The "Precision" sound

[coreyflecha]

Hi, first sorry for my speaking english is not my language

 

Am in a new band, the said the like the sound of fenders precision bass, i never had a precision but i want to know, can i get this sound with any bass with that pick up configuration ? or i need a precision for that? has to be fender ? or any other brand will do the job?

 

Thanks for any information !!

 

 

[therealting]

Any P config. There are a bunch of other factors though, the kind of bridge you have, whether you have a preamp or run passive, the kind of strings et cetera

[ped]

It’s mostly about the position of the pickup. 

[coreyflecha]

so i guess i need something that looks like a pbass but dont have to be one

 

thanks for the information

[barrycreed]

Or something with P bass pickups in the P bass position? Possibly passive. Ballpark..

[warwickhunt]

1 hour ago, coreyflecha said:

so i guess i need something that looks like a pbass but dont have to be one

 

Looking like a P bass is the 'last' thing you need for that P bass sound! 

[EssentialTension]

Or you could simply buy a Fender/Squier Precision and stop worrying.

[Naigewron]

Heaps of P-basses out there not made by Fender/Squier and that don't look like Precisions. Like others have said, it's mainly about the pickup type and position, and it should probably be passive to ensure you're hitting your amp in a similar way and not colour the tone too much.

Edit: It's also about scale length. Don't expect a 30" scale bass to sound like a Precision, regardless of pickup position.

Edited September 2, 2020 by Naigewron

[coreyflecha]

i know a pbass will fix the issue but i want to keep my options open

 

but , i think i get it now, thanks again for the answers ,

 

[Paul S]

17 minutes ago, Naigewron said:

Heaps of P-basses out there not made by Fender/Squier and that don't look like Precisions. Like others have said, it's mainly about the pickup type and position, and it should probably be passive to ensure you're hitting your amp in a similar way and not colour the tone too much.

Edit: It's also about scale length. Don't expect a 30" scale bass to sound like a Precision, regardless of pickup position.

As it happens, I have the Harley Benton Shorty and it actually does sound exactly like a Precision.

[ped]

18 minutes ago, coreyflecha said:

i know a pbass will fix the issue but i want to keep my options open

 

but , i think i get it now, thanks again for the answers ,

 

Let us know your budget, style, shapes you like etc and we'll find you something to fit the bill

[Machines]

Jazz bass neck pickup is 90% close enough for me. 

[hooky_lowdown]

1 hour ago, Naigewron said:

Edit: It's also about scale length. Don't expect a 30" scale bass to sound like a Precision, regardless of pickup position.

My short scale p bass definitely sounds like a p bass. Got no Idea where you're coming from that a short scale won't sound like a p bass?

Also, to get that classic p bass sound you need a passive alnico split precision pickup. If it's alnico you're pretty much there. 😃

The neck pickup on a jazz is nothing like a classic p bass sound, it lacks the full roundness, low end, and punch you only get from a classic p bass sound.

[coreyflecha]

2 hours ago, ped said:

Let us know your budget, style, shapes you like etc and we'll find you something to fit the bill

I've always plays ibanez SR, so a precision its like a total diferent world for me

 

i like modern shape basses and dont want to spend more than 800 maybe 900 eur 

[barrycreed]

Shout for G&L?

[Machines]

2 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said:

The neck pickup on a jazz is nothing like a classic p bass sound, it lacks the full roundness, low end, and punch you only get from a classic p bass sound.

I think "nothing like" is a stretch. If I recorded my P and J side by side (with same strings) there is a difference, but it's very similar.

[Beedster]

1 minute ago, Machines said:

I think "nothing like" is a stretch. If I recorded my P and J side by side (with same strings) there is a difference, but it's very similar.

Really? 

[Machines]

1 minute ago, Beedster said:

Really? 

Err yeah. Alas the only way I can prove the point is a phone recording, which will sound like pants.

[Beedster]

1 minute ago, Machines said:

Err yeah. Alas the only way I can prove the point is a phone recording, which will sound like pants.

We all hear things differently I guess (see psychoacoustics thread)

[ezbass]

31 minutes ago, coreyflecha said:

I've always plays ibanez SR, so a precision its like a total diferent world for me

 

i like modern shape basses and dont want to spend more than 800 maybe 900 eur 

Assuming you’re playing an SR 4 string, you’ll be used to a narrower nut width and slightly smaller body than you’d find with a Fender P.  In which case, I’d suggest a Squier Classic Vibe Mustang: narrow nut width, small body, split pickup in the right right position and definitely within your budget. Or, if you want a bit more flexibility and medium scale, a Squier CV Jaguar.

[Elfrasho]

I agree that a jazz neck pickup would be close enough. Perhaps not side by side. But it's in the same ball park. 

If the op doesn't already have a p bass, he'll maybe have a jazz. It's worth a wee go! 

[LukeFRC]

1 hour ago, Beedster said:

Really? 

I agree with Beedster. 
Even if you get it sounding similar it sits in the mix differently

[coreyflecha]

1 hour ago, ezbass said:

Assuming you’re playing an SR 4 string, you’ll be used to a narrower nut width and slightly smaller body than you’d find with a Fender P.  In which case, I’d suggest a Squier Classic Vibe Mustang: narrow nut width, small body, split pickup in the right right position and definitely within your budget. Or, if you want a bit more flexibility and medium scale, a Squier CV Jaguar.

yeah,  think that too, i always assume that p-bass will be bigger and less confortable for me that a SR ibanez, checking that options you said, i guess jaguar can make the deal, assuming that it can sound like a pbass, i saw a Player Series Jaguar that i like but dont know if is best or worst than squier

 

 

[ezbass]

20 minutes ago, coreyflecha said:

yeah,  think that too, i always assume that p-bass will be bigger and less confortable for me that a SR ibanez, checking that options you said, i guess jaguar can make the deal, assuming that it can sound like a pbass, i saw a Player Series Jaguar that i like but dont know if is best or worst than squier

 

 

On paper, it should be better. However, you never know until you try them out. Will either sound like a P bass? Yes, but bear in mind that not all P basses sound the same.  There will obviously be a number of videos on YT, but here’s a couple to get you going:

 

Edited September 2, 2020 by ezbass

[OliverBlackman]

For me, turn the tone down (or treble cut on active circuit) pickups biased towards neck pickup and flat wound strings. Hey presto a useable p bass tone.