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I think I committed a Talkbass sin,

#106
I have been playing bass for 60 years. I didn't like the feel or sound of a P Bass when i started nor when I tried a couple along the way. Jazz bass was better but still not my thing.

My first bass was a used Hagstrom and from there straight to a Rickenbacker 4000, and then various Rickenbackers all the way until very recently.

So, no, you're not alone.
 
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#107
I've played and owned a truck load of basses. Yeah, I kept going for cool. It finally occurred to me…find a song with a bass sound you like, see if you can replicate that. Settled on 2, a clear tone similar to what I have had my whole playing time, except with enough top to have a bit of a snarl and the bass tone from "Simply Irresistable" by Robert Palmer. Found both in a JB Plus with a Dimarzio area in the bridge and a Nordstrand 51J split in the neck. Done, 40+ years of dicking around complete.
 
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#110
bigdaddybass12 said:
I don't like the sound of a P bass. Owned 2 Fender P basses, different strings, pickups, 3 different amps, angling the cab. It just does not have the sound I like. Wife said that it was muddy.
Click to expand...

spweh.jpg
 
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#112
bigdaddybass12 said:
I think I committed a Talkbass sin,
I don't like the sound of a P bass. Owned 2 Fender P basses, different strings, pickups, 3 different amps, angling the cab. It just does not have the sound I like. Wife said that it was muddy.
I played one at our gigs for a couple of years until I bought a active EQ bass. (another sin) I did not like it but it sound was great. Sold it, then I bought a Sterling Ray4 for $269 new as a beater because the joint we played at was pretty rough.
(here comes the next sin)
I sold the p bass, playing the Ray 4 at every gig. Thought I would try a Fender Jazz. Bought from GC, sounded good at store, played at my gig friday night. Again, not the sound I like. During the break I swapped back to the ray4, guitar player looks at me & said " I like the sound of that one better" Jazz was used, so its going back to GC.
Anyone else been down this road?
(No bashing please, just others who experienced the same thing or some humor)
Click to expand...

In a word? No; no, I haven't. But, I'm afraid I'm stuck with my left handed, A-spec-necked '78 P-Bass - in a good way. Not only because it's my first bass, and there's considerable amounts of memories (and $$'s) invested in it, but because I'm firmly stuck in the music of the mid 1950s - 1960s. So, not only do I like playing mine; a P-Bass - with flats and a mute - is sorta de rigueur, anyway... As for a Jazz Bass? Don't like them; never owned one; and I probably never will. Aside from all the built-in electronics problems Fender Jazz Basses seem to be bothered with (judging from all the whinging there is around here), I find their offset body awkward and uncomfortable. This, by the way, from someone that Rick basses fit like a glove...:wideyed:
So, if a P-Bass doesn't work for you? Well, then there's no shame in that - and certainly no reason to have one. Life's too short to waste it on something you don't want/need/like to play...:whistle:
 
#116
bigdaddybass12 said:
I think I committed a Talkbass sin,
I don't like the sound of a P bass. Owned 2 Fender P basses, different strings, pickups, 3 different amps, angling the cab. It just does not have the sound I like. Wife said that it was muddy.
I played one at our gigs for a couple of years until I bought a active EQ bass. (another sin) I did not like it but it sound was great. Sold it, then I bought a Sterling Ray4 for $269 new as a beater because the joint we played at was pretty rough.
(here comes the next sin)
I sold the p bass, playing the Ray 4 at every gig. Thought I would try a Fender Jazz. Bought from GC, sounded good at store, played at my gig friday night. Again, not the sound I like. During the break I swapped back to the ray4, guitar player looks at me & said " I like the sound of that one better" Jazz was used, so its going back to GC.
Anyone else been down this road?
(No bashing please, just others who experienced the same thing or some humor)
Click to expand...

What's funny is that I like every P bass I've played that wasn't a Fender. Whereas I've only liked 2 Fender P basses that I've played.
 
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#119
I'm not a fan of a soloed P pickup either and most J basses sound anemic (I think they all need some kind of special sauce and that's a separate thread)

I hear you OP :thumbsup:
 

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