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Why PBass?

#21
I also don't own one.

As for not being a bass player unless you play one, I've seen great players play them, and probably as many if not more who don't - I've seen many mediocre or even poor players play them - I'm afraid anyone who tells you you aren't a bass player unless you play one is deluded - just like a Ford owner telling a non Ford owner they don't drive a car cos it's not a Ford.

Oh and they're currently in fashion because people think they sound retro, I guess. They can sound nice, but there is sooooo much **lls**t talked. They are certainly on studio produced middle of the road pop stuff from the 60s/70s, and great on 60s/70s R and B - not so easy to reproduce the sound live though. However many of the most famous players didn't even play Fenders let alone P basses. Remeber the most famous bass player to most of the population is Paul McCartney and certainly in the Beatles he wasn't associated with these basses, and they form no part of the Beatles soundtrack. Now in my book, he's a bass player!!

Don't believe the hype - play what you feel supports your own playing.
 
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#22
Really, the bottom line is vast and varied. My take is that, in a given selection of instruments, tools, what have you, the nice ones will always make themselves known. Just like musicians, the talent shines through, no matter what.
That "piano" sound makes me smile everytime I pluck a note.

Josh
 
#23
PDGood said:
It sits in the mix incredibly well in studio or live. That's its claim to fame.

In addition, so many early records were recorded with the P that our ears have grown accustomed to the sound and many associate that sound as being the sound of an electric bass.

The younger generation has seen and heard more choices growing up - so they're not locked into one brand. But many are still discovering the qualities that made it so popular in the first place.
Click to expand...

Spot on!

Gigging with my p-bass is ludicrously easy, and although I like using my own amp, even through other stuff it sounds great. As I've been recording more of my own music, I realize that the p-bass basically mixes itself, it takes way less EQ'ing to make it sit just right.
 
#27
So from what I read, and by the way, thank you for all of your input, it is mostly about the sound. Which is not really what I expected. To be honest, I was expecting to hear a lot of people talking about how easy it was to play, smooth, etc. I am glad to hear the it is mostly about the sound. I think I should start my quest to find one. Now which Fender to get, that is the question. I will have to play around and see which one is right for me. To be honest, I really hate the way they look... Hahahaha just very clunky looking.... But.... There have been a few out there that I could see playing. I love this forum!!! So glad I found you guys!

Thank you again for all the sponses!!!
 
#30
IMO, it's just as much about what frequencies you don't get with a typical P-bass as what you do get. Maybe it comes from the initial design goal and trying to get as much usable volume from a low powered amp/speaker, I'm not sure. To me a P-bass tone has a whole lot of mids, plenty of sack(low mids) and just enough treble(high mids) to be heard very easily without getting in the way of the kick, guitar or vocals.
There's a ton of other ways to get it done and a P-bass isn't ideal for every situation, but it's great in a lot of situations and a good player can usually make it work.
 
#33
I own one real gigging/recording bass, a Fender Precision.

I have used that same bass in a roots music band, for playing reggae, for home recording, i've used it in a country/southern rock band, and my current Blues band.

I record with that bass. I play that same bass live. That same bass accompanies me hundreds of miles A MONTH to and from band rehearsals, live shows, and practice at home.

I've played that bass in sweltering summer gigs, freezing winter gigs, and countless questionable establishments. It's been knocked into, knocked over, left in the trunk, and "borrowed" and "tried out" by other hands too many times to count.

The Midnight Blue finish still shines beautifully, gets "ooohs and ahhhs" by the ladies, and most importantly has THAT BASS TONE to the core.

I have the confidence to walk into ANY bass situation with that bass and know I have the tool to be successful.

THAT is why PBASS! :)
 
#36
Why PBass? Why Ibanez? Why Peavey? Why Alembic? Why any bass? Fender was the first to hit the scene with appeal to the masses.

I'll tell you my short story. I am 54 years on this earth. My musical influence is 60's Motown and what is now termed as 70's classic rock. Fender instruments were everywhere in those days as well as Hofner and VOX, etc.

That being said, IMHO, it all depends on your personal sound preferences. Play basses that appeal to you and what kind of music you prefer.

Play them all at your local music store. The bottom line is, get the sound and feel that you like.

For me, a Fender pbass and jazz satisfy me.
 
#37
Honestly I'm most in love with my Squire MB-4, which is a P-bass with a J-pickup at the bridge and a Jazz-styled neck. I use strictly the P pickup nowadays, but the neck is fascinating. And the tone is absolutely what I want out of my bass, nothing else compares, even though I use a Schecter 6-string with one band, and switch between a Crafter 5-string and a SB14 that I've tuned BEAD for another band in addition to the Squire.

Nothing will ever replace my MB-4 for my 4-banger duties, I'm positive.

Peace,
Greg
 

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