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Help with deciding on a home studio bass.

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Dudemanbro23, Aug 30, 2020.

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  1. Aug 30, 2020 #1
    Dudemanbro23

    Dudemanbro23

    Aug 30, 2020
    Hi everyone, I appreciate your help. I’ve been recording songs for about 17 years off and on as a hobby/obsession. I’m only now upgrading my bass because I’m starting to make songs that I’m really excited about with other musicians. I was using a Bentley? (Cursive b on headstock) p-bass I got for $20 at a garage sale. After seeing some Sean Hurley interviews and a general consensus that P-bass fits well in a mix, I’m very heavily leaning towards a Fender American Professional Precision. I would possibly swap out the V mod pups for the Fender 63 or SPB1.

    But a few have suggested to me that a P/J would be better since I’m only getting one bass. I’m looking at the Fender Aerodyne or the Deluxe precision. I think I would have to do some shielding and change the jazz pickups to avoid hum. It looks like the ultra would record better and maybe get closer to being able to isolate the P sound, but it’s a little too pricey.

    I will be making rock, alternative, punkish, indie-rock type stuff. I’ve tried out the basses at GC and was leaning towards the professional, but I think I may need more time with them. Part of me keeps thinking back to the Hurley interview and how P bass was always asked for in the studios.

    I appreciate your time. Thank you
     
  2. Aug 30, 2020 #2
    Reedt2000

    Reedt2000 Supporting Member

    Apr 26, 2017
    Central New Jersey
    A straight up P bass will be just fine. Doesn't really matter so much which model, just play a bunch until one speaks to you.
     
    TolerancEJ, Planespotter, ajschnitzelbank and 15 others like this.
  3. Aug 30, 2020 #3
    Guild B301

    Guild B301

    Feb 9, 2020
    Austin, Texas
    For studio work, you should first consider a bass that has extremely quiet controls, and doesn’t have any errant noises or pops & clicks. One that is shielded properly. Secondly choose one that is easy to fix with easy to find parts. Then, choose whichever sound you like best, and is easy for you to play.
    Those things will save you all kinds of headaches and trouble when recording.
    And yes, people still take you more seriously if they see you play a Precision.
     
    sonojono, Pdaddy1978, Huw Phillips and 2 others like this.
  4. Aug 30, 2020 #4
    4stringfarley

    4stringfarley

    Nov 4, 2015
    Cajun Country
    As a studio bass since you're looking at swapping pickups, snag a MiM P bass off the used market. Even putting in Fender Custom shop pickups you'll spend less than an American made bass that's being played less than 3 times a week at a live gig.
     
    bmusic, HardNHeavy and Reedt2000 like this.
  5. Aug 30, 2020 #5
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    What's wrong with the Bentley?
     
    bassbrad, ajschnitzelbank, dxb and 7 others like this.
  6. Aug 30, 2020 #6
    JonasBro

    JonasBro

    Oct 23, 2015
    Fellow home studio producer here - my main/only bass is a MIM Standard P Bass equipped with Aguilar AG 4P-60 pickups. They are extremely versatile - I've recorded bass parts for pop rock, pop punk, R&B and funk songs with this bass. I've used jazz basses in studio settings as well (my friend's American Deluxe Jazz), and I find them to work great as well, but the P bass is still my #1.
     
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  7. Aug 30, 2020 #7
    Lesfunk

    Lesfunk Bootlegger guitars : S.I.T. Strings Supporting Member

    Apr 5, 2007
    Florida USA
    It’s probably tired and sore from having Sherman Helmsley walking on its back...
     
    sonojono, 31HZ, FugaziBomb and 6 others like this.
  8. Aug 30, 2020 #8
    Bass V

    Bass V

    Dec 11, 2008
    Honolulu, Hawaii
  9. Aug 30, 2020 #9
    MMiller28

    MMiller28 Supporting Member

    Apr 27, 2003
    Wisconsin
    Used American Standard P.
     
