Oh great! Another P-Bass thread!

[MovingPitchers]

Dumb sound guy? Now that's not very charitable is it.

Well, sad to say, but when you have volunteers as sound guys in ANY setting, you're going to get a crappy result. Not just in church.

 

[13lues]

If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with a P. I hope I never have to make that decision.

 

[MovingPitchers]

But I do agree! I have been gasing for a Jazz but man those think necks just don't feel awesome. Can't dig in on them....1.65" all day!!

Indeed! My current P is a parts bass. The neck is a Nate Mendel neck. Feels amazing! I of course would love nothing more than a solid American Standard Precision with the 1.625" neck, but the Mendel is doing just fine with its 1.615". The neck shape feels rather thick but I like it because it reminds me that I am playing a Precision.

Same situation. Don't get me wrong, I still love my J's and prefer them when I play 5 string sessions, but I've never been 100% happy with my J tone. It's killer when I slap or do a modern R&B session with huge low end and highs that sizzle more, but it's so easy to get buried when I am grooving unless I add some distortion. It also almost subconsciously makes me want to slap more often and my solos all come off a certain way that I don't always like. Kind of like the bass tone puts me into a certain place that I don't always want to be.

With the Precision, I just noticed a pretty huge change on the music I am writing. Even for client's sessions, I am just a lot more happy with my tone. The P is such an aggressive sounding bass, it just really matches my personality more and encourages me to groove. The J can sound amazing in certain situations too, but the Pbass is so forward in the mix with zero effort and I love how I sound a lot more now. There is something about the simplicity of it and more importantly, how easy it is to shape it's sound. Very easy to go from aggressive bark to rolled off and thick lows. Additionally, I much prefer the neck size. Can't explain why, but it just feels awesome and is very easy to play with speed when needed. This has all been typed a million times, but I'm really blown away. I probably took 15 years off from gigging with a P and just using J's (Modulus flea for a while too - amazing touring bass), so to come back to it now is just heaven.

^^ Same here!!

The one who once sold his Geddy Lee...

Yeah...that might be me eventually.

I'm with those who say keep the J. There will come a time when you will miss it if you do.
I see someone suggest a Squier. I concur. I have a Squier CV P that is excellent. I think it is every bit as good as the MIM P I traded to get my P Select last year.
And I agree that although many J aficionados will insist they can get a P sound on a J, they are in denial.

I was a Jazz guy until recently and I also agree that you'll never get the P sound on a J.

EXCEPT.....it depends on what their definition of a "P sound" is. IF they're looking for a pre-split-coil Precision sound, then I guess? The P-Bass before the redesign in 1957-58 had a single-coil pickup. The Jazz can replicate a single-coil Precision well with just its neck pickup, but of course, it won't come close to the split-coil.

 

[MovingPitchers]

If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with a P. I hope I never have to make that decision.

I may an MIM Jazz down the road or something but I'm starting to save up for my university grad trip alas, one has to go!

 

[SteveHeissner]

Keep the Geddy Lee. It's useful to have both a P and a J.

 

[betavision]

This age old debate is why I'm getting one of these! It's quite literally the best of both in my opinion. That rear pickup has the snap and growl of a J without the volume loss or hum.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Indeed! My current P is a parts bass. The neck is a Nate Mendel neck. Feels amazing! I of course would love nothing more than a solid American Standard Precision with the 1.625" neck, but the Mendel is doing just fine with its 1.615". The neck shape feels rather thick but I like it because it reminds me that I am playing a Precision.



^^ Same here!!



Yeah...that might be me eventually.



I was a Jazz guy until recently and I also agree that you'll never get the P sound on a J.

EXCEPT.....it depends on what their definition of a "P sound" is. IF they're looking for a pre-split-coil Precision sound, then I guess? The P-Bass before the redesign in 1957-58 had a single-coil pickup. The Jazz can replicate a single-coil Precision well with just its neck pickup, but of course, it won't come close to the split-coil.

