I used to not like P basses

[UK Philip]

I have this running joke with my pals that every time we here some generic picked root note bass line we say "Oh, that's some good P bass playin'" . Not because that all P bass players have that sound of course but because a lot of bass players that pick up a P bass have this quarter note root and fifth mentality. Which is not owed to the bass itself and transfers to other basses as well, I'm not saying it's exclusive to the P bass. My point is that there is a line between uninteresting simplicity and shredding up and down the neck. Sterotypes can go both ways, with or against the P.

I know what I'm saying isn't 100%, it's just something that I have noticed. I think part of truly commanding a bass guitar is learning to hold down a rock-solid line while adding a certain personal expression to it, instead of taking the easy option of meandering up/down to the detriment of the instrument (which is tempting, because it is fun and possibly easier than holding a true line). There's many non-P people who have mastered this, and obviously a lot of Precision enthusiasts who have yet to, but the design of the instrument seems to help this skill to develop naturally.

Part of it is in the neck. Kim Deal (from The Pixies: here) for example, is a small lady who plays a Precision with a thick neck. You can hear that, and she makes it work for her. She'll play simple but elegant lines that arguably have far more personality than faster, more complex arrangements. This is part of the magic of the Precision at least to my ear: it holds the bass player firmly in the "bass position" of the band, but within that there is so much room for emphasis. Each note can be individually crafted to express a subtle difference in emotion - even just going from one to the other, over and over - in a way that you can't always get on others.

From what I can see, what you may lose in variety, you gain back tenfold in nuance. I'm still an amateur, but this is my experience from thinking at-length about it.

 

[Jesse Dietschi]

Sell everything and buy one Sadowsky PJ!

 

[Marko 1]

I always liked a P.

Going strictly to fivers, considering the cost of a MIA P-5, I went without a P for a few years (cursing Fender the whole time).

Now that Fender made the Squier VM P-5 available (although I’d have preferred a MIM just for the logo), I’m back in the saddle.

 

[ZorgRift]

i used to play p-basses like you ... but then i took an arrow to the knee.

so now i play p-basses sitting down.

 

[Justice]

I think I need at least one more P bass, so I can say my P basses go to 11.

 

[Nobody]

I should get 3.14159265 P basses so I can have Pi basses.

 

[Justice]

I was just reading the "Hole in the head" P bass thread and realized.....

My 1986 Ibanez Roadstar RB650.... is a P bass (technically P/J)

So my P basses DO go to 11!

 

[Pyrat]

I have played them all...I've had loads of Fender Precision basses over the years. I tried...I really tried to like ANYTHING else. Twiddle yer knobs, flip yer switches, extend yer ranges...whatever. It is the perfect bass. God Bless us all~

 

[tonemachine]

P bass users are superior in every way to other bass players(if you can even call people who don't play a P bass "bass players"). No offense though. I said no offense so it's ok to say stuff like that. Mama said.

You're a little out of line with your "if you can even call people who don't play a P bass "bass players."" You should say "if you can even call people who don't play a P bass "people." I have one for legitimacy purposes only; the awesomeness of the P bass is far beyond my ability to actually play one.

 

[hintz]

When you go to a bass guitar show, you inevitably see people shredding away, like they think they're playing a 6-string in an '80s hair metal band.

Look how fast my fingers are going, i am a master! What do you mean I didn't hit the same note twice? You don't understand my complex grasp of the instrument!

How many of those guys are using a P-bass? Very few in my experience.

You are right, there are *very few* shredder bassists rocking the P, but arguably the man who invented modern bass shredding(tapping, sweep picking, 3 finger 16ths) *always* rocked a good old P bass for the longest time, Billy Sheehan, love him or hate him he could keep up with the best guitarist on an old beat to hell fender Pbass, he pretty much threw the whole "thumping on roots and 5th's" out the window......


yes, he is one of the few and arguably the best for over the top style, but he also knew when to lay it down fat and grooving...

