Why do the session legends all use P basses? Here's why.

[@IndigoBass]

“They loved my playing but didn’t like my sound” Same mate, but they didn’t like my playing either!

[@declassified1]

🤣

[@leemaddison1286]

So, basically, some engineers have such limited abilities that everyone else has to change?

[@ankushshetty]

🤣🤣

[@Seeattle]

LOL

[@maddog3902]

@@leemaddison1286 Quite so quite so

[@yisuskane]

I love the concept of "precision bass": one pickup, one tone, one volume... for everything.

[@elflakeador09]

That's the beauty of it 👌

[@ersatzvitamin1]

like surgical strike

[@brendanengland8385]

Less is more

[@tonyn5055]

Mine has two soap box pickups, volume controls for each pick up and a master tone knob. It's a 2014 fender p-bass blacktop series. It's sounds killer without having to add effects. The only pedal I need, is a Big-muff.

[@grantkoeller8911]

and you keep the volume and tone full blast (wide open) on the bass, and adjust actual volume on the amp.

[@markvincent522]

I’m actually a guitar nerd, but deep down, I love bass the most, and learning stuff like this is rad.

[@ggates2500]

Love it ))

[@YYLegend]

i've been primarily a guitar player, but over the years i found myself gravitating towards bass more and more. it's a gift that i found your channel man thank you.

[@Anonymous99997]

I was asked to come back and play Bass on our church Worship Team after being out of it for years. I decided to fit my Mexican P-Bass with Rotosound Flats mainly to save my fingers. The sound got great compliments from the other Bass players and the sound guys. Pretty good combination.

[@JM-qz1yk]

Carol Kaye set the tone for LA studio hits. That's another factor. Producers want to chase that hallowed and authoritative tone of hers that fit so well in the mix. Flatwound strings appear on many more recordings than you'd expect if all you know is music store and garage band basses strung with rounds. She also used to put a piece of foam just in front of the bridge often when she used rounds to dampen sustain and remove the bright edge. Of course, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, John Entwistle, Mr. Larry Graham all had different ideas and their sounds worked in the mix for the styles of their band. The real lesson is the producer and the engineer will decide what sound they want you to have, not you.

[@thomasjordan3241]

I get your point but Carol used tape over top the strings - not the foam mute under them like you can see videos of cats like Bob Babbit using. She mentions this in several videos here on youtube. It is a minor point to be sure but just a small correction. I had a Precision from that era and Fender would put foam rubber in the bridge cover that sat on the top of the string rather than under like a foam mute - just an fyi for anyone interested.

[@ericmarshall180]

I couldn't stop laughing! I had almost the same experience when I started doing session work in New York back in the 80's. I was fresh out of a Rush tribute band, and showed up to the studio with my brand new 4001 Rick, and my Sunn 400 head wit my Ampeg 2X15 cab, and the engineer started rolling his eyes. He even commented about how he was going to have to "fix" the bass track in post. Later, he was cool enough to take me aside, and tell me to PLEASE go buy a Fender P bass. He explained why, and I listened. He also said I needed to study Donald Dunn. I listened to that as well. Best lesson I ever learned.

[@Vitally14]

Eric Marshall I’ll take the Rick anyday.

[@miosz9007]

Well, your example I don't really get as the Rick is quite mid-oriented and punchy, even has less overtones to worry about compared to a Precision. The rig might be indeed better suited for a big stage, but the bass is perfect for recording, live and anything really, as it goes through the mids, isn't it.

[@chrisA20902]

This is actually really interesting, thanks for the comment!

[@rodneymcintosh1484]

Just do what Chuck Rainey did during the recording Steely Dan's, Aja.......play with your back turned to the booth and they won't know what bass you're playing!

[@horowizard]

Lee Sklar has a switch mounted on the body of his Bass called The Producer that does absolutely nothing. It isn't connected to anything. When the Producer says he wants a different sound he flips it, plays and the Producer says "OK, we'll go with that."

[@rodneymcintosh1484]

@@horowizard hahaha!!!!..... that's hilarious!

[@G8GT364CI]

He did that so they wouldn't know he was slapping, nothing to do with the bass which was a 1957 Fender Precision, they loved his playing and sound which is why they used him whenever they could.

[@G8GT364CI]

@@rodneymcintosh1484 He did that only because they didn't want him to slap nothing to do with the bass itself, he used a 57 Fender Precision on all that stuff.

[@rodneymcintosh1484]

@@G8GT364CI yes, I know. My point being, because they didn't "see" what he was doing, he got away with it!

[@boutcha1]

As an Engineer, I love the P-Bass. IMHO a 3 piece band sounds great/complete with a great bass player and an original New York Spector Bass. Awesome lows, clean mids, and crisp highs help a 3 piece classic/hard rock band sound very full live. Agreed the P Bass is perfect for about every genre. We all have our own style and ear even as Engineers and I've spent the majority of my time in Live venues. Over 30 years.

[@GooseDave]

I sometimes get fed up with Scott popping up everywhere on my YT, but got to hand it to him, on a regular basis he pulls it out of the hat. What an interesting video. Good stuff!

[@busterrabbit]

Nathan East, probably the most recorded bassist ever, plays a Yamaha, and unlike many other players who seem to endorse most brands in turn, I've not seen playing anything other than a Yamaha.

[@rumpledxkn]

I always wanted a Yamaha bass. Mainly because they make bad ass motorcycles.

