Two guitars dilema

[TrevorR]

On 14/07/2025 at 15:49, Itamar said:

Those guitars are massive, and the sound was so overwhelming, too much low-end, and I couldn't bear that until they gave me a shortscale.

 

But still, I couldn't see how to use that instrument, how to blend it into my songs.

 

I’m a bit surprised. There’s nothing about either bass that would make them over massively bassy. P-basses are pretty much the standard bass in terms of tone.  You might find this review of the hybrid useful to compare to what you were hearing in the shop. Could it have been an amp setting thing or just not being used to hearing bass outside of a mix? Your recording doesn’t sound that different from a proper bass tone - and remember EQ settings will be important both on a bass amp or on a recording.

 

I reckon that either bass would probably work really well and give you a great sound. I do like the Japanese basses - really good quality, especially for the price. I don’t know the other one. The difference that does it might just be which ever one feels right to you - personally I suspect the Hybrid’s neck might be a bit too chunky for me but others might love it.

 

 

 

[bass_dinger]

19 hours ago, TrevorR said:

Could it have been an amp setting thing or just not being used to hearing bass outside of a mix?

@TrevorRis right  - if one has only ever heard a bass guitar on a recording, through headphones or a laptop speaker, or even a hifi, then the sound of a real bass is shockingly powerful. 

 

One can mute the notes, play them shorter, not let the open strings ring out. One can even set the amp controls to 'flat' (no cut, no boost).  All those techniques will tame the bass sound. 

 

However, ultimately, the bass is a powerful instrument. 

 

I would worry less about the specifications and the numbers, and more about what instrument feels best in your hands. 

 

 

[NancyJohnson]

On 12/07/2025 at 08:51, Itamar said:

Hello,

 

I start to play bass and I have two nice offers:

 

1. Fender Japan Hybrid II Precision Bass VWH 2021

2. Fender Japan PB70 from 2012

both have the original pickups. 
 

I saw there was a “golden era” around 2012, although I trust the Japanese also nowadays.

 

my dilemma is that the 2021 model is newer.

 

should I buy the 2012 model and replace pickups? The built quality is very important to me.

 

Here's what you need to do and how things will go.

 

Buy both.

 

Then buy another one, and another one, then another one.  After you've bought the last one, get another couple.  Then one or two more.  Oh, and then another one.

 

This is how it goes.  This is how it always goes.  Don't buck the trend.

[Itamar]

Hello guys,

 

Nancy, you're crazy 😄

 

I came back to the store with my iPad, opened Logic Pro and tried to play again on my song.

 

Now I understood that the role I played and published (in the first page) was an electric guitar role.

 

Bass guitar role needs to be very restrained since it's so powerful.

 

I bought the PB70.

 

I tried also the short scale mustang but it took me to the electric guitar world.

[Itamar]

Here's my baby

 

Edited 4 hours ago by Itamar

[chris_b]

Nice.

 

Now you need a good set of flats and a lump of foam.

[Itamar]

What I need flat strings for?

 

and what's that foam thing?

Edited 4 hours ago by Itamar

[NancyJohnson]

1 hour ago, Itamar said:

and what's that foam thing?

 

For washing it down in the shower.

[ezbass]

2 hours ago, Itamar said:

What I need flat strings for?

 

and what's that foam thing?

Flat wound strings and a piece of foam under the bridge are favoured by those looking for that old school, P bass thump (think James Jameson on the old Motown recordings).
 

Stick with what’s on there for the moment, until you work out what you want from it tonally, then you can investigate the many options. Fortunately, there is plenty of help on Basschat in this regards.

 

Nice bass you have there. 👍