    Rezdog likes this.
  10. Aug 30, 2020 #10
    Rezdog

    Rezdog Gold Supporting Member

    Feb 17, 2004
    T.Rez, Canada/Motown
    Greetings from the North,

    Unless you require bass sounds that a Fender Precision Bass can not acquire by all means get a P bass. Ideally the electronics should be free of unwanted sounds when being adjusted. Of course it should be properly set up. Engineers and Producers favour them for their sound and dependability.

    Rezdog
     
    Dudemanbro23 likes this.
  11. Aug 30, 2020 #11
    roller

    roller Supporting Member

    Mar 30, 2014
    If it ain't broke...

     
    lfmn16, FugaziBomb, Dudemanbro23 and 1 other person like this.
  12. Aug 30, 2020 #12
    bassfreakah

    bassfreakah Supporting Member

    Mar 26, 2011
    Endorsing Artist Ernie ball strings
    Good passive P BASS!!!
     
    Pdaddy1978, Huw Phillips, Rezdog and 1 other person like this.
  13. Aug 30, 2020 #13
    Dudemanbro23

    Dudemanbro23

    Aug 30, 2020
    Thank you, that is a good option. I thought I saw one last time I was in the shop, so hopefully I can try it out.

    Woah, the Thunderbird wasn’t even on my radar, but I am a bit green in the world of bass options. I’ll have to try this one too. Have you recorded with it?


    This one looks like it’s got good reviews. I hope the one I saw is still in the shop for me to try.

    I actually enjoyed the d and g string tone of this bass but the low end is lacking. Plus it feels strange when collaborating and everyone is using good equipment
     
    Bass V likes this.
  14. Aug 30, 2020 #14
    JeezyMcNuggles

    JeezyMcNuggles Supporting Member

    Feb 23, 2018
    Santa Maria, CA
    I suck, but nobody really notices
    Aerodyne Jazz would be great.
     
  15. Aug 30, 2020 #15
    JeezyMcNuggles

    JeezyMcNuggles Supporting Member

    Feb 23, 2018
    Santa Maria, CA
    I suck, but nobody really notices
    In fact, for the price (it might even come out to less) you can get the aerodyne and a player series J. Or, just a player P and a player J. Why not?
     
    Dudemanbro23 likes this.
  16. Aug 30, 2020 #16
    Bass V

    Bass V

    Dec 11, 2008
    Honolulu, Hawaii
    not yet, but cos the PUs are so quiet yet beefy in tones I can't wait to hear how it works on recordings. be aware tho, you'll get clarity but little top end, this is all about lows and mids, if you like tone over highs this may do it for you. plus, it sounds so good all the way up the neck that you want more neck! but it's a 'Bird, and made especially for hard rockers.
     
    Dudemanbro23 likes this.
  17. Aug 31, 2020 #17
    littlebun

    littlebun

    Nov 16, 2004
    Sounds like you're on top of it. Good choice.
     
    Dudemanbro23 likes this.
  18. Aug 31, 2020 #18
    dannylectro

    dannylectro Supporting Member

    Aug 2, 2010
    Hartsdale, NY
    In addition to being a bass player, I run a small production studio in my home. The two basses, out of a dozen or so I own, that get used the most are a ‘75 Precision with Lindys and a recent Hofner 500/2 Club bass; both sound terrific played into a high end pre (BAE 1073DMP). Both sound great going straight into my DAW as well.
     
    Dudemanbro23, 31HZ, Huw Phillips and 1 other person like this.
  19. Aug 31, 2020 #19
    HardNHeavy

    HardNHeavy

    Apr 17, 2014
    PA
    cant go wrong with a P/J, best of both worlds....or just a used or mim P since everyones on that bandwagon already.
     
    Dudemanbro23 likes this.
  20. Aug 31, 2020 #20
    Acoop

    Acoop Supporting Member

    Feb 21, 2012
    Don't shy away from The MM Sterling line, great bang for the buck.
     
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