How many P Basses do you need?

[iriegnome]

The one I have is more than enough. I don't really even play it any longer. Bought it new in 1999.

 

[andymac]

Looking through the comments, it looks like we're mostly doubling the number to make sure all our bases are covered. Let's see:

1 p bass
2 for rounds and flats
4 so each has fretted and fretless
8 for rosewood and maple
16 for thin and thick necks
32 for modest and exotic finishes
64 for pro use and fiddling/modding/lending
128 for active passive
256 for 4 string and 5 string
512 for standard and alternate tunings

and 513 so you have a backup.

Boom. Science.

It is uncomfortable how close this joke is to my actual decision procedure

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

I take umbridge at the “thinner nut is more playable” idea.
All basses, assuming a decent setup and regardless of nut width, are playable.
The different necks and nut widths can make you choose your notes differently, yes, but one isn’t better than another.
I LOVE my 1.75” nut Pbasses, and i LOATH Jazz width necks. They make my hand cramp.

For that reason alone i’d suggest you get the Classic 50s P, to see how a different nut width and neck shape alters your playing style.
You may find you play more “you” on the bigger neck, like i did.

And then, sell your Sonic and get another Classic 50s so one can have flats and one can have rounds.

I saw a SDOD for a classic vibe 60s P Bass that looks great. The problem is I already have a P bass that I really like. It’s a sonic series so it’s got the jazz nut width. I am wondering if a traditional width nut is worth adding to the stable. My instinct tells me the thinner nut is more playable, but maybe that’s not the case? Anyway, any opinions are welcome and considered.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I am happy with just Thunderbirds. There are a couple of things I may get at some point if end up in a band getting paying gigs, but neither is a P. I have nothing against Ps, they just don't grab me when I play them. I'll never be a session cat, so I don't see a need.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

No one NEEDS more than one bass. They are such cool objects, and relatively inexpensive, so why not indulge?

I'm a firm believer in having a spare for gigs, so two is my minimum. That said, I'm happy to have more than two basses!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I take umbridge at the “thinner nut is more playable” idea.
All basses, assuming a decent setup and regardless of nut width, are playable.
The different necks and nut widths can make you choose your notes differently, yes, but one isn’t better than another.
I LOVE my 1.75” nut Pbasses, and i LOATH Jazz width necks. They make my hand cramp.

For that reason alone i’d suggest you get the Classic 50s P, to see how a different nut width and neck shape alters your playing style.
You may find you play more “you” on the bigger neck, like i did.

And then, sell your Sonic and get another Classic 50s so one can have flats and one can have rounds.

I disagree. Not all bodies are created equal. The 5 string I owned at one point was not playable by me - not for more than a few minutes at a time, anyway. After that I started crampiong horribly. The setup was fine; the neck size and shape were not. While it may be technically playable, it's effectively not.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

I think you and i need to take this outside…

I get your meaning.
My point was that blanket qualifying thinner nut widths as “more playable” than thicker nut widths is limiting and potentially detrimental.

I’d ask if your 5 string was unplayable due to design choices or set-up.
Either way, strokes for folks.
I just don’t want anyone to write off a specific quality en masse.

I disagree. Not all bodies are created equal. The 5 string I owned at one point was not playable by me - not for more than a few minutes at a time, anyway. After that I started crampiong horribly. The setup was fine; the neck size and shape were not. While it may be technically playable, it's effectively not.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I think you and i need to take this outside…

I get your meaning.
My point was that blanket qualifying thinner nut widths as “more playable” than thicker nut widths is limiting and potentially detrimental.

I’d ask if your 5 string was unplayable due to design choices or set-up.
Either way, strokes for folks.
I just don’t want anyone to write off a specific quality en masse.

Ah. We’re on the same page.

As I said, the setup was fine. The neck and my hand / wrist simply didn’t mesh.

My Greco birds have slightly wider necks than my Epi birds. The Grecos aren’t quite as comfy, but I can still play them until my fingers give out.

 

[andymac]

I take umbridge at the “thinner nut is more playable” idea.
All basses, assuming a decent setup and regardless of nut width, are playable.
The different necks and nut widths can make you choose your notes differently, yes, but one isn’t better than another.
I LOVE my 1.75” nut Pbasses, and i LOATH Jazz width necks. They make my hand cramp.

For that reason alone i’d suggest you get the Classic 50s P, to see how a different nut width and neck shape alters your playing style.
You may find you play more “you” on the bigger neck, like i did.

Much agreed! I find 1.75" necks, and/or thicker 50s style P necks, much more comfortable. Depends on your hands and playing style.

One minor sadness I have is that when I get excited about a nice looking higher quality new bass (like a Sandberg, for example), fancier and more modern always seems to equate to 1.5" nut, which I just can't get comfortable with. So I'm pretty much stuck with traditional style Precisions, even though I might want to try more modern style basses.

But I can live with that!

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

This has become even more of an issue for me as i’m actually transitioning to primarily using short scale basses, and the idea of a 30” scale bass with a nut wider than 1.5” is apparently sacriligeous!
I’ve found some good ones, though.

The upside is that you save money by not having to buy boutique instruments.
(Also, Maruszczyk will do custom nut widths if you ask.)

Much agreed! I find 1.75" necks, and/or thicker 50s style P necks, much more comfortable. Depends on your hands and playing style.

One minor sadness I have is that when I get excited about a nice looking higher quality new bass (like a Sandberg, for example), fancier and more modern always seems to equate to 1.5" nut, which I just can't get comfortable with. So I'm pretty much stuck with traditional style Precisions, even though I might want to try more modern style basses.

But I can live with that!