[@gabrielsteele3885]

Well…. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5SqqWl9Yp6Xfrc

[@PeterDad60]

As an alternative to our fender "P" Basses I recommend the Hofner Beatle Bass to you all. They look like solid bodies but they are Hollow Bodies. They come with quality flatwounds and to my ear when played unplugged they sound most like an actual acoustic bass. Played unplugged hey are louder than any other electric bass and that puts a grin on my face when playing alone. I set the action very high and now it has the feel of my acoustic upright bass as well. I love playing my Hofner Beatle Bass unplugged while in bed at night. It sounds so authentically like my upright bass but it's a lot smaller and lighter and is so easy to play. They are a true Joy to play and own. Even "IF" the Session men are not happy that you have a Hofner Beatle Bass, well ok, just play yours unplugged-acoustically at home on the couch, in a chair in your bed at night. If you like hearing the sound of an acoustic upright Bass then I am absolutely sure you will be very happy that you took my advice and purchased yourself a Hofner Beatle Bass with Flatwounds. Very happy indeed. Bass in a Bed! You can have your bedroom radio on and if you hear something you like you can just reach over to the Hofner leaning against the wall by your bed and pull her into bed and play. Just like that, and it is loud enough to hear over the radio at normal broadcasting listening levels at night. -Peter

[@UrMom-np3hj]

Are u getting paid?

[@ilikestripes5709]

Also a very good looking bass

[@alexparsa8330]

I agree! My German made one is such a cool alternative to the pbass

[@basstor1]

Well, they don't. Numerous players get by just fine without a p-bass. In the studio as well.

[@RSTI191]

My top ten list of bass guitars Fender Precision Fender Jazz Then everything else

[@bernardjharmsen304]

MM Stingray

[@silentbloodyslayer98]

Rick 4001

[@AnthonyOrsino]

MM Stingray is #3 with a bullet...... and then everything else

[@williebowen1043]

Fender Precision Bass with 4-string,MAPLE Fret, HOFNER 500/1CT Violin Bass, Rickenbacker 4003 Stereo, G&L Tribute KiloTron & Fallout, L-2000& CLF L-2000, Warwick CORVETTE ROCKBASS 4,GIBSON GRABBER,EPIPHONE EBO.ARE MY FAVORITE BASS,GUITARS.

[@kevinlynch2248]

I agree with all of what’s said here except one thing you said Scott - just because a P bass (or any bass for that matter) costs $400.00, doesn’t mean it’s “...not a real bass.”...as you stated in the video. For instance, I have an old Fender Jazz bass that was about $400.00 when I bought it used and I would put it up against any bass out there. It sounds that good. Also, Geddy Lee bought his first Fender Jazz Bass for $200.00. That very bass (not modded in any way) is played on Moving Pictures on the track “Tom Sawyer”. I’m sure you’ve heard of that song..... The cost or price of the bass does not determine whether said bass will be great or not. The person playing the bass does.

[@cloudystory]

ya gotta keep in mind that 200$ back in 1972 is worth just over a grand now.

[@mitchellking6478]

I think he meant 'not real p bass' as in 'not Fender'. You are right, but the point of the video was to discuss the track record of the fender P bass generally.

[@davidhammers9708]

He seems to be referring to whether it was a Fender, not whether it was authentically a bass

[@jean-pierrejoubert6140]

I disagree re: cost and price vs. the person playing. I used to play (started out with) an old Ibanez PJ bass that served me well. When I started touring the thing I was getting ragged on by the FOH engineer. I could play but the thing sounded like crap. Ended up getting a Yamaha TRB5II and the first time I plugged it in everyone stopped and you heard the same engineer on the talkback mike asking, “Wait, what was that?!?” The only difference was the bass, and, yes, it did cost an order of magnitude more. I’ve never had anything but compliments from some very picky folks since, so, yeah, I’m convinced there is truth to it also being about the gear and not just my talent.

[@cacadordorio]

I have a Greco precision bass and it is a monsters better than some americans fender made

[@FenderBassMan]

I've had a very similar experience. I play in a five-piece group, most often using my Fender USA J-bass. Deciding to purchase a used Fender MIJ '85-87 (serial ID E+3 numbers), I showed up at practice with it. Immediately after running through our first number, each band member enthusiastically appreciated and preferred the sound/tone/presence of the P bass over my J.

[@garymcaleer6112]

Excellent, Scott! Just having bought a Glarry fretless P-bass @ $69. delivered, and hearing Sean play those flat wounds, I'm going to order flat wounds today. It's my birthday today, and you brothers just gave me a nice birthday present. Thanks, bro!

[@mitchelevans9914]

Many years ago, my girl friend switched from guitar to bass. We found a used P Bass for a song. It was '84, and she got it for $150(even in the '80's, it was a friggin' score!!!). That was over 25 years ago, and she still plays that as her main axe. Why? All you have to do is plug it in, and you'd know. Big bottom, beautiful high end, clear, clean and great intonation. There's just nothing like 'em.

[@LukeMaynard]

"Hey, can I play bass with you guys?" "What's your name?" "Jaco Pastorius." "Hey, is that a J bass?" "Yup." "Get out of here, man! This party is for legends only!"

[@totallyfrozen]

Luke Maynard Never happened and won’t because Jaco is dead. You ready to join the real world now?

[@chrisgambaro-vega9504]

@@totallyfrozen yeah..... you sure missed the humor there.

[@PunkHippie1971]

Jaco played a lot of jazz where his bass was at the forefront of the music. For that purpose, the jazz bass is fine.

