3 Reasons The P-Bass Is AWESOME!

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

[@scottbrower9052]

Outstanding explanation of "sitting in the mix."

[@OnlineBassGuitar1]

Thank you!

[@robjgolde3221]

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.

[@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.

[@tnhnoztel]

i mean i can name pages worth of players that can shred on a pbass but i think that the strength of p bass comes from the fact that your hands determine the tone instead of tons of knobs and eq

[@pentalarclikesit822]

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.

[@skineyemin4276]

Noel Redding, John Paul Jones, Billy Cox, and Jaco Pastorius all played the Fender Jazz Bass with Hendrix, Zeppelin and Weather Report..., so... And, if you don't use the bridge pickup on the Jazz Bass, it sounds very similar to a Precision..., at least, to me it does.

[@paulfrederick8902]

I have 3, upgraded pickups on all. One with flats, one with rounds and one set up B, E, A, D. Nuff said

[@r.l.rachel740]

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

[@OnlineBassGuitar1]

Glad it’s helped!

[@0megalul309]

with this logic from a guitar player, i now understand why non guitarists love teles so much cos they sit well in a mix. However since I play guitar I spend more time/money on it so I would like to go in depth with playing mixing and getting my tone and due to that, I would be more partial to more different/modern guitars, and conversely, I would take a p bass for my bass needs since they need the minimal work, just like how a bass player would choose a telecaster, cos they are simple to work with and let you spend more time on your main bass, whichever it may be.

[@0megalul309]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 yeah, i never understood the hype of the tele until now, esp when its touted to be the perfect guitar that leo got right the first time.

[@russstevens8768]

I don't know....I had a P Bass and it was nice but ditched it and now have an MM Stingray and a Sandberg Panther Special. I agree that producers and engineers might like to stick to what they know. Unfortunately this preference could just be due to them being lazy or unappreciative of the Bass as an instrument in general and the subtle nuances that we as players and true devotees feel and hear with different manufacturers instruments. If your bread and butter is to play in a studio then you have to play what the money providers say. As a player, I far more enjoy the sound, versatility and ergonomics of my newer basses. Playing the Sandberg (in particular), the sound and feel produced provides a feeling that I believe could not be matched by any P Bass and what I feel while I play matters. (I'm sure there are a lot of Rickenbacker players who agree)

[@atquinn1975]

Hmm, I actually think my P Bass is super easy to play and everything sounds great on it regardless of how I turn the knobs. Quite different from my Jazz bass which is much more fiddly. Of course I'm not trying to do any fusion shredding or anything. I think the fact that P basses aren't fussy makes them no brainers in a studio environment. It nice to have an instrument you don't have to worry about.

[@ThisObserver]

It is the greatest is bass ever is made. Is it? It is!

[@Fili2009able]

What bass guitar strings do you use or prefer ?

[@djanny8951]

very good video!

[@andreaperelli5323]

Yes it is, the first and the last

[@wftyler9680]

The Precision bass is the most ICONIC electric bass of all time. Lots of legendary songs recorded with it. But greatest of all time is beyond a stretch. I appreciate the sentiment, but you can replicate P-bass sound on MANY basses. The reverse, however, is not even close to being true.

[@pastushi2883]

Sorry Is The P BAss Is The What?

[@pastushi2883]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Haha I absolutely agree and by the way excellent video :D I just didn't agree with the title's grammar and was joking around a bit ;P

[@pastushi2883]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Hahha that actually happens a lot, keep up the good work!!

[@RichardThornton_sasuser]

It’s an absurdity to call it “the greatest bass of all time”. I don’t see Ron Carter playing one, do you?

[@paulfromwv]

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

[@StratBurst92]

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

[@philipramsey1520]

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.

[@erickleefeld4883]

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.

[@degeest5571]

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.

