Why does TalkBass love the P Bass so much?

[tim gueguen]

I mean, it's not just TB. It's every bass player, almost.

I'd even go so far as to say that every serious bassist needs one. Or better yet, two.

Yeah, no. Lots and lots and lots of bassists don't play Ps, and lots of bassists will never own one. For example most 5 strings aren't Ps.

These threads are always pretty heavy on confirmation bias. If I went by the young Japanese and South Korean bassists I watch online I'd assume the P was on its way out, because if they're playing Fender style basses they're more likely to be a J or some take on a J.

 

[BazzaBass]

Conservatism

So conservatism is not always a dirty word

 

[pepj]

Because many players need one even they don't know it.
The number of times you hear someone struggling in the mix...obliviously obviously,
This very weekend this happened with a guy honking away on his bass and the soundman couldn't do anything with it.
Would have made everything sound so so much better.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I believe that at this point we can dispell the myth that all P Bass cosmic oneness is focused on TB. No specific demographic is prone to the P Bass and the Bass itself has no problems holding it's own without the defense of the legions of users with a healthy respect for its capabilities, professional acceptance and in some situations an expected demand.

The P Bass has been going strong longer than most here on TB I'm am fairly certain. Many will at some point cross paths with the P Bass if only as a phase. Others will be wed to it forever. Some will tinker and many will leave well enough alone.

I am confident that anyone on TB now, will be out lived by Leo Fender's four string thing, undoubtedly.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I believe that at this point we can dispell the myth that all P Bass cosmic oneness is focused on TB. No specific demographic is prone to the P Bass and the Bass itself has no problems holding it's own without the defense of the legions of users with a healthy respect for its capabilities, professional acceptance and in some situations an expected demand.

The P Bass has been going strong longer than most here on TB I'm am fairly certain. Many will at some point cross paths with the P Bass if only as a phase. Others will be wed to it forever. Some will tinker and many will leave well enough alone.
View attachment 5488070
I am confident that anyone on TB now, will be out lived by Leo Fender's four string thing, undoubtedly.

 

[crapusername]

I’ve tried j basses and most different ‘styles’ of instrument, but I have found that the most consistent and audible in a mix is the p.
It gives me precisely the tone I need in 85-90% of situations

 

[BoogieZK]

Because Sound engineers are power driving this idea into bass player heads... because many of them are lazy to try mix anything else.

 

[badinage]

Because Sound engineers are power driving this idea into bass player heads... because many of them are lazy to try mix anything else.

I think it's more likely that when a less-than good bass sound is being heard by people who wish they were instead hearing a good bass sound, it's easy for a "Sound engineer" to parrot the truism: "a P-bass would fix this" rather than admit "I don't know how to fix this". Sometimes maybe the sound engineer just doesn't want to make enemies by saying "given the source I don't think anything anyone could do would fix this"... ...kinda in the same vein as Barney Fife and the "really sensitive microphone".

 

[antfarm]

It feels good and sounds good.

Same with flatwounds btw, they feel good and sound good.

 

[BoogieZK]

I think it's more likely that when a less-than good bass sound is being heard by people who wish they were instead hearing a good bass sound, it's easy for a "Sound engineer" to parrot the truism: "a P-bass would fix this" rather than admit "I don't know how to fix this". Sometimes maybe the sound engineer just doesn't want to make enemies by saying "given the source I don't think anything anyone could do would fix this"... ...kinda in the same vein as Barney Fife and the "really sensitive microphone".

Being from France, i did not had the Barney Fife ref. Now i do !
And being from France, i can assure you that all is left from the USA to Europe cultural journey is: "Why don't you play a Pbass? Is the only bass that sounds good"
ok.. It's my experience with recording engineers... maybe i don't sound that good!

 

[TheArchitect]

Because Sound engineers are power driving this idea into bass player heads... because many of them are lazy to try mix anything else.

Bu@##(^&

 

[Bassdirty]

TalkBass is full of old men.

This^^
Something about Old/Dogs/Tricks or what have you.. maybe.

