The basic flaw in the p-bass

[jd56hawk]

I can't imagine how a bass with such a flaw resulted in thousands upon thousands of recorded songs and use by bassists in live concert after live concert after live concert.

 

[dkelley]

Yes, it's an old thread, but @dkelley is still here. I checked.

That low mid resonance (discussed at length in the middle of this thread, and elsewhere) is one of the best kept secrets on TalkBass, and shall remain so for all eternity.


Yeah, mine are almost always at zero to get that resonance. One of my favorite things.

There is a delicious edge in the track at this link, which is said to be an Alembic.
Do you recognize the sound?
Is it the one you were talking about?
Thanks.

That could easily be an alembic, yes. Other basses can do that too... but it certainly could be Alembic.

The thing with Alembic is that the pickups avoided having a resonant peak, so you could dial in a resonant peak (or two) of your own wishes if you understood the electronics well enough. Sounds to me like that player, if it was an Alembic, did exactly that.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

@dkelley, thanks.
You hear that edge, right?

EDIT: I mean, do you hear the resonance that we were talking about? Thanks.

 

[Ric5]

(2652) Why you SHOULDN'T play a P bass - YouTube

 

[GIBrat51]

Although the P-bass is correctly credited with being rather mid-range oriented, I see the problem in this approach.

Take P-bass. Install flats. Now turn the treble control DOWN, preferably to zero, but no higher than 50%. That's when a P-bass sounds its best.

^^THIS^^ but, in my case, I add the mute in the bridge cover on my '78 P. Is it versatile? What are you, daft? Of course not. But, if you want to play '50s R&R, Classic R&B, or Motown - and you don't have (or want) an upright? I don't own anything better. Besides, with 22 other basses? I can have as many One Trick Ponies as I want. And, as many versatile ones, too...

 

[Frunobulax]

I played my pbass through my 215 cab on Wednesday. It sounded meaty as all ....
But, when I walked out front, (tone pot fully open) it lacked that bass depth.
A few adjustments on the tone pot and amp quickly sorted that out.

 

[thmsjordan]

Not sure what you're driving at. The earth was never flat.
I can play any style, with anybody, anytime with the lowly, one-dimensional P bass. Bandmates, and the folks who hire me universally love the tones I get in every situation.
I routinely play big band, pop, rock, hard rock, blues and funk, all with the lowly, one-dimensional P bass.
If someone were to find it 'limiting,' I would suspect that they need more experience playing music.

Yep, this.

When I think of versatile, I think of something with many different uses. P bass may be limited in the array of different sounds it produces compared to multi pickup or pre-amped basses but it fits in well in so many different situations that it is one of the most "versatile" instruments I own.
If you look at it in terms of how many different musical situations/styles it can be successfully used in as opposed to "How many different sounds can I make with this bass?" the Precision really shines. Many other basses may be able to do the same thing but for me it is a P bass that is the most versatile bass in my shed due to it's nearly universal utility.

 

[jamro217]

This thread is worth more than it was when it was new. Now it's considered "vintage". P basses are passive. The tone control only bleeds off the higher frequencies and doesn't add lows. If the bass seems to be anemic in the low end it's a problem with poor EQ. Learn how to operate your gear to fit the sonic situation (small club versus outdoor football stadium). Hope this helps.

 

[GreyBeard]

I've owned 3 p-basses, and never had that problem.

 

[JES]

Wow. Impressive necro. I love the P pickup for the midrange. Mids are underrated. But ever player has their own tone goals.

 

[Geri O]

One man’s inherent flaw in the sound of a bass is another man’s mission to overcome and conquer. And make that bass sound awesome.

I’m the second guy….