There are more tones to a p bass than one thinks, entwistle and wetton pulled off the nice grindy tone, dave hope of kansas had a unique almost rickenbacker tone with his p bass, and jameson had depth. Even though these are different players, the instrument and amplification and ultimately the mind and hands dictate what you can yank outta a p bass or any bass really. The only limiting factor is what you believe the instrument is only capable of achieving.
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Reasons you need a P-bass:
- Thread starter Salamenster
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There are more tones to a p bass than one thinks, entwistle and wetton pulled off the nice grindy tone, dave hope of kansas had a unique almost rickenbacker tone with his p bass, and jameson had depth. Even though these are different players, the instrument and amplification and ultimately the mind and hands dictate what you can yank outta a p bass or any bass really. The only limiting factor is what you believe the instrument is only capable of achieving.
I don't understand what all the fuss is about, they are great basses and I love trying then out when I visit the local music shop but I can easily get Steve Harris' tone on my Yamaha BB604
The first bass I ever played was a P-Bass. I fell in love with it right then & there before I even knew what I had.
I was recommended a J-bass to start on, but the neck felt too small (I played upright bass at the time). Something about that P-Bass neck feels right.
Now, I think it's safe to say a heavily modified Squier 20th anniversary P-Bass is my go to. I feel at home on that bass. If I could do anything, though, I would buy a second one, so that I can have one running flats and another running round wound strings. Such a different tone. Both amazing though.
Just my 2 cents though.
I was recommended a J-bass to start on, but the neck felt too small (I played upright bass at the time). Something about that P-Bass neck feels right.
Now, I think it's safe to say a heavily modified Squier 20th anniversary P-Bass is my go to. I feel at home on that bass. If I could do anything, though, I would buy a second one, so that I can have one running flats and another running round wound strings. Such a different tone. Both amazing though.
Just my 2 cents though.
Frankly, I like the P with flats sound, but that idea, "I don't sound like me" trumps any other consideration. You've got to be true to your own sound.
-Raf
Just got my Squier P-Bass two weeks ago. I'm loving it, and I've noticed over the past few weeks it has actually changed how I play.
My other bass is an Ibanez with active pups and a 3-band EQ, so I was able to dial in a decent "P-Bass sound" off it, but I'm noticing that the utilitarian nature of the P forces me to use my hands more to get different sounds from the instrument, rather than the constant tweaking of dials I did with my Ibanez.
I didn't really get the "pure tone" aspect everyone talks about from my time demo'ing them in music stores. I had to sit down and get acquainted over some time. The Ibanez has a great range of sounds and I definitely still enjoy it, but the P-Bass has a nice "plug in and play" simplicity that I am really digging.
I still use round wounds though.
My other bass is an Ibanez with active pups and a 3-band EQ, so I was able to dial in a decent "P-Bass sound" off it, but I'm noticing that the utilitarian nature of the P forces me to use my hands more to get different sounds from the instrument, rather than the constant tweaking of dials I did with my Ibanez.
I didn't really get the "pure tone" aspect everyone talks about from my time demo'ing them in music stores. I had to sit down and get acquainted over some time. The Ibanez has a great range of sounds and I definitely still enjoy it, but the P-Bass has a nice "plug in and play" simplicity that I am really digging.
I still use round wounds though.
those other brands can do a good imitation but they can't deliver the same product. not really.
it's the age-tested standard hardware that gives the sound a true P tone. you sound like you're playing a P because of the neck/bridge/other, not just the pups.
Didn't you notice OP played all instruments?
Seems to me it all would have been much better with an Ibanez with rounds...
i have a nice p bass
still dont think i "need" one. it's the bass i gig the least.
i would never want to downplay the glory of a p bass. its a great design, and the sound just works. but not everyone needs one
still dont think i "need" one. it's the bass i gig the least.
i would never want to downplay the glory of a p bass. its a great design, and the sound just works. but not everyone needs one
the p-bass is the great equalizer of the bass world. i find that ill always feel the need to go back to the p-bass when im not happy with my tone or my technique.
to me, the simplicity of the bass requires me to be more creative in my hand positions, attack, tone and strumming/picking.
i feel that everyone should have owned one at least for a little while. even if they own it to find that they just dont like them, they should know what they are capable of. ive found they are more capable than i ever gave them credit for, which is why ill always have at least 1.
i have 2 currently, one with rounds and one with flats. The bass with rounds takes the cake, but i believe its because i dont like the seymor duncans that are in the flats bass.
to each their own when it comes to basses and what we like. i currently flip flop between the Pbass and the 4003.
to me, the simplicity of the bass requires me to be more creative in my hand positions, attack, tone and strumming/picking.
i feel that everyone should have owned one at least for a little while. even if they own it to find that they just dont like them, they should know what they are capable of. ive found they are more capable than i ever gave them credit for, which is why ill always have at least 1.
i have 2 currently, one with rounds and one with flats. The bass with rounds takes the cake, but i believe its because i dont like the seymor duncans that are in the flats bass.
to each their own when it comes to basses and what we like. i currently flip flop between the Pbass and the 4003.
Yeah, this is pretty much my experience, too. There's a "comfort" level and a predictability in sound that keeps me going to my P-bass (with the Fender 62 RI pickups) every time I record. It just works... everytime.
I understand the "flats on a P thing." If I had a couple of spare Precisions lying around, I might equip one of them with flats just to have another option to use.
But that's not my voice. I can play a little "slap" too. But I don't. It's like speaking with a (phony) foreign accent. I can do it, but I don't "feel" it, so I don't. Same when I've tried flats.
But that's not my voice. I can play a little "slap" too. But I don't. It's like speaking with a (phony) foreign accent. I can do it, but I don't "feel" it, so I don't. Same when I've tried flats.
love the sound of flats but the lack of sustain compared to rounds is what puts me off. Lower notes are fine but up at the 12th the notes decay real quick.
I know I made some mistakes here and there, but it wasn't THAT bad, was it?
At least you had the b*lls to post it. It was for the accompaniment to your P-bass so no worries.
I love a nice P Bass but i just havnt found that one for me. I thought i did with a 84 Fullerton recently but on stage the E just didnt cut it the other 3 strings heaven but something with the E also tried an 2008 USA P same thing E was weak.Im a Fender guy but i have not found a P Bass that has a E like my Stingray she,s thunder.
Everytime I go in the studio the producer always smiles and gets me more work if I bring a P-bass rather than my modulus. For a long time I thought the "P" just wasnt me but I bought a Squire CV P and it sounds great and I fell in love with the thump it provides. That 200$ bass has gotten me so alot of work and its ridiculous! Crucial part of my stable now!!
