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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 12:44 pm
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So, just thought I'd post some follow-up on this topic.

I made a road trip to Vancouver last weekend and had called a few stores in advance to find out which stores had what. We were on our way through the city and noticed a music store that I had not check out yet, so I stopped in. Although they didn't have either of the 50's or 70's classic models, they of course had the MIM standards. The guy was quite helpful and gave me equivalent models to see how I'd like the necks on the actual 50's or 70's classic series. I can't remember the exact models I played, but I wasn't a fan of the chunkiness of the 50's neck. I could probably adapt, but it wasn't love at first grasp.

I then headed to the store that had one 70's in stock. I played it, several MIM standards, an american standard, and an american special. After inquiring that there was no 50's to be found in Vancouver at any of the stores, I kept cycling through each to be sure I was picking the standout. It really wasn't a tough exercise... The 70's stood out the clear favourite on feel alone. I was plugged in to a ampeg mini stack that was set flat, and I couldn't really notice that much tonal difference between the basses I did like.

The 2 different americans felt similar to each other and not bad, and all the MIM's felt cheap to me. Maybe it was just the setups that had this effect, but they felt sloppy. I really was hoping to be satisfied with a MIM standard, as it was in the right price range for the green light without questions from my wife, but it wasn't happening. So of course, I got the nod to go ahead with the 70's if I wanted it. I thought about walking away and continuing my pursuit, but really liked the 70's. So I went with it. (3 tone burst).

I know that the electronics may not be as good as the 50's, but each time I play it now, it makes me even more happy than last. I'm confident I've made the right purchase. This weekend, I'll put it through its paces and record it. Hopefully all goes well.

Thank for the input along the way.
Ryan


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 8:23 pm
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a P bass is a great choice to record with--- you will have a raw straight in tone that can be made to sound like anything really. You only need a simple set up. You're not going to worry about the room sound like in a club or in a Tiki hut on the beach. Plug and play. No muss no fuss. I recorded for about 20 years and used a P bass almost exclusively. I haven't done recording since 2006. Wow! That's too long.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 10:40 pm
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ok, I got a weird question but a bit of a concern.

When i bought this bass, i noticed some white dust/powder up against the pickguard where the lower horn meets the neck. I wiped it clean not thinking too much about it, but now after playing it more tonight, more is visible. So I tapped the area and a big plume of powder shot out. A.) what is it? and B.) should I be taking off the pickguard and cleaning it out?

Thanks,
Ryan


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:23 am
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buffing compound. I always get rid of as much of it as I can once I open up the electronics cavity. That dust can get in the pots. I guess it takes too much time at the factory to get rid of the left overs from buffing. I don't like it myself. Up there by the horn it could be coming from the neck pocket. That stuff is everywhere.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:55 am
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The 50's electronics are not "all that." It is a matter of taste. I really think the 62 RI is one of the best sounding P-basses in the mass production line myself, but others would disagree. The important thing is that you like it.

Of course the Standards are not going to be as nice as an instrument that costs 50% more, but for the majority they are just fine. I prefer the 2001 to about 2008 Standards and I've had two of them. The wood was better then.

I've never played a current Classic Series 70's P-Bass and not likely to own one or even bother playing one. The reason for that is I am not a big fan of neck inlays or binding. It is a personal issue for me. I think they sound different and it effects the sustain, feel and voicing of the instrument. It is, as I said, a personal belief and one which I can not prove. Inlays were a CBS era thing and I don't think they really did anything positive for the instrument other than look pretty. It is based solely on my ownership of a '71 Jazz, but I'll never own another inlaid & bound neck on a bass.

Actually I don't recall there being inlaid necks on the 70's P-Basses at all! Am I wrong about this? The ones with inlaid necks were usually neck swaps from a Jazz as I recall. I'm thinking real hard and don't remember them at all.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:48 pm
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Personally, I would look for an MIA Precision. If it is not within your budget then MIJ is definitely the way to go.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:54 pm
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Rockbassist wrote:
Personally, I would look for an MIA Precision. If it is not within your budget then MIJ is definitely the way to go.


A Japanese costs almost as much as the USA, so yeah, USA. I personally find the electronics on the Japanese instruments inferior to Mexican Fender basses. The Japanese basses have superior materials and craftsmanship in every regard compared to MIM, except for the electronics. The electronics matter more than the quality of the wood or fit and finish. Therefore for recording, which is what the original post was about, you are better off with USA or Mexican. Even when on the Mexican I'd suggest changing out the pickup, the rest of the electronics are the same as the USA.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 8:07 am
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Quote:
Are the truss rods in the Geddy bass as good as the rods used in the U.S Vintage Reissues? I'm a sucker for straight necks.


As far as I know the rods in Geddy Lee basses work just fine. I own a couple of Japanese Precision basses and I have never had any problems with the truss rods.

The real 70's Precision never had inlays and binding on the necks,unless there was a one off or special order bass that got out of the factory.

If you got a Japanese or Mexican made Fender bass, I would suggest that you try out the pickups for while before replacing them. They often can sound very good and there is no real need to replace pickups or electronics in any of these basses.
Good strings, along with good playing technique, will make the biggest difference in tone.

Have fun playing bass.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:55 pm
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You should check out the Select P bass. I am so in love with mine I think my wife is getting jealous :oops: The select pickup is so deep even with round wounds, it's almost shocking. When you really bear down on it for accents it growls instead of frapping out.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:35 pm
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OKAY stop right now! I can not believe that any women would be jealous of a guitar let alone any band a guy plays in. You don't expect me to believe that do you? ALSO I can't believe that a Fender bass equipped with round wound strings would sound so deep that it would be almost shocking? Well who do we think we are? AND bearing down on said roundwounds would produce the sought after GROWL as you say ????? Well I never............ :D


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:47 am
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:shock:


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 2:24 pm
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Once again B.C. and I agree to disagree.

The pickups in the MIM Standard P-Bass are OK, but not as good as the USA Standard. My latest MIM Standard (a 2004 model) had plenty of boom-boom but very little in the upper mid department. I got upper mids a plenty now with the Original Vintage Pickup and higher output also. A very big surprise and I prefer it to the Seymour Duncan SPD3.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for advice on a P-bass for recording
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 2:36 pm
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Who say's we can't all get along? i agre with you Brother Dave, you agree with BC, Stroker agrees with everybody. It's a kindler gentler, Forum!


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