[@keithturbin6768]

who the fuck is jaco?

[@MyGroo]

some noob with a jazz bass

[@PaulJBurns]

Odd title.I know a number of session legends and none of them have ever used P Basses. Probably because they are keyboardists.

[@Felipera_]

I'm not gonna lie, they had us on the first half therr

[@andre-michelgoulet6933]

So they be using P boards, then?

[@PaulJBurns]

@@andre-michelgoulet6933 touché 😀

[@ziggybass8592]

And this is relevant because?

[@PaulJBurns]

@@ziggybass8592 clickbait entrapment and comedic value.

[@GiacomodellaSvezia]

I love mine. I can play things on it that I can't on other basses. Despite its single split coil, it's amazingly versatile.

[@keyosuke]

Michael Keaton has convinced me, I need a P bass.

[@yankees6970]

:D

[@bdizzler1521]

You better get your eyes checked because that's clearly Ray Romano.

[@christianhenry4173]

Nothing is going to get you a Woody dark p bass tone like the p bass itself. I understand you can get a similar p bass sound with a jazz bass with the front pick up volume knob on 80%. Even with that tone merged with a good Eq pedal you can still hear the brightness and articulation in the jazz bass when mimicking the p bass. The P bass to me is hands down the best Tone of power for any genre for a band. Solo wise it has some capabilities. Most legends play the P Bass because that is the standard tone for the electric bass since the early 1950's plus it's a tone similar to the double bass.

[@InfiniteRhombus]

i get a p-bass tone from mine by putting the bridge and bass pickups at 10 with the master tone off completely, the effect is that you get a tone with just the right amount of bass and treble will allow you to get a natural distortion while still sounding muted though i have a pre-amp as well, so shame on me!

[@jugglerjoe]

Exactly. This video and your facts are something that every player should know. They don't have to own a p bass but they should try one out. I actually thought most players already know all this about the p bass.

[@christianhenry4173]

@@InfiniteRhombus now imagine if you can fiddle with the eq and preamp with the pbass that's even more bass and you would have to blend the sound so it doesn't distort because the P bass carries a lot of low end. Now on the flip note The Pj bass is almost unbeatable tone rise. And the jazz bass has its own uniqueness

[@matias_sanes]

I was interested in the kind of mute he has on his bass but couldn't find it anywhere for bass. After doing some research, I found that it's a string mute typically used on Fender Jaguar guitars. Didn't see anyone commenting on it but for whoever is curious now you know!

[@dinahnicest6525]

Enough has been said about the sound. I also love the neck. The big hunk of lumber keeps your hand and fingers open and faster.

[@georgschuster8895]

I definitley prefer the Jazz Bass… the variety of sounds you can generate through these 2 pick ups is fantastic. If you play the lower pick up you can get close to a P Bass and the higher one sounds crispy and bright. Love it so much.

[@louierubio]

Would be cool to see a vid that compares how the p bass compares to other basses in the same mix. Thanks for the vid.

[@primoroy]

Other than "the engineer don't like it" you didn't tell us ANYTHING!

[@bernardjharmsen304]

When time is money, producers/engineers prefer user friendly

[@toneyisaiah408]

Let's not forget Billy Cox played a Fender Jazz Bass during his B.O.G. days.

[@lincolncalvin5876]

Good information to know...I started on a p-bass...but things shifted and active bass became the thing..I find myself foing back to that passive sound.....great information

[@infernicide666]

Steve Harris plays one on Maiden’s best albums (the 80-88 era) and off and on thereafter. His tone is why I would play one. Right now I’m using an Ibanez BTB 5 string though.

[@carlb4738]

And he uses 110-50 flatwounds

[@RastaSaiyaman]

In the early eighties, boutique builders like Alembic and Spector were all the rage and with Steinberger adding carbon fiber in the mix, the sky seemingly was the limit. But it was when Alembic man Rick Turner was working as a tech for Fleetwood Mac that it first came to light that not all was well. And it led to the creation of the guitar that Lindsey Buckigham still plays. Turner described the development of this guitar being prompted by the fact that he was urging Lindsey and John McVie to take up Alembic instruments where Turner had a large stake in. McVie eagerly obliged but Lindsey declined because in his opinion the Alembic guitars sounded "Too sterile" and didn't have that power he got from his Les Paul and his souped up Fender strats and teles which had Alembic "Stratoblaster" pre-amps fitted. (To give you an example on just HOW powerful Lindsey liked his sound to be, Turner said that fitting those pre-amps fried Lindsey's Hiwatt stacks on a nightly basis.) Anyway, Lindsey requested a guitar which would have the power of a Les Paul and the Clarity of a Fender and to achieve this Turner looked at a Les Paul Junior since those are well known tone machines and worked out what that guitar had which an Alembic had not. And came to the conclusion that it was the Alembic's "Hippie Sandwich" construction of layered wood which killed the natural harmonics of the instrument. So he made Lindsey a guitar which had a one piece mahogany body, the favored Alembic pre-amp and a pickup in the spot where a Stratocaster's middle pickup would be. Needless to say, he got it right! Because Lindsey told his crew that the Les Pauls and the Fenders could be left at home, the Turner gave him all he needed. And it wasn't just Buckingham who discovered that Alembics and similar instruments weren't cutting it in the studio, bass players as diverse as Sting (Ibanez Musician) Geddy Lee (Steinberger), Marcus Miller (Aria SB-1000), Billy Sheehan (Yamaha BB-1200) John Pattituci and Anthony Jackson (Custom six string Ken Smith basses.) found out that their custom basses didn't have that fat bottom end that a good Fender has. Van Halen Bass player Michael Anthony once remarked that he hated his sound and thought to himself "What if I just get out my Fender and plug it straight into the amp?" and there it was making him go "Oh lord what HAVE I been doing?" images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--L0qTSQsS--/f_auto,t_supersize/v1537284007/gh6fehgnjhg2upeqnjdm.jpg The Yamaha John Pattitucci signature model appears to be a boutique bass like an Alembic but actually has more in common with a Fender Precision with its Ash body and bolt on neck. So that's the reason why no producer will ever turn you away if you turn up with a Fender or a Music man bass, they KNOW what sound you're gonna get.

