What makes a P a P?

[acebase62]

So, what is the single MOST IMPORTANT physical element that makes it a P bass?

I also vote the P pickup, due to its contribution to the P bass sound(s).

Neck width, body shape,, and wood are less important, IMO.

 

[David Jayne]

Here's my take:

If it's a P body with J pickups, it isn't a P... .

AHA!!! Well, it certainly isn't a Jazz, either, right?
What is it, then? I'd like to know, so I know what to call the one I built.

 

[johnk_10]

AHA!!! Well, it certainly isn't a Jazz, either, right?
What is it, then? I'd like to know, so I know what to call the one I built.

it would be called a p bass with jazz bass pickups.

 

[LaBassGuy]

So, what is the single MOST IMPORTANT physical element that makes it a P bass?

I also vote the P pickup, due to its contribution to the P bass sound(s).

Neck width, body shape,, and wood are less important, IMO.

I for one think this is true of all basses--the pup type and its location probably contributes more to the tone than anything else.

 

[bassdog]

So where is this sweet spot exactly?

Bob

 

[David Jayne]

it would be called a p bass with jazz bass pickups.

Doesn't exactly 'roll of the tongue,' does it......

 

[johnk_10]

you could call it a 'pazz bass' or a 'jazzsicion'.

 

[lowphatbass]

So where is this sweet spot exactly?

Bob

Directly between the 20th fret and the bridge saddles.

 

[carlthegroover]

Well, OP, as you can see by now, your question wasn't stupid at all. It is actually a good one. 5 pages and we still don't have an agreement.

I've always said that Leo got it right the first time. The later versions had some improvements but to me the first version is special.

Well, let's face it, it takes a true genius to create a totally new instrument almost out of the blue (there were electric basses before the P, but they're nowhere to be seen nowadays though) and nail it. The fact that today the P bass is still one of the most sought-after and played basses in the world, and with relatively few modifications, is enough to make a solid point in its favour (unlike the dude who said it had an outdated, dull tone...).

I already have the Squier version of the original P, but in the future I will definitely consider getting a Fender one. Eventhough they're not the same, they get close.

 

[BigBassBob]

I'm inclined to say that other than the aesthetics, the core of any decent p-bass (in my book at least) is the neck, pickup and pickup location.

To me, if it feels like a P, sounds like a P and tastes like a P, then it is a P (and, by going on that logic, all my basses save for my Ric 4003 are Ps or P variants.)