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P bass v. J Bass-- Does the congregation care?

#21
I asked band members what they thought about the sound of my new bass and they said "it sounded like a bass" so that tells you something.

I think a J works better than a P in church. I used to think a 5 was better/necessary but I don't think that so much any more. The keyboard player can do the "octave down for the last chord thing" just fine.
 
#23
CapnSev said:
Shhhh :ninja:

You can make a P bass stick out if you really want to. It just takes some different eq/technique to do it.

I'm actually the complete opposite of you. I can't make a J bass sound good or stand out for the life of me, but I can do it with a P bass no problem.
Click to expand...

How come?
A Jazz with bright overdrive will stick out, just as a P bass with some darker overdrive will stick out.
 
#25
SteveC said:
I asked band members what they thought about the sound of my new bass and they said "it sounded like a bass" so that tells you something.
Click to expand...

This. I changed my strings from rounds to flats, did some slap at a rehearsal, and asked my band mates what was their opinion on the sound. The response was something like:"I dunno, sounded the same to me..."

Lesson learned there. :smug:
 
#26
MikeBass said:
No one cares what you are playing besides other bass players, guitar players and sound guys who think that only a Fender (P or Jazz) sounds good.

Out side of that, again, no one cares.
It could be a $9000 Fodera or $250 Squire. If the sound guy isn't doing his job, one can quickly sound like the other.

But, it matters more to you (and the FOH who IS doing their job) than anyone else. There is no "one bass sounds better in the mix" than the other ala' a P Bass over a Jazz.

And if anyone holds by rules like that, then they have some learning to do. Any bass can sound good in any situation for the most part.

I've used everything from Roscoe, Ken Smith, Warwick, Sadowsky, Fender, Parker, Lakland, Hofner, Valenti, GrooveShoppe and others at church (same sort of music as you listed) and used them all with great results. And none cared.
Well, our sound guy did. Loved my Sadowsky.

IMO, I could seriously doubt anyone in the congregation cared or noticed.

I would use what you and your sound guy thinks works the best.
Click to expand...

AMEN!

Sorry to sound like a heathen, but maybe you should get guidance from the Lord about this.

I don't think Jesus had a choice of flamed maplewood or Tongan Island cherry-apple wood for his cross on which he died.
Why worry yourself about the instrument you are using to worship?

It's all about how you feel when you play.

Me? Give me an old apple box and some rubber bands and I can make music.

xx cronks
 
#28
I have always played a jazz bass but over the last few years I have been playing my P bass much more. I have found when I use my P bass I have gotten more complements on how good my bass sounds. I do think the P bass just sites so well in the mix and as someone said here. "It fills out the sonic space a lot better"
 

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