P bass tone-help?

[Stumbo]

Flats sounded OK, but not great-sort of clacky. But with more thump, to be sure.

With rounds it feels alive, and when the sound is happening, I would describe it as 'brassy,' for lack of a better description.

Are you trying to get the P-Bass to sound like your J-Bass?

Maybe the P-Bass needs a setup. If it's sound clacky, turn the treble down.

A P-Bass sounding "brassy"? Sounds like you're trying to make the PBass sound like a piano with rounds.

I don't think that's a PBass' forte. It may not be for you.

 

[Nedmundo]

Man, I hate to admit this, because I think their qc has sucked over the years, but I just put a set of DA Chromes on my '08 P. I got a great deal on them, and they were the SL's so I could go through body without issues, and they were in stock..... they really really make the '08 p open up. The US pup is kinda tame, and really requires an agressive string.

Yes indeed, Fender's MIA P-bass pickups are tame, with a soft attack, but they sound amazing with Chromes. I had exactly the same experience when I used Chromes on a project P-bass with the pickup from my 2004 American Series P. (That bass now has a Lindy Fralin pickup, which is fantastic.)

However, I think the issue is partly the modern-voiced cabs with tens, through which I think a Jazz would likely sound better. I used to have a Goliath III, and my Jazz simply crushed my Precision through that cab, because the voicing allowed the J-bass growl to just rip through the mix. And it wasn't exactly a thump-monster rig.

Through more old-school rigs, especially with fifteens, very different story. The more old-school, the better the P. In fact, through one such rig at a rehearsal studio, my J sounded anemic in comparison to my P.

I now use G-K Neo112 cabs, which have enough booty for a P-bass to thump nicely, much better than through the Goliath. But even so, I think the modern, full-range voicing is slightly better suited for my J-basses.

Of course, I still love a P-bass through modern rigs. But, based on my experience, I could understand why someone using those rigs might feel a letdown going from a J-bass to a P. Maybe try dialing out some high mids and treble, and boost the low mids a little.

 

[ljazz]

Dang Ned, we've got too flippin' much in common!

And you said it perfectly.... attack. I think that is exactly why the chromes sound best (to my ear) on it. I've played this thing with the chromes on it for just over a week now, and I can hear/feel them breaking in. As the "brittle" high mids start to mellow, the attack is still there. Very cool. I have a set of SD Ant I's in my jazz, and I love them. I wish installing/uninstalling pups was as easy as a pop one in and pop it out..... I'd love to try the Fralin vs. the SD Ant I and II in the P. But then again, it's sounding so good with the chromes right now, I may not change a thing.

The one thing I do wish it had goin' on is the "character" change as you roll the vol, like my SB1. When I roll the vol on the sb1 (from about 60-100%), it gives all flavors of P to downright nasty when full up. When I roll off volume on the Fender, it just gets quieter (hell, imagine that!). It's a good thing I'm so taken with the tone it does have, and the playability (simply amazing.... and it's the reason I walked out of the shop with it).

I run my GK pretty much flat, and run the P through input 2 on my BassBone. On that I roll off a notch of the highs, bump the mids up just half a notch, and the bass up 1 notch. When I go to the jazz, it's input 1, shape 1 (slight mid cut), and that's it. I find this allows both basses to compliment each other perfectly, and takes advantage of each of their strengths. I think the GK Neo 12's are a great cab for both basses, if eq'd properly.

Ljazz

 

[CPplaysBASS]

Hi dmusic148.

Have you tried adjusting the hight of your P's pickup halves?

Having them closer to the strings accentuates the Precision's 'planky' midrange bark, having them further away brings out a more 'acoustic' bass guitar fullness. You'll likely find that splitting the difference between these two extremes yields the best all-round tone.

+1 ... IME the pickup height has more of an impact on a P-bass tone than my Jazz. I bought a couple used and noticed the previous owners had raised the outer sides of the pickups so they sat straight across. From the factory, the pickups are angled up at the A and D strings more like a rooftop. My E string was way too powerful until I lowered just that side of the pickup (both the E and G strings are farther away from the pole pieces than the A and D strings).

Since you have the opposite problem, with not enough guts, maybe your pickups are adjusted too low ... a big rig may compensate for that, but it would be more noticeable with the small rig.

Just in case, here's a link on that topic ... http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249602

 

[tylerwylie]

Yes indeed, Fender's MIA P-bass pickups are tame, with a soft attack, but they sound amazing with Chromes. I had exactly the same experience when I used Chromes on a project P-bass with the pickup from my 2004 American Series P. (That bass now has a Lindy Fralin pickup, which is fantastic.)

