Why does everyone else sound good on a P and I don't?

[fishdreams]

When I had my P I sometimes didn't like how I sounded at all. Then again, sometimes I sounded way better than I ever did on any other bass. It's just such a wonderfully simplistic tool.

Personally I like that, although it is not always practical- you hear the differences between individual Ps much more to than with other basses, and a P is also more sensitive to what amp and cabs you match it with, which is not always what you want when you tend to gig on gear that's around in bars (in a place like NYC, for example)

I believe this is what made Sadwosky's name: the gigging NY pro now had a bass that produced a much more reliably generic tone, no matter what you played it over or into. the donwside is that you'll sound less personal.

 

[BartmanPDX]

I have the exact opposite problem: I like the tone of playing a P in the mix with my band, but can't stand to hear it soloed. I like a Jazz tone equally either way. I've just never really liked a P tone until I dared to play one on a gig and hear it in the mix. Then, it killed. But I'll probably never own a straight P bass because I don't like the tone when I'm trying it out by itself.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Could be that the tone I get is fine, just not "my" tone I suppose. I always felt my technique was pretty good, but who knows.

Definitely!

P's definitely aren't for everybody (despite what some TB'ers may say ). That said, I wouldn't give up on them just yet. If you have the scratch, pick up a used one for cheap and play around with one for a while. It took me a while to figure them out, but I'm glad I did

 

[Musicman20]

I started on a cheap P bass copy. Ive played them ever since, along with Rays and Js. You know what, you can't beat a P bass in certain scenarios. Its probably because Im so used to the neck and tone. Simplistic, fat, grindy (if you want) and sits in the mix amazingly well.

I currently only have one American Standard P, but as much as I try fight it, I know I want another with rounds on....so that's next. Yes, one is enough, but I like them so much, I want another.

 

[SteveC]

I had a "plan" a few months ago to try and have a P with flats and a J with rounds, thinking that would cover my gigs pretty well. I may have given up too soon, I don't know. A P with flats for some jazz standards, R&B, Soul, etc. The J with rounds for contemporary jazz, church, pop/rock, etc. I am probably way too influenced by TB. Before I got online, I was very happy with the gear I had and no one complained.

 

[Kwesi]

If you don't like a P, don't buy one. If ya' like Jazz's with rounds, grab one and roll the tone all the way of for the standards and motown stuff.

 

[spaz21387]

Try picking right by the pickup or alittle closer to the bridge. Thats how I get my tone with a p bass...

 

[SteveC]

I really like the jazz neck. Played a Geddy Lee I really liked the other day. Also like the "Highway One" Jazz a lot. Actually prefer either of those to an American Standard.

 

[PilbaraBass]

I wasn't thrilled with the tone on my precision, then I discovered flats... Oh my, in a band situation, they're perfect.

All other comments about technique, tweaking EQ, and "your sound" completely valid... Remember. The latter changes consistently.

 

[dalkowski]

It's because Ps in stores usually don't wear Chromes.

Seriously, to each his own. If a Jazz floats your boat, more power to ya.

 

[ecj_bass]

I'm not much of a P bass person much either. Never really liked the tone of them, and the feel. Always dug a J bass a lot more. It's in personal taste and style.

 

[SMaubass]

Probably most of the people on a P you hear have a pick. Mike Dirnt, Roger Waters (I think), punk guys, rock guys, etc.. Another approach is to be Steve Harris and make so many notes come out that the tone becomes monotone-ish...

^
Not sure if that makes sense to me

 

[Phendyr_Loon]

I used to struggle with getting "the sound" out of a P bass. Until I listened to some recordings with past bands where I used a P, then I realized that I had the right tone all along.
I went far too long playing the bass but not listening to it.

