Why such fanatical love for the Precision bass?

[Inara]

I think I'm in the minority in that I think the P sounds better than a J both soloed and in the mix. Just an idiosyncracy of my own pair of ears. I even like the slap tone on a P better. But then, I used to slap the crap out of fretlesses as well (still do every once in a while!), so I'm some sort of weird outlier, lol. But to me, there's just this classic mid-focused tone that you can only get from that P-pickup sweet spot. I do prefer a J neck though! But that's not a difficult swap-around.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

I've been an avid bass player since the age of 13. I'm 57, and just two days ago ordered my first genuine P, an American Professional in Olympic White. I've wanted a P since day one, just never went out and got one.

Never been so excited to get a new axe either. Top of the bucket list, that P Bass is....

Show us some pics when you get it!

 

[Ant Illington]

That's a very fundamental question with a thousand answers that have already been covered ad nauseam. That answer is already out there, and I'm not going to add to that hay stack.


I'm not a P fanatic, but I see where you are coming from. Talkbass is a strange little bubble where certain ideas are amplified far beyond the normal proportions one finds out in the wild. With that in mind, take what you read here, and in response to this question, even from me, with a grain of salt. Talkbass isn't reality.
Part of cult like mentality that surrounds specifically Fender's implementation of the "Precision Bass" has to do with demographics. The general reader and poster of TB is slightly older and tend to be either hobbyists or in cover bands\backing bands. They are very, for the lack of a more polite word, focused on music from the 60s and 70s, generally earlier rock and Motown where the P bass was very common. As the P was really the first mass produced electric bass of note, these more chronologically advanced players are understandably comfortable with something they are more familiar with.
Beyond simple nostalgia, there is also a solid recording reason for the popularity of the split single coil pickup sound. In simple arrangements with light mixes the mid focused tone sits in a very nice place. Since old standards are simple with light mix, a P works well. Unfortunately, this alligator of the bass world, while suited enough to survive, is very unevolved. On its own it sounds like a grunting pig, and it isn't very dynamic. A P is a P is a P; you get one sound that works well below the 9th fret and that's about it. As long as you don't need more than the basics, a P is fine.
Another aspect is simplicity. For whatever reason, some TB players seem to be befuddled by knobs. If there are more than 3, or any kind of switch, their brains seize up. If you are a novice or easily distracted by shiny objects, the Volume\Tone setup of a P bass is easy to work with.

All this said, I own three PJ basses, albeit none of them fenders, and generally use them in the P position. The one I use the most is a Peavey because the neck is slim; I generally can't stand the huge necks common to most P basses. I also have two jazz, one double humbucker, and one Jazz + Musicman. I'm not 100% happy with any of them, and probably will never be without a lot more money. Regardless, instruments are tools with which we make music. Some tools are carefully engineered for specific tasks, and you can't use anything else. Then you have a hammer. P basses are a hammer; simple and blunt, but when you need one, you need one.

Playing-wise, I've largely been stuck in the Motown world and 70's non-rock music for decades, using Spector, boutique and Stingrays. P bass was harder for me to play since I was used to resting on bridge pickups. Since I've learned floating thumb the P bass is now playable, and it's a great sound for a whole lot of music, including contemporary of all sorts. Fancier basses might be over-regarded by more "evolved" people but most of our well known and highly-regarded friends in the bass world enjoy P's.

 

[micguy]

My mind is not really good at multi tasking. If I start thinking about what pickup I'm on, I might stop thinking about what notes to play.

OK, I do have basses with 2 pickups, but for some gigs (the "stay in your lane" kind where there are 2 electrics, 2 acoustics, a keys player, and a drummer), the P helps me stay in my lane.

 

[Wisebass]

It sits in just the right spot.

Hi Mantis

when you mean that she sits right between all your other basses you' re right

greetings

Wise

 

[chadds]

Because P.
I rarely play one live though except if I know I'm doing a set of old Bob Dylan covers. Adds realism you have to hear.
So many other choices that do it and more.
There are a lot of meh sounding and playing ones out there.
Yet a good P is magic. Strings just ring. Body has dried out. You can hear it's great tone unplugged.

 

[singlemalt]

I think it's the "sits in the mix" thing. Maybe because it's a more focused frequency range. And the simplicity and reliability of the passive electronics package.

While a P sounds pretty ganky all by its self, it just works for most band mixes, which are overloaded with sound.

The stuff that sounds cool on your solo'd jazz, or other basses is superfluous in a crowded mix. All that wide spectrum stuff gets lost, and the lack of meat and potatoes is revealed.

But I want that with a sexy jazz body, a sleek jazz neck, and a bridge pup for extra flavors. Most P necks are too chunky for me.

All the rump moving P bass you could want and more. Solo the P pickup, roll back the tone in passive mode and it's spot on P bass.

There's a glockenlang two band pre under the hood and a range of cool tones both active and passive.

 

[peledog]

Popcorn gif

 

[stettoman]

I think it's the "sits in the mix" thing. Maybe because it's a more focused frequency range. And the simplicity and reliability of the passive electronics package.

While a P sounds pretty ganky all by its self, it just works for most band mixes, which are overloaded with sound.

The stuff that sounds cool on your solo'd jazz, or other basses is superfluous in a crowded mix. All that wide spectrum stuff gets lost, and the lack of meat and potatoes is revealed.

