Does it take more effort to play a P-bass? (or an older passive bass)

Bunnoodle

Bunnoodle

Nov 29, 2017
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#1
Folks.

I recently transitioned to a Yamaha TRBX, although I still dig my Squier Matt Freeman because it is plain bad-ass. However, I noticed that I can play longer on the Yamaha without tiring my fingers. I cannot find any explanation.

Yamaha - D'Addario EXL 170
Squier - D'Addario Flatwound chromes

Thanks!
 
#4
I find that some basses "play faster" than others. Thin necks and other factors contribute.

Also, Chromes have much more tension and stiffness than regular XLs. That might be part of it.

Plus, you have to adjust your gain for varying outputs of pickups. So, if the pickup on the P bass isn't as hot as the Yammy, trying to compensate with your fingers will wear you out more quickly.

But the short version is, sure, some basses play more easily than others. That doesn't make them better or worse. They just do two different "vibes".
 
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#8
Bunnoodle said:
hmmm ... im confused between playing 'fast' and playing 'hard'.
Click to expand...

It's all hard to describe with words. In other words, some basses simply take less effort to play. Lower action, thinner necks, lighter and more flexible strings, etc. can all play a role.

Try a set of XLs on the P bass and I bet you'll be surprised at how much more similarly they play.
 
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#9
Slim necks, especially set up with lower action, are referred to as "fast" necks - doesn't necessarily mean you're playing faster on them. Also doesn't necessarily mean they're any more comfortable for the individual player. You can adjust to anything, but still, people tend to find a configuration that they are most comfortable on. If your discomfort is in the fretting hand, than whatever you're finding is something to do with either the neck of the bass, or your technique.

There are lots of different neck profiles - different widths at the nut, different depths, different shapes (C, D, V, etc.), different fretboard radii, and then of course there's the string tension you're dealing with over them. IIRC the Yamaha has a shallower depth and flatter radius than the Squier, so that's probably what you're reacting to.
 
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#14
Bunnoodle said:
Folks.

I recently transitioned to a Yamaha TRBX, although I still dig my Squier Matt Freeman because it is plain bad-ass. However, I noticed that I can play longer on the Yamaha without tiring my fingers. I cannot find any explanation.

Yamaha - D'Addario EXL 170
Squier - D'Addario Flatwound chromes

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have found this to be the case for me also. If you examine the ergonomics of the TRBXs, while they are 34" scale, the body is smaller and the bridge is close to the edge of the body. So the first fret is closer to your body than the p bass. Factor in the narrow width of the nut and the slim profile, and that seems to make it play easier. The TRBX is a nice setup for me, personally.
 
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#15
This. I'd bet money on the answer being this, plus the action of the setup making it so it takes more effort to fret the P.

I just checked and the TRBX-305 (I took a guess on the specific model) has a much flatter board than a normal modern P, so it would be trivial to give it lower action.

two fingers said:
Also, Chromes have much more tension and stiffness than regular XLs. That might be part of it.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
#17
1) String height
2) String tension and/or stiffness
3) Pickup output
3.1) basswood

Frets in need of leveling and dressing will limit how low the strings can be set, Squiers usually are in need of fretwork out of the box, let alone after months or years of being played, to compete with most Japanese basses for low action capability.

Chromes are an abusing-a-gym-free-trial-month level workout compared to most other strings. I like them a lot but am curious to try out the fender 9050 set.

"Better" (different) pickups.

Swap everything Freeman onto an alder/ash/anything-but-basswood body and there's a 98% chance that you won't hear or feel any difference, but it'll at least be a great classical-thought exercise in deepening your understanding of the instrument itself.
 
#19
Bunnoodle said:
Folks.

I recently transitioned to a Yamaha TRBX, although I still dig my Squier Matt Freeman because it is plain bad-ass. However, I noticed that I can play longer on the Yamaha without tiring my fingers. I cannot find any explanation.

Yamaha - D'Addario EXL 170
Squier - D'Addario Flatwound chromes

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I’ve been playing bass for 40 years... the first 30+ were with the same RIC I purchased when I was 15- strung, almost always, with Rotosound SS rounds... ‘discovery’ of thinner/narrower Fender J necks has caused me to sell my RIC & foray into another world! The ‘non-offset’ body of the RIC also caused me to prefer the P body... so I now have 2 P’s with J necks! (thats the backstory).

Now heres the relevant bit: I figured since I’m playing P’s (sort of) I’ll string one with flats. Over the past 5 years I’ve tried most every (mainstream) flat, half-flat, etc. out there (incl. TI, Labella low-tension, Chromes, etc... have also tried extra light gauges) and have found that my finger/hand fatigue is very noticeable! I am now waiting on some GHS Pressure wounds (used them before- but didn’t stick with them for different reasons).

The moral to my story is that my hands are so accustomed to rounds- they will not ‘allow me’ to use flats. I am a bit older & have some (very mild) arthritis issues- so that may contribute to my experience- but it is my experience... not without extensive ‘research’.
 
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#20
Straightforward answer for me. My Fender P wears me down much faster than any of my other basses. My hands and fingers just get tired/weak much sooner. I make it a point to spend more time on the P just because of the differences, although so it hasn't changes the results. I'm too stubborn to give it up although there are times . . .
 
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