[@Hevvvyyy]

Id say it just depends on what sound you're going for. Geddy Lee's tone was my fav so i got a jazz bass, but a p-bass is solid. Another thing is ur attack on the strings and ur technique.

[@escargotomy]

That's funny because I hated Geddy's sound with any bass except his Rick 4001. For me, there is no other bass that comes close to having a unique sound than a Rick. It makes me wince to see people holding a P-bass up as the standard because to me it sounds so fucking one-dimensional. I play guitar and back in the band days when a guy walked in with a Rick we knew he had the chops because you have to be confident in your playing. P-bass love is just snobbery and conformist BS.

[@wearetomorrowspast.5617]

Give the first Rush album a listen. What bass is Geddy playing?

[@escargotomy]

@@wearetomorrowspast.5617 Never much liked their first album. Maybe you should listen to 2112, Kings, Hemispheres & Permanent Waves. I give Moving Pictures & Signals a pass as well because they are between 30-50% Rick. After that, I'm not really feeling the Rush love anymore.

[@wearetomorrowspast.5617]

@@escargotomy I get you, dude. A Farewell to KIngs is my favourite album by any band. But did you know that the bass Geddy plays on the first album is a P. bass. I was so surprised when I found out it wasn't a Rick.

[@escargotomy]

@@wearetomorrowspast.5617 Yeah I didn't know that either. He's always pictured in those early days with that weird looking teardrop bass which I think he said was some made in Japan thing from the late 60's...forget the name. I'm sure some engineer convinced him to use a P-bass. LOL.

[@rickrudd]

All I've heard since day one is "Jazz Bass is best". Interesting.

[@H0LT-85]

rickrudd Jazz over P for me all day long.

[@BionicHorseBeats]

PJ bass gang

[@Hevvvyyy]

Jazz bass for punchiness and p bass for nasty bottom end. Both are good so i suggest getting 1 of each

[@aarondavis4341]

Take a look at all the great players from the 70s,they all play pbass,self explanatory from there

[@bannanapancake]

There like peanut butter and jelly, both good, and on bread......better having both

[@JRP3music]

I have a 5 string Precision Bass. It is a modified Squire with passive EMG pickups. Love that Bass, use it for my demos. Still mine is different than a regular P-Bass. I think eq and preamps can change a lot of characteristics of any Bass. Technique, note choice, and type of amp and whether DI is used impact a lot of the sound. I like to Mic a bass cab and DI blend through a stereo tube preamp. Blend the mono signals together to taste.

[@beatlesrgear]

I love my 2012 American Standard P-bass! It sounds awesome. I also love my Japanese made Geddy Lee Jazz bass, too. Both sound so right and so sonically fulfilling. I don't like basses that sound like newly strung pianos. Too steely, metallically, and round.

[@johnhodgson5313]

Still have the A.S. P bass, the Japanese Geddy Lee neck was bad or I would still have it.

[@beatlesrgear]

@@johnhodgson5313 My neck on my Japanese Geddy Lee has been a wee bit wonky. I usually have to tweak the truss rod once or twice a year to put it back straight again. But it feels so good and plays so well I keep it and just put up with the quirks.

[@johnhodgson5313]

@@beatlesrgear If I had to adjust my GL a few times a year I would never have traded it in. I had to adjust it several times a week in the fall and spring, and weekly the rest of the year. it would be out a lot too. The previous owner had so much bow in the neck that I think he damaged it. He claimed it buzzed a lot, but I never had that problem. We have extreme climate changes here in the foot hills.

[@staggerproof5589]

Great vid. James Jamerson knew this. I always hear, the P bass "cuts through the mix". Maybe, but that's because, as said here, it sits in its own space in the mix. The touch on the track at the end is what will get you a job playing bass, not slapping, or your musical virtuosity. Wanna be a good bass player? Learn TOUCH and locking in with a drummer. Once heard Vic Wooten say, learn as many ways as you can to play ONE NOTE.

[@FawXnSawX]

p basses are the prime example of the old adage "simplicity is the highest form of sophistication" My favorite p bass is my 90s peavey fury though. Like my fender just fine, there's just something about that furys sound.

[@ghostofdeletekey]

I always found the P-bass to be like playing a rough-hewn log. I love my G&L L-2000, pencil thin, and punchy AF. Walks circles around the old Fender and growls like a monster.

[@bak1386]

My heart belongs to the jazz bass. For whatever reason I just dont feel as comfortable on a p bass, even tho I totally love hearing others play it. Maybe that will change 1 day, but for now J all the way for me

[@stubmandrel]

Ah yes... Fender precision, the prototype for the Jazz Bass. :-)

[@GalaxyDaveD]

I prefer the warmth of the Jazz bass in the studio. I've used a P but prefer the tone of the Jazz.

