Why the P bass obsession

[ggvicviper]

I've got some extra popcorn, but it would probably be stale before you get here.

Edit: This thread, however, would probably still be ongoing.

...but like the popcorn, the thread will be stale before he gets to you.

 

[Flaked Beans]

Peanuts are also fine. Now i am ready to open one of these:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Stealth Fighter]

...but like the popcorn, the thread will be stale before he gets to you.

I think it has already exceeded the sale by date.

 

[fender68]

There are an awful lot of folks that chime-in in threads saying how Ps are always the answer to whatever ails the person asking questions.

"Which bass should I get next" -> "All you need is a P with flats"
"Which bass should I sell" -> "Anything as long as it's not the P"
"How do I mix my Jazz bass better?" -> "Sell it and get a P bass"
"Should I offload my Ibanez and Jazz bass and get a Carvin?" -> "Offload both and just buy a P bass"
"Which bass model is best for X, Y, Z?" -> "Just get a P bass"

You get that answer to almost every question several times over. I understand most of the time it's good natured or even intended as a joke, but that's what gives the impression people are obsessed with P basses 'round here.

The next thread should be " Which fretboard? Rosewood or maple" LOL

 

[ggvicviper]

I think it has already exceeded the sale by date.

So that explains the sour smell coming from my iPad.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

We could always move over to Made in vs Crafted in | TalkBass.com and watch the grass grow.

 

[jp8848]

Same here. Just wish it hadn't taken me 25 years. Oh well.

Same with me as well! Avid Paul Goddard (RIP) fan. Always thought he played a Ric, but found out alot of his earlier recordings were on a 57 P bass! So needless to say it got my curiosity up!!!!

 

[alaskaleftybass]

 

[lowerclef]

View attachment 633375

I want all four of those - great choices!!

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

Oops...wrong thread.

Wait a minute...

There we go.

Now...NEITHER IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER. THEY BOTH KICK ARSE.

Returning you to your regularly scheduled program...

 

[-Asdfgh-]

The next thread should be " Which fretboard? Rosewood or maple" LOL

We had one with someone playing 2008 (or something like that) JBs, one with maple and one with rosewood but not two PBs...

Maybe we need a blind test of whether a bass (solo, mixed) is a P, J (front pickup), J (series), Rickenbacker, tuba or carrot.

 

[Hopi76]

I love my Precision, after giving it a setup, I'll play it all day long like the rest of my Jazz basses.

All the used P-basses I've played at guitar shops, though, the poor bass seemed like it's whole life was spent chugging open E. You could fit your pinky between the strings and the end of the neck.

 

[Humbled]

,,,You could fit your pinky between the strings and the end of the neck...

Huh ?

Pinky fit between where and what ?

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Sitting here playing Mt 5 string p. It just works. Simple classic tasty. Have a Warwick dolphin too and others.. the p sounds like bass

 

[slaerts]

Hope this works. Grove's version of a 51 style P5. Fralins and black tape wound strings. Semi transparent butterscotch burst on a lovely piece of ash. Wherever I go people check out my ash...

 

[Shawn Luckman]

What an amazing invention

 

[Geri O]

I'm sure this is redundant, but...

If you have to ask the question, you ain't gonna understand the answer.

 

[fender68]

We had one with someone playing 2008 (or something like that) JBs, one with maple and one with rosewood but not two PBs...

Maybe we need a blind test of whether a bass (solo, mixed) is a P, J (front pickup), J (series), Rickenbacker, tuba or carrot.

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

 

[chris_b]

The studio guys had it worked out by the early 60's. That's why most of the music we grew up with and still hear on the radio today was recorded on stock, standard P basses.

Give a player a P bass and no matter what he tries to do, he will sound great.

He can play like a donkey, but he can't screw up the sound.

(Apologies to any donkeys offended by this observation)

 

[FirewalZ]

I think the point that is missed by many threads like this is that the instrument is simply a tool. It is you the musician that brings forth the music. This is something it took me nearly 20 years of playing to finally figure out and I wish I would have earlier. I chose a bass (tool) that is comfortable to play and fits the job, than work on relaxed, effortless and smooth playing, focusing on full clear notes and the spaces between the notes..