Still a P-Bass if it has a flame maple top?

[Dash Lashes]

I'm starting to get the feeling that a maple top is not generally believed to effect (or ruin) the potential of getting the P tone to tape(?). the only objections, bases on effecting tone, have been pickup placement. im a little concerned about the LB-100 not being the same as a Pre-CBS Fender, but from everything I know about post production, it could probably not matter after mixing

thanks millions! keep voting!

_dash

 

[Gaolee]

I'm starting to get the feeling that a maple top is not generally believed to effect (or ruin) the potential of getting the P tone to tape(?)

thanks millions! keep voting!

_dash

The real problem with a bass like that is that it won't sound right until it knows that it is the CroMagnon of instruments. So long as you don't let it grow a big ego and start thinking it is pretty, it will be a P-Bass. If you clean it, avoid accidentally bashing things with the headstock, never knock over a mic stand with it, and generally treat it like it is delicate, it will get the wrong idea. When a P starts getting the wrong idea, it will insist on lace doileys in its case, tea in the afternoon, and a sensible bedtime. These are all manifestations of P derangement syndrome. The only cure is to play it until your fingers bleed, then bleed on it for a while. That will get its attitude back to the proper primitive state.

In other words, carrots.

 

[dream_theater]

Maple cap should only make the P bass sound brighter if anything and you could combat it by rolling off the tone knob a bit, but likely won't be able to tell a difference.

 

[MVE]

If anyone here could really blindly tell the difference between any Precision bass and an any LB100 in a mix I would be willing to eat my hat...

And on a more serious note, you said P-ness!!!

 

[gln1955]

If you clean it, avoid accidentally bashing things with the headstock, never knock over a mic stand with it, and generally treat it like it is delicate, it will get the wrong idea.

We're talking about a G&L here. Bashing that hideous headstock might improve it.

 

[JimmyM]

Wow, way too nitpicky a thread for me. Flame maple makes it not a Precision? Nut width makes it a Precision or not? Holy cow! Whatever happened to the days of not caring about unimportant stuff?

 

[BawanaRik]

"Frets mean precision. The bass has frets. The Precision Bass is precise. I forgot where I was going with this."

That's precise thinking.

I always get a grin out of a fretless Precision bass.

 

[MVE]

Wow, way too nitpicky a thread for me. Flame maple makes it not a Precision? Nut width makes it a Precision or not? Holy cow! Whatever happened to the days of not caring about unimportant stuff?

Um, don't you play a radio-shack bass???

 

[Quilbert]

In my mind a p bass should be about as fancy and as complicated as a brick. A big slab of alder, painted, with a big fat neck. No frills. But that's just me.

 

[Quilbert]

I love a maple neck on a p.

 

[Gaolee]

Wow, way too nitpicky a thread for me. Flame maple makes it not a Precision? Nut width makes it a Precision or not? Holy cow! Whatever happened to the days of not caring about unimportant stuff?

So, you voted carrots. It is all a matter of urgent importance, but carrots is clearly the answer.

 

[packhowitzer]

...."ruin it's P-ness"..... lol

 

[interp]

Still a white man if he has kinky hair? Still an alligator if it's painted blue? Still the men's room if it has the outline of a woman on the door? Still crazy after all these years?

 

[Eminor3rd]

IME, the one factor you need to consider above all else, especially when purchasing a bass, is carrots.

 

[diegom]

The real question is: "What is the best P-bass for metal???"

Reading through the thread, I think Dash Lashes is more concerned about "Pino-like" tone that all-out "P-ness" (couldn't help myself...). Be sure to look at the Pino '62 precision specs (alder body, maple neck) and design your custom shop model based on that. I do not believe a fancy veneer top would change the tone much on a bass.

OTOH, if I remember correctly, most of the well loved Pino fretless recordings were made on his '79 2B Stingray...

To stir the pot even more... I think this bass is purdy:
[This invalid link has been removed]
Fender Tony Franklin Fretless Precision Bass - 3-Color Sunburst | Sweetwater.com

 

[Wolfhound32]

...I know I'm supposed to have flats, tort guard... and I will, don't get me wrong...

Who says you are "supposed" to have anything? If there is a very percise sound you're after, then okay-- otherwise get what you want. The tort guard isn't going to make it sound any different-- which I'm sure you're aware of. The LB-100 is capable of much more than one tone...

: If I order a flame top, will I ruin it's P-ness, by way of rendering it no longer a P?

You shouldn't be concerned about what other people think the bass is or isn't. If you think of it as a "P" then there you go! As you've seen, some believe if it's not a pre-CBS than it's not "real." Others are looking for a Fender decal with a "Made in USA" subscript. These people would probably look down their nose at your choosing the LB100 for it's "P-Bass" heritage. Again, who cares? Are you getting the bass to have fun & make music, or to please some group of people on the net?

All that matters is that you like the bass, no matter what others think.

I've had an LB100 since 2013 and love it! I really don't need any other bass as it does all I could ever want. I've also got a few others because they are fun and they make me want to play/practice/write more than I ever have before. Thats what it comes down to.

G&L makes great stuff-- decide what you want and run with it. You might also check out Carvin when you have a chance-- LOTS of custom options available, made in USA, and won't break the bank

 

[Dash Lashes]

IME, the one factor you need to consider above all else, especially when purchasing a bass, is carrots.

i actually lol-ed because i was so meticulously reading through your post, not realizing the last word, until the very last second. so funny. i was on the hook! and you closed it! lol

 

[Dash Lashes]

The real question is: "What is the best P-bass for metal???"

Reading through the thread, I think Dash Lashes is more concerned about "Pino-like" tone that all-out "P-ness" (couldn't help myself...). Be sure to look at the Pino '62 precision specs (alder body, maple neck) and design your custom shop model based on that. I do not believe a fancy veneer top would change the tone much on a bass.

OTOH, if I remember correctly, most of the well loved Pino fretless recordings were made on his '79 2B Stingray...

To stir the pot even more... I think this bass is purdy:
[This invalid link has been removed]
Fender Tony Franklin Fretless Precision Bass - 3-Color Sunburst | Sweetwater.com

oh yea.. for me, the "tony" was a big contender, but decided i'd rather just custom order all the exact specs i want for that "same" money. and i dont think i want a J pup in the bridge (sounds too Jaco). good call though. those are really cool basses. i would take the black one they make over the 3tsb, seems more custom that way

 

[Dash Lashes]

i've ordered a custom G&L before with great success. the guitar i ordered is a LPB SC-2. the color turned out better than i had expected... lots of depth to it (pics below)

My wife thinks i should order this new LB-100 w a burst this time because i "already have one in solid" as she puts it, referring to my electric guitar... another reason im on the fence over their Tobacco Sunburst or Marg. Metallic...

after having something with a little fleck in it from G&L, i have total confidence that their Marg. Metallic is killer in real life. mixed reviews on their tobacco sunburst

here's my guitar:

 

[scourgeofgod]

A P's P-ness cannot be taken away with top woods and finish options, it must be cut off, like Geddy's.