[@idolbass]

David Ryan Harris, wow what a voice, nice sounding trio right there.

[@tinnitusthenight5545]

Great video, for the tldr: mid range harmonics and common experience

[@sacluvsBM]

The very best current rock bass player is MISA from Band-Maid. She plays a custom five string Black Smoker through her Orange amp. And the way she palms the pick to go from picking to slapping and back again is something that very few bassists can pull off as effortlessly as the Barefoot Assassin can. Listen to me now and believe me later.

[@SvenElven]

Love the P-bass, but I have a couple of opposite stories as a drummer and recording engineer. Sometimes the «plum-plum-plum» of the P-bass isn't what the recordng needs… Give the bassist a Jazz Bass with everything open and…bliss…..

[@VGmaniac104]

The precision bass produces a low-end sound that works in most genres, even funk and reggae if you boost the mid and high ends

[@Renegade8652]

I would boost the lows in reggae personally.

[@sagethemage7]

Your space is beautiful

[@Headbanger9000]

P Bass for the win. Specifically American made Fender P basses. Nothing beats those pick ups and the simplicity. So much tone. I have ONE tone knob on my P bass. Its all that I need

[@versnellingspookie]

You should all go check out Laura Lee from Khruangbin, she plays and sounds amazing while using a cheap SX Jazz bass with (i believe) Fender Pickups and flatwound strings. She has my ultimate tone while rocking some really basic gear. Laura Lee rules!

[@UncleGrunt]

‘The sounds engineers and producers preferred it’ is the gist of it

[@MrJed50]

Doesn’t even have to be a Fender. That P bass sound comes from those ingenious offset SC pickups. That’s why so many bases use those type PU’s too.

[@AlbertoMartinezDelRio]

Excellent.

[@jacobpardee]

Bobby Keyes, what a crucial dude

[@joebartlett3255]

I started playing a jazz & a stingray. 20 yrs later got my first P. Now it’s nearly all I play.

[@ShadamAran]

it's not just a studio thing, live they tend to blow other basses out of the water.

[@OscarRichardson]

So good to see some of DRH's band-style songs getting a workout. I love that song. If you did Hold My Fire I'd probably buy the course.

[@AshokeTewari]

Oscar Richardson what’s the song that they’re playing at the end, please?

[@lawrencehodge7085]

Basses are somewhat, like different keyboards,,,,each one has it´s usefulness. I personally prefer a Jazz bass , but some guys really bring the best out of a Precision. In the end, it does come down to the player getting the emotion of the tune. All that to say, I would welcome an old P bass into my life! ;)

[@douglasboyd8475]

That was just cool!

[@jbw6823]

Cause they sound GREAT!

[@user-zt2wc3uh1l]

The fancy basses can still be used live,,,where people get to marvel at their beauty...

[@william1019]

sean hurley sounds like one of the voices from bad lip reading

[@TheGurner1]

Yes that's all true, there's nothing like a nice old P-Bass and a valve DI. But on the other hand there's the sound of Charles 'Meatman' Meeks and his Stingray, with it's own preamp already in there, so what do you want? This nice old plank or the Starship Enterprise? :-)

[@SpongeBath_ShitPants]

Precisions are also so much more ergonomic and comfortable to play, whether you're sitting or standing. I never liked the shape of the Jazz body, and I absolutely _detest_ the shape of other basses like Spectors. A precision just _feels so right_ in your hands and against your torso.

[@colinmoore5991]

I would probably love the Precision if Leo hadn't invented the Jazz Bass.

[@warrenosborne1539]

Kinda checking the finish on the blondie,, I bought mine new 77 USA and I figured the dark was the result of the smoky bars that I played for 45 years. Talk about second hand smoke!

[@hotwheel6663]

Bloody well done mate

[@L.A.W.Studios]

I can get a P bass tone that is indistinguishable from the real thing with an Ibanez SR bass ..plus dozens of different tones.. metal, jazz, country, rock etc. I'll supply sound files if anyone likes..

[@thaddeusfields4360]

My daughter chose a P-Bass over a J-Bass. She loves it.

[@ryanventurino3578]

I want my 12 minutes back. This is one interview with one session musician who records pop acts, of course he’d use a p-bass, they fit in.

[@adrians.basave1282]

Consistency, a P-bass is like a machine with very few moving parts in mechanics. Session players are dealing with this for hours at a time, and a p-bass gives the least headaches. I like Jazz Basses better, they're more versatile and I'm in love with the tone, but they are more likely to give you some issue, even if it's minor.

[@augmentedkeys5971]

Oh well, my favorite bassist play a Fender Jazz Bass.

[@maximusindicusoblivious180]

I don't know why people are acting like this stuff is new or some great discovery, When James Jamerson layed down the law with his P Bass Mowtown sessions 55 years ago. People are still chasing that tone because pros want that hit record sound in their recordings and performances. That's why Robin Thicke was sued and his engineer's are pushing that bass in his face.

[@arkhitektz3150]

its a classic...what can you do...the industry standard is always a reliable and easy choice thats guaranteed to sound good (but a lil experimentation wouldnt hurt anybody tho'...)

[@N0B0DY_SP3C14L]

Whenever I need P-bass tones, I just use my USA L-2500, use the front pickup, and bypass the pre-amp. G&L is the real Fender anyway, and if I have to not play on the low B, I don't, but the P-bass tones are there.