T$

 

[TheArchitect]

I think it's more likely that when a less-than good bass sound is being heard by people who wish they were instead hearing a good bass sound, it's easy for a "Sound engineer" to parrot the truism: "a P-bass would fix this" rather than admit "I don't know how to fix this". Sometimes maybe the sound engineer just doesn't want to make enemies by saying "given the source I don't think anything anyone could do would fix this"... ...kinda in the same vein as Barney Fife and the "really sensitive microphone".

Its not the sound engineers job to figure out why they sound bad. There job is to get a usable sound at minimum, great if possible, and do so in a reasonable time frame. Switching to a known good option is much faster than tinkering with a problem child when the clock is ticking. Your statement assumes there is a fix to be had. That is by no means a given. Some instruments just don't sound good no matter how much they cost, how well they play or how much their owner loves them. P basses have a record of success. J basses as well for that matter. They work too but we are discussing P basses

Its not about lazy, its about not having hours to screw around before a show or wasting your money in the studio fixing something you should have fixed before you got there. I would be happy to spend a few days helping you fix your tone in the studio. Your paying my hourly rate either way. Its probably not in your best interest to do that though, so I suggest the P bass...

 

[Bass Motifs]

From the vid demos I’ve seen the side by side split humbucker j pickups in neck position get close. Nordy and Dimarzio make them for sure.

Yes possibly. I think a lot is in Duck Dunn's hands too.

 

[badinage]

...Your statement assumes there is a fix to be had...

I think my "Barney Fife" analogy recognized that no, sometimes there is not.

related: Isn't the entire final-track bassline (including iconic solo) in Foghat's Slow Ride the producer or mix engineer or drummer's girlfriend or maybe the guy that came to service the Pepsi machine(?) sitting in the control room "suggesting" a bass line?

 

[sears]

Mods, could you create a subforum where people can complain about P basses?

 

[TheArchitect]

Mods, could you create a subforum where people can complain about P basses?

Most of us are supporting it. No need for such a forum

 

[TheArchitect]

I think my "Barney Fife" analogy recognized that no, sometimes there is not.

related: Isn't the entire final-track bassline (including iconic solo) in Foghat's Slow Ride the producer or mix engineer or drummer's girlfriend or maybe the guy that came to service the Pepsi machine(?) sitting in the control room "suggesting" a bass line?

1) Fair enough
2) Crazy s31t happened in the 70's. Its certainly possible

 

[BoogieZK]

Its not the sound engineers job to figure out why they sound bad. There job is to get a usable sound at minimum, great if possible, and do so in a reasonable time frame. Switching to a known good option is much faster than tinkering with a problem child when the clock is ticking. Your statement assumes there is a fix to be had. That is by no means a given. Some instruments just don't sound good no matter how much they cost, how well they play or how much their owner loves them. P basses have a record of success. J basses as well for that matter. They work too but we are discussing P basses

Its not about lazy, its about not having hours to screw around before a show or wasting your money in the studio fixing something you should have fixed before you got there. I would be happy to spend a few days helping you fix your tone in the studio. Your paying my hourly rate either way. Its probably not in your best interest to do that though, so I suggest the P bass...

You know except for the "The Pbass is the only way to go", i agree with you.

When i go to a studio, i have my tone ready to record and mix, and apart from ajusting level and maybe some few EQ tricks, i try to make my tone works within the context of my band.

That's why i don't understand the "Take a Pbass" religion here.
It's not because my tone is not what you have the habit to hear that its bad! It's not because it does not sound like a Pbass that it's not good.
SO, if you force me to play a Pbass on my band, it will not sound good.

 

[frankie5string]

You know except for the "The Pbass is the only way to go", i agree with you.

When i go to a studio, i have my tone ready to record and mix, and apart from ajusting level and maybe some few EQ tricks, i try to make my tone works within the context of my band.

That's why i don't understand the "Take a Pbass" religion here.

There are millions of recordings out there that won awards without ever having a P-Bass on them. What ultimately matters is if you can get a good sound in a studio. If the producer likes your tone and note choices, they wont ask you to play something else. I recon most here just can't do that, yet, but they bought that P-Bass thinking that if they ever got the call, they had the brand of "screwdriver" they think everyone wants to see.