I agree, but these days, most people think of the P sound as the split coil. There is a roundness to the tone the J pickup just doesn't get.

 

[mpdd]

ime experience my jazz gelled better with heavy effects, while the p bass is just plug it directly into the amp and play

 

[ofajen]

Don't sell the Jazz if you don't have to. Just buy a P-Bass. You need both.

I was in Vancouver BC last week. I love your city. It may be the coolest place in North America.

I think that honor goes to Eureka, Nunavut.

Otto

 

[MovingPitchers]

ime experience my jazz gelled better with heavy effects, while the p bass is just plug it directly into the amp and play

I agree. That's also my experience. Effects only make the P sound better but who can go wrong with a straight clean signal??

 

[wintremute]

It's too bad that you will have to get rid of the J to get the P. There's no way around that? Maybe deliver pizzas part-time to save up the money (or something like that)?

 

[LAST_C]

I bought a Squier Jazz V Affinity to pair it with my Fender P-MIM to have kind of everything: A Jazz, A P-Bass and a 5 String...

You should, if possible, to find a way to keep the J and get the P.

 

[wraub]

I always thought I could get pretty close to a P bass sound with a J... Until I got a P bass. Similar, sure, but not quite right.

I have a P bass and a J bass still- but the P bass is always first call.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Get the P and save up for import J5.
That way you always have the additional notes and tones and a backup.

 

[tbz]

I'm with you as well. P Bass all the way, never met a jazz that I could tolerate.

I *love* PJs, but for some reason I just do not get along with JJs tonally.

 

[TDR1138]

EXCEPT.....it depends on what their definition of a "P sound" is. IF they're looking for a pre-split-coil Precision sound, then I guess? The P-Bass before the redesign in 1957-58 had a single-coil pickup. The Jazz can replicate a single-coil Precision well with just its neck pickup, but of course, it won't come close to the split-coil.

Sorta, but not really. The single coil P has a much thuddier attack - strong thump with a quicker decay - where the Jazz is smoother and more subdued, IMO. The tonal palette is close, but the way the note develops and responds is very different.

 

[Wolfhound32]

Back in my guitar-daze I bought/sold/traded guitars as my tastes changed. Looking back there were some real gems that I regret selling. Having learned my lesson, I've kept every bit of bass gear since I switched instruments. Each one fits a certain need, and now when my taste change I follow my heart, but not at the expense of what got me there

All that to say, hold on to that Geddy if there is any possible way to do so. Put it in the closet, under the bed, hang it on the wall-- whatever works best-- just don't let it go. There are always other avenues for generating funds for your trip

Either way you decide, best of luck!

 

[DigitalMan]

I would sell. CIJ right? When you start missing it down the road you can easily find another, or try a US instead.

It's just a bass.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Back in my guitar-daze I bought/sold/traded guitars as my tastes changed. Looking back there were some real gems that I regret selling. Having learned my lesson, I've kept every bit of bass gear since I switched instruments. Each one fits a certain need, and now when my taste change I follow my heart, but not at the expense of what got me there

All that to say, hold on to that Geddy if there is any possible way to do so. Put it in the closet, under the bed, hang it on the wall-- whatever works best-- just don't let it go. There are always other avenues for generating funds for your trip

Either way you decide, best of luck!

Thanks, but as a poor student working part-time jobs, I HAVE to get rid of one.

When I move out and start adulting, I'll find a CIJ down the road. I mean, I'm sure they'll still be around 10-15 years from now!

I would sell. CIJ right? When you start missing it down the road you can easily find another, or try a US instead.

It's just a bass.

CIJ, and yeah. My point exactly.

I want to keep it because of my Rush influence, but I haven't played along to a Rush tune or listened to Rush in a long time! I've been expanding my musical horizons and the P-Bass seems to be the one I grab to play along to the most!

 

[Rayjay]

Slap the Geddy neck on one of your P's...P + J neck =