[@maddog3902]

Anyone else notice the kinda cringy slide on the last note? Cracked me up a bit, context of what to do and not to do in the studio and all. Well played.

[@bassholic705]

So is it really the "P-Bass sound" or does it have more to do with passive vs active basses?

[@jonhmusic423]

I thought that - I wonder if there's also perhaps some distinction in this area between vintage-style, 9v, 2-band EQs and modern 18v EQs!

[@marcus4man733]

I’m pretty sure it’s the p-bass sound. I’ve played p-bass, jazz bass, passive bass and active bass and it’s definitely not the passive vs. Active

[@jonhmusic423]

@@marcus4man733 I'd 100% agree there's something about the P-Bass sound more than any other, but the passive v active definitely plays into the debate - especially if it's an active P vs passive P

[@modestoney1577]

this guy reminds me of McCartney a lot. just the way he talks :)

[@keithreeder]

"Why do the session legends all use P basses?" "They" don't. Not even close.

[@lgiorgos1]

They do

[@chrisgambaro-vega9504]

Scott, you're a cool guy with a lot of info to give. But you're wrong a LOT. The fact that you're popular feeds your dogma sometimes. A more proper title for this video would be "Why do SO MANY studio legends use P-Basses?" Here's some legends who did NOT use a P-Bass as a go-to: Louis Johnson (Musicman), Pino Palladino PRE D'Angelo (FRETLESS Musicman), Nathan East (Yamaha) Joe Osborn (Jazz Bass), Marcus Miller (modified active Jazz Bass), Carmine Rojas (active Spector Bass), Will Lee (used mainly a Jazz Bass, sometimes a P-Bass) Tony Levin (a variety of basses, mainly a Musicman from the late 70's onward. ) So I just named 8 bassists who DOMINATED the session scene spanning the last 50 plus years. Easily recorded over 3000 albums between them. NONE who used a P-Bass as a default instrument. You stand corrected.

[@TheRoadki11uk]

Screw top or cork doesn't matter, both can be good. As long as it isn't a damn plastic cork that needs pliers to get off the corkscrew!

[@veerchasm1]

This confirms it: I need to practice less and buy more gear 😉

[@unfunnydave5485]

That’s how you improve

[@Gregor9043]

When is more gear NOT the answer to improve your playing?

[@davidseddon2157]

I've been using this philosophy for years, one day I hope to achieve a mediocre level of skill 😂

[@tanisitalia1970]

Could you explain this to my wife please?

[@icebaby4801]

@@unfunnydave5485 like to get lllloollloo

[@jaco7675]

Short answer: P basses provide a wide background fill sound, taking up a lot of space, yet not intruding and becoming overly prominent in the mix. They’re there ... but not distractingly noticeable. There. Just saved you 11 minutes.

[@m0ralesi42]

Thank you

[@Terminxman]

I mean it would have been pretty boring to have a 10 second video saying that, I don't mind hearing the conversations about it.

[@stephenbarnardbass4029]

Dynamics come in to it you don’t have to beat the hell out of the string you can play softly you just have to listen to the music and play within the vibe no matter what bass you have.

[@Terminxman]

@@stephenbarnardbass4029 True but p basses have a very specific sound, even with active pickups and a lot of tonal control you can't really replicate it.

[@macmuggo5459]

Jaco you’re not betraying the Jbass are you?

[@1xayekim]

My brother is a session guitarist who was in LA now in Nashville and he explained to me that as a session guitarist he has experienced people simply not liking the "look" of his guitar before he would even start playing. He would be tuning it and the engineers would ask him to play something else. He learned early on you just do not bring flashy guitars to recording sessions and you stick with looks that fit the musician or band you are playing for especially if you may be asked to join a stage band.

[@kingdeedee]

Over the years my rotation has stripped down to Jazz Bass, P Bass and Stingray. All classics that never look or sound out of place, and can always sit nice in a mix (or just cut through it in the case of the Ray).

[@carlosclaptrix]

How superficial! So much sticking to "boxes".

[@tomrogue13]

Yeah when he told that story, I wonder how much was actually the bass versus the perception the engineer and producer had of the bass

[@hydraulixx]

@@kingdeedee This is the answer. You don't really need more than the "holy trinity" of basses as you've got all important pickup types and positions covered. Also, it's not a coincidence that all of those three models were designed by the great Leo Fender. He was a genius who just nailed it each time! "Don't fix what isn't broken..."

[@kingdeedee]

@@hydraulixx couldn't agree more. I will say I do still enjoy having one or two more "fun" basses in the rotation which changes from time to time. I had an Ibanez BTB I recently sold that scratched that itch but I'm looking to dive into either a bassmods or kiesel custom sometime soon. Such a great time to be a bassist in my opinion

[@midinerd]

Starts at 2:25... I hope this era of several-minute intros goes away sooner than later.

[@barnics]

I read this comment at about 2'20"

[@StewartBrand85]

Did he then try going back to the Lakland but time and time again producers didn't like it? If it was just that one time then I don't get the point of the video, especially when the previous producer loved the Lakland. Maybe that one producer specifically wanted a P Bass but most would be fine with others? It's not like there aren't thousands of hit records made using basses other than a precision.

[@panzerlieb]

Stewart Brand exactly. In addition you can dial in a fairly close replica of that pbass or has bass tone on a Lakeland or any of the higher end active basses. You just have to know how to eq it. That said I own 2 p-basses lol. I just like how they feel.

