MM vs. P-bass

[Andrej Jeremic]

Hi there fellow bassists,



I would really like to hear your opinion on the following subject Musicman
vs. Precision!



Currently I have in my possession MM Stingray 4 (3 way active, maple
fretboard). Technically I have not met better instrument for the money
(overall construction, durability and quality of the hardware, neck action
and truss rod) only "problem" I have is the sound - too active!



A few weeks ago I had a chance to play Fender Precision (I think it is '77)
and was stunned with the sound. Technically guitar was not near to the MM
(no original bridge, strings too high, mute switch poorly installed),
original magnets changed for DiMarzio... BUT there was punch and THE SOUND
heard and loved so many times before. It was stringed with old Dadario's and
almost totally mute (it was hard to tell a pitch of the note played) but
anyways played on its own, through Fender Rumble 100 it gave me the sound I
dreamed of.



When the whole band was playing (guitar/vocals, drums and bass) Precision
was nowhere to be heard, while in the unchanged setup my MM was all over the
place. This was my main reason why I bought MM in the first place - I needed
good, reliable overall player that can found its way through the mix, and I
could hear it in various situations (small to mid size gigs, various amps -
sometimes really bad, rarely recording in the studio) and I needed to find
it in the one guitar, since I can not afford several guitars. That is why I
didn't want to buy P-bass when deciding, being afraid that it will not stand
up to the situations (could not be heard like that '77 with the band). Btw.
my amp is Ampeg BA-500 and the music we play is a basic r'n'r that old,
passive sound is more suited.



Now I have a real problem - the brain is in favor of MM but heart is in
favor of Precision. If I would buy a new guitar I was thinking of Lakland
Skyline Bob Glaub model (rosewood fretboard). With its excellent quality and
Lindy Fralin PU's I think that it could compromise sound of P-bass with
abilities of the MM.



Please share your taughts and comments: is it a reasnoble switch, are we
really "cursed" to play one guitar in the studio and another in all other
"more demanding" situations... all advices are more than welcome!



Regards,



Andrej

[Twang]

Andrej Jeremic wrote:
> Hi there fellow bassists,
>
>
>
> I would really like to hear your opinion on the following subject Musicman
> vs. Precision!
>
>
>
> Currently I have in my possession MM Stingray 4 (3 way active, maple
> fretboard). Technically I have not met better instrument for the money
> (overall construction, durability and quality of the hardware, neck action
> and truss rod) only "problem" I have is the sound - too active!
>
>
>
> A few weeks ago I had a chance to play Fender Precision (I think it is '77)
> and was stunned with the sound. Technically guitar was not near to the MM
> (no original bridge, strings too high, mute switch poorly installed),
> original magnets changed for DiMarzio... BUT there was punch and THE SOUND
> heard and loved so many times before. It was stringed with old Dadario's and
> almost totally mute (it was hard to tell a pitch of the note played) but
> anyways played on its own, through Fender Rumble 100 it gave me the sound I
> dreamed of.
>
>
>
> When the whole band was playing (guitar/vocals, drums and bass) Precision
> was nowhere to be heard, while in the unchanged setup my MM was all over the
> place. This was my main reason why I bought MM in the first place - I needed
> good, reliable overall player that can found its way through the mix, and I
> could hear it in various situations (small to mid size gigs, various amps -
> sometimes really bad, rarely recording in the studio) and I needed to find
> it in the one guitar, since I can not afford several guitars. That is why I
> didn't want to buy P-bass when deciding, being afraid that it will not stand
> up to the situations (could not be heard like that '77 with the band). Btw.
> my amp is Ampeg BA-500 and the music we play is a basic r'n'r that old,
> passive sound is more suited.
>
>
>
> Now I have a real problem - the brain is in favor of MM but heart is in
> favor of Precision. If I would buy a new guitar I was thinking of Lakland
> Skyline Bob Glaub model (rosewood fretboard). With its excellent quality and
> Lindy Fralin PU's I think that it could compromise sound of P-bass with
> abilities of the MM.
>
>
>
> Please share your taughts and comments: is it a reasnoble switch, are we
> really "cursed" to play one guitar in the studio and another in all other
> "more demanding" situations... all advices are more than welcome!
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Andrej

Add a compressor.. just a touch and you've got your levels set so that
it really cuts.. or lightly cuts depending on what you want.
and then use the p bass well set up.

TWANG!

[Buster Mudd]

You've pretty much nailed it: A MusicMan Stingray (regardless of
whether pre- or post-Ernie Ball) is a much better built instrument than
all but the most rare Fender Precision Basses...but the Fender P Bass
is such an iconic sound in rock & pop music that anything else often
sounds...well, just a bit wrong. The degree to which this becomes an
issue depends on the style of music you're playing, as well as your
sensetivity to this sort of minutae (sp?)

