have a soft attack (especially in the lows) that doesn't always record well. That pickup came alive to some extent with D'Addario Chromes, but the bass really came alive when I finally got a Lindy Fralin pickup. It was fantastic all around, and recorded extremely well.

Maybe a preamp could help in your case, or something like an Aphex Bass Xciter that could add punch and "sparkle."

 

[commonplayer]

Pressurewounds are the first thing to go, in my opinion. A P Bass should be able to bite and chime pretty effectively with bright round wounds on there. If you need more, a lot of classic 'bright' or sharper attacking rock tones are as simple as a PBass with treble boosted along the way...that'll get you into a surprisingly gritty tone, without needing OD.

But that said, OD is the most fun effect, why not try it?

Dumb question, but would this apply to Chromes as well? My other P is strung with these. Haven't had a chance to record with it but sounds great otherwise.

 

[commonplayer]

Were you maybe trying to play too clean, being in the studio, or is your playing style a little on the lighter/smoother side?
.

Possibly? I do play with a little more finesse, but I dug in hard with a pick for one tune and it still sounded a little weak.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Attack is usually a word that describes your technique and not something that gets adjusted in the tone. More attack = digging in harder and getting more volume out of the strings, which also opens up other tonal characteristics. This might include a little more fret noise, but also the strings themselves will give you a different response. The increase in string travel will also react differently with the magnetism of the pickups which can further color the tone.

Were you maybe trying to play too clean, being in the studio, or is your playing style a little on the lighter/smoother side?
.

^ This + 1
You need to dig in. If you get fret rattle, then your action is too low. Gadgets wont do it. It is technique. Carol Kaye always used flats and a thick pick.

 

[Groove Doctor]

How high are the pickups? Getting them closer to the strings could make all the difference.

+1 to Try the P bass with Chromes next time.

 

[Grumry]

Aside from strings, a little bit of fuzz/od can go a long way to help the bass pop out in a mix. I'm not talking chain saw distortion, just a little extra harmonic content.

 

[chilliwilli]

Just use a more typical round wound and adjust your right hand technique accordingly.

 

[lug]

Buy a set of D'Addario Pro Steels. If you have any problems with "attack" after that, you have a problem with the bass.

 

[chris_b]

This is why most pro's will turn up to a session with 2 P basses, flats and rounds, a Jazz and several other basses.

Your bass probably sounds just fine. Don't change it. Buy another bass that does that job.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

I find that on my P style basses (not Fenders) that i have more attack and better dynamics by boosting the volume and playing with a lighter touch. I fought this at first but it works for me.

 

[Mechanical]

What others have said: new strings and raise the action (if you haven't already) of the bass so that you have to articulate the notes more.

 

[wvbass]

First thread EVER about a P bass not working in the studio.

My suggestion is a different producer.

 

[Ric5]

I'm primarily a P-bass player, and I love the idea of keeping things simple - one bass, two knobs. But a few recent studio experiences have me wondering if I need to augment my situation in some way. I'm also not a studio guy, just showed up to record some tracks for a friend, so I'm not expert in how it all goes.

In the past year, I recorded two separate tracks with an American Standard P-bass. Both times, the producer (same one each time) remarked that I wasn't getting enough 'attack' from the bass to situate it properly in the mix. Even after opening up the tone fully, it still wasn't quite enough for one of the tracks - I ended up using a pick super close to the bridge just to get a little more bite. The track sounds ok, but not nearly as meaty as it should've been. (I should note that I was using GHS pressurewounds on this particular bass).

My question is, (without of course knowing if the pickups were faulty) should I look into adding some sort of overdrive, or a preamp to my setup? Right now I just go PBass into amp (or DI in the studio), no effects. I've always loved the P tone, but if it's going to be my workhorse, what could I do to maybe add a little more presence to it? FWIW, I typically play rock in the style of bands like Wilco, MMJ, Dr Dog, etc. But I also take on some Motown/Soul stuff from time to time.

You need this kind of p-bass

 

[buldog5151bass]

You say that when you used a pick close to the bridge, the sound was better. Likely all you need are fresh strings, and learn to pluck the strings with more authority. One thing about recording - there is no where to hide.

 

[monkeyfinger]

For me, attack is mostly about dynamics. A strong attack has a very large volume spike right after striking the string, (1-2 ms). IMO, the best way to achieve this is using high output amp with lots of headroom and a light technique. I think many players depend on heavy right-hand technique to create attack. But that has an affect similar to heavy compression. The heavier the right-hand, the longer the finger stays on the string. That mutes the initial spike. IMO, this is why picked basses have a very strong attack and a brighter tone. The pick strikes the string quickly and does not stay on the string for very long. Plus the pick has less mass to dampen the string than a finger. If you want great attack, take a lesson from classical guitarists and use a light touch with minimal string contact. In our case, you need to match that up to a very powerful amp with lots of headroom so that the dynamics translate through the amp and speaker system.

 

[Bassquest]

Get a new producer, there's nothing wrong with your bass. If he's any good he should be able to take the signal and do whatever he needs with it.