[@thesaint7380]

was about to write the same

[@pilgrim3387]

Scott had similar experience. So it wasn't just a one off.

[@pappyodanial]

Thicke was like, I need this to sound more like that Marvin Gaye song, here use this P bass.

[@darkglobestudio4791]

haha!

[@clarencewilliams7323]

LMAO

[@williamallison5222]

Dude as much as I don’t like robin thicke that lawsuit was complete money grabbing bs the songs are barely similar at all you can’t copyright a drum groove or chord changes and it’s a shame some Dumbfuck jury with no knowledge or real understanding of music set that precedent for music in the future

[@OlandoMcCall]

@@williamallison5222 drum groove and chord changes...you mean the song?..lol

[@williamallison5222]

Olando McCall Lol no dude like honestly what’s next is someone going to copy right the blues chord changes or ii-V-I changes or a 4/4 groove with snare on 2 and 4 it’s ridiculous

[@Aleph_Null_Audio]

P Bass: the SM57 of basses.

[@johncollier6303]

I reckon the SM57 is more like the P Bass of Microphones. coz the P Bass came first didn't it?

[@curbmassa]

I'm so upset I didn't think of this. You made my day.

[@Kahnklingon84]

😹

[@FinalBaton]

+The Hard Problem ABsolutely. You nailed it here.

[@mindhead2005]

The 58 is better

[@Doty6String]

P bass is like a tele. It just works for everything

[@yewstew8312]

Not grindcore

[@AB-vn2jc]

Keanu Reeves first off: Teles do metal. Second: stop leaving breathtaking comments.

[@Seeattle]

Keanu Reeves the frontman of the band gojira uses a black telecaster :)

[@evilwarnings2419]

I record metal and I always use telecaster: liberacion.bandcamp.com/album/liberaci-n-ii

[@swissarmyknight4306]

@@yewstew8312 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKObe6udnK-jjZI

[@kevinbothwell8425]

Close your eyes and this becomes a video of Lars Ulrich talking about the p bass

[@anthonyspencerii2013]

This deserves WAY more likes

[@jackkovar7806]

Okay, this guy reminds me of Lars, lol. No offense

[@AndreGSilva]

Once you hear it, there's no going back

[@QaysSyed]

Not enough "um"s and gum-chewing

[@veerchasm1]

Needs more food chewing

[@zenmachinist6367]

Don't ever - EVER - leave a bass "in the car" - - - Came out of a studio with my P-Bass in hand, to find the car gone (with a 1988 Warwick Fretless 5 String resting in the back seat under a blanket)... A Nightmare that will haunt me until my death

[@johntrevena4280]

I'm sorry... But that'll learn ya!!

[@bustedfender]

Our banjo player left a custom made Deering banjo in a branded case on the back seat of of his SUV while he bought cigarettes. When he came out, someone had smashed the window in and left three other banjos and an autoharp in there 😉🤘

[@wyvern4588]

Not only that but hot/cold swings aren't good for them.

[@craigbee]

Nightmare! You might be lucky like me though. I bought that exact same model for £50 off some bloke in a car park.

[@Michiel1972]

Be glad you took the P-Bass into the studio, instead of the Warwick. The nightmare that hunts you would even be worse when the P-Bass would have been resting in the back seat.

[@christianrajkai6917]

Too many lazy engineers, just look at the spectrum. "it just fits the mix", pff :-))

[@Unmaleable]

Most engineers are gear snobs...it's really bad

[@johnmackens2857]

@@Unmaleable Gear snobs dont like plain ol P Basses. They like those pricey glamour basses with extra strings and active pickups.

[@joshuarosen6242]

It's funny to read this because someone above (presumably an engineer) complained about how musicians don't understand how it needs to slot into the gap in the spectrum. I can't help thinking that musical decisions should be made by musicians, not engineers.

[@gurubuzzzz]

@@joshuarosen6242 I'll give you a few more years to actually understand the difference between Musical decisions and Engineering.

[@joshuarosen6242]

Guru Buzz I am happy to be able to say that it will never matter to me. I play but I don’t record and since I only ever play classical music, engineers are delightfully redundant. It’s worth pointing out though that in the classical world, an engineer would never have any say in what instruments were used. That would be a decision solely for the musicians.

[@justinnoreaster]

this was sorta painfully wordy tho… 6 minutes into it, I still have no idea WHY P basses are preferred. I've determined that the P bass is a mixing/producer's issue, NOT. bassist's issue and better for music where the bass can be an 'ol drab Joe-bass-line sort of bass part in the song. vs intricate, innovative bass lines that require more presence. The kind of music should be addressed for reason a P bass is in any way superior. I'll never have a P bass.

[@juliusmillermusic]

Justin Time it sits better in the mix

[@jerbear97]

it's less of a headache to mix

[@nevious1982]

Yes i feel the same to most of Scott videos. He is an awesome guy and with positivity. But i think he could improve on length of non related issue in his comment. I watched Tim Pierce also and some how the guy can talk so seamlessly yet i got a lot from him, at less duration than Scott's video. Just a constructive critism.

