Why the P bass obsession

[lfmn16]

It seems that the people who DON'T play them are the ones who are obsessed with them.

 

[birminghambass]

I dont think its hate.....I personally think they are just fine....just not the end all be all of the bass world. Is there not room for us all???

Careful. I started a thread basically saying this. I even said I own and gig a P bass. It got really nasty within the first hour. I've never been so insulted for having an opinion. So to answer your question: no, apparently there isn't room for us all.

 

[s2bs2]

I believe the saying goes: "If you have to ask, you'll never know."
Lucky me, I found out by accident.

 

[radioface]

Sometimes, simple is better.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

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.

Now THAT'S the most liked post I've ever seen

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Nothing beats a simple, solid design that just works in the context of so many different genres and bands

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Sometimes, simple is better.

*cough cough* Apple *cough cough*

 

[RRDieselbass]

They are just industry standard. They sound, feel and look solid. You could say the most perfectly designed bass. I started on one many years ago and after playing a bunch of different brands I'm back to the P bass, feels like home...

 

[Stealth Fighter]

I can't think of many reasons for not playing a P-bass, unless you just like to twiddle with knobs. For my purposes, I can set the tone knob and glue it in place and get by extremely well. To me the P-bass reacts to my fingers better than a Jazz, and I played the same Jazz bass exclusively for over 25 years.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Fender Precision Bass: The Alpha and Omega of Bass....

 

[Gyver]

For 25 years I played Jazz-style basses almost exclusively. I bought a 58 reissue P bass last year. It looks and sounds generic to me. And it receives almost all of the playing time these days because it just works extremely well in a band situation. I love it.

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.

 

[lowphatbass]

The P bass was engineered to produce the maximum amount of clean, supportive bass tone possible through anemic amplification. The "mix" and general sound of the majority of popular music evolved side with Precision basses. Back then the goal of the engineers and producers was to make a record sound like a live performance, not the other way around.

 

[jamro217]

It's the ultimate utilitarian bass. No frills. Simple, user friendly controls. Works all of the time, no surprises. A wide enough tonal range for 99% of all gigs. Relatively inexpensive. Built like a tank, replaceable neck for those moments when the tank tanks. What's there not to love? Oh, did I mention that it's available in the sunburst/ rosewood/ tortguard combination and can easily be fitted with flats?

 

[Topkat13]

Perhaps nothing to obsess over but for an old guy like me (60+) those big Ol' fat and low tones really enable my colon the relax.

 

[Scarecrow Jonze.]

The P bass is a work horse bass. I used some variation of a P bass for about 20 years untill I switched to 5 string, and then went back to my Precision because it was all i needed for any job. Adding an EMG Pup just made it more clear in the mix without changing it's initial sound. Not all P's sound the same, but for utility it cant be beat. I prefer the wider string spacing of the precision over the Jazz, but I know the Jazz necks are popular with people who have smaller mitts. The Japanese used to go ape poopie over the Jazz basses back in the 80's mainly for that reason. I guess it's more a matter of comfort. As far as performance and recording, I have never gotten a complaint about the sound of any P bass from any engineer, but I get a lot of guff about my Alembic being too "hot". They are great basses and everyone should have a couple in their collection.

 

[Nobody]

It's like a ripe tuna fish sandwich plucked right from the tree the way it plops it's big bottom down on the hammock of life we call music and it refreshes the senses like dream tinkles layin' it down reeeeal nice and slow across your cheek like a nice breeze from an electric fan made from Velveeta whisking you away to a tropical island made of medical waste just off the coast of New Jersey floating out there like something else that floats really well. That's the feelin' P basses give me and I suspect I ain't the only one. Now you know why the obsession.

 

[Ric5]

For me a p-bass needs 5 strings, 2 pickups and a preamp.

 

[Rocky]

It's like a ripe tuna fish sandwich plucked right from the tree the way it plops it's big bottom down on the hammock of life we call music and it refreshes the senses like dream tinkles layin' it down reeeeal nice and slow across your cheek like a nice breeze from an electric fan made from Velveeta whisking you away to a tropical island made of medical waste just off the coast of New Jersey floating out there like something else that floats really well. That's the feelin' P basses give me and I suspect I ain't the only one. Now you know why the obsession.

Hmmmmmm, and all along I thought it was because the belly conture helps hide my fat gut....

 

[jamro217]

Well this thread went as expected. Can't wait for the next one tomorrow!

Tomorrow's thread of doom is entitled: "Rics, hate them or hate them." Stay tuned.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

For me a p-bass needs 5 strings, 2 pickups and a preamp.

Man, that ain't no P-Bass; it ain't even a Fender.