Just received my first P Bass... - Page 3

xUptheIronsx · #41 04-05-2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdelamont

As for strings, if you go with rounds, Ernie Ball Slinkys (pick your favorite guage) sound great and seem to last longer than most. GHS strings IMHO sound great but die in a week.

yes!! These are what I have always used on my 72 P-bass. Roundwounds. I don't like the feel of flats so I have never been able to use them. Also don't like the lack of sustain that most have...love me some Ernie Balls tho

bassfran · #42 04-05-2012, 11:18 AM

Nice new axe, congratulations!

I'm using some Ken Smith roundwounds on my FrankenP- not sure which ones but they have purple silk. Maybe they ALL do, I dunno'.

Played flats for years before they caught on again but needed more grind for rock gigs, so went back to the fret-eaters. They SMOKE! Great tension, even response, and have held up well to the punishment.

Save that case candy. And get a tort guard.

ynot12 · #43 04-05-2012, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

This is true. Maybe if enough people take their basses to an authorized repair person for shielding, Fender will start doing it before they leave the factory.

Well, I'm taking your advice and bringing it in to an authorized Fender service center for them to fix it under warranty. 5 days without it, but the small taste I had has me hooked. This bass is worth the wait.

M.Mannix3 · #44 04-05-2012, 03:41 PM

Seriously if you want to hear a P bass with LaBella flats listen to Jamerson or Duck Dunn.

Gord_oh · #45 04-05-2012, 03:42 PM

great basses! ive been gassing one since i first played one. congrats!

Mike M. · #46 04-05-2012, 04:38 PM

Good for you! I know the feeling as I bought my first P bass last week. Still can't believe I waited so long before buying one. Love the sound and I can't stop playing it.

Enjoy!

dedpool1052 · #47 04-05-2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ynot12

Has anyone used Hi Beams on a P Bass?

absolutely. they're all i use on my p-basses. i tried a set of nickel-plated rotosounds on my p a while back. had'em on for a day then took them off and put the 2+ year old hibeams back on. the rotos ended up on my new schecter p, which sounds pretty decent.

kiripunk · #48 04-05-2012, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdelamont

The plastic film will come off around the screws but you'll have to remove the knobs and the screw and washer around the input jack. It's a stupid way of putting the plastic on, really. You shouldn't have to take your brand-new bass apart just to pull off the plastic. Also, peel it all the way off up to the edge of the input jack, then FLIP IT OVER to unscrew the jack and pull the end off. Then replace the washer and re-thread the jack before flipping it back face up. Otherwise the jack assembly will fall down into the body and you'll have to take the whole pickguard off. 13 little, easily losable screws.
If all this sounds like a pain in the a**, that's because it is. I don't why the don't make the holes on the plastic bigger than the knobs and the jack.
On the other hand, that plastic will last a good month or three right where it is.

Glad I ended up reading this, I bought myself a Std. P Bass 1 year ago and I thought: "Who care about the film, I'll remove sooner or later!". Well, I didn't realized how hard it would have been so I never did it untill now, and I did it... PROPERLY!

THANX

jmattbassplaya · #49 04-05-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Already doing it wrong...

roadkill2309 · #50 04-05-2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ynot12

It's a 2011 Fender American Deluxe Precision and, man, I now understand all the love for these basses. This bass is killer. I only had 30 minutes with it tonight, but I'm already in love.

I have a few questions for those of you who have experience with new Fenders. First, the sticky clear cover on the pick guard, should I remove the screws as I take that film off so it doesn't leave the little plasticky edges around the screws? Also, what are the typical choice of strings for this bass? I play rock and metal mostly and some RHCP type stuff as well. Any thoughts on strings?

Thanks!

Ignore Kwesi. He's a troll.

Naaaaw, he's not, but his dislike of the lovely P is becoming legendary. Up until I bought *my* first P (a 2008 American Standard), my views pretty much matched Kwesi's, actually...

I just ripped the film off mine. the sticky bits will come off if you go at 'em with enough attention.

kiripunk · #51 04-05-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadkill2309

Ignore Kwesi. He's a troll.

Naaaaw, he's not, but his dislike of the lovely P is becoming legendary. Up until I bought *my* first P (a 2008 American Standard), my views pretty much matched Kwesi's, actually...

