Fender Precisions - they're fantastic

[barry44]

on the whole precision thing, i was in the studio last night test driving my new bass, Ibanez SRX700, & new pick ups in my schecter model t.

i put QPs in the model t and i can say that i finally get the p bass sound.....

[thebeat]

[quote name='jono b' post='209639' date='May 30 2008, 02:33 PM']That red P bass looks mighty familiar! [/quote]



Dare say it belonged to one, maybe even two, members on here...bought from Ebay a month ago or thereabouts.

[Jono Bolton]

Two I think.

[bnt]

Would you believe that I have never played any Fender bass? My first bass was a Hondo P-copy, and I really did not get on with the shape. The headstock dived for the ground as often as Maradona.

[thebeat]

[quote name='jono b' post='209830' date='May 30 2008, 07:51 PM']Two I think.[/quote]



It's a nice bass especially now that it has some rotosound flats on it...however, i wasn't that impressed when i took of the pickguard and found out that some of the wires for the pre-amp and the pickups had been insulated rather shoddily with sellotape

[tauzero]

[quote name='Tee' post='207052' date='May 27 2008, 09:11 AM']Hmm, i'd say the Precision was a design classic, so a 'Mondeo' would be far off the mark imo. More like a VW Beetle, or a Mini.[/quote]
More like a Harley Davidson Sportster. Ludicrously over-priced, under-performing, there's lots of Oriental copies, plus some specialist builders who make vastly improved versions of it, and it was overtaken by the competition decades ago.

[tauzero]

[quote name='chris_b' post='207091' date='May 27 2008, 10:09 AM']What's the betting that in another 50 years the Precision will still be with us?[/quote]
Of course they will. Look how long it took to eradicate smallpox.

[bremen]

[quote name='tauzero' post='213870' date='Jun 6 2008, 02:08 PM']More like a Harley Davidson Sportster. Ludicrously over-priced, under-performing, there's lots of Oriental copies, plus some specialist builders who make vastly improved versions of it, and it was overtaken by the competition decades ago.[/quote]

I didn't even have to look at your sig to know you played a Warwick ;-)

[guzzibass]

[quote name='tauzero' post='213870' date='Jun 6 2008, 02:08 PM']More like a Harley Davidson Sportster. Ludicrously over-priced, under-performing, there's lots of Oriental copies, plus some specialist builders who make vastly improved versions of it, and it was overtaken by the competition decades ago.[/quote]

[quote name='bremen' post='213873' date='Jun 6 2008, 02:11 PM']I didn't even have to look at your sig to know you played a Warwick ;-)[/quote]

[James Martin]

I bought a USA '78 p bass 4 years ago. I have 8 basses and some are very expensive (Goodfellow) but it's my main giging bass along with a '65 re-issue Noel Redding Jazz bass. The Jazz has a J-East retro eq system on it and I use it in active mode on gigs where I need more clarity, but my p bass is my starting point. It does what it says on the tin! It's without a doubt the best all round bass on the market

[OutToPlayJazz]

I think a lot of it is down to what you like and the type of music you play. The Precision has a lot of romance and history attached to it, and in a lot of ways, it is the original but by no means is it the best in the present day.

If you just play driving rock/blues music and you want your bass sound to blend into the mix, then use a P. But if you want some sparkle and something that cuts through the mix, then look elsewhere.

I've tried to love the Precision and after having owned four of them (all of which have been sold on), I can safely say that the P doesn't suit any of the music I play or (more importantly) my playing style. I've wanted to love the Precision design but it's just not for me.

A clear case of horses for courses

[Hutton]

I love both my P basses. I like my other basses too. My P tho is the one I go to first for a gig. Also, I've never understood this cutting through the mix thing. My P can be heard when my band gig no problem. Is it a sound engineer problem?

[AndyTravis]

I have two, and my third will be here next week.
I love Fenderists, the haters, I love how much they feel compelled to moan about how a hooky Precision wronged them on their way to fame and fortune.

There's enough room for us all, and your multi lam, fanned fret, headless seven string 'improvements'.

My analogy is, i wear converse all stars all day, every day. Im sure Nike air max are fecking fantastic, but i bet i could still outrun you. Who runs everywhere anyhow?

[Cat Burrito]

I've tried deserting them but I always come back. Looking at the original post in this older thread I do think it slots in well with most genres. I played in Glam / punk bands 20yrs ago & now I play Americana - same bass!

I understand what OutToPlayJazz is saying (an interesting thing - on page one of the thread I notice you were keener having not really played one - proof indeed we all have our own tastes) but I see it in old reggae, in punk, in country, in blues. It may not be right for everyone but it certainly slots right in with most styles.

When I think of all the basses I've owned, I do tend to keep hold of a Fender P-bass. Everything else gets sold on.