[@degeest5571]

As you mentioned, it just fits the right spot in the mix

[@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

[@jacintonegro]

Your Pots need Contact Cleaner

[@Yom7887]

Ad a good preamp and P-bass can produce every sound! I got J-B Pro2 5, MM StingR 5 (94) and my P-B 5 pro1 with mapple neck . I can play Marcus Miller if I want with my PB and my Sansamp!

[@lisensundqvist5306]

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 🥰

[@edmatzenik9858]

Yeah it's a limited sound - it only does from great to fantastic, that's all.

[@OnlineBassGuitar1]

Hahahaha exactly!

[@stevehurst916]

Love the growl, punch, and neck of a P bass. It's #1. Alder wood only. Rock 'n Roll! Ash ones don't breathe. Less mids. They might be good for something. Not for me.

[@rogertinker1813]

I agree 100 percent, I have been playing a p bass since 1976, other basses as well but when it counts it's a p bass, thank you

[@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!

[@MarkSegalotto2009]

talked 1 kg but didn't said 1 gram

[@OnlineBassGuitar1]

😂😂 appreciate the feedback! Thank you 🙏

[@SoulsGuru]

I got my first p bass thanks to Steve Harris from iron maiden and haven't looked back since

[@rodrigomunoz6415]

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!!

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

All I can say is that the P-Bass is the one I reach for when I play for my own pleasure.

[@seb_mitri]

I like the look of some fellow musicians when they see the pbass straight in the amp😂😂 song has a better flow with a pbass

[@willyplaysbass]

if you really know the truth, those are only two mandolin pickups 😊

[@kendeng__]

are you using flatwound strings???

[@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! :)

[@henlofrens]

IMO a jazz bass can come really close when you only use the neck pick-up but yes sometimes it's just better to use a P anyways LOL I only have two 'main' basses: a P with ancient flats and a J with rounds. Literally cannot go wrong that way. My P is also a Nate Mendel btw! Love the neck on that beast, like in-between a J and a P neck. I did do some reverts though to get it back to more old-school, but it did what it did really well stock too!

[@evandrocoutinho8709]

Great warm sound!! What are the strings you are using? Thanks

[@fingersmcoy]

i am getting so fucking sick and tired of constantly being told that ony a p bass is worth playing in the mix. countless bass lines have been recorded without a p bass. for fucks sakes get off your high horse

[@OnlineBassGuitar1]

Well I don’t think I’m saying that in fairness. As you rightly point out, there are plenty of great basses that work well in recording. All I’m saying is that, because the P-Bass is so widely used, what features does it have that give it such a broad appeal. I’m not saying it’s the only bass you should play. Cheers for the comment 🙌

[@thomasfioriglio]

Nice analysis of the P Bass. I just bought one, after not having one for many years, and I am in love again with the tone and how it feels. It just sounds right. And I love how you showed that with the sound spectrum. As for the last argument about it affecting how you play, absolutely. I noticed if I play my Jazz bass or a fretless, I tend to play it differently. The instrument itself does affect how you approach your playing. Thanks for sharing.

[@AllAboutBasses]

Can't go wrong with a P bass!

[@totalcommit7412]

Fender 🇺🇸 Precision Bass ❤

[@ilbassodellamorte2563]

Is the P-Bass the greatest bass ever made? Quite simply, yes.

[@stephenhope7319]

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)

[@viperBSG]

Precision Bass is Perfect.

[@seungjaeyune2008]

very nice analysis

[@WilDBeestMF]

I found that the P-Bass was more forgiving on technique issues I had early on. I hated my Jazz at first, because it felt like the Jazz bass called them out. Well, it did. I learned to adapt to and love both for different things. People will insist that the two instruments are similar, but they both make me play very differently. A Stingray and a Rickenbacker and a Warwick will make me play differently again. The Precision makes you a more conscientious player imo.

