Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Is bassist-life possible without a Precision?
- Thread starter pmaraziti
- Start date
It's not possible for me, I'm sure of that.
But in general, it seems to be quite possible.
I'd focus less on the fact that it's a P and more on the fact that you found a bass that spoke to you. Get it!
But in general, it seems to be quite possible.I'd focus less on the fact that it's a P and more on the fact that you found a bass that spoke to you. Get it!
I used to tell myself I didn't like fenders. They felt huge, cumbersome, looked ugly and the sound just wasn't me.
I was a warwick fanboy for years (Thumb and Corvette), but found they weren't doing it anymore for me. I was turned on to Yamaha (the RBX4-A2) as I wanted something lighweight and different. This gets the Jazz kind of tones quite well which I found was fitting our band set quite well, but without the Jazz looks.
My latest bass is another Yamaha, the Attitude II, which is... yes, a souped up P. People say this bass is a one trick pony, but it seems to fit every style I need to play on it, rock, metal, disco, pop, soul. It just fits.
So I'm a semi convert. I can see the P bass sound does fit more as a jack of all trades sound more than the more exoctic basses sometimes can (IMO). But I'm still not a lover of actual fender designs, they're just not me. I'll stick with my Yamaha's for the time being.
I was a warwick fanboy for years (Thumb and Corvette), but found they weren't doing it anymore for me. I was turned on to Yamaha (the RBX4-A2) as I wanted something lighweight and different. This gets the Jazz kind of tones quite well which I found was fitting our band set quite well, but without the Jazz looks.
My latest bass is another Yamaha, the Attitude II, which is... yes, a souped up P. People say this bass is a one trick pony, but it seems to fit every style I need to play on it, rock, metal, disco, pop, soul. It just fits.
So I'm a semi convert. I can see the P bass sound does fit more as a jack of all trades sound more than the more exoctic basses sometimes can (IMO). But I'm still not a lover of actual fender designs, they're just not me. I'll stick with my Yamaha's for the time being.
I have played a jazz bass since day 1 about 13 or 14 years now. I got my first P bass last year and although it has a different presence, I always go back to my jazz.
The question should be "Is the bassist life possible without a Fender?" I believe every bassist should at least own one or the other, as to both basses can pretty much cover any genre
of music. Some like a P, some a J. Me personally I like the Precision more, but I would'nt turn down a good Jazz if I liked
one. It's more of a nostalgic thing because the Precision is the bass that started it all.
of music. Some like a P, some a J. Me personally I like the Precision more, but I would'nt turn down a good Jazz if I liked
one. It's more of a nostalgic thing because the Precision is the bass that started it all.
i'll give you "ugly" and the sound thing...
but you loved warwick and thought fenders felt "huge" and "cumbersome"?
please explain!
It seems that most people want to continue the never-ending debate of "P or not to P" rather than pay attention to the most important factor...
Years later, I continue to regret the time I walked away from a G&L L2000 that curled up in my lap and sweetly whispered my name. Don't let this happen to you. I don't care if it's a P, a J, or a tree branch with a rubber band, if it "spoke to you", you have to act on it.
pmaraziti said:
Years later, I continue to regret the time I walked away from a G&L L2000 that curled up in my lap and sweetly whispered my name. Don't let this happen to you. I don't care if it's a P, a J, or a tree branch with a rubber band, if it "spoke to you", you have to act on it.
I totally agree, but sometimes it's hard when everyone is saying you're not a real bass player without a P or J in your stable. My Yamaha seems to get me through all my gigs, but I sometimes wonder if it would sound better with a P. I do have a fretless jazz, mostly because my other option (real or EUB) for jazz is out of my budget at this time.
Not if you're planning on becoming a studio musician. To this day, some producers still occasionally insist on you playing a P-bass for certain songs and types of music.
Yes. [/thread]
Fender fanboys will say, "NOOOO!!! You must have Fender bass to liiiiiiiiiiiive"
Fender haters will say, "All Your Bass Are Belong To Us"
-J
Fender fanboys will say, "NOOOO!!! You must have Fender bass to liiiiiiiiiiiive"
Fender haters will say, "All Your Bass Are Belong To Us"
-J
Does everyone need a fretless? Does everyone need a 5 string? I could go on, but no real point in that.
There are many bassists with many bassists. There is a big list of P-bass users and a big list of dudes who aren't using them. The P-bass tone isn't this magical and closely guarded secret AND it's quite possible to nail the tone or get a cool vibe from many other basses.
There are many bassists with many bassists. There is a big list of P-bass users and a big list of dudes who aren't using them. The P-bass tone isn't this magical and closely guarded secret AND it's quite possible to nail the tone or get a cool vibe from many other basses.
Possible, but miserable.
By the way, Geddy once played a P.
True. My first was a P, as was Geddy's.
I used to have an old 1976 P-Bass I bought from a friend. I didn't have it long though. I sold it, and to be honest, I don't miss it at all. I bought it mainly because the band leader in the group I was joining, liked it. It turned out that he had a real tin ear, so I had to make it sound like a baritone guitar to keep the jerk happy. Needless to say I didn't hang around that bunch very long. That was one of the two most miserable experiences I've had as a musician. I haven't owned one since.
There is a forum member here who does studio stuff and has about 1,000 tunes under his belt using....a.........FODERA!
