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P Bass observation. Just MO
- Thread starter TimK
- Start date
IME it depends on how you play,what you play and your EQ. Pbasses can cut just as much as a jazz. Example: . In my band setting I always found that my Jazz bass cut better when I rolled the bridge off and got more P tone.
Yes that is one of my favorite J sounds as well. really light on the bridge.
Never played a P full time, but going to get one in the near future.....
I got my first P about 6 months ago - a VM Squier with Rotos. I am primarily an alt rock / classic rock guy. While I was impressed with the build quality @ that price point, I was sorely disappointed in the sound. After all, an active Jazz had been my sole bass for over ten years. I thought a P with Rotos would be my ultimate bass, and at first was thinking " Jeez, is this a dud or am I just missing the allure somehow?" I parked it on the stand and would only occasionally pick it up, trying to like it. I loved the way it played; it has a fantastic neck. But I figured it was what alot of ppl say - they`re great in a band setting, but by themselves, meh. That, or the Squiers weren`t all they are cracked up to be. But then about six weeks ago, I picked it up one day. Apparently the Rotos had hit their sweet spot - BAM ! On my J, six-month old Rotos were considered dead as a doornail. I was flabbergasted - it was like a whole different bass ! It is tonally perfect now for what I play. The active J always favored fresh strings, but the P keeps getting better and better - completely turned what I knew about strings, etc. on my ear. I haven`t looked back since - the `ol Jazz hasn`t even been picked up since then 
I got my first P about 6 months ago - a VM Squier with Rotos. I am primarily an alt rock / classic rock guy. While I was impressed with the build quality @ that price point, I was sorely disappointed in the sound. After all, an active Jazz had been my sole bass for over ten years. I thought a P with Rotos would be my ultimate bass, and at first was thinking " Jeez, is this a dud or am I just missing the allure somehow?" I parked it on the stand and would only occasionally pick it up, trying to like it. I figured it was what alot of ppl say - they`re great in a band setting, but by themselves, meh. That, or the Squiers weren`t all they are cracked up to be. But then about six weeks ago, I picked it up one day. Apparently the Rotos had hit their sweet spot - BAM ! On my J, six-month old Rotos were considered dead as a doornail. I was flabbergasted - it was like a whole different bass ! It is tonally perfect now for what I play. The active J always favored fresh strings, but the P keeps getting better and better - completely turned what I knew about strings, etc. on my ear. I haven`t looked back since - the `ol Jazz hasn`t even been picked up since then
you should try Duncan SPB-2s. You'd crap your pants. I nearly did when i made the switch in my VM. The tone is 3 fold of those little duncan designed pups.
I play a P in a drum and bass band, so the bass is the only lead instrument there, and for an instrument that "sits" in the mix, add a wah and fuzz to it, and it's no longer a bass that just lays down the groove.
For the first 13 years of my career, a '64 P-bass was my only instrument.
With a graphic EQ, a boss compressor and phase shifter, and an Ernie Ball volume pedal, I found ways to make it fit in for theatre work, prog rock, cover bands, folky singer-songwriter duets, dance music, bebop, and whatever came my way.
I don't know why people regard P-basses as a one-trick pony. You only have to listen to the variety of music that's been recorded on them, to know the range of tones that are available to an inventive player, armed with a P-bass.
With a graphic EQ, a boss compressor and phase shifter, and an Ernie Ball volume pedal, I found ways to make it fit in for theatre work, prog rock, cover bands, folky singer-songwriter duets, dance music, bebop, and whatever came my way.
I don't know why people regard P-basses as a one-trick pony. You only have to listen to the variety of music that's been recorded on them, to know the range of tones that are available to an inventive player, armed with a P-bass.
On this first track I used a 62' reissue P. By itself, I felt it was kinda innocuous. But in the mix, it's just right. That's the thing with P's.
I got my first P about 6 months ago - a VM Squier with Rotos. I am primarily an alt rock / classic rock guy. While I was impressed with the build quality @ that price point, I was sorely disappointed in the sound. After all, an active Jazz had been my sole bass for over ten years. I thought a P with Rotos would be my ultimate bass, and at first was thinking " Jeez, is this a dud or am I just missing the allure somehow?" I parked it on the stand and would only occasionally pick it up, trying to like it. I loved the way it played; it has a fantastic neck. But I figured it was what alot of ppl say - they`re great in a band setting, but by themselves, meh. That, or the Squiers weren`t all they are cracked up to be. But then about six weeks ago, I picked it up one day. Apparently the Rotos had hit their sweet spot - BAM ! On my J, six-month old Rotos were considered dead as a doornail. I was flabbergasted - it was like a whole different bass ! It is tonally perfect now for what I play. The active J always favored fresh strings, but the P keeps getting better and better - completely turned what I knew about strings, etc. on my ear. I haven`t looked back since - the `ol Jazz hasn`t even been picked up since then
If you like the sound of your P more the deader your Rotos get, then you should think about putting some flats on that baby. You'll be glad you did...
Thanks for that link. I forgot how much I liked 3 Doors Down - and that album in particular. Great tunes. I am finding myself rolling to the neck pup more and more.
The more I research a P bass and listen to examples, the more I am starting to think this way.
Had my first rehearsal tonight with the P in a country music setting. 2 guitars & drums. I've always been able to get a great sound out of my jazz (8 year old TI flats!), but the P plus a good drummer was a nice treat, especially on the busier tunes.
Anxious to see how it works at a gig.
Anxious to see how it works at a gig.
I have a P and a J but mostly use the J these days...
