Why do I have to want a P...

[Killed_by_Death]

My suggestion? Start looking and put the beer money into your funds. Look new and used. When/if one speaks to you, get it.

You could also do what I do, use the beer money for beer & then buy while you're loaded.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Bass players are a bit LOCO!

A bit?
Hmm, from my experience the bass players are sometimes the break in sanity that the other band members are missing.

I'm as loony as a box of Fruit Loops personally, but maybe I'm special.

 

[twinjet]

My favorite thing about the P is the simplicity. I'm amazed how much you get done with one split coil and moving your plucking hand. I find it much more intuitive than playing with knobs, which leads me to pay more attention to playing the music (as opposed to playing the instrument).

That being said, I really enjoy a good jazz bass too... I used to have a Lakland Daryl Jones and that thing was a beast! But imo it's much more likely that you'll find yourself wondering about upgrades on a jazz than a p... On a P, the only dilemma I tend to have is what strings to put on it

I always have to meddle with knobs. Kinda irritating, but it's a beautiful bass for jazz. Whatcha recommend in my case? I dig motown, funk etc, but in my nine years of playing I've gotten paid for many more jazz gigs to my one or two funk.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I consider a Precision (not P/J) an entry level instrument.

 

[Bassmunnky]

You don't have to Want it

You should understand Why people want it

There is nothing else to know after that.

It's Still the standard and not because of marketing

 

[VWbug]

I always have to meddle with knobs. Kinda irritating, but it's a beautiful bass for jazz. Whatcha recommend in my case? I dig motown, funk etc, but in my nine years of playing I've gotten paid for many more jazz gigs to my one or two funk.

Well, you can listen to our ramblings but the bottom line is you need to play what YOU want to play. We are not there at your gigs. What works for me may not work for you. Go to SA or GC on a quieter day and just have at it and make up your own mind and enjoy the dilemma.

 

[twinjet]

I consider a Precision (not P/J) an entry level instrument.

G&L is the way to go, so I hear.

 

[twinjet]

Well, you can listen to our ramblings but the bottom line is you need to play what YOU want to play. We are not there at your gigs. What works for me may not work for you. Go to SA or GC on a quieter day and just have at it and make up your own mind and enjoy the dilemma.

My dilemma is not having either store within 1,000 miles of my location. The local music store sells Dimension basses, which aren't my jam.

 

[VWbug]

My dilemma is not having either store within 1,000 miles of my location. The local music store sells Dimension basses, which aren't my jam.

Sorry, that's tough.

 

[radioface]

While I love the tone of a J bass, it simply does not cut through like a P bass.

 

[birminghambass]

Dear OP,
PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS.

Sincerely,
TB

PS. Flats

 

[Jamvan]

Dear OP,
PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS PBASS.

Sincerely,
TB

PS. Flats

PPS. Tort

 

[VWbug]

My dilemma is not having either store within 1,000 miles of my location. The local music store sells Dimension basses, which aren't my jam.

As much as I like a P bass now, I had times when I was younger that the wide neck was off putting for me and always gravitated toward my Jazz bass. I'd hate to see you order one sight unseen just to be unhappy with the feel of it especially with the limited funds at this point.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

While I love the tone of a J bass, it simply does not cut through like a P bass.

Says a person who has never heard a Jazz with 1/4 pounders.

 

[FlatwoundFunk]

Not crazy... You'll need two P's. One with flats (naturally) and another with rounds.

THEN you'll realize that you want a P with "bright" flats (Fender, Chromes) and another with more "old school" flats (GHS).

AND THEN you'll want a P for each gauge of flat of one particular style (Deep Talkin' Flats FS, FM, Jameson)...

It gets ugly fast bro.

He ain't lying!!!
FF

 

[Jamvan]

As much as I like a P bass now, I had times when I was younger that the wide neck was off putting for me and always gravitated toward my Jazz bass. I'd hate to see you order one sight unseen just to be unhappy with the feel of it especially with the limited funds at this point.

This is what happened with me. The width difference between the two is just enough to take some time to get accustomed to. Not insurmountable but you'll definitely prefer one over the other. For me, it's the jazz neck. My Jazz Bass Special is Jazz width neck on a Precision body with the P/J pickups. Still prefer the straight up Jazz though most of the time.

Says a person who has never heard a Jazz with 1/4 pounders.

Or a Jazz with a series/parallel switch in it. To me, it's sonic heaven when run in series. Thick, warm, and punchy with a bit of an edge that let's people (other bassists) know you're still playing a Jazz but they're not sure why it sounds so cool! Then, pop it back into parallel and have that many more tonal options to choose from. Hard to do that on a P even though it typically does sit right in the middle of a live band mix quite nicely on it's own.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

G&L is the way to go, so I hear.

I guess you're having a go at my marketing campaign for G&L, LOL!
I wish they were more available to the public. I wish they had a marketing team like Fender or Gibson.

You have to consider that G&L was Leo's last take on making things right.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Or a Jazz with a series/parallel switch in it. To me, it's sonic heaven when run in series. Thick, warm, and punchy with a bit of an edge that let's people (other bassists) know you're still playing a Jazz but they're not sure why it sounds so cool! Then, pop it back into parallel and have that many more tonal options to choose from. Hard to do that on a P even though it typically does sit right in the middle of a live band mix quite nicely on it's own.

I never take my G&L out of series.
Well, almost never.

 

[mexicant]

You need both! Everyone needs a precision!

 

[4001]

Easy..
Just play through the neck pickup on your Jazz Bass.