[@NiskRanThawll]

P bass is the bass. Just get right in there with the drummer and sit in your pocket letting all of the funk seep out like a creeping fog. Can't do it with anything else. Jazz pickups are too wiry and thin, no real low mid punch. Music man are close but give a little too much juice, but are great for heavier or more energetic rhythm sections. (I use a P and MM combo on most of my basses) Gibson style mudbuckers are as the name suggests. Sound like a torn speaker cone. Active barts and their ilk are all too top end focused, all sparkle and no grunt without serious active eq shenanigans. My ideal bass are my two mains, my modded 90s yamaha bbg5a with Duncan MM and a 5 string P pickup with a duncan 3 band. Or my sandberg california pm5, traditional P bass look with the MM and P combo and an active 2 band with passive if needed. Sits in the mix with the kick and snare perfectly, and the actives are there for when that sizzle is needed (in a 3 piece you sometimes have to cover more than pocket funk)

[@rrrripbing]

Yeah, Scott is a great musician but I've stopped watching his vids as there's just too much random chit chat that make them drag on way too long. I guess some people like that but it's just not for me.

[@dreammfyre]

"Learn how to pick which bass is appropriate for the song..." You spoiled that one, tho...

[@soundmanks]

This points out something most musicians just can’t get. The most important job of an engineer is to create pockets of space for each instrument, in the mix. Active basses sound really amazing, but that high end “sparkle” totally interferes with guitar, snare, and some vocals. As nice as that sound might be to the player, if it can’t be dropped into the pocket between kick and snare, it will never sound like it really belongs there, and other instruments may suffer terribly. The difference between session players and everyone else is the willingness to do what is best for the project, and leave your personal feelings and preferences at the curb, outside. In fact, why not also be considerate of your band’s sound engineer, and allow him the same opportunity? What if it really does make for a better sound for the whole band?

[@ian1352]

Tone control. My active bass has no sparkle. Besides if the bass sound is allegedly interfering with the guitar why shouldn't the guitarist change their sound?

[@soundmanks]

@@ian1352, so you're saying it's everyone else's responsibility to make the mix work, but the bass is perfect, and just never change? Playing in a band is team work - lots of give and take. What sounds good to us, as musicians on the stage, may sound like pure garbage to the audience, and/or the sound engineer. Our success in this business truly hinges around being flexible, and listening to suggestions of those who are tasked with the daunting responsibility to move your band up the success ladder.

[@allrequiredfields]

@@ian1352 You simply don't understand how the instrument fits into the music.

[@johnstitt2615]

Carey Hoffman it isn’t the engineers daunting responsibility it is everyone’s responsibility. Engineers and and musicians need to both need to work together. Teamwork. You can’t have difficult engineers or musicians. Having said that, I have an active bass. To have my basses covered I would like to have a P bass in my collection. Also, I have done paid studio and live guitar work for people. I usually say what do you want me to play. Style and or gear. I have used every thing to get a guitar sound. I don’t give a shit what they plug me into. Having my own studio helps keep an open mind. At a live guitar gig the engineer said can you use our equipment. I shrugged my shoulders like Pete Davidson and said “ok”. He looked so happy.

[@soundmanks]

@@johnstitt2615 I'm so glad to have your input. The entire takeaway of this video is that, in a session, familiarity is key to everything. If I grab an SM57 for some instrument, it's because I fully understand how it's "color" will affect that instrument. Having tweaked 100s of sessions, using that same mic, I can easily get the sound I want, as it's predictable. Just like the famous tone of a Les Paul, a Fender Strat, or Pearl snare, starting with the right tone at the very start gets the end product completed on time, and on budget.

[@Chaiserzose]

FIRST 2 MINUTES AN HALF AND HE HASN'T SAID NOTHING YET

[@dlawlis]

You'll never see a tapping solo on a P bass with flatwounds. I'm ok with that.

[@CardinalEgan]

... all the more reason to play one. ;-)

[@ericwilcoxen2805]

It actually sounds pretty great if you know anything about tone shaping

[@dlawlis]

@@ericwilcoxen2805 I'm a bass player myself and I would rather swallow broken glass than watch a bass tapping solo. YMMV

[@ericwilcoxen2805]

@@dlawlis yeah me too. But I mean sucks for you I guess.

[@ericwilcoxen2805]

@@dlawlis Might also highly recommend El Ten Eleven's 2008 album release "These Promises Are Being Videotaped" for anyone lacking in a taste for such things.

[@memoulloa1011]

I’ve always used squire p basses since I cannot afford the real thing. And they don’t disappoint at all. New strings and having everything in place makes the magic happen. Great video. Greetings from Mexico.

[@blakewhittington4336]

I've always preferred Fender Basses With Ampeg amps Just such a nice warm tone and you can get pretty dirty too if you want to Who makes the B15?

[@TimGuitarcouk]

Ampeg

[@marklowe7431]

J bass roll off the b pickup. Next these engineers will be whining about frets.

[@toneyisaiah408]

The letter P stands for Precision Bass by Fender.

[@2011littleguy]

THANK YOU! I'm a guitarist, playing in bands for 55 years. I never heard the term p bass. The guys in this video assume everyone knows that particular slang. What if I said that I play a Fender Cat? What's that, you ask? It's a Fender Jaguar guitar. Not everyone knows every slang term for an instrument.

[@bernardjharmsen304]

Now he's a P guy only, not a poo guy

[@PSNxFTWxRAGOI]

@@2011littleguy Do you know what a PJ bass is? Precision Jazz Bass if you wanted to know

[@douglaslangley9251]

Ah yes, I love my precision bass by fender bass

[@dishwasherdetergent3366]

@@douglaslangley9251 joe dart on the fender bass