FWIW, I've heard more guys get an acceptably "vintage" sound out of a
Stingray than get a "modern" sound out of a P Bass. Maybe you just need
to play around with the EQ (both onboard and on your amp) before you
dismiss the MM as "too active" ?

All things being equal, I'd rather have a MusicMan, mostly because I
really hate the sound of a P Bass. But if I made my living doing
exclusively studio sessions, I would absolutely have a P Bass in my
arsenal. (In fact, if I had infinite disposable income, I'd get one
anyway; even though I hate that sound there are some times when even I
have to admit it's perfect!)

[BW]

Andrej Jeremic wrote:
> Hi there fellow bassists,
>
>
>
> I would really like to hear your opinion on the following subject Musicman
> vs. Precision!
>
>
>
> Currently I have in my possession MM Stingray 4 (3 way active, maple
> fretboard). Technically I have not met better instrument for the money
> (overall construction, durability and quality of the hardware, neck action
> and truss rod) only "problem" I have is the sound - too active!
>
>
>
> A few weeks ago I had a chance to play Fender Precision (I think it is '77)
> and was stunned with the sound. Technically guitar was not near to the MM
> (no original bridge, strings too high, mute switch poorly installed),
> original magnets changed for DiMarzio... BUT there was punch and THE SOUND
> heard and loved so many times before. It was stringed with old Dadario's and
> almost totally mute (it was hard to tell a pitch of the note played) but
> anyways played on its own, through Fender Rumble 100 it gave me the sound I
> dreamed of.
>
>
>
> When the whole band was playing (guitar/vocals, drums and bass) Precision
> was nowhere to be heard, while in the unchanged setup my MM was all over the
> place. This was my main reason why I bought MM in the first place - I needed
> good, reliable overall player that can found its way through the mix, and I
> could hear it in various situations (small to mid size gigs, various amps -
> sometimes really bad, rarely recording in the studio) and I needed to find
> it in the one guitar, since I can not afford several guitars. That is why I
> didn't want to buy P-bass when deciding, being afraid that it will not stand
> up to the situations (could not be heard like that '77 with the band). Btw.
> my amp is Ampeg BA-500 and the music we play is a basic r'n'r that old,
> passive sound is more suited.
>
>
>
> Now I have a real problem - the brain is in favor of MM but heart is in
> favor of Precision. If I would buy a new guitar I was thinking of Lakland
> Skyline Bob Glaub model (rosewood fretboard). With its excellent quality and
> Lindy Fralin PU's I think that it could compromise sound of P-bass with
> abilities of the MM.
>
>
>
> Please share your taughts and comments: is it a reasnoble switch, are we
> really "cursed" to play one guitar in the studio and another in all other
> "more demanding" situations... all advices are more than welcome!
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Andrej
>
>
I wonder how much you're losing in the presumably passive P pickups, and
how close you are to FrankenBass territory...
I flat out cannot stand the baseball bat Precision neck. It gives great
tone, if you like that tone(which you do). I hate how that neck feels
in my hands. I'd take a Jazz or a Bongo in the under a grand bass category.

[seawiks]

I have bought and sold many basses but I am in love with and still
married to my ' 77 P.
She's been good to me for 30 yrs. My other basses ... chicks on the
side!

BW wrote:
> Andrej Jeremic wrote:
> > Hi there fellow bassists,
> >
> >
> >
> > I would really like to hear your opinion on the following subject Musicman
> > vs. Precision!
> >
> >
> >
> > Currently I have in my possession MM Stingray 4 (3 way active, maple
> > fretboard). Technically I have not met better instrument for the money
> > (overall construction, durability and quality of the hardware, neck action
> > and truss rod) only "problem" I have is the sound - too active!
> >
> >
> >
> > A few weeks ago I had a chance to play Fender Precision (I think it is '77)
> > and was stunned with the sound. Technically guitar was not near to the MM
> > (no original bridge, strings too high, mute switch poorly installed),
> > original magnets changed for DiMarzio... BUT there was punch and THE SOUND
> > heard and loved so many times before. It was stringed with old Dadario's and
> > almost totally mute (it was hard to tell a pitch of the note played) but
> > anyways played on its own, through Fender Rumble 100 it gave me the sound I
> > dreamed of.
> >
> >
> >
> > When the whole band was playing (guitar/vocals, drums and bass) Precision
> > was nowhere to be heard, while in the unchanged setup my MM was all over the
> > place. This was my main reason why I bought MM in the first place - I needed
> > good, reliable overall player that can found its way through the mix, and I
> > could hear it in various situations (small to mid size gigs, various amps -
> > sometimes really bad, rarely recording in the studio) and I needed to find
> > it in the one guitar, since I can not afford several guitars. That is why I
> > didn't want to buy P-bass when deciding, being afraid that it will not stand
> > up to the situations (could not be heard like that '77 with the band). Btw.
> > my amp is Ampeg BA-500 and the music we play is a basic r'n'r that old,
> > passive sound is more suited.
> >
> >
> >
> > Now I have a real problem - the brain is in favor of MM but heart is in
> > favor of Precision. If I would buy a new guitar I was thinking of Lakland
> > Skyline Bob Glaub model (rosewood fretboard). With its excellent quality and
> > Lindy Fralin PU's I think that it could compromise sound of P-bass with
> > abilities of the MM.
> >
> >
> >
> > Please share your taughts and comments: is it a reasnoble switch, are we
> > really "cursed" to play one guitar in the studio and another in all other
> > "more demanding" situations... all advices are more than welcome!
> >
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> >
> >
> > Andrej
> >
> >
> I wonder how much you're losing in the presumably passive P pickups, and
> how close you are to FrankenBass territory...
> I flat out cannot stand the baseball bat Precision neck. It gives great
> tone, if you like that tone(which you do). I hate how that neck feels
> in my hands. I'd take a Jazz or a Bongo in the under a grand bass category.