[@eckie4679]

Probably my favourite P-Bass is Jean-Jaques Burnell. Has it’s roots in Entwhistle’s awesome creation on the Who Live At Leeds 😎

[@more_me_than_I_am]

워윅 썸 5현을 수년간 치다가 프리시전 4현을 잡게 되었을때 베이스 치는게 이렇게 편할 수 있구나를 새삼 느꼈다. 편하니까 같은 곡도 더 잘쳐지고 연습도 더 하게되고.. 썸베이스 정말 훌륭한 베이스지만.. 편한거 앞에 장사 없다. 물론 픽업 하나 다이얼 두개로도 전혀 부족함이 없다.

[@danadane2501]

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.

[@OnlineBassGuitar1]

I get you and that makes a lot of sense. I’ve always thought of it as being somewhat similar to a double bass for the reasons you mention. And in that, there’s nowhere to hide so if you’re not up to scratch the audience will hear. Cheers for the comment!

[@garychait3353]

I have a 69 Fender Precision w/Jazz Neck at the time custom color, Ocean Turqoise, block inlay on rosewood neck/bought at the music store I worked for in 1969. 2024 and Fender Custom Shop says "Sorry we won't touch it because you don't have a receipt"; although I do have owners manual with name of "E Paxton", only Custom Shop in Colorado is HB Woodsong, Boulder. I thought Fender had control of their channel. I believe Woodsong is telling Fender that no receipt, no work. Moving away from Fender. If they wouldn't do this to a Senior, think what they'll do to you. Buyer Beware. I will post this on other sites selling Fender.

[@bassplayer3348]

Yes it the greatest bass ever

[@YuiSiPinIII]

who needs variability in sound when you have one wonderful sound suitable for any style and purpose. I'm considering buying a multi-scale bass, but they are all kind of modern, with a bunch of knobs, and I would like a standard p-bass but with 5 strings and a multi-scale

[@ryanslauderdale]

I've lately been wondering if the P-Bass was actually made to start about halfway on the tone control, then set the amp sound how you like it, and then find your frequency by making minor adjustments on the tone control. More like a Q sweep as opposed to a treble cut.

[@fluentfate]

I enjoy much more playing my Stingray, for gigs or alone, but when it comes to recording, it's always PBass. Nothing beats a PBass in a mix.

[@flukyreview9128]

The most iconic basses of all the time that many professional and amateur bass players have used and still used today as industry standards are the Fender P-bass, Jazz bass and the Music Man Stingray bass. Ironically these basses were created by a non musician Mexican Engineer from California, Leo Fender.

[@stuartanguish5111]

To me a p bass has to have a thick neck, hate p basses with thin jazz style necks, also I like a heavy bass as I think it adds to the tone, just my opinion

[@bongosock]

It seems to me that the real power of the P bass is it's ubiquity: every producer has a lot of experience mixing P basses - they know what to expect, and how to position it in the mix. Yes, they could mix other basses, but that's extra work that they'd rather spend on voice and other instruments. Every producer wants the bass player to bring a P bass to the recording session.

[@skineyemin4276]

So, all of the greatest albums recorded since 1963 used the Fender Precision Bass on all of the great rock, soul, pop album Producers?

[@maccormac_]

Great Video! As a sound guy I think you could improve the way you record your voice.:) put me of a bit to talk about differences in sound while your voice sounds like its been recorded with the internal mic of a camera with little to no processing.:)

[@sicilianmammalian]

I played a fender mim pbass for most my life, I play the Ibanez sr650e mostly now

[@stephenhope7319]

I read back over many comments here because it is interesting to learn why people like certain basses over others. I am not a fan of Ricks, owned 2 and not really turned on by them. Gibson Grabber from 77 was nice but like the EB-3 and really like all their guitars, they weigh a ton. My son has 2 Les Paul Standards, a 77 and a 2020 and they are heavy also. I prefer my jazz bass over my precision because I find the neck a faster easier width and the 2 pick ups create any sound I need, and with Thomastik-Infeld flat wounds ( which I have on all my basses) I can get that rich acoustic bass sound that penetrates a concert hall. My favourite bass for mid-set slower songs like Dead Flowers, Mellow Out and Carmelita is my Warwick fretless Corvette and I almost never use the pre-amp in it, it just sounds so rich and deep. The Precision is, I would say more like a thumping sound. The Jazz is more refined and the Warwick is for acoustic powerful sounds. I guess everyone has their own opinions and much like food , each to their own. I do feel all my basses sound best thru my 1971 Traynor tube amp and my Electro-Voice 15 in bass speakers and horns. I also top all that off with a nice pre-amp from Tech 21 NYC called Sans-Amp.