I just ripped the film off mine. the sticky bits will come off if you go at 'em with enough attention.

I payed attention to the sticky bits as you said, still I wanted to check it properly by removing all of the screws, this was useless!

2cooltoolz · #52 04-05-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ynot12

Well, I'm taking your advice and bringing it in to an authorized Fender service center for them to fix it under warranty. 5 days without it, but the small taste I had has me hooked. This bass is worth the wait.

+1 on that!

That's about as beautiful a straight from the factory, out of the box bass as I've ever seen! Congratulations!!

kiripunk · #53 04-05-2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Don't stress it. My MIA has zero factory shielding.

A couple minutes with a roll of copper tape when you change your strings will help.

Do you always shield your bass? I had problems with my first bass (so I did it) but I didn't have problems with my Standard P. Bass. I can't tell you if I need it, since I haven't tried it yet in a rehearsal room!

ynot12 · #54 04-05-2012, 09:49 PM

Ok, so I took my new bass to an authorized Fender service center. Just happened to be inside a Guitar Center. The tech dude plugged it in and there was no static... None! So I took it into the guitar center store and plugged into a bigger amp and, again, no noise. ***?

They told me it was likely something in my home's electric and suggested looking for old plugs and shut everything down that might cause it. So when i got home, I left my Fender Bronco 40 amp on with the bass plugged in and proceeded to unplug everything in the house. Every time I went back in the (finished) basement to check it was still buzzing. So I gave up and turned everything else back on. Then, I happened to change the amp model on the Bronco to another and voila, the noise went away. I kept switching amp models and it buzzed on some but not others. My Warwicks don't buzz at all. Is this normal? Would additional shielding help this?

Thanks to everyone for your responses!

roadkill2309 · #55 04-05-2012, 09:53 PM

I don't think you can necessarily go wrong with shielding, even if it's just as a preventative measure. Now, there's a big step between that statement and 'it's a cost-effective measure.' That last bit is a decision you'll have to make after a while of playing with the bass.

**jarrydee** · #56 04-06-2012, 05:10 AM

Is your amp plugged into a grounded outlet? Does your amp/head have a 3 prong connector? It does not necessarily have to be your bass that is the problem! Good luck and Beautiful bass you got there!

pudgychef · #57 04-06-2012, 08:08 AM

could partially be from the selected amp model on your Bronco trying to mimic the tweeter....or perhaps one of the presets has the treble maxxed -

ynot12 · #58 04-06-2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pudgychef

could partially be from the selected amp model on your Bronco trying to mimic the tweeter....or perhaps one of the presets has the treble maxxed -

That's what it seems like. By process of elimination I'm guessing its the Bronco. I'm going to go do a search to see if someone else had the same problem. Thx.

ynot12 · #59 04-06-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2cooltoolz

+1 on that!

That's about as beautiful a straight from the factory, out of the box bass as I've ever seen! Congratulations!!

Thanks. It really is a sweet bass. The black with the all maple neck is what I was searching for and it was stunning when I opened the case!

BillMason · #60 04-07-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ynot12

Ok, so I took my new bass to an authorized Fender service center. Just happened to be inside a Guitar Center. The tech dude plugged it in and there was no static... None! So I took it into the guitar center store and plugged into a bigger amp and, again, no noise. ***?

They told me it was likely something in my home's electric and suggested looking for old plugs and shut everything down that might cause it. So when i got home, I left my Fender Bronco 40 amp on with the bass plugged in and proceeded to unplug everything in the house. Every time I went back in the (finished) basement to check it was still buzzing. So I gave up and turned everything else back on. Then, I happened to change the amp model on the Bronco to another and voila, the noise went away. I kept switching amp models and it buzzed on some but not others. My Warwicks don't buzz at all. Is this normal? Would additional shielding help this?

Thanks to everyone for your responses!

I'd still look at the ground wire in the bass. I only noticed mine buzzing at my drummer's house, an only when plugged into a receptacle that was on the same circuit as a ceiling light with fluorescent bulbs, but when I took off the pickguard, sure enough the ground wire was disconnected. Likely the amp model you're using on your bronco is amplifying the buzz which is there anyway, just not noticeable.

On the other hand, it could be your amp too, or the circuit into which it's plugged.

Hope it's not your bass, and if not, congrats again on a great and great-looking P bass!!