Pros and Cons of the Fender Precision Bass

Today we’re going to look at the good old Fender Precision Bass. The P Bass! We’re going to look at the pros and the cons of the bass so if you’re looking to buy a Fender Precision this video is going to help you decide whether it's the bass for you.


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Bass Gear:
► Fender Precision
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► Levy Leathers Bass Strap
► GRBass Bass Amps

[alanwardle]

Any product that hasn’t changed much in 70 years and still looks cool has to be good! Every bassist should have one, hard to imagine a collection without one. Rock on!

[ewoe]

As always, I took my P bass to a pretty big show, with quite a few bands. As I hit the stage, one of the sound guys asked me if I liked the way the bass player in the band before me sounded, I said yeah, he said well you're going to sound way better than he did, with that Precision you got there.

[jayturser]

The tone range of the P-Bass can be really wide depending on the technique. So one pickup is not really a great limitation, it's an opportunity to learn different techniques.

[NelsonMontana]

Even if it isn't your thing -- you need to own a Precision. It has specific tonal character that you can't get with anything else, no matter how much you EQ it. In short -- it sounds like a bass. As for the neck not being fast -- don't force it. Let the neck dictate how you play -- simpler, fatter, more in the groove. That's what makes the P so special.

[Okay-time]

I’ve got a small hands and I find it’s not a problem at all with a P bass neck just love it

[ebum]

I bought my first (& only)Fender P Bass when I was 16 yrs old, I am now 56. I still have her & she is my go-to bass to this day. I have owned many bass guitars & that PBass is hands down my favorite, there is nothing I can't do with it.
Thanks for all you do!!!

[trail_bosschisum]

I got a P-bass in 1972, still play it, still a work horse with battle scars and some bare wood on the neck where there used to be finish. I was never crazy about the volume and tone pots and as I get older weight is something I consider more often if you are standing for long periods (it is heavy). But it's still my go to bass. I have to say I played for many years playing by ear, intuition, picking up things from other players, but Mark Smith taught me how to play bass. The music theory course really opened things up and brought things together for me. Thanks Mark.

[djsangre]

I recently got a used P bass fitted with flats. In the end I swapped them with Roto Swing 66 because it's what I use with my band but it was pretty sweet with flats too! I couldn't imagine how great a P can sound with flats!

[ToddBrittain]

The wide neck is actually a pro for me because I have big hands and it makes the bass much easier to play. The single split coil has a sound that fits just about any style of music, so in that sense it's actually one of the most versatile basses going. It can go from fat and smooth with the tone rolled off, to spanky and percussive with the tone rolled all the way up. The perfect bass sound for country, blues, disco, funk, soul/R&B ( though I think the jazz bass sounds slightly better on a pop tune ). Sounds great with a pick too, especially with flats and palm muting

[s.d.d.]

You can’t go wrong with a classic P Bass. If you gig, if you go recording, ppl you play with/for and sound engineers are used to its tone (which it does blend well almost everywhere). Nice vid as usual Mark 😊

[JamesDavisakaRemguy]

I grew up on a Jazz, my older brother (my hero and role model, may he rest in peace) owned a Jazz (1972 Fender "ashtray", now mine) and that's just what I thought a bass guitar WAS. I _thought_ I prefered the Jazz sound, with its tighter, tinier sound, especially with a pick (how my brother played) in all those 70s rock bands. It is only recently that I have fallen in LOVE with that P bass PLUNK! (Cont'd below)

I had to have one, which I now do - a Fender Zone, a 90s MIM with a Jazz neck, 22 fret r-wood fingerboard, bridge pu (single J) and a 9V pre. I love it, of course, but somehow I find it only comes **close** to that traditional P sound. Maybe 90% there, but just not that bona fide PLUNK. Does anyone agree that the "upgrades" to modernize the Precision design don't quite get you 100% of the way there with regard to The Sound? (Please don't tell me how to solo the P pickup, I'm not _quite_ as stupid as my avatar photo looks. 😵 Close, but not full-on STOOPID. 😁Thanks - JD, Canada)

[kevinturvey]

no one ever got fired for bringing a precision

[AphonenewNew]

I tend to get list in fiddling with settings, so I prefer the Precision simplicity, there's basically nothing to fiddle with- is got a volume and tone knob!

[NICUofficial]

Just got mine today to help track my upcoming album. I'm a songwriter / jack of all trades who plays many instruments fairly, but not a master of any. So, I wasn't smart enough to start my bass collection with a P Bass. Instead, I went for the more out-there choice of a JMJ Mustang bass - which, while AWESOME - is simply not the "classic electric bass sound" that I was seeking without realizing my mistake.

cannot describe in words how happy I am to be playing a P Bass now. It is the archetypal "bass guitar" sound that I had in my head, and it just SITS in the fucking mix without any effort or struggle. I'm so happy. The Mustang bass will still get plenty of workouts, especially since it's so fun & easy to play a short-scale with flatwounds, but I have 100% confidence that the P Bass will be a great choice for virtually any songwriting or bass tracking that I do for the rest of my life. I'm so happy :)

[craigscott]

Great video Mark! As a bass player for 55 years, (still active), all I can say is Leo got it right! Precisions, and Jazz’s for me exclusively!

[rikprince]

I just picked up a pair of the Squier Sonic P-basses.... They have the jazz size neck. The pickups were rubbish! Dropped in some passive EMGs, got a good setup, and Robert's your father's brother! Two workhorses for any gig. And they are cheap enough you don't have to worry about bashing them up. A+

[jimduncan]

I have a P and a J. I am now playing my 1988 J (MIJ) more often than not. I like the variety of tones I can get and, having relatively small hands, I like the thinner neck. That said, both are great basses. I've had Sadowsky basses and ultimately have come home to Fender.
Thanks for the video Mark.

[TheMrAndybass]

I researched for ages and tried out many different basses in many different stores, and by far the nicest blend of everything I wanted was in the mexican player fender p bass in capri orange. Agree with all your points.

[diegovargas]

Im in love with p basses, they are what they are, simple, traditional, and maybe a little bit boring for some guys, but i like it.

[aguy]

Your points were spot on. I find myself reaching for my Fender Precision over my G&L Jazz most of the time. I love the simplicity and the stout build.