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Paranoid about using anything but a P

N

NineSpine

Jun 19, 2007
552
8
#1
I've owned quite a few basses over the years, but for a long time now I've only used Fender Precisions. I've grown so accustomed to so easily sitting in the mix that now that I am thinking about getting something else, I'm paranoid about how much work I'll have to do to sound good with my band. The only problem I have with precisions is that I am now playing music where I need the bass to pop out in the mix a little bit more, because I'm really leading the music more often than I was before. I'm considering getting a G&L L-2000, but like I said, I think I'm just too damn paranoid about not sitting as well in the mix.

Thoughts?
 
#3
Yeah, a PJ is a step in the right direction.

The L2K is a Great bass. I believe they are active though. A Wunkay might even be a good move if you can find one. Passive, and the toggel gives you 2 distinct tones.

Another thought is a Stingray H or HS. The H will get you noticed a bit more, and the HS is kinda like the PJ setup. The attack hand is usually closer to the bridge on a 'Ray for more Snap.

Have you considered Hot Rodding your P-Bass with an active EMG pickup?

Lots of equipment options really. But I think the Key is Really who is playing it, not what what you're playing it with. Let your Fingers do the talking!
 
#6
G&L SB-2? Supposed to be P sound capable but with the very hot passive pickups has its own sound too. Might stand out more for you.

I've been interested in them recently although never played one.

=wr=
 
#9
I play primarily G&Ls (L2000 & L2500) and they can get in the neighborhood of a P tone but are more aggressive. If you want pop you can get it, but don't forget, the L2000 also has a passive setting which tames things down quite a bit. And if you do the simple single coil mod it gets closer to a J tone too. I really dont have any trouble sitting the mix and I have a huge tonal palette to choose from. Great basses.
 
#13
Can't argue about how a P bass finds a great spot in the mix. Completely agree. Depending on the genre though, there are other basses that work very well.

P Bass really does not have an exciting sound by itself, and in some settings, where the bass is in your face, it may not be the very best choice. Get a second axe, perhaps an active Jazz Bass, keep the P bass, you will always have it covered.
 
#14
I have always kinda liked the P bass, but I really like a P/J.

On another note, if you're really that happy with what you already have going on, why do you feel the need to change when you dread it so?
For example, I play Ricks, it's my thing, no debating it, though at one time I thought it a good idea to have something completely different as a back up.
I bought a Tele bass.
Poor EQ compatability at a gig, those two. Then traded that for a P, then added a J pup to make it a P/J.
That could get pretty close to my Rick tone, but eventually I just accepoted that I'm a Rick player through and through.

Maybe you're a P player, period.
There's certainly nothing to be ashamed about there, you're in really good company.
 
#16
I have considered modding my p-bass with either a hotter pickup or a J, but since I'm using a Highway one, it's already pretty damn hot, and most of the PJs I have heard sounded (to me) like a P with a lot of treble bite, which isn't really my thing.

A Stingray HS or HH is on my list too, right behind the G&L. I think I'm going to have to figure out a way to really AB test them before I make a decision.
 
#19
i say if the precision's working for you, why change up? me, i'm a pj guy, but 80% of the time these days i'm only working the p pickup because it just plain works, and when i do work in the j pickup, i'm usually not turning it up all the way...just enough to smooth out the p a little. it can be fun to break out for a while...i certainly have done so, but in the end, it's a p for me.
 
#20
How subjective is a good sound! It is often said that a P bass tone is unexciting on its own, but works wonders on a band. To my biased ears, the P tone is ideal solo or in a band. It's just the reference bass time, to me.

Adding a humbucker at the bridge (whether MM, or other kind of pickups, like a soapbar) will add some nice versatility, although honestly not essential to get yourself some results. I did it recently, and it worked great, but still prefer the P pickup tone. The bridge pickup I have IS great, but for my tonal needs, I never play with the P rolled off too much, if anything at all.

Mind you, you can just play with the settings on your amp, buy a compressor (helps out a lot, IMHO), or a stomp equalizer to use only when you require something more in your P bass tone. No real "need" for a different type of bass or different pickups, although it's nice to test the deep end waters. I understand how you feel, though, it's a great tone that sounds good and works for mostly any music!
 

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