[Skip Elliott Bowman]

Use the right tool for the right job that's what I always say. I usually
bring 2 or 3 basses to a gig and have gotten good at the quick-switch
between songs.

Go into any pro recording studio--chances are there's a P within reach.

"seawiks" <mns2nd@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1168612722.118623.108210@38g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>I have bought and sold many basses but I am in love with and still
> married to my ' 77 P.
> She's been good to me for 30 yrs. My other basses ... chicks on the
> side!
>
> BW wrote:
>> Andrej Jeremic wrote:
>> > Hi there fellow bassists,
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I would really like to hear your opinion on the following subject
>> > Musicman
>> > vs. Precision!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Currently I have in my possession MM Stingray 4 (3 way active, maple
>> > fretboard). Technically I have not met better instrument for the money
>> > (overall construction, durability and quality of the hardware, neck
>> > action
>> > and truss rod) only "problem" I have is the sound - too active!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > A few weeks ago I had a chance to play Fender Precision (I think it is
>> > '77)
>> > and was stunned with the sound. Technically guitar was not near to the
>> > MM
>> > (no original bridge, strings too high, mute switch poorly installed),
>> > original magnets changed for DiMarzio... BUT there was punch and THE
>> > SOUND
>> > heard and loved so many times before. It was stringed with old
>> > Dadario's and
>> > almost totally mute (it was hard to tell a pitch of the note played)
>> > but
>> > anyways played on its own, through Fender Rumble 100 it gave me the
>> > sound I
>> > dreamed of.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > When the whole band was playing (guitar/vocals, drums and bass)
>> > Precision
>> > was nowhere to be heard, while in the unchanged setup my MM was all
>> > over the
>> > place. This was my main reason why I bought MM in the first place - I
>> > needed
>> > good, reliable overall player that can found its way through the mix,
>> > and I
>> > could hear it in various situations (small to mid size gigs, various
>> > amps -
>> > sometimes really bad, rarely recording in the studio) and I needed to
>> > find
>> > it in the one guitar, since I can not afford several guitars. That is
>> > why I
>> > didn't want to buy P-bass when deciding, being afraid that it will not
>> > stand
>> > up to the situations (could not be heard like that '77 with the band).
>> > Btw.
>> > my amp is Ampeg BA-500 and the music we play is a basic r'n'r that old,
>> > passive sound is more suited.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Now I have a real problem - the brain is in favor of MM but heart is in
>> > favor of Precision. If I would buy a new guitar I was thinking of
>> > Lakland
>> > Skyline Bob Glaub model (rosewood fretboard). With its excellent
>> > quality and
>> > Lindy Fralin PU's I think that it could compromise sound of P-bass with
>> > abilities of the MM.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Please share your taughts and comments: is it a reasnoble switch, are
>> > we
>> > really "cursed" to play one guitar in the studio and another in all
>> > other
>> > "more demanding" situations... all advices are more than welcome!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Andrej
>> >
>> >
>> I wonder how much you're losing in the presumably passive P pickups, and
>> how close you are to FrankenBass territory...
>> I flat out cannot stand the baseball bat Precision neck. It gives great
>> tone, if you like that tone(which you do). I hate how that neck feels
>> in my hands. I'd take a Jazz or a Bongo in the under a grand bass
>> category.
>

[Benj]

Skip Elliott Bowman wrote:
> Use the right tool for the right job that's what I always say. I usually
> bring 2 or 3 basses to a gig and have gotten good at the quick-switch
> between songs.
>
> Go into any pro recording studio--chances are there's a P within reach.

