I already have a P Bass

[syciprider]

After wanting a Precision for a spell I drank the kool aid today and bought one. While ABing it with the Big AL neck+middle I concluded that it didn't really net me meaningful differences in tone (certainly not enough difference to spend money on). Oh and the P died while I was playing it at home and that definitely killed the infatuation (pardon the pun) and sent me back to the store for a refund.

So I am pretty content with my Big AL. It is a P and more.

 

[bovinehost]

Don't feel too bad, Frank. Every two or three years, mostly owing to pressure from a certain group of bassists, I think: "Well, I'll just get a P bass to have around because I'm a bassist and it's a P bass and I think there are laws somewhere that I should have one even if I don't play it."

So I go find a Precision and buy it and bring it home thinking "Haha, watch Sterling make fun of me NOW!" And I spend an inordinate amount on those fancy-ass strings I use, adjust it (not easy, considering what I'm used to), let it sit, adjust it some more (see last parenthetical comment x 2), and finally, usually after two or three days but no longer than a week, say to myself, "Well, you still don't like these, you asshat." And I lose money when I sell it but it's like I simply have to do it every few years.

In fact, I've collected all the parts I need to actually build yet another P bass, but can't seem to find time/motivation lately (blame the newborn, blame the newborn).

And if I build it, I'll probably keep it, right?

But it won't be a Stingray or a Big Al. Not to even mention the Bongo.

*shrugs*

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that it's nothing to worry about.

Jack

 

[TheAntMan]

My 25th middle and neck pickups give me all the P-ness I would want and more

--Ant

 

[Big Poppa]

I like p basses

 

[bovinehost]

I like p basses

Well, I used to - and then you came into my life.

 

[njhammer]

My first bass at age 16 was a brand new Black/Maple '77 P that I traded (foolishly) in '81 for a Japanese brand that a certain Mr. Lynott "converted" to. I have nothing but wonderful memories of that instrument and would love to get her back. I have to say that I am extremely happy with the MM basses that I own, but have always had an affinity for that old Precision.

 

[Bass Control]

My first bass 5 years ago was a P bass. Then I played a Stingray... then a Bongo. Now I'm devoted to Music Mans. The tone, flexibility, and playability is what got me. I love these machines!

 

[syciprider]

i like p basses

SR4 P+H for 2012 LE?

 

[TheAntMan]

I like p basses

Yup, I can tell by the killer P bass tone of my 25th middle pickup

Awesome!...Thank you

--Ant

 

[Big Poppa]

I prefer ours...hehehe

 

[five7]

P bass?

 

[TheAntMan]

I prefer ours...hehehe

+100


--Ant

 

[dmarotta]

I always bring my P Bass to sessions. When the producer asks for it I plug it in, get a sound, then break out the Big Al or 25th.
Always the same result:
9 out of 10 producers prefer Musicman after they hear the difference.
For the other 10% , I just play what they think they want....
I gotta get paid.

 

[BigAlis4me]

Feeling, my Big Al with Neck & Bridge-PU's sounds much better than any Jazz, for a P-Bass sound I still prefer my P-Bass. But it's only my Big Al and not the P, that gives me the mighty always working live sound, that a precision is purpoted to give.

 

[Big Poppa]

We didnt design any of our stuff to be P or J basses. The fact that the Big Al is available in a three single H configuration you cannot help but have tonal similarities.

What I strongly recommend to any Big Al user is to force themselves to only use passive for about a week...seriously...Play with the combos...understand the delicacy of the tone control...it was a very important design feature...It really works wonders for a passive pass.... I kind of forced Craig Young to do it and maybe he will comment.Then Spend a week and start flat in active and make small adjustments on the eq then make big ones...You will then understand just how deep the tonal pool the Big Al is.

 

[Bowks]

What I strongly recommend to any Big Al user is to force themselves to only use passive for about a week.

I imagine you've got a master switch being installed in your office that will enable you to declare 'passive mode weeks' on all future Big Al basses with the Gamechanger!

 

[Big Poppa]

NO but we may have a setting for erectile disfuntion

 

[2ndBassGuitar]

We didnt design any of our stuff to be P or J basses. The fact that the Big Al is available in a three single H configuration you cannot help but have tonal similarities.

What I strongly recommend to any Big Al user is to force themselves to only use passive for about a week...seriously...Play with the combos...understand the delicacy of the tone control...it was a very important design feature...It really works wonders for a passive pass.... I kind of forced Craig Young to do it and maybe he will comment.Then Spend a week and start flat in active and make small adjustments on the eq then make big ones...You will then understand just how deep the tonal pool the Big Al is.

Time to play my Big Als a bit more. I am going to try your advise, even if I am no Craig Young. Sterling, you get up too early!

 

[Big Poppa]

Gear the only problem you have with the amount of our stuff is that it is impossible to be totally familiar with all of it...I really have to work hard at it myself and Im part of the process...I sometimes get so caught up in the new stuff that I force myself to go back and check out the older stuff including Sterlings and Stingrays both in two band and three.

 

[TheAntMan]

We didnt design any of our stuff to be P or J basses. The fact that the Big Al is available in a three single H configuration you cannot help but have tonal similarities.

What I strongly recommend to any Big Al user is to force themselves to only use passive for about a week...seriously...Play with the combos...understand the delicacy of the tone control...it was a very important design feature...It really works wonders for a passive pass.... I kind of forced Craig Young to do it and maybe he will comment.Then Spend a week and start flat in active and make small adjustments on the eq then make big ones...You will then understand just how deep the tonal pool the Big Al is.

+1

I am a big believer in learning the EQ of an instrument. I have posted many times that I feel it is part of learning to play each instrument. I did this with the SR, Bongo and now with the 25th. 25th HSS takes some time to go through -- still working on it.

--Ant