P vs J for a three piece band...

[RyanJD]

I posted a couple months back about how much I've been loving my P bass in the band setting. That hasn't changed. However, I'm wondering what people think about the P vs J thing in different scenarios.
For example, I play weekly with a band that has a lead guitar, rhythm/acoustic guitar, a keyboardist, drummer and singer. I also play play weekly with another band that is just a guitarist, a drummer and a singer. And I've been using the P for both for a couple months now.
I love the P in the band with more members. I feel like it hits the fundamentals needed for the setting. But I'm a little less in love with the P in the three piece band. Especially when the guitarist is switching up his pedal sounds to transition songs, or when the guitar is playing a lead/solo and the bass and drums are holding it down. (As opposed to bass, drums, rhythm guitar and keys holding it down.) I personally think a J might sound a little better in that situation. I'm going to experiment a bit, but what does TB say?
Why do you guys like/dislike a P for a small band setting?

Also, I'm looking at expanding my effects usage in the three-piece band. I just don't dig the effects I have with a P bass and flats, as much as I do with a good old J and rounds. We'll see...

 

[barginkov]

I have kinda ssame situation ,,one band has rhythm and lead guitars and keyboards ,drums .I use the jazz bass for that ..the other is bass guitar drums and I use p bass for that one. .I feel it fills up the emptInes when guitar is soloing..I don't know if it makes sense ,but it works for my situation.

 

[wvbass]

I'm not sure which direction I would go if I were in your shoes.

I'm with you on flats and effects, though. A lot of the "character" of many effects comes through in the top end that roundwounds provide.

 

[Pilgrim]

Don't forget that no matter what you play, you will sound like YOU. That's what matters the most.

I personally don't think it matters; play the bass you're in the mood to play that night.

 

[shawshank72]

I've never enjoyed a jazz bass so my vote is always precision.

 

[Mastermold]

Why does it have to be either/or? Why not both? If you've never owned a Jazz bass you should try one out and see if you like it. But I wouldn't get rid of your P-bass. For me, I find I enjoy lots of different basses for the different tones they offer. Variety is good.

 

[crucislancer]

I was in a trio in the 2000’s where I used Jazz basses exclusively. Never had a problem, got lots of compliments. My last band, a 4 piece (guitar/bass/drums/vocals) I did the same at first then picked up a Precision and alternated between the two. My guitarist preferred the tone on the Precision, but I continued to alternate between them until I quit.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I'm in the camp that says you need both .
You will find yourself needing what the other can't provide.

 

[chris_b]

A P bass with flats and a J with rounds, and maybe a preamp. Sounds like the basis for a good gigging capability.

 

[two fingers]

I would put rounds on the P bass first. I have been playing only P basses lately (after two decades of not having one at all). With rounds they get quite bright and aggressive.

Here lately I have been doing a lot more with plucking technique and position to alter the tone. I haven't found much I couldn't cop yet. I use my fingers from over the fretboard to almost at the bridge. I use half a dozen kinds of picks and pluck all over. I use the side of my thumb to pluck over the board for more of an "upright" tone. Slap. Tap. Whatever it takes.

I run regular D'Addario XL nickel strings.

 

[Baird6869]

I was in a 3 piece for a few years and mainly used a P. I DID use a Jazz for most of one set as we played a lot of funk and Red Hot Chili Peppers. I can't slap on a P to save my life.

I vote for P or both.... or maybe Jazz.

 

[lz4005]

A P with rounds and the tone all the way up is perfect in a rock trio.

A J can be good too.

 

[Odinbass]

Just my experience - I've found that a thinner/twangier sound works better for 3 piece bands. It blends in with the guitar better. A super phat low end can eat up a single guitar, especially if you have a guy with a Telecaster or other thin sounding axe.

So my vote is Jazz bass ......... BUT people can surely point to 100 trios with P-basses.

 

[Pocket4]

I would go feet first with a J, then you can always go back to the P to bring it home.

 

[JJR58]

For what it's worth.

I have both.

There are other basses I would like to have, but having both a Precision and a Jazz covers quite a bit of territory.

 

[GranSportMan]

I'd say use both.

 

[BobDeRosa]

We bassists make a much bigger deal of this than either our bandmates (who care only as long as it makes them sound good) or audience members (who are usually only half listening and care not at all what you're playing). Play the one that supports the music better or get a P/J and play both.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

I say PJ. That covers most ground. I use my P pickup for most songs and PJ for a couple. So out of the 10 songs I've written, 8 are P solo and two are PJ .
I also use a little overdrive. I love the P bass with overdrive. You can almost sound like a second guitar.

 

[JimmyM]

I think there's more room for mid scoops in a 3-pc band. I've been doing one lately as a side project, and the P by itself works well for a couple tunes we wrote, but most of them sound better with the PJ. That big midrange we love in a proper Precision isn't needed as much to be heard in the mix, and it can be a little grating when no other instruments are covering it up. But I take it on a song-by-song basis, and that's what I recommend. Use the Jazz and you can always solo the neck pickup and get close enough to the P sound when you need it.

 

[ERIC31]

P/J. Go for it!