3 Reasons The P-Bass Is AWESOME!

The P bass, short for precision bass, was invented in 1950.

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[paulfromwv]

My P bass with flat wounds just makes me happy every time I play it.

[PhilosophicalCat]

Because it's not as easy to play fast/noodle around, the p bass forces me to be mindful of what I play and the lack of knobs and switches means I focus more on what I'm playing rather than tweaking my tone.

[robjgolde]

The first time I really became aware of how a P-bass differed in sound to a Jazz Bass, especially in terms of sitting in a mix, was the 2006 MTV VMA’s when The Killers first debuted “When You Were Young”. Up to that point I knew their bassist primarily used a Jazz bass so I was well familiar with that sound in the context of a Killers song, both live and on record. However, when they first played that song I remember thinking “oh my God, the sound is so much fuller and bigger than their other songs” then I saw that he was playing a P-bass and it hit me how well that bass sat in the mix.

[tylerpirc]

The best attribute of the p-bass is the string-to-string balance, not only in volume, but in tone. Notes on the G string still have that warm BASS sound as opposed to the thin sound on some other basses.

[scottbrower]

Outstanding explanation of "sitting in the mix."

[lisensundqvist]

I got myself a Nate Mendel signature P-bass in 2012 and I have never looked back. Together with that I use one pedal, a Big Muff. That’s it. Couldn’t be happier 🥰

[philipramsey]

Played bass live for 35 years. Only the Fender p bass fitted in everywhere and in all genres . Never let me down. Played active and 5 string basses but p bass just fitted on the mix.

[samlelowitch]

The Precision Bass was ahead of its time when it was first released in 1951 and it remains the most ubiquitous electric bass guitar in the universe. Your point about its usefulness in the mix is spot on. I love mine!

[pierredebut]

Fantastic video ! You really explain very clearly the way this bass sounds so good with a drumset ! I felt this clarity and the fact we can really recognize the notes when you play with other instruments. You did a super demonstration of that ! Thanks a lot.

[stephenhope]

Good video. I have played bass for 50 years and am still in a band in my 61st year! My go to bass is my Jazz Bass, a 1991 US Std . I also play a 2015 P Bass, US model. I also love my fretless Warwick, German made Corvette similar to the one played by Jack Bruce. Each bass for me, has its place depending on which song we are playing. I also play thru a Traynor YBA-3 100watt tube head into E-V 15 bass speakers with 4 x 10 horns. I also use an Orange crush pro 120 and sometimes use my 1972 SF Super Reverb ( formerly Bassman)

[erickleefeld]

The waveform of a P-Bass really makes you think about how overtones work. You go up to around 1, 000 Hz — but remember, A-440 as a fundamental note isn’t even on the fretboard! The rest is coming from the higher overtones.

[StratBurst]

My Mim P Bass with LaBella flats is amazing.Nothing growls like a P Bass.

[eazlacfam]

Very interesting and insightful video. Thanks for the great content

[pentalarclikesit]

To me, the P bass has so much more "space" in its sound, I don't know how to explain it. I think it's something with the split pickup, even when you are putting effects on it, it has this big "open" sound. I used to play a PJ that had the jazz pickup replaced by a humbucker. Despite the fact that I mostly play various types of metal, after losing that bass (long story) I decided to stick with the split-coil P bass until I could re-create it.

[rodrigomunoz]

In my opinion, I've only been playing for 15 years, I've tried low-cost and medium-quality basses, such as Epiphone, Cort, Squier, Yamaha, Ibanez, etc. And my conclusion is that what a legitimate P-Bass model (Not PJ) offers, is absolute comfort and a solid feeling in the sound mix, which shows off the brightness of the strings and at the same time has presence, which it is an advantage over other bass models, if you like the basic sound defined and present at all times... It is the best!!

[cfibb]

J bass playability vs the P’s … sports coupe vs pickup truck. I prefer to drive the coupe myself. But tonally a P bass just tends to sit in a mix easier regardless of music’s style. It does the job of bass while staying out of the way* of other instruments. Leo Fender got that one just about perfect.🙏❤️

*especially if equipped with flatwounds

[M.Holland]

I love my Jazzbasses a lot! Own a five string Fender American Deluxe (2012) and a Fender Marcus Miller (2006). I love them. Played them a lot in the last few years.
Also own a Nate Mendel P-Bass since 2017. Bought it because everyone said: dude, you need a P!
Never really got my head around it. Like the feel, it’s simplicity. But never felt a huge difference to my Jazzbasses.

And then, Thanks to COVID, I got way more in to producing and recording songs for other people.
There was a song, recorded a scratch bass line with a Jazzbass. Didn’t sound right at all. So I grabbed my P-Bass. (Because everyone was saying it’s the best recording Bass).
And what should I say? It sat perfectly in the mix! The song felt much more complete. It was mind blowing.
Since then I play it way more and give it the love it earns.

By the way, also owning a Sterling Ray35…it’s a great bass as well! :)

[r.l.rachel]

Luv Ur insights regarding that the P Bass is unforgiving; Meaning you need the talent & skill to play clean notes. Beautiful ! Thx.

[danadane]

The precision bass is what I learned on (still learning more complex basslines to this date). You make a great point in saying the precision bass is very unforgiving. I add to it with not exactly the lowest action. There forcing me to tighten up every single fault/bad habit I have. What I love the most is I can play everything from 80s Rock to Mo Town, Heavy Metal, Pop, Blues, Jazz, Latin, Punk the bass sits perfectly in the mix. Some people with critique me for saying this but the p bass is a very basic instrument and that's the most beautiful thing about it. Everything is left to you the player to breath life into The bass lines you play.

[degeest]

I'm going into the recording studio at the end of the month, I have Stingrays, Jazz Bass, G&L's, and what bass did I just buy? A P bass.