However, I think the issue is partly the modern-voiced cabs with tens, though which I think a Jazz would likely sound better. I used to have a Goliath III, and my Jazz simply crushed my Precision through that cab, because the voicing allowed the J-bass growl to just rip through the mix. And it wasn't exactly a thump-monster rig.

Through more old-school rigs, especially with fifteens, very different story. The more old-school, the better the P. In fact, through one such rig at a rehearsal studio, my J sounded anemic in comparison to my P.

I now use G-K Neo112 cabs, which have enough booty for a P-bass to thump nicely, much better than through the Goliath. But even so, I think the modern, full-range voicing is slightly better suited for my J-basses.

Of course, I still love a P-bass through modern rigs. But, based on my experience, I could understand why someone using those rigs might feel a letdown going from a J-bass to a P. Maybe try dialing out some high mids and treble, and boost the low mids a little.

This could explain the issues I had as well too. My solution was change the pickups, however a big 15" speaker might've helped.

 

[blmeier7]

Over the years I had always favored jazz basses myself and decided to try some P's (again) to see what all the hype was about. A couple of things I've noticed:

1. As it's already been stated: P basses shine in the mix.

2. Strings make a big difference. You said you tried some flats, but maybe there are some other rounds out there that would bring out the best in this bass.

3. It's entirely possible you bought a "weaker" Fender instrument. After owning several Fenders, there are good ones and not so good ones. I went through several P basses before I found one that really worked well for me. What year is your precision?

4. If you are playing your precision as a solo bass in the bedroom and you have the sound of a jazz bass in your head then it will take some time to "recalibrate" your ears. Give it some time and see what happens, try some different eq'ing on your amp.

Lastly, play the P bass in a live setting a few times. I keep my P bass under the bed in it's case and play my jazz at home. When I'm in the mood for the P sound I get it out and get my fix. When we gig or practice I will usually take the P bass along and let it do it's thing. After finally finding a good P bass I can't imagine not owning one.

If you just can't make the P work for you, try a P/J setup sometime.

 

[Bassgrinder77]

I've always found p-basses easy to get a good sound out of. Does it get the crappy sound with your SWR Goliaths? I used to use SWR Goliath III cabs but didn't like a certain harsh, brash mid tone they have. I was always fighting it.

I have been a Jazz Bass guy for quite a while, and decided to buy a USA Standard P a couple of months ago, to see 'how the other half lives.' And I'm having a love/hate relationship with it. Feels great, plays great. There are times where it just sounds awesome to me, similar to recordings I've listened to and like the sound of, but other times where I just can't get a good sound from it. Seems that when I play it through a large rig it's the shizznit, but with a smaller rig it just doesn't sound good. 'Honky' would describe it. And if I EQ the 'Honk' out, it just doesn't have any guts.
On the other hand my Jazz always sounds good, through anything, big or small. Big rig is a Demeter pre/power rack into two Goliath's. Small is an Epi UL-310/Markbass TA-501.
I'm pretty sure it comes down to my approach, but I am baffled. I tried LaBella flats, too, but couldn't deal with the feel and went back to Fender rounds. Didn't help the sound anyway. Any pointers from real P bass players? Thanks, Dave

 

[MtManiac]

Define honky... a P bass does have a mid-range bump, which is what in extreme cases I would call honky, but I only get that honkiness through certain cabs, especially some 210s that I have tried. It sounds rather unpleasant played solo through such cabs, but that same mid-range bump is what makes the P bass such a monster in the mix. Don't blame the bass - just find the right amp and speaker combo for your ears.

I had a similar issue with a fretless Jazz bass a couple of years ago, I'd played it through my old Yorkville with a 15" speaker, and then when I upgraded to a used Peavey Max 450 with a 410 cabinet, I found I lost all the "burpiness" or "mwah" that makes a fretless jazz bass such a delight to play. Changed the pickups to DiMarzios, and most of it came back, but it all came back when I switched amps and cabs again for a G-K and a 12" Avatar. Then I stopped playing that bass because I had discovered P basses by then. As stated here already, P basses deserve to be played live with a band before judgement is passed on them.

I personally do not recommend EMGs, I really dislike them. I love the stock MIA pickups, but am considering replacing them with the "Original '62s" at some point, just to see what they will sound like with this bass.

