Why ???

[interp]

I used to see a few Skodas (Czech-made automobiles) on the roads around where I live. Then I bought one. Now I see a LOT of Skodas on the road.

I used to occasionally hear local German speakers use the word 'genau.' Then I found out what it means. Now I hear it constantly.

 

[Geri O]

The guys with the 3k basses are thinking ahead: "I need a cool bass wth at least six strings, just in case one day I need the other two, and eventually when I no longer play, I'll have an extremely nice looking coffee table".

So it's actually a kind of roundabout way of spending more money to maybe save some money in the long run (on extra basses and coffee tables).

Or, just buy a P Bass and become a successful studio ace immediately. Either scenario is fine.

If you think this is enlightening or informative to the OP, think again.

 

[BOOG]

... Only in a few states ...........

better check your reciprocity

 

[baileyboy]

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) ?????

Is this a rhetorical question?

 

[I am Soma]

 

[dragon68]

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

It's not just you. I see jazz basses everywhere, too, but I play a Precision Special Deluxe (P/J).

 

[fhm555]

I don't own a P bass. I buy one from time to time when i am seduced by the sound but me and the body style and big neck don't gee and haw so i always wing up selling them. I believe if you are obsessed by a certain type maybe you should get one and try it. If nothing else you can do like me and use that experience to validate your prejudice rather than asking why the first successful electric bass, dropped in the 50's and the industry standard since then, would be so ubiquitous.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

I turned the gas up a wee too high under the skillet this morning. My eggs got crunchy on the edges. Why do you suppose this is?

Chemtrails.

 

[primusfan1989]

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) ?????

In a way its always been the industry standard, sound engineers love them because they already sit in the mix pretty well with little tweaking.

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 ???

Why buy a Ferrari if a Honda will get you from point A to B? Because you want one. P and J basses will work for pretty much any music situation one will come across, appropriate music situation for Boutique basses are much fewer IMO (Im sure there are plenty of people on here who would argue this point, hearing an active boutique type bass in a country or rock and roll setting is just awkward sounding to me bu to each their own)

 

[bass12]

Industry standard indeed. Because, hey, you never know when you'll be whisked away from your $50 bar gig into a professional studio setting where your Grammy-winning engineer or producer will give you a dirty look should you show up with anything other than a P.

 

[bucephylus]

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 ???

In fact, P's have been resurgent for the past 10 - 12 years. And, surprise, surprise, same for Ampegs.

To some extent, what used to work still works. Shouldn't be a surprise, but maybe it is.

SOME TB thread topics can get into the tribal / high school popularity contest mentality zone. This has become one of them. On a larger scale, there is a "cool kids play P's" thing going on.

That dynamic isn't worth much consideration; given that there are more common issues out there. Like, ever checked out that really cool P sounding line on the semi recent hit Attention? Yeah, well that wasn't even a real instrument. Computer jive is actually displacing players now. The A&R jerkweeds are laughing all the way to the bank, and we are squabbling over cool kids playing P's in their bedrooms. LOL.

I generally play covers these days. I generally use Fender J variants that I've modified to be able to access ALL the cover tones, P variations included. Yes, the J can be made to do the P thing. Just referring to the source material, the P tones are correct for about half the material I play. So, a very important sound to cop.

I suppose if you are young, and somewhat optimistic, you'd be thinking about cultivating "your sound." The problem with that is the A&R folks are no longer seeking interesting solo voices. So, a potential career trajectory in that direction is much riskier than ever. For the moment, bass playing is more typically a support instrument. The P is perfectly fine for that role. But, additional versatility is not a bad thing, so long as that support basis is retained.

Regarding higher priced basses, they can certainly be better and more versatile instruments than the Fender, as long as the musician knows what is needed. You can't buy from the Ethan Allen catalog, though; you need some experience with the various components and construction details. Nothing wrong with them, except you can either go very wrong with them or very right depending on what you understand.

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

 

[andawun]

I've been noticing a disturbing trend of no bass player!!!

 

[nilorius]

I don't think it's true. P and J-type are even.

 

[JaseyT]

I used to see a few Skodas (Czech-made automobiles) on the roads around where I live. Then I bought one. Now I see a LOT of Skodas on the road.

I used to occasionally hear local German speakers use the word 'genau.' Then I found out what it means. Now I hear it constantly.

Might as well go for a Skoda; nobody hurts, and nobody cries.

 

[Stranger Danger]

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 ???

Depends on what you expose yourself to. You may think that based on your sphere and what you watch and listen to but with that isn't my experience at all.

 

[Afc70]

hearing an active boutique type bass in a country or rock and roll setting is just awkward sounding to me bu to each their own)

And yet Les Claypol,(I'm assuming you are a fan of) played active 6 string Carl Thompson basses in a hard rock context for years & it worked fine, although I will agree his fretless intonation was sometimes awkward

 

[primusfan1989]

And yet Les Claypol,(I'm assuming you are a fan of) played active 6 string Carl Thompson basses in a hard rock context for years & it worked fine, although I will agree his fretless intonation was sometimes awkward

"Hard Rock" and "Rock and Roll" are different beasts to me and Primus doesn't really fit into either of those categories for me.

Im also just speaking generally in regards to my first post on this thread, of course there are exceptions.

 

[Bluwaterbob]

Yes, a precision bass is all it takes to be a pro bassist. I also have a bridge to sell you. The bridge is from a j bass tho.

No thanks, I played a couple back in the late 70's and never really like them...... strictly personal, great sound I just didn't like the feel.

 

[No Malarky]

I don't care about what I see, I care about what I hear.

That being said, no thongs on stage...except my roadie. That chick is ripped!

 

[FishDub]

I'll just add that you can spend $3k+ on a P bass too. Vintage or new...

This is true... why not the Pino signature for over 4K new!!