I was just watching TV and noodling around during the commercials on the P bass. Lots of loud rocking car commercials etc. The P bass was warm velvety fuzzy and punchy and a WHOLE lot of fun! Sort of re - reminded me of how good it sounds with other instruments as ya'll are pointing out. Soon as I turned the TV off the magic kind of dissapeared.
Think I'm going to make a point of using my P bass again on gigs! At least some of the time.
I was just watching TV and noodling around during the commercials on the P bass. Lots of loud rocking car commercials etc. The P bass was warm velvety fuzzy and punchy and a WHOLE lot of fun! Sort of re - reminded me of how good it sounds with other instruments as ya'll are pointing out. Soon as I turned the TV off the magic kind of dissapeared.
Think I'm going to make a point of using my P bass again on gigs! At least some of the time.
My main bass is a 2002 Squier Affinity P-Bass, stock, wearing D'Addario Chromes. This is definitely my desert island bass. I've played it in rock, praise and worship, swing, R&B, acoustic, folk, country, bluegrass, jazz, alternative, etc. Anything you can think of; it's just a wonderful all-around bass. As much as I dream of owning other, more complex pieces of gear, this P-Bass is the one that's gotten me the most compliments, on playing and on tone. Can't beat a P!
Oh,oh,here i go.....i tried a cheap Squire P at a jam last night for the first time,after spending the last 15 years on a totally loved and well played jazz.
It was all rather odd and demented feeling at first,sound and feel wise, with lots of amp tweaking, until the sound I eventually settled with was so appealing to all of us that i almost felt embarrassed i hadn't tried a P long ago :scowl:
I have to say it sounded pretty dam good,and for such a cheap bass ($200nz).
I did find rolling off plenty of tone on the P had the required result for me,and did it blend really well with the kick ! Better than my jazz
Next is some flats on it to see what that brings,and the jazz may then even acquire some dust,who knows.
It was all rather odd and demented feeling at first,sound and feel wise, with lots of amp tweaking, until the sound I eventually settled with was so appealing to all of us that i almost felt embarrassed i hadn't tried a P long ago :scowl:
I have to say it sounded pretty dam good,and for such a cheap bass ($200nz).
I did find rolling off plenty of tone on the P had the required result for me,and did it blend really well with the kick ! Better than my jazz
Next is some flats on it to see what that brings,and the jazz may then even acquire some dust,who knows.
What your describing does work very well in rock and role, country, and pop music. But Id hate to try and fit that sound into electronica. Esp psytrance and the like. Passive P even great sounding one otherwise. Just seems a bit weak and well, bleh, in that setting. However I have found a cure for that! Toss in a good preamp. Even with controls set flat the sound opens up, extends, and become more low bass articulate. Due to the LowZ imp change and a bit of signal strength boost. O its still a P pup bass in all regards. But it can now sit with some authority in with them ultra low synth drones and other bass heavy things in dank dark rumbling trance and other such more out there musics.
I was listening to some regular rock, bbc1 and 70's/80's music earlier. And yup, if one played my kinda P in those settings, it come across as more a revolutionary prog rock sound where bass gets a fair amount of noticed time. With the right woods, P pups and preamp you can get a rickenbackerish with more balls sound that has plenty of clank etc in it. Just a bit fuller sounding. Lol. But one can also get a fun hifi like tone that J's and most soapbars cant quite do. Isnt the "wow" hifi type tone, but sure is a fun one. Lol. That makes playing my best easier.
Sure soapbars have been my longest time fave with P next best. But that based on more solo'ing and hifi'ish tone pref. With the pref soapbars being those that do a pretyy good P pup sound emulation when wanted. But I play better when its with P's. Preamped ones. Cause while the passive voice can sound good. It needs the LowZ imp change my kind of music requires. Lol.
P pups a little bit diff from J and soapbars and humbuckers. It has a note swell the others dont have. And a char that while certainly good thru all hifi gear. Does have its own fun sticking its tongue out at hifi while jamming on in an addictive style. Lol.
The other change I made for P pup bass pref is pup position. I like it better at the neck. And it better be a very nice low bass articulate P pup not a whooompy or muddy sounding one. Which also has great treble extension that emphasizes fun factor rather then politeness. Cause otherwise neck position aint gonna work as well as the traditional mid position. For me and P's. Lol.
Overall point being. You left out the other sound potential side of P's that make them great pup choice there to. Lol.
I was listening to some regular rock, bbc1 and 70's/80's music earlier. And yup, if one played my kinda P in those settings, it come across as more a revolutionary prog rock sound where bass gets a fair amount of noticed time. With the right woods, P pups and preamp you can get a rickenbackerish with more balls sound that has plenty of clank etc in it. Just a bit fuller sounding. Lol. But one can also get a fun hifi like tone that J's and most soapbars cant quite do. Isnt the "wow" hifi type tone, but sure is a fun one. Lol. That makes playing my best easier.
Sure soapbars have been my longest time fave with P next best. But that based on more solo'ing and hifi'ish tone pref. With the pref soapbars being those that do a pretyy good P pup sound emulation when wanted. But I play better when its with P's. Preamped ones. Cause while the passive voice can sound good. It needs the LowZ imp change my kind of music requires. Lol.
P pups a little bit diff from J and soapbars and humbuckers. It has a note swell the others dont have. And a char that while certainly good thru all hifi gear. Does have its own fun sticking its tongue out at hifi while jamming on in an addictive style. Lol.
The other change I made for P pup bass pref is pup position. I like it better at the neck. And it better be a very nice low bass articulate P pup not a whooompy or muddy sounding one. Which also has great treble extension that emphasizes fun factor rather then politeness. Cause otherwise neck position aint gonna work as well as the traditional mid position. For me and P's. Lol.
Overall point being. You left out the other sound potential side of P's that make them great pup choice there to. Lol.