 

[David Jayne]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I'm zeroing in on it being a cab issue.
As I said in my original post, it sounds great through the big rig(one or two Goliath cabs). Not so good through the small one (Epi Ul-310) The Epi is upper mid heavy. The Goliaths are big and wide sounding in comparison. I have gigged lots of times with the Goliaths, with a smile. Just started trying to use the Epi, as I just don't need the big rig for a lot of my jobs, and it ain't working out, I think. Maybe I can fiddle with EQ some more, we'll see.
It's an '08 Amer. Std. Of the ones at the store, this one seemed to sound/play the best. Sounded great through the 1x12 SWR combo at the store too. And Saturday I had a recording date, where the producer requested the P. Right into Pro Tools, through a cheap ART tube mic pre, sounded great-fat, warm, and wide, with a touch of sweetness at the top.

 

[Bass Club Mark]

The P wont be as versatile as the jazz, mainly because the j has two pups and the p just has the one split, but the P is still a great sounding legendary bass. Diff strings can help - steel for more sizzle, DR Bootsy's might give you thump and mid grit. Pickups will certainly give you the most improvement. Fralin's give a retro tone with clarity, EMG's give a lot of mid bite, Nordstrand's give you balance and clarity, Bartolini, etc. Lots of options to get you in the ball park you want to be in.

 

[David Jayne]

The P wont be as versatile as the jazz, mainly because the j has two pups and the p just has the one split, but the P is still a great sounding legendary bass. Diff strings can help - steel for more sizzle, DR Bootsy's might give you thump and mid grit. Pickups will certainly give you the most improvement. Fralin's give a retro tone with clarity, EMG's give a lot of mid bite, Nordstrand's give you balance and clarity, Bartolini, etc. Lots of options to get you in the ball park you want to be in.

Yes, thanks, I know. There's nothing wrong with the bass.

 

[Surly]

My last P-bass wasn't too good until I put on some DR Nickel Lo-Riders 45-105 and gave it a good setup to my liking. Felt like I changed basses entirely. The Lo-Riders really bring out those wonderful low-mids of the P-bass IMO. For a little more trebley-ness the Sun Beams are a nice string too. I think with a little experiimenting you'll find your groove. YMMV IME, etc.

 

[MtManiac]

Yes, thanks, I know. There's nothing wrong with the bass.

I agree, there's nothing wrong with your P bass, it's the Epi 310. Keep the 310 for your jazz bass if you have one, otherwise sell it and buy a 12". All smiles, I promise.

 

[David Jayne]

Yeah, it seems to not play nice with the 310, which sounds great with my Jazz, as I said. The 310 is upper mid-heavy.
I have a 1x15 I'm gonna fiddle with.

 

[MtManiac]

Yeah, it seems to not play nice with the 310, which sounds great with my Jazz, as I said. The 310 is upper mid-heavy.
I have a 1x15 I'm gonna fiddle with.

I bet that'll do it. Let us know!

 

[bassaroo]

You know, you might consider a P-J bass. I have been a jazz bass lover for years, and didn't much care for the Precision sound, but I have a Reggie Hamilton P-J that seems to be the best of both worlds - it seems to have the best aspects of both, but none of the drawbacks. I just can't stop playing this bass!

 

[David Jayne]

Nah- I just played it last night through my 'big' rig and it killed. Sounds fantastic through the right gear, really night and day. It's odd, but I'm finding, true, that a P is much more sensitive to what you play it through. I can plug a Jazz into a flower pot and get a good sound. Not so the P.

 

[Bass_Trax]

I'm in the same position as the OP. I play jazz basses 95% of the time and have difficulty with making my P's sound as good as my Jazz. For those of you that play P's most of the time, what are the specific frequencies you set your amp at?

 

[seanm]

Nah- I just played it last night through my 'big' rig and it killed. Sounds fantastic through the right gear, really night and day. It's odd, but I'm finding, true, that a P is much more sensitive to what you play it through. I can plug a Jazz into a flower pot and get a good sound. Not so the P.

I'm in the same position as the OP. I play jazz basses 95% of the time and have difficulty with making my P's sound as good as my Jazz. For those of you that play P's most of the time, what are the specific frequencies you set your amp at?

I am really surprised at these replies. I have found a P bass sounds great through anything. That said, of the dozens of rigs (other than my own) that I have played through, I don't think any of the bass players used jazz basses, or at least not live.

My rules for a good bass tone:

1. P bass.
2. Flats.
3. Set the amp flat. Only EQ to handle boom or other problems with the room.
4. No tweeter!

Caveat: I play blues, classic rock, and country, no progressive or modern sounding stuff.

 

[Mike151]

1. As it's already been stated: P basses shine in the mix.

This is one of the main reasons that I continue to love the P.
You can plug straight in to a recording console, lay down your track and never worry about the thump coming through in the mix. Live as well. When practicing solo, I find that it is lacking but that is not what is important in the big picture of performing and recording.