Why the P bass obsession

[Pier_]

It seems to me that's the very definition of versatile.

let me add a curious thing: in many years of playing I've always kept my Precision as my main bass, and I thought that it was just "my taste".

one day I took a look at my "influences" in bass playing and overall music and bands:

Paul Simonon: Precision
James Jamerson: Precision
Donald Dunn: Precision
John Deacon: Precision
David J: Precision
Simon Gallup (on the first two Cure's albums mainly): Precision
Aston Barrett (in Natty Dread album): Precision
Steva Harris: Precision
Cliff Williams: Precision
John Illsley (in the firs two Dire Strait's albums): Precision
Alec John Such: mostly Precision
Roger Waters: Precision
Pino Palladino with John Mayer: Precision
‎Phil Lynott: Precision
Andy Rourke: Precision
Matt Freeman: Precision
Nate Mendel: Precision

and I could go on citing many bass players heard live, many italian players (in particular Paolo Donnarumma, the best pick style Precision ever), and so on.

if I search for Jazz Basses in my influences, really poor choices, like Herbie Flowers, John Baker Saunders, some italian bassists mostly from the 70's (Stefano Cerri, Ares Tavolazzi, Marco Nanni...)...
I can cite Miller, Geddy Lee, Jaco and few others, but they are not in my "influences list", because I've never played those things, I play mostly in blues, rock and pop situations.

however, most of the times I hear a bass sound that I like... oh, a Precision!

that's it.

the Jazz can give you it's three sounds, but can't give you the Precision. it's all a matter of preferences.

 

[bolophonic]

Derpy derp

 

[Jughead6]

I wonder if Leo knew that possibly his biggest legacy would be a never-ending argument?

 

[jd56hawk]

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.

Bland? No versatility?
Nothing further needs to be said.

 

[Odinbass]

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.

If you don't want to use one you don't have to, but plenty of guys do because they are a one bass fits all solution.

 

[lfmn16]

My thought is that as a new member you should probably use the search engine, see what has been written on this subject before and then start a thread.

On the P bass - love them, have 3, don't play them.

 

[fender68]

View attachment 632949
Here is my AV 58 working on her tan.. I got it just about a year ago, and love it even more than the day I got it..

Yeah baby!!!!

 

[cnltb]

Mine doesn't sound boring at all!
and it works in manny/all contexts whilst not drawing too much attention to itself, which I like.

 

[TheLowEndMedic]

A Precision bass is versatile in the fact that it will sit so well in the mix for so many different genres. If you're looking for a bass to be tonally versatile, covering a wide spectrum of different bass tones, maybe go in a different direction, but if you're looking for one bass that can be musically versatile, covering a wide spectrum of genres, then a P is always a good call. I'm personally not a P bass player, I prefer the tone, feel, and neck profile of a J bass, and truthfully (blasphemy on this thread I know), I prefer the tone, range, and feel of an active 6 string over both. At the end of the day, it's all about the work you're doing, and the bass that fits you best.

 

[chris_b]

You can listen to 60 years of great music from Duck Dunn to JJ Burnell and the thousands of players and recordings in between and hear timeless and great bass lines.

That's true versatility and from a bass that is pretty limited in its design. The strength of the P bass is that almost anyone can make one sound great in a band context.

 

[cnltb]

Bland? No versatility?
Nothing further needs to be said.

This could be a really good video.
...if the playing was better...

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you are using the bass in a solo/lead context (like Michael Manring), than it is not your best choice. But in a traditional context, it is fantastic. Sits in the mix great. Depending on your choice of string, eq setting, and how you play it (pick v. Fingers, how close to the bridge you pluck) is is pretty versatile. I have 2 P style basses, one with Rotosound swings, and a '51 style with flats - sounds totally different, but each has a use.

 

[FretNoMore]

A lot is really down to personal preference; put different basses in the same hands and given how a person will set the EQ, play with a certain technique, note choice etc people tend to sound mostly the same even on different instruments. I have nothing against P basses per se (I do own one) it's just that a jazz bass feels better in my hands and on my body, the neck and body shape works for me. If I got the same feel from a P bass I could just as well have played that, but a jazz just feels more comfortable to me.

It's really funny how people have to have some "us and them" kind of thing to worry about and argue over. Play what you like and understand and don't worry so much about what others do or think.

 

[mikeyjm2]

Have Ps, Js, and now back to having a PJ. I always come back to the P.

 

[gregmon79]

Because they're classic, they look cool, sound cool and are generally comfortable in most hands IME. Theyre simple and to the point. Versatile? Depends. They can cover a lot of ground. Maybe not as much as say some others, but its a P bass! There is a reason why its probably one of the most recorded and most used basses ever.

They solid, simple, sound and play great. Thats how I see it anyway. I love my P.

 

[Nev375]

I have nothing against trolls, they can be very funny in the right context. They aren't anything special though. I always felt like they have a need for attention. They don't have much integrity either. I much prefer the wit and irony of satire for example. Im not particularly curious about everyone else's thoughts on this.

 

[RED J]

What works just works babe. No need to re-invent the wheel.

 

[FA108208usat2]

Precision Bass are great, but I don't get it when people said It is more versatile than the Jazz Bass, It's just not.
Well people have different opinions on which is better, but the Jazz is obviously more versatile.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

After my first bass, a Dano short horn, it was a P. There have been others, Rics, Ovation Magnum, G&L, etc; but, It has mostly been a P. In 2008 I got my first J. I only got it because it was a new floor demo from GC for $649.00. I have come to really like the J. I still prefer the P and it is my goto, but there are times when I like the way the J sounds better for particular songs. Nothing puches and growls like a P. The J will growl with the right settings, but it isn't the same.
I even had a drummer ask me to please play the P and leave the J home. There is one other thing that is important to remember: J - rounds, P - fat flats.

And for those who talk about versatility, what about that $1000 worth of pedals on the floor in front of you for?

 

[Spirit of Ox]

I understand the JRuben's viewpoint on P basses. When I was younger I prefered a Jazz bass and even a PJ. I felt that the P bass with the one split pickup was bland and nit versatile at all. I also thought the necks were too chunky and I couldn't play fast on them.
Now at age 40, I use a couple P basses exclusively. I still use the PJ set up in two of my basses but for hard rock music I feel the true P bass sounds best with it. Hell, I don't even have a Jazz bass in my arsenal anymore.