Settle an argument. (Fender vs. FSO vs. non-FSO)

[pbass2]

Depends on if you mean every bassist "needs" a P because of simply the sound, or the combination of the sound and the aesthetic. If you're talking out in the trenches in the pro world then, as much as TB would like to argue the point, many people who would hire you want that sound and the look. We don't need to get into whether that's valid as that has been debated ad nauseam 'round these parts. But I clicked it can be a FSO. I've been in many situations with some big timers who were sticklers for the whole package but my Lakland Glaub didn't raise any eyebrows.

 

[Fuzzbass]

IMO, a "P-bass" must have a P-style body, either 51 style slab or modern contoured P (not J, etc). It must also have a split or original single coil pickup in the "middle" location (the single coil can be a modern variety that has a similar look but is humbucking).

I prefer single-pickup P-basses, but what the heck, PJ or P-soap can count.

I own a P-style bass with dual soaps... has the P look, but I don't refer to it as a P-bass.

A non-FSO can certainly sound like a P-bass, but for me, a Precision/P-style bass has to capture much of the look.



P.S. I said "P-style" and "P-bass". Easy to argue that "Precision Bass" must be Fender, but I'd rather not go there.

 

[ClassicJazz]

There is nothing like I good P-Bass, even better one you built yourself. I have played tons of great P-Basses but none sound as good as this one! Influenced by a '72 Fender Tele Bass, this bass sports a body and neck made by Warmoth to my specs. For electronics it features a Nordstrand NP4A pickup. Sounds absolutely amazing!!

Now as good as that bass is, there is another that is even better!! Think of it as a P-Bass on steroids! This is my 1979 Kramer DMZ 4001B. Sports an original old school DiMarzio P-Bass pickup. The switch is a Series/Parallel setting. This bass sounds unreal. Definitely a P-Bass tone but no matter the venue, genre of music or what other instruments share the stage, this bass sounds amazing and cuts through the mix better than any other bass I own! Including my Fodera Emperor! The aluminum neck gives it a high end zing you don't hear in a standard P-Bass which is why it cuts through so well. I actually have GHS Pressure Wound strings on it to tame it a bit. After playing this, every other P-Bass I have played just didn't sound as good!

 

[davedamage]

Extra P?

P as F?

Carrots?

 

[HolmeBass]

I voted Option 3.

Options 4 and 5 are not mutually exclusive, so the results of this poll are inaccurate.

 

[lsabina]

IMO, a "P-bass" must have a P-style body, either 51 style slab or modern contoured P (not J, etc). It must also have a split or original single coil pickup in the "middle" location (the single coil can be a modern variety that has a similar look but is humbucking).

I prefer single-pickup P-basses, but what the heck, PJ or P-soap can count.

I own a P-style bass with dual soaps... has the P look, but I don't refer to it as a P-bass.

A non-FSO can certainly sound like a P-bass, but for me, a Precision/P-style bass has to capture much of the look.



P.S. I said "P-style" and "P-bass". Easy to argue that "Precision Bass" must be Fender, but I'd rather not go there.

Well, in 1997 Squier had the Pro Tone Precision V with two humbuckers, not the split. I wonder why they called it a Precision? Marketing? Name recognition?

 

[ELG60]

My perspective is that it must have a P-shaped body and at least a P-style pup in the appropriate position. It can be an early-50's style, or later, or even something odd like my Boxer 555.

 

[LowWay]

I consider this my p-bass

Has a toggle switch to take the jazz pickup out of the circuit. Strung with TI flats. Sounds great. And it's 30" scale.

 

[AngelCrusher]

A lot of us have moved from just using Fenders to versions of them. I think it's fine, nobody in the studio cares if you bust out a Nash P, or whatever as long as it sounds like a keeper. So the main thing is does it sound and record like a P and a J bass should? Thats the tricky part since there are active P's and J's and boutiquey takes on the classics that don't always record as well. While others record quite well. For live, it is not as important.

So the answer as usual, boils down to your experience and the situation you find yourself in.

 

[J Wilson]

Ultimately it's down to (for this discussion) the 2-piece humbuckers in the traditional spot that is the 'Precision' tone.

Whatever axe it's built into doesn't matter much unless it's a radically different wood recipe from the traditional white woods or some very non- traditional electronics.

I suppose it only matters to Fender/Squier when they go to put the decal on the head. I could care less, there are SO many variations out there past the traditional Fender products as to blur this completely.

 

[MtManiac]

I think of them as P basses. Precision is a Fender brand, so for me those have to be Fenders, but something shaped like a Precision with a split coil in the right spot is a P bass, regardless of whether it's a Fender or not. PJ's are to me also just P basses, but a subset. G&L P basses are close enough to the shape for me to consider them a P bass.

Jazz shaped basses are Jazz basses, even if they have a split coil. Stingrays are not P basses even if their body shape is close to that of a Precision.

Something like a BC Rich that is not shaped like a Precision or a Jazz is whatever that manufacturer calls it - an Eagle, an Epiphone Grabber, an Aria, etc.

 

[monsterthompson]

Settle an argument, he says...

It's being-hit-on-the-head lessons in here.

 

[Parzival]

Forgot all about these devils. And they were first.

I'm so confused.

 

[Makten]

Trying to understand what FSO means.

 

[Matt O]

Is this a Stingray?

 

[Matt O]

Trying to understand what FSO means.

Fender Shaped Object

 

[jnewmark]

I have one Fender P bass and two Fender Jazz basses. I have tried copies, even Squiers. See first sentence.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

I enjoy all of the above. OP, play what you like and enjoy. That's all there is to it.

I enjoy a Fender, as I own a 65 Jazz and a couple Squires, however my main gigging instruments are P's and J's I make out of parts via Musikraft and MJT.

On the left is my MJT p. Has Duncans, gotohs, and lavaguards all in a lightweight nitro package. I have a Jazz being made by MJT as a more giggable version of my 65 J, but in Fiesta Red mayching headstock.

 

[51PRI]

"Precision Bass" is a registered trademark of FMIC. Everybody copies Fender for a reason.

 

[salmon256]

It has been said that every "true" bassist needs both a Jazz bass and a Precision bass.
(Your opinion on this matters not. It is a simple fact of life. Thus sayeth Lord Jaco.)

By that logic all the Rickenbacker players aren't bassist...
So all upright players aren't bassist I am guessing to?
All Ibanez players aren't bassist either that means?
Tina Weymouth, Carol Kaye, JMJ, Justin Chancellor, Jack Bruce all aren't bassist because they used something other than a p-bass or jazz bass got it.

Pure bait. Whatever bass you use is the best. Be it a Mustang, ESP, Yamaha, Rickenbacker. With modern amps today it really doesn't matter.
Stop saying you need this. If a p-bass works for you cool. I am fine using my short scales and non Fender products or FSO because it works for me. Simple as that...