I've got lots of time with both, but also with Ricks, and Stingrays. If I had to pick between a P or J, I'd get Fender J, and I'd make sure I was using a tube amp. However, my experience tells me the P bass is more mid-range punchy, but the J has more boomy bottom and a more zingy top when running through the same amp. So, for the sim, that's what I'd keep in mind.

Also, the P bass is more zingy if it has the PJ pickup orientation vs. a standard P split P pickup. 

Hope this helps!

Fascinating discussion, guys.  Thanks.  What started this was that I was debating which Native Instruments Scarbee bass virtual instrument to pick up first.  They make J-Bass, P-Bass,  Music Man, and Rick.

I like Ricks but didn't think that was a priority for me.  I also (maybe incorrectly) think of Music Man as more of a funk or disco bass.  Most of my recording career with real people players seemed to populated mostly with the two Fenders.

Thinking I may get both the Scarbee J and P basses and then see what else I need.

I actually think the bass insturment that comes with Sonar can sound pretty good on straight-ahead parts, but it doesn't give you much in the way of articulations.  Also, some of the sounds have an annoying fret buzz that doesn't seem to be optional.

I'm a guitarist and when I asked about a bass the Geddy Lee was recommended by
Jim Roseberry and a few others...sure glad I listened.

The Geddy bass is pretty awesome. Stingrays are better for Funk/Pop. I think they're to metallic and muddy for what I like. They severely lack a good bellow in low-frequencies, but can be very aggressive. Now, I love the Ricks that I have, but they're nasal-sounding unless you run them through a a pair of amps (hi/low) or through a SansAMP. They can be punchy, zingy, and still have some bellow (amazing through a Chandler Germanium Pre/DI with the thick button enabled. However, I think trying to emulate a Rick is not possible. phrasing and string slides, fret-buzz, and other distortions are all needed to be great. 

If I had one to choose for a sim: Jazz.

If I were a bassist I think I'd turn to this guy to get my sound.

I like both bass instruments. If I had to choose I would go with the J bass. I have a line 6 variax bass. It is the 700 model. That thing is incredible. It is too bad they don't make them anymore. it does a great job at modeling bass instruments. I got 16 bass models on that bass and the ability to adjust and move the pickups around. It is a great instrument for a bass player to use in a studio. I have used that bass on several session outside of my studio.

Hey, konradh, I use the Scarbee Jbass on a regular basis. I thought about adding the Pbass collection as well. Once I got the Jbass happening I never even bothered with the Pbass purchase. A little EQ tweaking will provide just about anything you need as far as that Fender bass sound. I run the Scarbee thru the Audifexx GK Amplification Pro plug and it seems to cover everything but that coveted Rick sound. The only criticism I would say would be when you have a lot of tracks layered the Scarbee's subtle little characteristics that make it sound so good  tend to get covered over pretty quickly.
I do have the Fender Modified Jazz Fretless Bass that I pick up and play sometimes but honestly the Scarbee Jbass library in some cases sounds more solid. I have used a combination of the Scarbee for the grooves and the real bass playing the fills. That has worked out really well on some occasions. Just an observation.

I prefer the Jazz over the P-basses, but my main bass for the past 15+ years has been my trusty ol' G&L L-2000.  Arguably the best line of basses Leo Fender has ever made.

cryophonik


I prefer the Jazz over the P-basses, but my main bass for the past 15+ years has been my trusty ol' G&L L-2000.  Arguably the best line of basses Leo Fender has ever made.

Somehow G&L always gets overlooked when it's just the next generation of Fenders.

To me it depends on the project I'm working on, I try out many different basses, and go with the one that sounds best for that particular track.