 

[garmenteros]

On the other hand... I can't get a sound I like from a fodera, ken smith or most boutique basses. Ps, js, ricks, jacksons and everything in between I can find my voice. The exotic high end stuff, the more modern especially, I can make them work but I just dont like them compared to more traditional basses. I played my alembic 5 string (sold now) in my progressive band and my 5 string jazz and stingray beat it every time. The alembic worked but I'm happier with the tone I got from the other basses.

 

[totallyfrozen]

Position of the plucking hand makes a huge difference on a P

I agree.

 

[Ron G]

My wife convinced me of the tone and sound of a P bass. When I was playing a J bass and my Ibanez she never commented on my playing, but when I started playing a P she walked into the room and said that's what a bass should sound like. Funny thing is I bought my P bass when she was out of town and did not know I had a new bass.

 

[ishouldbeking]

Took me a long time to come around to my precision, and now, it's displaced everything else. It wasn't until I got my second precision that I really found the right feel for it. My first was an SX that I modded with a Nordy pup and upgraded bridge and wiring... decent enough bass on its own, but it wasn't magical. My second one was a custom relic built by a TB'er and it just HAS IT. Regular old Seymour Duncan vintage p pickup, and paired with a perfectly relic'd jazz neck, this thing is a joy to play and sounds exactly how it should. I'm a pick player about 95% of the time, and its remarkable how much variation in tone and attack you can get by moving your hand position... much more than any of my two pickup basses offers.

The key to the P is to experiment with your positioning and your own attack and see what works for you. Unlike a jazz bass (or an active bass with preamp controls) where you can simply play the way you want and fiddle with the pickup balance until it sounds right, the Precision requires you to find the right position first. It takes a little more work at first, but you can also instantly vary your tone simply by moving your hand.

 

[David Jayne]

The thing about P's, is that they have a lot of 'tone' compared to many other designs, particularly when compared to two-pickup basses. There's a lot going on in the mids. Most of us were brought up on two-pickup basses I'd wager. These are easier to 'control,' tonewise, IMO/IME. P's just come right out and say it, like it or not. It's been said that they "occupy a lot of room in the mix," and I agree. The upside is that it's easy to be heard, and for me this makes playing easier. But, it took me the better part of a year to get to the point where I like the sound. And I am now addicted to it.

 

[grendle]

Play what you like. I don't like p basses or jazz basses, I can't for the life of me get a ray to sound like I want either. They all sound fine when others play them though. To me spector Just sounds right when I play them. I can get what ever I want out of it and they always sound great, always tons of compliments. Play what sounds good to you and gets the job done. $10 or $10k it doesn't matter, just play it and be happy with who you are on your weapon of choice.

 

[BartmanPDX]

Took me a long time to come around to my precision, and now, it's displaced everything else. It wasn't until I got my second precision that I really found the right feel for it. My first was an SX that I modded with a Nordy pup and upgraded bridge and wiring... decent enough bass on its own, but it wasn't magical. My second one was a custom relic built by a TB'er and it just HAS IT. Regular old Seymour Duncan vintage p pickup, and paired with a perfectly relic'd jazz neck, this thing is a joy to play and sounds exactly how it should. I'm a pick player about 95% of the time, and its remarkable how much variation in tone and attack you can get by moving your hand position... much more than any of my two pickup basses offers.

The key to the P is to experiment with your positioning and your own attack and see what works for you. Unlike a jazz bass (or an active bass with preamp controls) where you can simply play the way you want and fiddle with the pickup balance until it sounds right, the Precision requires you to find the right position first. It takes a little more work at first, but you can also instantly vary your tone simply by moving your hand.

That's how I change my tone on my Sadowsky -- by varying my right hand position. I rarely touch the knobs during a gig except maybe for the volume when my singer starts giving me the "stink-eye."

IMO, that's often the best way to change the tone on any bass - find the best sound the bass will produce, then make all your tonal changes with right hand technique. I just can't find a position on the P bass that gives me a tone I like by itself. Again, in the mix (for me), it's a completely different story. Plenty of great tones in the mix. But I should state that I do not play with a pick.

I should bring mine out more often.