Why PBass?

[basspraiser]

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.

This.....I have 10 basses (8 electric and 2 semi-acoustic) and 2 of them are (Lakland) basses with P pickups...they just sound so darn good in the mix.....I use my active basses quite a bit as well, but the P does sound "special"

one of mine has vintage pickups and the other is more "modern sounding"...just love the way the vintage sound blends with the other instruments.

also - as is stated above, I grew up with that sound...

 

[basspraiser]

Check out these recordings done with a Lakland P-bass/fralin pickups:

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It just sits in the mix perfectly. For extra credit, check out the recording with flats.

LOVE those clips!

 

[awakefie]

Sits in the mix well. Great tone for rock. My '94 Mexican has the most comfortable neck I have ever played.

I did drop some Quarter Pounders in it. Tone got even sweeter.

 

[StuartV]

That's what I've been thinking too. I want to own and play a P/Hummer and since I cannot find exactly what I want, I'll just build it for myself.

My MPG is a pretty darn sweet-sounding bass!

 

[olskoolDMB]

Sounds great, simple, looks great and feels great. My wife and son bought me a Highway One for my 58th birthday. Too bad it took me so long to get a P bass!
olskoolDMB

 

[JonKim]

If it counts I don't like p basses at all. They only work for me if thy have a jazz pickup by the bridge

 

[SurferJoe46]

I suggest putting on your flameproof lingerie

 

[AMJBASS]

I would just add that if you are an aspiring professional player it is a very good idea to have a Precision. Wether or not you use it for everything it is an extremely valuable instrument to have. There are many situations where it can really be the right bass to have(either because its the look or sound that the band leader, engineer, or producer expect). The P-Bass is an instrument that I am comfortable using in any environment playing any style of music. It doesn't draw attention to itself, and it always sits in the mix well. Where its made is less an issue now I think... There are some really well built instruments coming out of China now. The Squier CV especially. The Mexican made Fenders are also high quality especially the 50's Classic P-Bass and the Road Worns.

 

[PhillipHolbrook]

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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