[Cat Burrito]

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='666504' date='Nov 26 2009, 05:52 PM']My analogy is, i wear converse all stars all day, every day. Im sure Nike air max are fecking fantastic, but i bet i could still outrun you. Who runs everywhere anyhow?[/quote]

Love it! I'll be stealing that line! I am the same but clearly just not as insightful

[wateroftyne]

I'm going through a J phase at the mo, but it's a brief flirtation. I'll be back on the P soon.

[The Bass Doc]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='666518' date='Nov 26 2009, 06:00 PM']I'll be back on the P soon.[/quote]


Best you stay sober for gigging purposes.

[Cairobill]

...I want one.

I played the Root Beer 76 P in the Gallery with the most beautiful neck....Jamerson Jamerson Jamerson!

Someday...soon!

but it has to be sunburst/tort/rosewood...

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='chris_b' post='207091' date='May 27 2008, 09:09 AM']I think it's interesting that 50 years on Fender basses from all decades are still held in such high regard. I love the Precision bass, why anyone would want to play a jazz beats me!!
It's interesting that in the US, when they could have used anything, so many "First Call" studio players, the guys that created the records that form the foundation of popular music, chose the Precision; Carol Kaye, David Hood, Duck Dunn, Tommy Cogbill, Bob Babbett, James Jamerson, etc.
It seems that many of the producers and engineers demanded that the studio players used Fender and I've seen several pictures of "Studio" basses in Nashville, LA and New York and they've all been Precisions.
What's the betting that in another 50 years the Precision will still be with us?[/quote]
Not just Fender Precision but Fender Precision with flats.

[Born 2B Mild]

Had one in the late 70s then another in the late 90s. Now I'm 5-string focussed I have decided to get a 5-string P-bass. This time it's a Shuker build. The body has just been painted and when I get a pic of this I'll start a BD.

Crucially, I'm after simplicity on stage with one pickup and two knobs, and that's where Precisions score for me ...not to mention that thunderous roar!

[Musicman20]

I started on an Encore copy of a P bass....I then stupidly decided that P's sounded dull, (I was 12/13...give me a break).

I was into a lot of metal and grunge..and I bought a few slightly smaller bodied more modern basses.

I then saw a Fender Precision MIJ , (now in Nigels hands) and at first I didnt know if it was safe to go 'old school' as most of the guitars in fashion were not like this with what I listened to.

I then got into punk...a lot, and that love of P's has stuck with me. Once I saw a few bands playing proper P's, not Encores, and I had a chat with the store owner, I bought it. A few mates took the mick saying I looked stupid with a massive white bass.

Guess what? Ive never looked back...I really dont get on with the visual look of small basses anymore...it has to be old school, and Ps just WORK...somehow....

They can be clanky and bright with aggression, or fat and warm but still cut the mix.

Brilliant simple design...who needs 1000 different pickup configurations.

[OldGit]

[quote name='Born 2B Mild' post='666545' date='Nov 26 2009, 06:28 PM']Had one in the late 70s then another in the late 90s. Now I'm 5-string focussed I have decided to get a 5-string P-bass. This time it's a Shuker build. The body has just been painted and when I get a pic of this I'll start a BD.

Crucially, I'm after simplicity on stage with one pickup and two knobs, and that's where Precisions score for me ...not to mention that thunderous roar![/quote]

Aha! I knew that was being built but not for whom.
So Shuker P5 Club member number 3 then?

[Born 2B Mild]

[quote name='OldGit' post='666710' date='Nov 26 2009, 08:41 PM']Aha! I knew that was being built but not for whom.
So Shuker P5 Club member number 3 then? [/quote]
Yes [b]Three [/b]shall be thy number for my membership ...And the Lord spake, saying, "First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then, shalt thou count to [b]three[/b]. No more. No less. [b]Three [/b]shalt be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be [b]three[/b]. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to [b]three[/b]. Five is right out. Once at the number [b]three[/b], being the third number be reached, then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."

[OldGit]

[quote name='Born 2B Mild' post='666766' date='Nov 26 2009, 09:37 PM']Yes [b]Three [/b]shall be thy number for my membership ...And the Lord spake, saying, "First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then, shalt thou count to [b]three[/b]. No more. No less. [b]Three [/b]shalt be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be [b]three[/b]. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to [b]three[/b]. Five is right out. Once at the number [b]three[/b], being the third number be reached, then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."[/quote]

Specially if you hit them with a Shuker P5

[NickH]

A P-bass is like a buck knife while a modern bass is a Swiss army knife.

If you just want to cut something, awesome. When it comes to opening a tin, or undoing a screw, or getting a cork out of a bottle, or... erm... whatever the hell this gizmo on my knife is for... you're a bit screwed if all you have is a knife.

BUT if someone jumps you in a dark alley and you have to screw around finding the sharp bit on your Swiss Army knife, when what you need to do is quickly whip a Crocodile Dundee style great big shiny knife out...

Horses for courses.