Why do the session legends all use P basses? (SBL Video Discussion)

[nnnnnn]

The engineer works for me, not the other way around. Not the same for you? Ok. But that means you’re not a working musician.

Your argument isn't even logically consistent within itself, because if a bassist works for an engineer then by definition they are a working musician.

In any case, with regard to who works for whom, both the engineer and bassist (and drummer, etc.) work for the producer in the type of sessions that the original video was talking about.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

That the difference between the sessionals and the talent. The talent play what they want the sessionals what they're told.

 

[Max Blasto]

Your argument isn't even logically consistent within itself, because if a bassist works for an engineer then by definition they are a working musician.

In any case, with regard to who works for whom, both the engineer and bassist (and drummer, etc.) work for the producer in the type of sessions that the original video was talking about.

But there is more to music, and the recording industry than what the YouTube video speaks to.

Which is why there are so many more bass guitar models than just a P bass.

 

[smeet]

I like the P bass sound as a basis for creating other sounds. It’s harmonically rich, but band-limited without much subsonic or glassy content. Of course I play a lot of modern music, so I use roundwounds. I also have a low B string. And a 3-band preamp that can be bypassed, and can sound nice and neutral when set flat. And it also has a MM style humbucker in addition to the P pickup. So it can sound like almost anything.

But it’s a straight up P bass when it needs to be. Nobody notices the B string or the preamp unless I want them to.

 

[nnnnnn]

But there is more to music, and the recording industry than what the YouTube video speaks to.

Which is why there are so many more bass guitar models than just a P bass.

Of course. I thought the video itself made that fairly clear. I was saying essentially the same thing about multiple bass models myself earlier.

In the earlier post of yours that I responded to before you gave a pretty narrow definition of what a working musician is. Now you seem to be arguing the opposite, that actually the industry has multiple facets.

 

[Max Blasto]

Of course. I thought the video itself made that fairly clear. I was saying essentially the same thing about multiple bass models myself earlier.

In the earlier post of yours that I responded to before you gave a pretty narrow definition of what a working musician is. Now you seem to be arguing the opposite, that actually the industry has multiple facets.

Id say it does. Always has, really and especially now. On that I suppose we agree.

From your posts I’d infer a reliance on logic and argument which I suppose is terrific for online debate. Most of the artists I work with find that stifling.
Not all, but most.

So, what’s your point?

 

[Lionel Albert]

Perhaps you do not understand my response. I have been playing a P bass (the same one that I acquired when I was 12 yrs old) for 51 yrs. I believe that validates that Leo got it right.

Because you play it well. Have you ever tried another thing ?

 

[The_Owl]

Rhonda Smith did a similar thing when playing with Prince. She came in with an MTD, Lakland etc. Prince liked the Lakland. But it wasn't long before Prince had her playing a Jazz.

Which in and of itself is interesting, since Prince often played a custom Warwick Thumb bass.

I think the difference comes down to if it's a session gig or an artist recording their own music; for a session you play what the client wants, but when you are doing your own thing the engineer should adjust to what you are comfortable with.

 

[ModuMan]

Which in and of itself is interesting, since Prince often played a custom Warwick Thumb bass.

I'd love a whole other topic for Prince on bass!

Yeah, the Warwick was interesting. That was Sonny T's influence... he played several different Warwicks and Prince picked up on that. He had quite a few! But when Prince used the One Eye Bass live it sat in a very different sonic space, more mids than bass.

He kept that bass around too! It was leaning up against a wall in the studio the day he died.

Okay, back to the topic at hand...

 

[Lance Bunyon]

A P cuts through the mix. If there's a P bass on a record it's instantly recognizable and the bass is defined. Not as much with a J.
The Ric will cut through but the low mids are not prominent. When jazz guys started switching to electric bass from upright it's the P which stands out. Listen to the Red Clay album by Freddie Hubbard. P.

 

[king_biscuit]

I love the Precisions.

 

[Teijo K.]

I've been doing more producing/ engineering lately than playing, but I have never hoped that the player could change his bass. I did hope this one guy could use just a tad more power in his playing thought. He was barely touching the strings and no matter what bass we tested the sound was weak and really not focused. Rickenbacker worked best for him, but better technique would have been the best option.

 

[Krisfield]

P Bass with Flats, P Bass with Rounds. Done.

There's nothing unusual about industry standards like the P Bass.

 

[Mili]

I think the main issue is Bassists (generally musicians) don't know or forget the soloed tone is very different with mixed tone. I forgot it too and recently i decided to get rid of my active 5er because I'm not satisfied with its tone totally but when I heard it in the mix I really really surprised so i love it and keep it.

 

[JakobT]

I thought the video was quite interesting, and because of it, I’m considering taking the course (I’m an SBL member). That was after all what the video was for, getting people interested, and it certainly seems to have done so.

Did the video say that you have to have a P-bass if you’re a session musician? No. Did it say that all producers and engineers will demand that the bass player uses one? No. What it did say what that P-basses are popular with session musicians and engineers alike, and discussed why that might be. That seems to me to be an interesting and relevant discussion.

 

[flyingfinbar]

I’m speaking to your ad hominem reasoning, which indicates you don’t have a point. Ol’ Gene has recorded multiple studio albums which mean he _is_ a recording artist. Doesn’t matter if You like the material.

The engineer works for me, not the other way around. Not the same for you? Ok. But that means you’re not a working musician. That’s ok, there’s room for all kinds of musicians here. As for insulting engineers, no I’m not. But they work for me and all of the know how to record a Rick vs a Presicion.

Oh, I’m sorry, you’re talking about real professionals? Funny, my tax return says I’m a professional musician. Not good enough for you? Ok. I’ll work harder. But I’m drinking fine wine and my wife is pretty stoked on her Xmas presents so I might have to sit here and think about why your opinion matters.

Taking another sip...

You sound angry.

 

[nilorius]

They don't, trust me on this !

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Its possible I have as many, or more, hours as you -- I don't own a P-bass....However, I have several basses that do P-tone fine....A Precision voicing isnt rocket science: its a series-wired pickup in that P sweetspot....thats it....many basses can do that...we have the ad nauseum discussion on here about soloing pickups and P/Js with just the P --- yes, under a giant microscope, they all sound different than a P but, at that power, even P basses themselves sound different from each other.....for general recording purposes and for folks who arent bass players looking for a certain thing, many basses will get P-tone that dont say Fender Precision on them

Im not knocking P basses and I dont hate them: they have a certain cool and mojo....... unfortunately, cool looks and mojo usually dont get captured to tape

Heres a recording Im on from many moons ago (the 90s!)....I thought it needed a classic P-tone....I used my G&L ASAT, mid pickup soloed in Series

Nice playing. I’ll agree it’s a “P” type sound, but that’s about as far as I’ll go. I’ll also agree that a P bass isn’t the end all and be all bass for all people.

The original post ask why they were used so much, I replyed with my experience, and you a certainly entitled to yours. The ones that I used, while slightly different (another point I’ll agree with), were predictable tonally from top to bottom with no mid hump, much like a good grand piano.

 

[spencer096]

Interestingly, when you get into styles where bass is more prominent the whole "must have a P bass" thing more or less goes out the window.

Along with money and an audience

 

[spencer096]

Sound engineers _never_ trump talent.
_Never_.

Check out tom dowd