A P bass is always the right bass for me.
Other basses have had their time in the spotlight, but it's the P bass that endures.
Other basses have had their time in the spotlight, but it's the P bass that endures.
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When is the Precision the wrong tool for the job?
- Thread starter Just Wrong
- Start date
I'm a precision bass freak but when I do my disco songs, Earth Wind and Fire or smooth jazz with my saxophonist buddies, I use my flat wound jazz bass, sounds more homogeneous to me……………..and my buddies.
"Despite having multiple basses, I do agree they got it done. But not using a P bass."
My point being a good player can get the job done with any decent bass guitar.
This idea that it has to be a P, J or X for a particular tune is pure BS.
If it made a difference in record sales, good producers would make it a requirement.
My point being a good player can get the job done with any decent bass guitar.
This idea that it has to be a P, J or X for a particular tune is pure BS.
If it made a difference in record sales, good producers would make it a requirement.
Are you saying that type of tone is unachievable with a P-type bass? Really?
Almost.
Macca liked his Ric in later years.
Jonsey had a small collection of basses, including the Jazz and the Fender Bass V.
It’s a personal choice. Lots of pro’s have picked the P and only the P for their sound. Do you dig what they do?
I own and play other basses, but play P basses 99.99% of the time, and the ones I have cover a lot of ground.
I own and play other basses, but play P basses 99.99% of the time, and the ones I have cover a lot of ground.
I'll use a P bass for outdoor gigs but not indoors, as they tend to get boomy and lose note definition.
I am not a root note player or strummer, so note definition is paramount as is equal tone and volume across the strings.
For indoor gigs I use Gibson, Alembic or Warwick basses.
I am not a root note player or strummer, so note definition is paramount as is equal tone and volume across the strings.
For indoor gigs I use Gibson, Alembic or Warwick basses.
Well... That's like saying that you can make a Jazz Bass sound exactly like a Precision, as long as you add the P split pickup to it (in the P position) and solo it. I assumed that the OP's question pertained to Ps, *not* PJs.
P can be used in any situation, but other basses might suit better than a P at times and vise versa. Can you cut open a patient for surgery with a box cutter, sure, but a scalpel would be better.
“A P bass sits in the mix”. “The producer said to use a P Bass”. “The engineer said he prefers to record a P Bass”.
“Every hit is recorded with a P Bass”.
— TalkBass
“Every hit is recorded with a P Bass”.
— TalkBass
The visual and sonic evidence.
When one of my favorites, Steve Hanley, wasn't playing a P bass it was T-40.
He made bass amps sound very angry.
When one of my favorites, Steve Hanley, wasn't playing a P bass it was T-40.
He made bass amps sound very angry.
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As long as the neck continues to feel like a piece of cord wood in my hand, it is always wrong for the job.
In my years of playing a p is good when you have to compete with a drummer and clean sound is not most important.
But, look at most jazz groups ( I said most, not all) the bassists play a dual humbucker active eq bass.
But, look at most jazz groups ( I said most, not all) the bassists play a dual humbucker active eq bass.
I didn't say unachievable.
A P doesn't sound like that naturally.
A P doesn't have a B. So there are notes that can't be played on a P. If the score calls for them then you are inadequately prepared.
That Youtube was the sound of a bass with a 35" scale and strong rigid construction. That's not eq alone. The trick is can you get that sound with the amp flat?
A P can't do those lows. The P's strength is in the mids and low mids and subtle highs. It fits within the mix because of this. When the mix calls for the bass to be the bottom of the mix it becomes less able. Which means there are ideal genres. My drummers have sets designed to produce the optimum in different music styles. They bring what serves the music.
I'm saying that I use a P for it's wonderful strengths.
I practice on one every day.
I'm saying that the excessive cult status is tiring.
The P doesn't need this fan base (play on words).
What TB thinks is a small segment of the musicians and music lovers out there who focus on bass.
I played Mike Casady's (Jack's bro) tort burst '65P in '68 when we were in school together. It was delicious. I had a '57 in '69. It was great.
When basses that did other things came out we tried those too.
Like a Jazz or a Ric.
Because they don't sound the same.
It gets the job done of creating arguments on Talkbass.
I was invited to play with some people and at the time, my P bass was new and exciting to me. Brought that and my MXR Bass DI with me to this, forsaking all of the other vastly more equipped basses at home...
When I show up, it turns out that I know a number of the people playing (unbeknownst to the guy who invited me) and they were a "who's who" of local jam band dudes.
So pretty much every bass I had besides the P would have been more appropriate for this particular session.
Granted, I made the P work fine. But if there were an occasion to bring a 5 string with active EQ and mid sweep controls, this was it... and I had a P bass.
When I show up, it turns out that I know a number of the people playing (unbeknownst to the guy who invited me) and they were a "who's who" of local jam band dudes.
So pretty much every bass I had besides the P would have been more appropriate for this particular session.
Granted, I made the P work fine. But if there were an occasion to bring a 5 string with active EQ and mid sweep controls, this was it... and I had a P bass.
