Why the P bass obsession

[TrevorOfDoom]

I think ALL basses technically classify as 1 Trick Ponies: they pick up string noise made by struck metal strings being pressed against frets and send it to an amp. That's all they do, no matter how many knobs, switches, pickups, strings, etc.
They can't do my taxes, cook dinner, answer the door, or fix my A/C.
1 Trick Ponies indeed.

 

[DinoRock]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Joe Bananas]

No blindfold test yet?

 

[DinoRock]

No blindfold test yet?

On a recent 10 song CD, I used 6 different basses: Ric 4001, Aria Pro II, Ibanez SR755, Fender (74) Jazz, Fender Am Std P, Fender PS Mustang. I'll bet that if anyone is honest, with the exception of picking out a 5-er, that people would just be guessing as to what I used on which. If anyone seriously wants to play, I'll get you a download code.

 

[Joe Bananas]

If anyone seriously wants to play, I'll get you a download code.

Now this thread is reaching its most interesting and coherent point.

 

[slapagroov]

Every Bass is only as versatile as the player holding it.

I can get many more tones out of my P bass now than of my active full-of-pickups-and-knobs Cort 10 years ago.

+1 I've always been a modern, active bass kind of guy. I just bought a P. I love it. I've always been a Jazz lover too. The P's tone is great for so many styles, it's mind boggling. I don't know if I could pick out every tone on the recording mentioned above, but I can def hear the difference in an active bass like my Modulus or a P, or even a jazz with both pups full. Otherwise, I'd stick with my Funk Unlimited!

 

[Marko 1]

On a recent 10 song CD, I used 6 different basses: Ric 4001, Aria Pro II, Ibanez SR755, Fender (74) Jazz, Fender Am Std P, Fender PS Mustang. I'll bet that if anyone is honest, with the exception of picking out a 5-er, that people would just be guessing as to what I used on which. If anyone seriously wants to play, I'll get you a download code.

After some studio magic was done, it would probably be more difficult.

In a raw live setting, probably a bit easier.

 

[johndb]

I swear to god

I'll pistol whip the next guy who says "one trick pony"

Hey Farva, what's the name of that Paul Simon album that has that song "Late in the Evening" on it?

 

[goodformetal]

 

[4andnomore]

You can get plenty of sounds out of an EB-0. I used to have a 60 EB-0...will have it again if I ever get off my ass and fix it.

Let me guess, cracked at the headstock?

 

[-Asdfgh-]

On a recent 10 song CD, I used 6 different basses: Ric 4001, Aria Pro II, Ibanez SR755, Fender (74) Jazz, Fender Am Std P, Fender PS Mustang. I'll bet that if anyone is honest, with the exception of picking out a 5-er, that people would just be guessing as to what I used on which. If anyone seriously wants to play, I'll get you a download code.

I would guess that 20 second clips of each would be fair use (and a nice little advertisement for your CD )

 

[-Asdfgh-]

After some studio magic was done, it would probably be more difficult.

In a raw live setting, probably a bit easier.

Given how FOH can sometimes sound I refer to my earlier post offering tuba as an option. And carrots, because... carrots.

 

[vin*tone]

I have nothing against precision bass guitars, they can play very good in the right hands. They aren't anything crazy though. I always felt like they have a very bland tone. They don't have much versitility either. I much prefer the depth and range of a jazz for example. Im just curious about everyone else's thoughts on this.

My thoughts are that you should stick to playing your J because you don't like the P.

... its all just personal opinion.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Personally I tend to find the J gets lost in the mix a bit more.

I've never had that experience but as noted before I tend to use the neck pickup solo a lot. (Almost like a P with optional extra pickup). I do now also have a PJ so I have the 'rear picking position thumb rest' on it. I can't imagine the bridge pickup solo not cutting through provided loudness is equal.

 

[vin*tone]

Sure. If you like that tone then that's great.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Getting offtopic, but bridge pickup Jazz isn't my favourite sound for fretted but can work for fretless, except that I am not a fan of the Jaco version of it - too nasal for my liking. It needs to be warmed up, IMHO.

 

[JimmyM]

Let me guess, cracked at the headstock?

Believe it or not, it's cracked on the body. I dropped it one night in 82, and that was all she wrote.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Believe it or not, it's cracked on the body. I dropped it one night in 82, and that was all she wrote.

Even I don't take 33 years to get round to things!

 

[BlueTalon]

See that dot in the center of a bulls eye? That’s a P.

All those rings around it are where the "versatility" of other basses allows you to go.

I once shot competitively in the Marine Corps. On the line next to me was a guy who was on the the Marine Corps Shooting Team, the dream job for a guy like me. We were at 300 yards from the targets, shooting 10 shots rapid fire. He hit close to the bulls-eye with all 10 of his shots, but scored a zero because he shot at someone else's target.

If you're hitting your bulls-eye with a P, good on ya. But that's not everyone's target.

 

[BlueTalon]

Facts are - the P is the most recorded bass in rock history. from my own recordings i've noticed how well it sits in a mix.

It's been said a million times, P-Basses "just work." They are the most recorded bass ever so there is something very familiar and comfortable about them.

This is such a circular argument. First of all, the P bass is really two basses under one name -- the single coil P and the split-coil P should really be considered two different basses IMO. Second, the P had a helluva head start on most other basses. Third, recording engineers liked it because it made their job simple, not because of any intrinsic quality to the sound that no other basses had.

The P is not a versatile bass (not saying you said this, but many people have). It does one thing well in many contexts, but it doesn't do many things well. A Swiss Army Knife is a versatile knife. A Buck Knife is not. A Buck Knife is great for any job needing a stout blade, but it's not as good as a Swiss Army Knife if you need anything else.


I have nothing against P basses or the people that play them. I don't like the necks, but I have a P bass with a J neck that I play at gigs sometimes. They are good instruments. I just get tired of some of the silly things said on their behalf.