But I want that with a sexy jazz body, a sleek jazz neck, and a bridge pup for extra flavors. Most P necks are too chunky for me.

View attachment 1165100
All the rump moving P bass you could want and more. Solo the P pickup, roll back the tone in passive mode and it's spot on P bass.

There's a glockenlang two band pre under the hood and a range of cool tones both active and passive.

Yeah, bells and whistles....Not a jab, man, a memory. When I was a pup I was all about versatility. My Corvette and NS2 both have active pres and the Spector has had around a half dozen PU changes, now housing Bartolinis....But you get to an age where you know your sound, with all manner of mixin' it up you have "The Setting". Simplicity is king when you get old, and technically nuthin' gets simpler in it's perfection than a good old original P.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

What is it that makes the P bass so different from a J? ....Thanks

Because only a P sounds like a P. You're welcome

 

[David Sutkin]

I wonder if I wrote the question in this thread post in reverse asking about J basses over P basses, would I get the same amount of responses and love for the J like this thread is showing for the P's?

And to those of you who have responded "ugh, not this topic again" .... sorry. Although as a result of all this P love, I am going out to play a few tonight and will probably end up buying one.

I recently asked the same type of question about buying a Rick and was it worth the hype as I was on the fence ... 3 days later my new 4003 arrived and I freaking LOOOOOOOVE that bass.

Talkbass is really a fantastic tool for advice, both pro and con and a great community of people.... for the most part

 

[gregmon79]

Hey TB fam,

Over the years I've amassed a respectable collection of J basses as I LOVE the way they sound and play. I always went for a J if I was looking to add to the Fender collection .... I was never interested in a P bass before but after recently joining Talkbass and spending hours in the forums... it seems there is an overwhelming amount of love for the Precision.

I've never played a P bass for more then a minute or two grabbing one at a Guitar Center or a Sam Ash .... but I've never spent any decent amount of time really diving into different styles of playing with one.

What is it that makes the P bass so different from a J? .... I will probably end up buying a second hand one just to see for myself but in the meantime, can I get some of you P bass fanatics to tell me what it is you love so much about them?

Thanks

Just as you say, "I LOVE the way they (a J) sound and play"....there are those of us that feel the same exact way as you do but with the P. I myself am more in the P camp. But I love both for different reasons. I like the P because of it's all encompassing, low end, full and articulate. It also slams OD and fuzz pedals in a very favorable way to my ears. It's a much more powerful signal. I like that. I just recently got into the J sound over the last couple years. I love how articulate and cutting it can be, how it's very well behaved yet solid. It sits in a mix totally differently than a P bass does. I do not like how a J bass usually hits dirt pedals. Or rather, I had to get used to how it attacked them.

But overall, they are both great sounds and both have a place in just about any type of genre of music. I'm more of a P guy, but I like and appreciate both. I have a PJ with EMG GZRs in it and that has been my go-to as of late for Fender P and J sounds at home. I'll always have a deep love for my P bass though. Highly modified, first bass, highly hi-fi (EMG PAXs) and powerful. I love the wide Mighty Mite maple/maple neck on it too. There is def something about a big wide P neck too. And with a maple board at that! But then a J neck, all nimble and slim is fun sometimes too. Just depends on the music and mood for me.

 

[gregmon79]

I wonder if I wrote the question in this thread post in reverse asking about J basses over P basses, would I get the same amount of responses and love for the J like this thread is showing for the P's?

And to those of you who have responded "ugh, not this topic again" .... sorry. Although as a result of all this P love, I am going out to play a few tonight and will probably end up buying one.

I recently asked the same type of question about buying a Rick and was it worth the hype as I was on the fence ... 3 days later my new 4003 arrived and I freaking LOOOOOOOVE that bass.

Talkbass is really a fantastic tool for advice, both pro and con and a great community of people.... for the most part

I wouldn't worry man, it's TB. We tend to tear anything apart/down that we are highly opinionated on hehe well, most of us. It's just the nature of things here at times. But yes, overall, this is a great community. It has taught me a TON in the handful of years I've been here. Met some really good dudes too.

 

[Pirate Captain]

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[prd004]

I preferred a jazz for around 29 years.......
Then I got a P. The way it sits in the mix converted me

 

[Geri O]

For all the "not this again" responses, it's notable how many responses this has amassed in around 4 hours.

Which matters not one whit...

I think it's safe to say, the Precision sound is the Shure SM57 of bass sounds. Always works, to one degree or another.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Hi Mantis

when you mean that she sits right between all your other basses you' re right

greetings

Wise

You figured out the difference. A precision bass is an it while a jazz bass is a she.

 

[beatnut]

It's not fanatical to stick with the one true bass, the one that puts cream and sugar in your coffee and throws it in your face, the bass that growls in the night and stalks in the forest, the rumble from across the galaxy, the BASS GUITAR THAT MOSES BROUGHT DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN! Is it?

 

[Bassquest]

The P bass is perfectly aligned with the moon and stars, the whole galaxy! Sexy too, I could stare at it all day!

 

[AngelCrusher]

For me :

Records incredibly well. Love the tone and I spend less time on sessions, which saves money.

Plays great with pedals. The best bass for running through a pedal board, IMO.

Humbuckers are noiseless, which is also great

Classic tone, but more importantly a tone that is very easy to mold into different things.