I say listen to Skip! I just don't get where this "you are only allowed
to own one bass" rule is written down! Hey. I played Fender back when
it was all there was and got REAL tired of the shortcomings. I got to
be a Fender-hater. Wouldn't own one of the things. Yes, there are a TON
of truly killer basses out there. For the record my main axe is a
modulus 6 string with Barts. Tone to die for. B string to die for. Cuts
the mix like a hot knife through warm butter. BUT...the sound is just
NOT "old school". The LOOK is just not "old school". Fought with this
for years. Tried Fender clones...sorry close but no cigar. Got a G&L
figuring a later Leo creation might give me the answer. Well, Yeah, a
G&L is a totally dynomite bass. I TOTALLY love it...especially my
fretless L-2500. But it's just too "modern". Bottom line: I simply HAD
to go out and plunk 'em down for a "real" Fender. A Jazz 5 in my case.
Yeah, while it doesn't have the classic dead spots on the neck, there
ARE a few places where the tone changes character. And OK, it's active
And has too many knobs! And has (shudder) an extra string, but what can
I say? The thing simply gives you that "old school" tone without any
effort at all. Gives you the "old school" look too. What more could you
want? But I sure wouldn't want one as my *ONLY* bass!

I presume the same thing goes for a P bass. Like I said, there are all
manner of really killer basses out there, but if there is something
other than a 'real" Fender that sounds like a Fender, well, I haven't
found it yet.

Rule: You can never own too many basses!

Benj

[rloomis@core.com]

I can really relate to your message. Every band I've ever played
in(rock) sounded better with a p-bass, but the MM was so much more
enjoyable to play(construction, neck, balance etc.)

There are ways,(previously listed) to improve/adapt the MM to the less
active tone you want...but I've tried all of them, and for whatever
reason, the honking mids and solid/vintage tone of the P-bass was
always better(IMO and my band mates).

Lakland is worth a try (Iknow Dan, and love his instruments and
dedication), but I think the answer is to find, customize etc. a neck
for a vintage P-bass(original electronics) and enjoy the tone that
somehow just seems right. It seems limiting when playing/practicing
without a group... isn't as flexible or fun....but it always sounds
better with the band.

All the best,

Rich

Rock(P-bass, custom Lakland(Hugh Mcfarland neck)

Classical(Kolstein Panormo)




On Sun, 7 Jan 2007 14:26:54 +0100, "Andrej Jeremic" <vjeremy@eunet.yu>
wrote:

>Hi there fellow bassists,
>
>
>
>I would really like to hear your opinion on the following subject Musicman
>vs. Precision!
>
>
>
>Currently I have in my possession MM Stingray 4 (3 way active, maple
>fretboard). Technically I have not met better instrument for the money
>(overall construction, durability and quality of the hardware, neck action
>and truss rod) only "problem" I have is the sound - too active!
>
>
>
>A few weeks ago I had a chance to play Fender Precision (I think it is '77)
>and was stunned with the sound. Technically guitar was not near to the MM
>(no original bridge, strings too high, mute switch poorly installed),
>original magnets changed for DiMarzio... BUT there was punch and THE SOUND
>heard and loved so many times before. It was stringed with old Dadario's and
>almost totally mute (it was hard to tell a pitch of the note played) but
>anyways played on its own, through Fender Rumble 100 it gave me the sound I
>dreamed of.
>
>
>
>When the whole band was playing (guitar/vocals, drums and bass) Precision
>was nowhere to be heard, while in the unchanged setup my MM was all over the
>place. This was my main reason why I bought MM in the first place - I needed
>good, reliable overall player that can found its way through the mix, and I
>could hear it in various situations (small to mid size gigs, various amps -
>sometimes really bad, rarely recording in the studio) and I needed to find
>it in the one guitar, since I can not afford several guitars. That is why I
>didn't want to buy P-bass when deciding, being afraid that it will not stand
>up to the situations (could not be heard like that '77 with the band). Btw.
>my amp is Ampeg BA-500 and the music we play is a basic r'n'r that old,
>passive sound is more suited.
>
>
>
>Now I have a real problem - the brain is in favor of MM but heart is in
>favor of Precision. If I would buy a new guitar I was thinking of Lakland
>Skyline Bob Glaub model (rosewood fretboard). With its excellent quality and
>Lindy Fralin PU's I think that it could compromise sound of P-bass with
>abilities of the MM.
>
>
>
>Please share your taughts and comments: is it a reasnoble switch, are we
>really "cursed" to play one guitar in the studio and another in all other
>"more demanding" situations... all advices are more than welcome!
>
>
>
>Regards,
>
>
>
>Andrej
>