Why ???

[JimmyM]

 

[Stumbo]

I go both ways with a P/J.

 

[five7]

Aight guy's, I've been around for a while and though I'm really only a recreational bassist at best I'm still a bassist thru and thru. But I got a question : Why, in the last 5 or so years is it that anytime you see a video or live TV, is the bassist playing a P bass (or one that looks like it) ????? And, if that's what it takes for a pro bassist, WHY the hell would you spend $3k + on a bass of a different flavor ?? Just another FAD period? There was a time when if you saw a Funk group, the bassist was probably playing an Alembic or the likes.... and a washburn or Jackson on the Metal scene..... Anybody ???

What type of video's do you watch, just curious.

 

[Tim Schnautz]

Aight guy's, I've been around for a while and though I'm really only a recreational bassist at best I'm still a bassist thru and thru. But I got a question : Why, in the last 5 or so years is it that anytime you see a video or live TV, is the bassist playing a P bass (or one that looks like it) ????? And, if that's what it takes for a pro bassist, WHY the hell would you spend $3k + on a bass of a different flavor ?? Just another FAD period? There was a time when if you saw a Funk group, the bassist was probably playing an Alembic or the likes.... and a washburn or Jackson on the Metal scene..... Anybody ???

Jerry Scheff once told me that especially backing Elvis on stage it was mandatory to play a Fender in fact about any bass guitar was called a "fender bass". Like a crescent wrench is the title for an adjustable wrench, "vice-grips" for any locking pliers, etc.

But in a studio, nobody cared what you played. Most of Scheffs work was done on Danelectros because he liked the lipstick tube pickups. That's why his signature Lakeland is outfitted with them...

 

[MynameisMe]

Wait, which bass for metal?

 

[4001]

Every time I look at a late night TV show, the bassist is playing a Sadowsky Jazz. I think Will Lee is responsible for that for all the years he played on Letterman.

That old sunburst Fender Jazz he used before the Sadowsky had better tone..

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Aight guy's, I've been around for a while and though I'm really only a recreational bassist at best I'm still a bassist thru and thru. But I got a question : Why, in the last 5 or so years is it that anytime you see a video or live TV, is the bassist playing a P bass (or one that looks like it) ????? And, if that's what it takes for a pro bassist, WHY the hell would you spend $3k + on a bass of a different flavor ?? Just another FAD period? There was a time when if you saw a Funk group, the bassist was probably playing an Alembic or the likes.... and a washburn or Jackson on the Metal scene..... Anybody ???

What you see on tv/video may not be what was actually used on the recording. Think of it this way. The P bass could be the back line equivalent on a video. Another words, the PB is happens to be where the video is shot. It's always in prison condition, suitable for being captured on film-tape-digital. You really don't want to show with bass you've been playing for the last 5 years on a video.

As for the P Bass, it still is the definitive electric bass sound, but it's not the only acceptable bass sound. Frankly, I've been gigging and recording with PBs for over 40 years. They are great for what they do. There are also boo coo other instruments out there that one may like better.

 

[DavC]

i understand what you're saying ... but there seems to being a bit more going on with the bass sound than ' just a P ' ..!? and who's to say that is what was used on the record , or sound track they're lip syncing to ..!!???

 

[Weberman]

P-bass? Funk dat.

 

[Weberman]

Also:

 

[Gizmot]

There are a lot of people who drive Ford F150s (the biggest selling vehicle in America). So if those are good enough for a lot of people, why would you want to drive a Mercedes, a BMW or an Audi?

 

[AudioTaper]

I dont see much in the way of P-basses in the music I listen to. But then the stuff I like is probably disliked by 99% of the people here... awesome picture of Marco Hietala with a Warwick because it's not a P

Wait, which bass for metal?

Serious question or not?

 

[Lava]

Carrots and Tort...

 

[Bassheart365]

Because the only bass in the known Universe which properly "sits in the mix" is a P Bass. (stated with heavy sarcasm.)

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I see Jazz basses all the time, but maybe because I play Jazz basses.........

As do I...on both counts!

 

[Rip Van Dan]

There is video and live TV that shows the bassist? That's news to me!

About the only time they show them is if they are in the back of the shot of the lead singer or guitarist. Occasionally you'll see a camera focus on the bassist, but don't hold your breath waiting for it to happen.

 

[whero]

View attachment 3438455

Gandalf?

Can the mods just put a sticky somewhere, like at the top of every forum, called "Read this before creating a new thread" and it just has the answers to all the questions people keep asking. I'll get it started:

• P
• Flats
• Tort
• No
• Only outdoors in summer
• Fire the drummer
• Carrots

 

[Rib 13]

But I got a question : Why, in the last 5 or so years is it that anytime you see a video or live TV, is the bassist playing a P bass (or one that looks like it) ?????

Baader–Meinhof effect - Wikipedia

And, if that's what it takes for a pro bassist,

is it? .......

There was a time when if you saw a Funk group, the bassist was probably playing an Alembic or the likes.... and a washburn or Jackson on the Metal scene..... Anybody ???

the Alembic thing got big in the late 70s with funk bands mostly due to Stanley....they also became a status symbol.....a lot of those players really loved showing them off on album covers....often, the bass used on the cover, early video-piece, or TV-mime isnt the same bass on recordings.....Mark Adams often used a Jazz, some Frankenbass, and an Ibanez Black Eagle to record with in the studio....Louis Johnson also loved showing off his Alembic on album covers and live appearances, but often used a Precision, Jazz,and -later -a Stingray to record with....its always fun listening to the bass solo in Stomp, visualizing Louis with his Alembic, but knowing good and well that solo is a Stingray tone

 

[tradernick]

in the last 5 or so years

!!!

 

[MynameisMe]

I dont see much in the way of P-basses in the music I listen to. But then the stuff I like is probably disliked by 99% of the people here... awesome picture of Marco Hietala with a Warwick because it's not a P
View attachment 3438455



Serious question or not?

I was joking.