Why do I have to want a P...

[Showdown]

It's just the herd mentality........ like the way everyone wants a Harley.

I played for 30 years before I bought my first P. So, no.

 

[bassplayer2014]

I agree, get a P bass. A low cost option may be to consider an MTD Kingston CRB. I've played one and it's exceptional! I have an MIM passive Fender 4-string J bass customized with Hipshot Tuners, bridge and Bart pickups. It sounds and looks amazing. However ever since I bought a 2012 MIA 5-string P bass I've very seldom played anything else.

 

[nerkoids]

And THAT is how you achieve maximum 'growl' and 'woof'. And, speaking of 'woof', what kind of pickup is that in the front? It looks like you're ready for anything with that setup.

This bass is for the player that just didn't know when to quit...

 

[twinjet]

I agree with other people who said to keep the jazz and save up for the p bass. It's good to have a back up if for no other reason. I find jazz basses to be far more comfortable and prefer them live but sound of a p bass is an indispensable tone that you're not going to get from anything else. The MIM jazz bass I had been using for years developed electrical issues and i had to scramble to find something cheap to fill in while I got the other bass fixed(see jazz clone in avitar). I replaced them with a parts jazz bass and a squier p bass that I'm currently trying some mods to.

Backups aren't an issue. I have a Schecter six string and a fretless Ibanez 5. I also am not gigging.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Why do I have to want a P...

Because you can't hold it in any longer?

 

[hsech]

P is for grandpas. A 6 string fanned-fret Ibanez is the "new P".

 

[Stealth Fighter]

But you listen to some modern act and it is more of a 6 strings landscape with scooped mid kinda thing.

This is to R&B as New Country is to Country. They are both trash by comparison. There were several groups in Jamerson's day that played true R&B. At least that's what we called it at the time. I guess the younger generations know better.

 

[Trayster2]

The affinity I'm looking at has DiMarzios. Are they good?

Yes. I have Chromes on mine. Swwwweeeet!

 

[Mike A]

I've never really connected with a P on the level I do with other basses, but every so often I always want to try one again and have to learn once again that they're not for me. This has repeated several times and I've owned 5 or 6 different Precisions. I've currently solved the problem by building a nice, inexpensive project P (natural/tort/rosewood MIM J neck) that lives in a closet until the urge hits me again.

 

[TripleDouble]

But if you do buy a P for RnB, don't expect to sound like Pino. Dilla did that all in Protools.

Winky face.

 

[eldoryder]

So stop agonizing and go buy a Squier VM or Classic Vibe "P". This is NOT a Zero Sum Game. This is NOT an "Either a Jazz or a P" situation. There are NO rules that say you can't own both. It only makes good sense to try out an affordable "P" to get your feet wet. Frankly, my experience has been so good with my VM Precision (amber), that I have no immediate plans to upgrade. It's that good, really.

With a few mods here and there, it's everything I ever wanted in a "P". Better pots, Stellartone variomenter, Bill Lawrence P46 pickup, Fender 9050 SS flats......all at a price that won't break the bank.

Do it! You won't be sorry.

 

[twinjet]

"But remember, if you buy a Squier and use it for gigs, other bass players who don't have a gig and are watching you will quietly judge you for not having bought a real Fender. Nobody else will notice, because you're just the bass player."

...You will feel insecure deep down inside because MAYBE they know something you don't. You'll lose sleep and your appetite will suffer. The guilt from not being the best you can be because you chose to be dollar wise and tone foolish will gnaw on your very soul. You honestly feel there's no difference, but you fear deep down inside they are right.

* I honestly don't care, I just had to add this. Lol

I'll be honest, any time I saw somebody rock a Squier, I always slapped a "newbie" label on em. I haven't owned a starter since selling my JBP jazz in 2008. But I do want a Squier so I can give it a shot and not have to really worry about it getting banged up...

 

[VWbug]

I'll be honest, any time I saw somebody rock a Squier, I always slapped a "newbie" label on em. I haven't owned a starter since selling my JBP jazz in 2008. But I do want a Squier so I can give it a shot and not have to really worry about it getting banged up...

It's funny how we obsess about these things.

Don't take anything we say here TOO seriously. We can let ourselves get too intense about things.

My eyes glaze over any thread that starts talking about a Squeir or SX bass and I go to another thread. I know what you mean, but what difference does it make. If a person likes it, good for them.

 

[FlatwoundFunk]

You don't need a P. Other basses "cut through" and "sit in the mix" and thump. You need to know what "cut through" and "sit in the mix" means in your musical context. The basses I have "cut through" and "sit in the mix". None of them are a P, at least as of tomorrow when UPS takes my P to a new home.

The only sound I really dig from a P is with LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass flats. Not TI flats. Not Chromes. Just the LaBellas.

Well put
FF

 

[jbd5015]

What you want is a P/J

 

[FlatwoundFunk]

Ask Mike League over in the fusion band Snarky Puppy. He rolls with a Jazz and a Precision. I generally prefer the sound of his PBass personally. But why settle for one bass when you can have several?

tl:dr - If you want one, get one. It's a nice addition to your toolkit. If you end up not liking it, there's a ready market for them - so you won't be stuck with it.

He's right. And I agree that Michael League does sound better with his P's. I've only seen him twice with a jazz. Mostly 2 different P's. Almost always playing Jazz.
FF

 

[twinjet]

What you want is a P/J

That way I only need one Fender!

 

[twinjet]

'Nuff saidView attachment 685690

Golly, she's cute! I have a midnight wine and solid black PG on my J. Such love.

If I could, I would get a maple neck, with black block markers (is that what they're called?) And keep the black PG.

 

[VWbug]

That way I only need one Fender!

Ha! I like PJ basses. I have a non export Fender Areodyne that sounds awesome! ( heavy though.)

A while back on a similar P bass thread, a P bass guy said about the whole PJ thing...

"I'm sorry but when I see a PJ bass it just makes me think the player couldn't make up his mind and make a decision"

 

[twinjet]

Ha! I like PJ basses. I have a non export Fender Areodyne that sounds awesome! ( heavy though.)

A while back on a similar P bass thread, a P bass guy said about the whole PJ thing...

"I'm sorry but when I see a PJ bass it just makes me think the player couldn't make up his mind and make a decision"

That... Could be said of me!