Is a P bass necessary?

[Mastermold]

Indeed. P-basses aren't really my thing, but whatever makes people happy to play is what they should play. If for other people, that's a P-bass, that's cool.

It's the "P-bass superior, [insert basically any other kind of bass here] inferior" attitude that I find irritating. Same with the assumption some players seem to have that if one does not own a P-bass or enjoy playing them, that one has some personal vendetta against Fender.

Then of course, the attitude on the other side taken by some players in reaction to this, that all P-bass players are conformists or yes men or some other silly idea is equally ridiculous. Most serious bass players, I would guess, play whichever brand and model of instrument (plural in many cases) that they do because they simply like those instruments.

+1

I love P-basses, love the tone, love the feel, love the playability. Don't care what other players think, don't care what they play either. I love other basses too, enjoy and play them all the time. There's no such thing as a "superior" bass, just different wood and hardware making different tones. Each artist can play the same instrument or different, makes no difference. Just make music and have fun!

 

[MtManiac]

...because in general on TB, one can't praise a P-bass without bashing other basses. I don't think anyone gets offended when someone says, "I like P-basses." It's the "I like P-basses, that thar boutique crap sucks" comments that stir the pot.

Meh... not directed at you, but to people like those you mentioned who insist on being narrow minded - it's just a piece of wood and some wires, it's not part of who and what we are. No need to take offense if someone disagrees, variety is what makes the world go 'round... or is the spice of life, something like that. Same goes for "that thar boutique crap." I find I actually see more people being outspoken against P basses here on TB than P bass lovers slamming other basses, but maybe we're all more sensitive to opinions different from our own.

 

[jufros]

I modded my P. It's got a jazz neck, a second P in the bridge, vol/vol/tone, and a varitone switch with blend control. All passive. I'm playing chromes on it at the moment and can get tones out of this thing that I can't even come close to with my EMG BQC Ibanez P/J or Peavey DynaBass (pretty damn close to a Jazz sound). With the tone wide open, neck wide open, and the bridge rolled back to about 75%... huge, fat, love.

 

[SteveC]

I've been noodling on a really nice MIM P at the store. It is as light as the MIA and I think it sounds just as good. The feel is ALMOST there, not quite, but REALLY close.

I have never been a P fan, but sometimes - like when I play old R&B, Soul, and jazz stuff, I think a P would be kinda nice. My only bass (currently) is a Bartoilini equipped active 5 string, so the passive 4 string P is quite the contrast.

 

[yellofury]

yes but only if you have another bass

 

[Matt Dean]

I know I'm coming in this late, but I wanted to add my response to the OP: no.

 

[Bassgrinder77]

Yes, it is necessary for p-bass tone.
The jazz with neck-only pickup setting is a pale imitation of p-bass tone. The split-coil humbucking p-bass pickup has a much more aggressive punch. Guttier mids and lows.
I'd turn the question around and ask if a Jazz is necessary in light of a P-J p-bass - ha!

OK. I don't want to get flamed here, I'm just wondering. I have nothing against the almighty P or those who play them. I'm sure at some point I'll own one too.

It just seems to me that when I solo the neck pup on my Jazz, I get pretty close to a P sound. So why not play a Jazz and have the option of both?

Now this is really just about sound. I realize there's differences in the bodies, looks, and neck widths; and those are a matter of preference.

Anybody else with me? Discuss.

 

[PsyDocHill]

Yes, it is necessary for p-bass tone.
The jazz with neck-only pickup setting is a pale imitation of p-bass tone. The split-coil humbucking p-bass pickup has a much more aggressive punch. Guttier mids and lows.
I'd turn the question around and ask if a Jazz is necessary in light of a P-J p-bass - ha!

Yes, absolutely, darn right: The jazz neck-pup doesn't produce the trademark punch of the precision's split-coil. The P-J configuration works for me: My cheap fretless is set up that way and I like it. Now if I can get me a Fender fiver with that pup-configuration, I'll be one happy pup. I can have my rumbling/punchy P sound when appropriate, or set it up so I can funk it up, J-style. I rely heavily on the bridge pup for funkifying. Sounds like a plan, bassgrinder77.

 

[dotcomee]

If it's good music, it's good music regardless if you use a P-bass, a J-bass or a Z-bass (if you have to ask, you can't afford it). Last time I went to a concert, the bass player wasn't using a P, he was using some kind of Washburn. Also everybody else in the band was singing but him (even the drummer). No P-bass and no back up vocals, fire that slacker!!!

Or solve all problems and get a swiss army knife bass like this one:

 

[Knifedge]

Did the PBass thing years ago, didn't suit my playing and taste for tone, sold it. Do you need a PBass for a classic PBass sound? Sure, if that's what you are looking for.

Personally, the only way you will know, is to try one through a variety of amps, and if it's the bass for you, great. If not, appreciate the fact that it is a very tried and true weapon of choice for a lot of experienced players, and work on what brings out the best in your playing. Only at that point will you know the if's and whys about the PBass, or Jazz, or any other bass you are interested in. A little much for the actual simple question, sorry.... Heck, I don't even know what the typical Pbass sound really is, because I had one, but I played it through amplifiers that may not have been classified as the median for the classic PBass sound.. all I know is I like my sound, it works for me, the bands I played in, the studios I recorded in and the crowds I play in front of, and not once did anyone ever tell my my sound sucked, so I will stick to what I think sounds great to me.

 

[Bassgrinder77]

Yeah, I used to play a P-J and I currently have a Jazz (that's not getting used much) and I think a P-J can get a lot closer to a Jazz than a Jazz with neck pickup only can get to a P.
With both P-J pickups full on, the Jazz bridge pickup gives that same phasing effect, scooping out some of those P neck pickup mids, adding highs/articulation and giving a sound that's pretty darned close to a jazz.

Yes, absolutely, darn right: The jazz neck-pup doesn't produce the trademark punch of the precision's split-coil. The P-J configuration works for me: My cheap fretless is set up that way and I like it. Now if I can get me a Fender fiver with that pup-configuration, I'll be one happy pup. I can have my rumbling/punchy P sound when appropriate, or set it up so I can funk it up, J-style. I rely heavily on the bridge pup for funkifying. Sounds like a plan, bassgrinder77.

 

[wildhorse]

i've never owned one, i've never wanted one, and i've never liked them. the necks never felt comfortable to me, and while i like the classic p-bass tone, it's not what i want in the music i play.

so no, it's not necessary, at least in my house. . if i were forced back to 4 i'd be perfectly happy with the 4's i have (77 jazz, 70's ric and an older fretless pedulla).

I'd agree but my 80's Peavey Fury has a P-Body and P-Pup
with a neck thats a tad narrower than a Jazz. Great bass and can be bought fairly cheap on ebay. You gotta look for the right model as they've changed over the years and then were moved over seas. Mine is made in U.S.A.