P Bass what am I missing

[PluffMudQueen]

For me no other pickups have that initial punch like split coil pickups which is why it cuts through the mix better. Jazz basses sounds richer (harmonically) & creamier which sounds great, especially by itself. I feel a P bass is not as rich (again, harmonically) but has a little more high-end & attack, which (I think) takes to effects pedals better than a Jazz.

 

[Aahzz]

From my point of view, you're missing a comfy neck. My fingers feel crowded on a J, I like the wider neck of the P. I also love the big, piano-like tone of a P with rounds played with a pick.

 

[P. Aaron]

On a wooden stage, I love the Precision Bass because the punchy-mids don't get lost. My Dimension bass works well on cementy floors and hard surfaced locations. If I know the location, I already have an EQ and equipment list to make tone.

There's no right or wrong bas. Some just are more versatile for the money.

 

[NeckPickup]

Ergonomically, I find the P body much more natural and comfortable. The contour cuts are spot on.

I actually find the J body more comfortable when playing sitting down at least - that's the benefit of the "offset waist contour" on a J. I find with a P that I have to shift it to the left some when sitting, making it a longer reach to the first fret. But as I much prefer the P tone, I was fortunate to find that Sadowsky offers a P/J on a J style body. The J's just don't sit well on a traditional guitar stand, however.

 

[FunkHead]

Really? It's almost always the other way around to my ears.

Honestly, I was surprised myself. The last band I saw started out with a Fender Jazz playing 3 Pink Floyd songs. The bass sounded clear and articulate. Then he switched to the Fender Precision and the bass for me was lost in the mix. It was "hiding" behind the kick drum.

Possibly, the EQ needed to be adjusted to compensate or maybe just turning up the tone knob.

 

[Watchootognbout]

It's used in both jazz and fusion though...or is that a joke?

I know of "Pops"Popwell with Larry Carlton in 1979-80.
And Kevin Vecchione with Greg Howe.
Those are the only two that I know of.


Today most seem to use everything BUT Fender P-Basses in modern Fusion.
Fodera.
Alembic.
Pedulla.
Yamaha.
F Basses.
Music Man.
Jaco used a Jazz.

 

[mikecd1]

I play both and both can be manipulated to do a lot of different things and sound like other things, but that can be a lot of work. In its natural state, the Pbass just seems to articulate really well in the mix and doesn't need a lot of cosmetic eq'ing. It gets and gives definition to a band mix and some describe that as blending really well with the kick or "sitting" in the mix, but to me it just has the definitive electric bass sound. Jaco and Jamerson - you can't go wrong with either approach and I suppose we all stand on their shoulders in one way or another IMHO.

 

[brendanbassix]

I know of "Pops"Popwell with Larry Carlton in 1979-80.
And Kevin Vecchione with Greg Howe.
Those are the only two that I know of.


Today most seem to use everything BUT Fender P-Basses in modern Fusion.
Fodera.
Alembic.
Pedulla.
Yamaha.
F Basses.
Music Man.
Jaco used a Jazz.

Paul Jackson? When did you first pick up a bass yesterday?

 

[BaileyMan]

A p bass is the tuba of a brass section, solid and low and completely less than interesting. Cheers p bassesers.

LOL. Stirring the hornets nest huh?

I love my "p"-bass (Mike Lull P-4) these days for the classic sound that made it famous. As a broad generalization, I find J-basses can be a bit brighter with their bridge pickup. Not that you can't get warm out of a J or bright out of a P, but that bridge pickup adds a certain brightness that can cut through the mix a bit.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Paul Jackson? When did you first pick up a bass yesterday?

He played with Herbie Hancock back in the mid seventies.
Does he still play Fusion or Jazz on a P-Bass today?

He is not the total sum of all Jazz today!

 

[brendanbassix]

He played with Herbie Hancock back in the mid seventies.
Does he still play Fusion or Jazz on a P-Bass today?

He is not the total sum of all Jazz today!

He invented modern fusion playing on a P bass. A pre 57' for recording and an early 70s for live work. He doesn't play one now but the guy made the most important fusion records on a P bass so they most certainly can be used for fusion.

 

[Watchootognbout]

He invented modern fusion playing on a P bass. A pre 57' for recording and an early 70s for live work. He doesn't play one now but the guy made the most important fusion records on a P bass so they most certainly can be used for fusion.

OK.
Good!

But the fact remains:
The majority of Fusion and electric Jazz players today do not use the Fender P-Bass.

 

[Fat Fingers]

it's like being hugged by grizzly bear holding a chainsaw

Hugs all around for every grizzly bear wielding a chainsaw

Jokes aside, I also have a P/J that is versatile getting tones from chunky to zingy.

 

[brendanbassix]

OK.Good!
But the fact remains.
The majority of Fusion and electric Jazz players today do not use the Fender P-Bass.

But your original Statement implied that you CAN'T.

 

[FrankLowend]

OK.
Good!

But the fact remains:
The majority of Fusion and electric Jazz players today do not use the Fender P-Bass.

Everybody or the majority on this level today uses customized boutique basses...

 

[Watchootognbout]

But your original Statement implied that you CAN'T.

I never implied anything.
I said that it isn't used.
"Isn't"isn't can't.
Clearly it has and can be.
But most today don't use it for some reason.

 

[Double E]

It's so versatile that it's used in Fusion and Jazz.



NOT!

Here's a couple dedicated and credible jazzers playing P-Basses.

Chris Wood




Michael League




Freddy Washington

 

[DavC]

it's the ' pickup placement ' ... it picks up different harmonics = different tone ... like the difference between a single neck pup ES225T and a single bridge pup Melody Maker ...

my personal solution is a Tele/P type P/J ... i have a split coil pup in that P-bass sweet spot , and a split coil bridge pup - 70's position ...

a few of my favorite blues/rock bassists used J basses ... SRV- Tommy Shannon , Grand Funk - Mel

i've played bass in many different genres for 43+ yrs ... i made whatever i had at the time - do the job .!

 

[Double E]

OK.
Good!

But the fact remains:
The majority of Fusion and electric Jazz players today do not use the Fender P-Bass.

That does not mean it is not versatile enough to play jazz... I bet there are more jazz players on P-bass than on Foderas, so with your logic, a P-bass is better for jazz than a Fodera.

 

[Tanner5382]

Good lord. The P Bass squad has been out in full force lately. God forbid you say anything remotely "negative" about them.