What is a "true" P-Bass?

[dabbler]

No it's like saying that this or that commercial factory hamburger chain makes the "best" hamburgers. And of course that is nonsense, since in this town there is nothing that can compare to say a Thurman burger at the Thurman Bar and Grill. (It violates the rule: never eat anything bigger than your head)

So lets face it, any Fender P-bass ceased to be a "real" P-bass as soon as Leo sold the company. Sure they own the name, but that's not what makes the bass....

I understand your point. Still it DOES determine what you can legally call it.

 

[WoodyG3]

Oh C'Mon - this is ridiculous. Precision Bass and P Bass terms were created and trademarked by Fender. Otherwise it can only be a P-type or P-style bass.

A Lakland Bob Glaub while excellent, is no more a P bass than Generic bathroom tissue is Kleenex.

Yeah, when I go to the store, I often ask for the Kleenex-style tissue.

 

[landau roof]

P bass

P-type bass

Are we now simply arguing over semantics?

Semantics, trademarks, and hamburgers.

 

[mark beem]

Semantics, trademarks, and hamburgers.

Reeeeeeeeeeeeed Robin!

(Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm!)

 

[stonewall]

Isnt this kind of like saying that only hamburgers made at wendys are true hamburgers?

No its like saying hamburgers at wendy,s are not like a " Big Mac "

 

[T-MOST]

Oh, Shawshank... PLEASE don't say In-and-Out! Those burgers are a hot mess (literally and figuratively)!!!

Two words... Five Guys! Now back to P-basses!

 

[stonewall]

Other companies copied the P bass now the owners of these copies wanna steal the name too ? LOL.....Might as well discuss the J bass too...Sheeeeesh....

 

[stonewall]

If someone says to me i just bought a new P Bass i would expect to see a Fender Precision.When i google P Bass what i would expect to see comes up topics about the Fender Precision.When i google P Bass copy what i would expect to see comes up all the copiers.

 

[Lowbrow]

I make this distinction:
P Bass: a Fender Precision Bass
P-Type or P-Style Bass: A Fender Precision bass copy, clone, or bass that uses the same pickup configuration and not necessarily the same body style/headstock.

P-Type or P-Style Basses:

 

[WoodyG3]

I wish I could find one of those Dano basses to try some time. They look like Picaso's redesign of a Fender P-Bass. Plus I dig the bowling ball finish.

 

[frankieC]

Same with P-basses. Only Fender makes "true" P-basses. All others are copies. Others may make copies that are superior instruments, but only Fender makes "true" P-basses.

This....

 

[4andnomore]

P-bass or Precision bass = Fender.

 

[JustForSport]

If Leo differentiated his 'precision' because it had frets and allowed "precision" intonation, called it a Precision- that was his choice.
Adding 2 single-coils and calling it a Jazz, it was still a 'precision' unless it was fretless- just the "Jazz" model.
So, in that vein, a PJ is still a precision if it has frets.
So is any fretted bass, they're just not his Precision.
Some of Fender's P's had one single-coil, some have a split pickup.
Is only ONE of them a 'P'? And then, which?
Is (by Leo's definition- not everyone else's) a single-coil or split-coil bass with Leo's chosen body style still a 'precision' if it's fretless?
What gives others any right to define (in their own terms)
what Leo expressly already did?
Not to mention other manufacturer's 'precision' fretted basses...

 

[wideload]

Got no dog in this fight, but a P-Bass is made by Fender with a split coil pickup only. Anything else, even from Fender, is a bastard. PJ, active P, P with a Jazz neck... all bastards.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Yeah, but you have to grandfather in the five or six years of the single-coil Precisions at the beginning.

 

[PWRL]

If it's in its factory configuration and it says Fender Precision Bass on the headstock, then I reckon it's a P bass. Then there are the others, the clones, whose brand names can come attached to the P designation, such as Warmoth P. But most factory-built clones have their own names, like the Ibanez Blazer. It's clear it's a Precision knockoff, but it's a Blazer. Therefore it is a P-type bass. But Fender makes The P Bass.
However, just like Strats, Teles, Jazzes, even Jaguars and Jaguar basses, there are different models and configurations. My Cabronita is a Cabronita, true, but really, it's a P bass.

Just my take on it.

 

[adk teleman]

My feeling is who cares! I play Fender Precision and Jazz basses. They make me happy and I have found my sound with them so that is all that matters to me. If someone plays a Lakland and calls it a P bass good for him! As long as he loves it and plays it all is good!!!

 

[Rich McCoy]

Isnt this kind of like saying that only hamburgers made at wendys are true hamburgers?

Back in the day I used to eat at a place in Houston named Zeke's.
Them was some good burgers!

 

[Gaolee]

If Leo differentiated his 'precision' because it had frets and allowed "precision" intonation, called it a Precision- that was his choice.
Adding 2 single-coils and calling it a Jazz, it was still a 'precision' unless it was fretless- just the "Jazz" model.
So, in that vein, a PJ is still a precision if it has frets.
So is any fretted bass, they're just not his Precision.
Some of Fender's P's had one single-coil, some have a split pickup.
Is only ONE of them a 'P'? And then, which?
Is (by Leo's definition- not everyone else's) a single-coil or split-coil bass with Leo's chosen body style still a 'precision' if it's fretless?
What gives others any right to define (in their own terms)
what Leo expressly already did?
Not to mention other manufacturer's 'precision' fretted basses...

A fretless Precision. My head just exploded.

 

[LowEndOperative]

If Wendys invented the hamburger, and copyrighted the name "Hamburger", then yes - under those circumstances, only Wendys hamburgers would be "true" hamburgers.



Same with P-basses. Only Fender makes "true" P-basses. All others are copies. Others may make copies that are superior instruments, but only Fender makes "true" P-basses.

That's about it. The rest are Precision-styled.