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Which bass for a power trio?
- Thread starter jmattbassplaya
- Start date
I cannot participate in this discussion because there was no carrot bass....
I would use any of those basses and I would lean towards having a very articulate and punchy tone, therefore round-wound strings would be a must for me. It is more about how and what you play than the specific bass.
- Jun 30, 2010
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If I had to consider this I would bring a bass that will hold its own in that mix. Solid low-end, a defined mid-range and enough top-end to offer chordal passages ala rhythm guitar. A bass player in a trio is wearing three hats; percussive alignment, foundation (bass), and 2nd guitar (rhythm behind leads). Never played a MM but being active would help in that setting.
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Honestly, in a trio it does not matter much which bass to bring. You have a lot of sonic niches unless the guitarist is using a 7 string...
Interesting. Did you say that because it's a P or because burst/tort fits the genre?
P bass. Nothing fills in a power trio better than a P bass. I've played in many power trios in my time and a Fender Precision was always my go to for them. Start with Entwistle for example, any power trios before the Who?. OK just saw that it's for 90's and later? Any of them.
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P bass with rounds. When I was in that kind of group, in addition to the P bass, I tried an active Warwick Streamer and a Jazz with Quarter Pounders, and both of them sounded too thin in comparison with my P bass. The P bass filled up the space really well and just sounded the best to all 3 of us in that situation.
Nice basses!
My pop-bass in the nineties was a 1977 Fender Jazz. This days a take the P but the Stingray humbucker will give your trio power!
My pop-bass in the nineties was a 1977 Fender Jazz. This days a take the P but the Stingray humbucker will give your trio power!
- Jul 7, 2010
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- Endorsing Artist for: Duncan Pickups; Line6, Hipshot, GHS Strings, Somnium Guitars
Personally I would actually take all 3.
or at least two of them. (MM & P)
Mainly just see which one fits into the mix best.
Plus you need to always have a backup.
You NEVER know what the drums (maple, ash, mahogany, etc.) and especially the guitarist has for a tone.
Just my 1-1/2 cents
or at least two of them. (MM & P)
Mainly just see which one fits into the mix best.
Plus you need to always have a backup.
You NEVER know what the drums (maple, ash, mahogany, etc.) and especially the guitarist has for a tone.
Just my 1-1/2 cents
For me, you nailed it.
My entire life as a bassist, I’ve mainly played in trios. And at one time, my Jazz, my P-Bass, and later, my EBMM Sterling and my Spector NS4CRFM, were my favorite 4-strings to use.
IMO you can’t go wrong with any of your three basses. Personally, I like a fatter sound for playing in a trio, which makes me think P-Bass, but you’ll most likely might need to be melodic too, and that makes me think J-Bass.
And for me, the middle ground between a Jazz and a P-Bass is a StingRay.
So, I’d use the StingRay, but take your P-Bass too.
I think you should disregard every answer that doesn't say "whichever one you like best." They will all work!
No one is going to think less of you for bringing any of those basses. I'd settle with the one you're most comfortable playing.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,591
- 221,980
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Personally I would actually take all 3.
or at least two of them. (MM & P)
Mainly just see which one fits into the mix best.
Plus you need to always have a backup.
You NEVER know what the drums (maple, ash, mahogany, etc.) and especially the guitarist has for a tone.
Just my 1-1/2 cents
Sometimes only having one bass makes for critical-ear tone dialing (at the bass, amp, and pedals) for that situation and that also includes how you play. It's a good way to really get to know what any one bass is capable of.