[@darkelive660]

In my opinion, there is no other bass than the P Bass. Though I mod mine.

[@darkelive660]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Delano PMVC4 FE/M2 pups, 500k volume pot, linear 250k tone pot, .033 cap, Gotoh bridge, Schaller tuners.. The pups give me more detail in the high mids, 500k brightens and gives a little more gain, .033 cap allows more highs to pass when all the way to mud so it doesn't get so dark. Linear pot gives me better control of the tone knob so it's not as much like a switch around the '8' position. Bridge makes it more stable.

[@darkelive660]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 I dig it...

[@skineyemin4276]

Well, it is the best bass for recording. I have a 30 year old Pena-Suhr Jazz Bass and in the studio there was a vintage Fender Precision present, maybe before 1976; it was fairly light in its weight so maybe it was a '72. I played both basses and to be honest, my bass sounded just as good and felt 10X better and it has a pre-amp built in. So, yes and no, but, I'd like to acquire one again. Now, an old Telecaster Bass sounds really great.

[@haskehoefs8255]

wich gauge flatwounds do you prefer?

[@pumpichank]

@pectorialias is right. When I show up to a session the producer will almost always ask for the P first. If it’s a more rock setting the J might get the call. I think a lot of that is that the producer and engineer know exactly what they’re going to get in the final mix. They know how to record it, mix it, how it will sit, everything. That kind of confidence gives everyone a lot of freedom actually. From a player standpoint, I love the feel and tone of a P. They feel for comfortable than the J to my hands, though I love a good J too.

[@scottthefunk]

Just got a p bass - it feels like a pilgrimage to finally own one.

[@arpEDgio]

Very interesting and insightful video. Thanks for the great content

[@thaddeusfields4360]

My daughter plays a P-Bass and it never sounds bad.

[@earthling273]

Yes it is :-) That walnut p bass is absolutely beautiful by the way!

[@Bass-guitarist]

I play various bass’ but what I love about the P bass is its simplicity, you can pretty much plug it into any amp/setup and just go! No messing with EQ, dials etc. Further anyone who plays alot live will have had that moment where your heart sinks with the battery voltage and leaves you with that special fuzz sound that only comes playing an active bass, P Bass will never let you down with battery issues!

[@danadane2501]

Good point there's much less that can go wrong with the p bass. Everything is on you as the player.

[@Loki_Morningstar666]

I have three p-basses and I love them all. I have a bunch of other basses too, but my go to bass 90% of the time is one of my P-basses

[@bobbystereo936]

51 p-bass?

[@josip1881]

imo PJ bass is the best

[@timball1536]

No. Is is not.

[@onefatstratcat]

yes

[@AugustThor438]

Depends on the pickup really, you can get a P sound from a Soapbar, jazz or a humbucker pickup. For example the Nordstrand super splits and big rig are basically P pickups in a soapbar shape. You can get just about any shaped bass and just put a pickup in the same position and get the same sound. However nothing feels like a P bass except an old Fender P bass.

[@AugustThor438]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 absolutely, there is nothing more satisfying than picking up a 60’s or early 70’s P bass with thick LaBella flats and play some old motown tunes :)

[@jburdsinfuse]

As a long time guitar player and newer bass player, I can get anything I need from a P Bass. Especially live. It's not unlike a Telecaster. A good player can dial one in for just about everything. Some things better than others, but you can gig them anywhere. I love mine.