And while I currently dont have a one(I've owned 3 before), I too love the Pbass BTW, just so long as it has a jazz by the bridge

 

[monsterthompson]

What is the best P bass for metal?

 

[hintz]

What is the best P bass for metal?

Steve Harris's LOL!!

 

[mpdd]

since i got my 93 g&l lb100, i haven't really played any of my other basses unless they were requested, something about the p played finger style through the tube head or the light od pedal just sounds familiar and appropriate in so many situations

 

[organworthyplayer337]

I used to not like disliking to not like liking to dislike liking to dislike disliking P Basses.

*nods head*

 

[alaskaleftybass]

he pretty much threw the whole "thumping on roots and 5th's" out the window......

So we have him to thank/blame for the new trend of young bassists in EVERY music store pounding on the bass with their thumbs while finger snapping the high notes, not knowing how to use the two fingered bass style? There is such a diversity of styles, there should always be room for the "root players."

I am a Pbasser in spirit. Cut my teeth on a Pbass in my first professional paid gig band. Loved it with my Ampeg V4B and 215 cab. Contrary to today's styles, I still LOVE the muffled thumpy low end of a Pbass. Now for my sad confession. I moved to an Ibanez Roadstar in 1980 and have been there since. I love the fast neck, the versatility, the style. But my heart will always consider the Pbass my "home."

I wish Fender could make a lightweight version of the Pbass. Warmoth has a Pbass style body that's lighter and streamlined, called the Dinky. Then throw a fast Jazz style neck on it. Make the whole thing lightweight, and throw on a single Pbass split pickup. Finish it in vintage violinburst, and I WILL line up for that one.

 

[Moosehead1966]

I should get 3.14159265 P basses so I can have Pi basses.

. This is singularly the funniest post of the decade. Well done Sir Nobody!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

P basses have their use. But they aren't everything.

 

[nofrets5]

Can't blame Billy Sheehan for, what some consider "too much slap and pop", I would think you'd need to blame the 1980's for that one ; )

 

[hintz]

So we have him to thank/blame for the new trend of young bassists in EVERY music store pounding on the bass with their thumbs while finger snapping the high notes, not knowing how to use the two fingered bass style? There is such a diversity of styles, there should always be room for the "root players."

I am a Pbasser in spirit. Cut my teeth on a Pbass in my first professional paid gig band. Loved it with my Ampeg V4B and 215 cab. Contrary to today's styles, I still LOVE the muffled thumpy low end of a Pbass. Now for my sad confession. I moved to an Ibanez Roadstar in 1980 and have been there since. I love the fast neck, the versatility, the style. But my heart will always consider the Pbass my "home."

I wish Fender could make a lightweight version of the Pbass. Warmoth has a Pbass style body that's lighter and streamlined, called the Dinky. Then throw a fast Jazz style neck on it. Make the whole thing lightweight, and throw on a single Pbass split pickup. Finish it in vintage violinburst, and I WILL line up for that one.

Well, no.... I didn't say anything about the people that hang out at GC and play victor Wooten licks all day, but he did bring a certain amount of wankery to the bass that was previously relegated to guitarist's *and* he did it on a fender P...

My point is the Pbass doesn't have to be as limited as people make it out to be, its all in the hands and your creativity IMO, I think Mr Sheehan proved that(and I *do* like his playing)

I used to not care for fenders until I played an early 80's MIJ P with a jazz pup added, then I got why they are so loved...

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Well, no.... I didn't say anything about the people that hang out at GC and play victor Wooten licks all day, but he did bring a certain amount of wankery to the bass that was previously relegated to guitarist's *and* he did it on a fender P...

My point is the Pbass doesn't have to be as limited as people make it out to be, its all in the hands and your creativity IMO, I think Mr Sheehan proved that(and I *do* like his playing)

I used to not care for fenders until I played an early 80's MIJ P with a jazz pup added, then I got why they are so loved...

Fair enough. I think what the young people have forgotten is not all bass lines are wank wank. And Mr. Sheehan knew there were times for bottom end thump and times for the fancy stuff.
Peace