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What makes a Precision so good?
- Thread starter JesseVMT
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Manholes are round because its thebonly shape whose lid wony fit inside itself (if that makes sense the way i worded it)
Oh yeah. P basses are pretty sweet, too.
Leo did his homework. He tried a few things, asked players for their input, and as a result made something that, while not perfect, was pretty close.
if you try to make something better, there's not that much that you can do differently without getting into goofy territory. Hence you get lots of folks working on very minor variations of the original.
if you try to make something better, there's not that much that you can do differently without getting into goofy territory. Hence you get lots of folks working on very minor variations of the original.
Exactly, look at Music Man's "new" Cutlass bass. It's a P bass with a 3+1 headstock. It reminds me of a bass I cobbled together years ago using a P body and a late 80's MM Sabre neck.
A little history from Wiki:
The double bass is physically cumbersome and difficult to transport. It was also becoming hard to hear in large bands or those that used amplified instruments and it requires skill to play such that it can not be readily picked up by any guitarist.
The Precision Bass overcame these problems. The name "Precision" came from the use of frets to play in tune more easily than upon the fretless fingerboard of the double bass. The electric bass lacks the distinctive acoustic qualities of the double bass, offering a more solid, harder-edged sound with more sustain. The bass guitar became more dominant and transformed the beat and rhythm of pop music from jump blues and swing to rhythm and blues, rock, soul and funk.
Acceptance of the electric bass was helped by the endorsement of Elvis Presley's bass-player Bill Black. Black was beginning to use a Precision Bass during the filming of Jailhouse Rock. Fender also delivered an early Precision to LAsession bassist and arranger Shifty Henry. Monk Montgomery became the first jazz player to popularize the "Fender Bass" while playing with his brother guitarist, Wes Montgomery.
The double bass is physically cumbersome and difficult to transport. It was also becoming hard to hear in large bands or those that used amplified instruments and it requires skill to play such that it can not be readily picked up by any guitarist.
The Precision Bass overcame these problems. The name "Precision" came from the use of frets to play in tune more easily than upon the fretless fingerboard of the double bass. The electric bass lacks the distinctive acoustic qualities of the double bass, offering a more solid, harder-edged sound with more sustain. The bass guitar became more dominant and transformed the beat and rhythm of pop music from jump blues and swing to rhythm and blues, rock, soul and funk.
Acceptance of the electric bass was helped by the endorsement of Elvis Presley's bass-player Bill Black. Black was beginning to use a Precision Bass during the filming of Jailhouse Rock. Fender also delivered an early Precision to LAsession bassist and arranger Shifty Henry. Monk Montgomery became the first jazz player to popularize the "Fender Bass" while playing with his brother guitarist, Wes Montgomery.
I think it is nostalgia or just sheeples following the crowd. Often Fender P's are modified to make them "better". There are so many copies like Lakland it is hard to figure out what attracts people. I like the Aria Pro II range of basses, because they are more midrange and can be heard easier in a band setting.
The P-bass tone sets in the right spot.. the reason I think old models sound better then newer is because of dumb luck.. the imperfections in the winding.. and hand crafting that when into the earlier stuff plus the purity of all the components.. and the need for a bigger easier transport instruments created a monster.. the only way to get that today is a custom instrument.. cause Fender is no longer Fender.. IMO.. the old Japanese Instrument have the mojo of the 50's 60's and 70's instruments.. even more than the American series.. it's all opinion.. but Motown-Black Sabbath-classic Punk-make the P-bass my go to tone man.. even if I suck as a bassist- which I do.. at least I'm happy with my sound.. and It makes me try harder.. My Conclusion to why the P-bass is so good would be the KISS Method.. Keep it Simple Stupid.. Just like a good amp..
Ric5
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What makes a Precision so good?
For me that would be a 5th string, a preamp, a second pickup, and a tort pickguard.
For me that would be a 5th string, a preamp, a second pickup, and a tort pickguard.
The P-Bass was the bass that started it all. It is an icon that hasn't changed since 1957. So every bass since is compared to the P-Bass in one way or another. Players will look for a bass that sounds like a P- Bass, but rarely do you hear a player looking a for a bass that sounds like a Gibson, or Ibanez, or whatever. All good basses, but not the same as a P-Bass. The only exception might be the Rickenbacker 4001-4003 Bass. Another icon, but different, on many different levels. I have both, but the first bass I usually pick up is my '78 P-Bass. Keep the groove.
The only thing that makes the P Bass so great was James Jamerson, if it wasn't for him we would all be playing Jazz Basses and the title of this post would be What makes a Jazz so good..
I disagree. Even giving the J a head start, people back in the 60's would have discovered what we know now; that the P sits in the mix better than the J. There would have been a group of players who move to the P at that time and we'd be right where we are now.
