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P-Bass - Good or Bad???

#162
BillMason said:
No, not really - all of those things make a P bass shine in the traditional sense of tone, but there are many other applications as well, and certainly solid state and round wounds are included in that, as are using a pick and slapping. A good musician doesn't play with crappy tone, and can get usable tone out of whatever he is playing, if he understands his gear.
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Totally agree with that. :)


EDIT: sorry, I misread, were you looking for a beginner instrument? In that case, all options are equal since it's a blank slate.
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Nah, just trying to make an observation.
 
#163
I've got a 62 American Reissue P bass that I love, (and hate). It sounds really raw and edgy, where I'm looking for warm and vintage. I met Alan Jackson's bass player, Roger Bob Wills, in Nashville last year. He was playing in a honky tonk with his 59 Pbass, Mesa 400+, and a Fender 4x10 cab. His bass tone was pure money. I copied his settings, and tried it on my amp, with a Berg NV610, and couldn't come close. I know old wood has a sound of it's own, but my bass would be perfect for a punk band, unfortunately, right now, I'm in a R&B/soul/blues band, and want some of that warm, gooey goodness. I think I'm gonna see if Lindy Fralin can help me.

A P bass with a good tone can't be be beat, I'm still looking for it.
 
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#166
SC Bassboy said:
Well, the coolest thing about a P is that you can beat someone over the head with it and it will probably still be in tune and play great. Also, SO MUCH depends on the amplifier that you can't really judge the P by itself. It's a combination of the two.
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I totally agree with this statement. Good sounding basses sound best on good amps and cabs. I love the Ampeg/Fender combo in general. Most of the Fender P's, J's, or PJ's, sound great on an SVT Tube or FET.:bassist:
 
#169
thesandman said:
I've got a 62 American Reissue P bass that I love, (and hate). It sounds really raw and edgy, where I'm looking for warm and vintage...... I think I'm gonna see if Lindy Fralin can help me.

A P bass with a good tone can't be be beat, I'm still looking for it.
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The '62 P. R.I. has the alnico magnet pup which is probably contributing to the "edge" you mentioned. The Lindy Fralin is a good choice to warm & fatten things up. Sadowsky has a great P pup you might wanna look into as well.
 
#171
P. Bass said:
The '62 P. R.I. has the alnico magnet pup which is probably contributing to the "edge" you mentioned. The Lindy Fralin is a good choice to warm & fatten things up. Sadowsky has a great P pup you might wanna look into as well.
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I've always heard that alnico magnets were supposed to be warm, and that it's the ceramic magnets that are a little more bright and edgy.

Or do I have it backwards? :confused:
 
#172
P. Bass said:
I think the OP was talking about "live" P-Bass sound.
Today I heard a great "southern rock" band play @ an outdoor shell and the sound guy absolutely destroyed the tone & dynamics of both the bass & the group.
I have run into bass players who break out in a cold sweat when they talk about this problem. I have heard a sound guy take a kick drum & PROVE to the audience that HIS sound system can cave your chest in.
I mean - a bass player could be a master of his particular instrument & STILL have no say in how he sounds, "live".
Just sayin'.
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Yes - this is exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about. Could be the sound guy, could be the player, could be the venue, could be the cost of tea in Alaska. Or maybe, just maybe, it's because he's playing a P and not a J. ;)
 
#173
phillipkregg said:
I've always heard that alnico magnets were supposed to be warm, and that it's the ceramic magnets that are a little more bright and edgy.

Or do I have it backwards? :confused:
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If you're talking about speakers, I'll leave that for someone else to comment on. The '62 P. RI that I played definitely had more of an edge to the sound than a non alnico pup. It also has increased sustain.

phillipkregg said:
Yes - this is exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about. Could be the sound guy, could be the player, could be the venue, could be the cost of tea in Alaska. Or maybe, just maybe, it's because he's playing a P and not a J. ;)
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The guy I heard on Sunday WAS playing a J.
 
#175
wow...i dont know what to say to the OP except go play a pbass.
clanky? i dont think ive ever heard a "clanky" pbass.
im speechless.

i strung my pbass with flats and i found my tone....it was a "tada" moment.
im not strictly a pbass guy, but thats where i start when i look for a bass.
its a matter of opinion i suppose.
 

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