Need help about precision bass!

bassman74 · #1 03-01-2013, 06:48 PM

Hello Guys,

I desperatly need help....

I just fell in love with the precision bass tone recently...
I've switch between jazz basses for years without finding one that i really like. I played a precision like a month or two ago, and to my surprise it was exactly what i was hoping for...

Since that day i've tried as many Precision as i could from squiers to Fender but never could try the one that i was really interested in... (Squier Matt Freeman, Fender Classic 70's)

Than i tried a 2011 60th anniversary precision and WOW!!! amazing feel and tone but i can't afford it, i just went back to university for 4 years.

I don't know which way to go...

I can always buy a bass on a layaway, but the amount should be as low as possible....
or
I can build one from mighty mite parts, (since i already have a fender custom shop 59 precision pickup and a Fender HMV bridge on hand)
or
Buy a Matt freeman or a Fender classic 70's without trying
one
or
A squier vintage modified with a maple body???
or
???

I really don't know what to do anymore...

All i know is that up to now, i prefer swamp ash body, maple neck and fretboard, hi-mass bridge and original or custom shop 59 pickups, I also usually prefer vintage frets and smaller radius like 9.5 or 7.5''...

ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED

I've been looking at the classified ads here in Canada but you would turn crazy if you'd see for how much any used fender basses sells for here... I've seen 600$ Squier CV basses, 1100$ for american std precision...

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

Rip Topaz · #2 03-01-2013, 06:54 PM

I honestly would save everything I can, and then when you're ready, find a 60th.

I got mine just over a year ago, and the honeymoon is nowhere near over. Everything about the bass is perfect as far as I'm concerned. I haven't modded it except for shielding (which go figure, it had NONE).

skwee · #3 03-01-2013, 06:55 PM

I hold that you shouldn't buy an instrument without actually playing it. That would leave so much up to chance.

dalkowski · #4 03-01-2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

I honestly would save everything I can, and then when you're ready, find a 60th.

I got mine just over a year ago, and the honeymoon is nowhere near over. Everything about the bass is perfect as far as I'm concerned. I haven't modded it except for shielding (which go figure, it had NONE).

Hard to argue with this, but the Squier is an excellent near-term Plan B.

Whichever way you go, string it with Chromes!

Also, what skwee said. ^^^

musicman666 · #5 03-01-2013, 07:02 PM

Keep an eye in the classifieds for a used one.

Rip Topaz · #6 03-01-2013, 07:03 PM

Definitely what Skwee said, don't EVER buy without playing if at all possible.

Just go to a store and play a bunch. You'll know when you've got the right one.

And yeah. Get some light gauge Chromes while you're at it.

Here's mine, taken yesterday. Unfortunately, the Blackguard Blonde doesn't really show the wear in pictures.

Bongolation · #7 03-01-2013, 07:10 PM

Don't build.

Rip Topaz · #8 03-01-2013, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bongolation

Don't build.

Why not?

bassman74 · #9 03-01-2013, 07:30 PM

I use to like assembling basses from parts, mostly jazz basses but they do not keep their value, you cannot even sell them after for at least the price of the parts(at dealer cost price) That's why i'm not too tempted to go that way but if i have no choice that what i'll do.

I like the idea to buy a squier vintage modified (maple body ) precision since they are 200$ brand new on special here... Then i'll have to put some cash aside for the 60th anniversary.. the problem is that the one i tried,sound and feels awesome but it was drop on the floor from the rack which is like 3 to 4 foot from the ground, the bass is more than scratched as you can imagine and the shop is only willing to take off 10%.. it's still 1350$ Plus 15% taxes for a damaged 60th anniversary P....

My other option might be to go for a MIM with maple neck and sell the replace the body with an ash body,the tuners and the bridge when i'll have the chance

or

A Classic 70's p and replace the body if i'm not satisfied with the alder....

The problem with the 60th anniversary is that there are not too much left, and they don't show up in the classified very often... Plus, the fact that i would prefer trying it before buying it...

buy a classic 70's P which as better tuners

bassman74 · #10 03-01-2013, 07:30 PM

RIP your 60th anniversary looks so good!!!

Lucky man!

Attackofmike · #11 03-01-2013, 07:46 PM

If you're planning to get the bass and do lots of mods on it while you're also on a budget, then I think you should really try to get a squier cv or the matt freeman. The quality control on these basses has been pretty consistent as far as I can tell and all four of the cvs (3 Precisions and a jazz) I've tried at GC/Samash had pretty decent factory setups. They all have high mass bridges, nice tuners, and pretty sweet stock pickups

. The only thing you'd probably change (based on your first post) would be the basswood body.

Buying CVs new shouldn't be too much of a risk IMO. If you wanted to be extra safe about buying online, then buy from sweetwater

.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PBassMFVwt/
It's always safest to go try it out first, but I personally wouldn't mind buying online as long as the seller is willing to pay return shipping if I decide to send it back.

bassman74 · #12 03-01-2013, 07:52 PM

Is there that much difference between the Matt freeman ans the Maple body precision?

**hsech** · #13 03-01-2013, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skwee

I hold that you shouldn't buy an instrument without actually playing it. That would leave so much up to chance.

I've bought a lot of basses over the years without having the opportunity to play them first. My current Am Std Precision was a NOS 2008 still in the box. I bought it off EBay from a reputable dealer and I haven't been disappointed. Everything still had the plastic on it, all original packing and only one small cut on the top of the shipping box where the sales receipt was was put into the box.

Attackofmike · #14 03-01-2013, 08:01 PM

It's likely that the matt freeman is nicer than the vintage modified, though I've never played that exact VM model but I've tried the VM jazzes. The build quality in the CVs/MF have the edge by far. Pickups are a subjective thing so I won't say anything. Hardware is a little nicer on the CVs because of the high mass bridge. Most importantly for me, the necks on the CVs are amazing! I love the high gloss finish compared to the thin, satin finishes on the VMs and lower end squiers. The differences are there but this is just comparing a P bass to another P bass. Just pick whatever suits your needs better.

JoeWPgh · #15 03-01-2013, 08:10 PM

For what you want on your budget, it's hard to argue against a Squier. They've had a rap against them that some consider snobbish and others consider deserved. My take is that rap was well deserved way back when. The stuff Fender puts out under that badge today is very good value for the money. If you already have the replacement pickup, you've already solved Squier's biggest shortcoming. Otherwise, put aside some cash, take your time and be ready to pounce on the used market on a moment's notice.

Baird6869 · #16 03-01-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman74

I've been looking at the classified ads here in Canada but you would turn crazy if you'd see for how much any used fender basses sells for here... I've seen 600$ Squier CV basses, 1100$ for american std precision...

Where you are looking? Those prices are not reality for the market anywhere in Canada.

You can buy a brand new Squier Vintage Modifed P right now at L&M for $199 and a CV P for $379. A new American Standard is only $1249 and an American Special is only $999. The VM is on sale, all other prices are regular retail.

If you regularly peruse CL and Kijiji (or even the local L&M), you should be able to find a American Standard P for $700-900 depending on year and a MIM for $300-400 easily.

I buy and sell a lot of basses in Canada and the US and the market is identical IME.

JoeWPgh · #17 03-01-2013, 08:16 PM

It's a roll of the dice where you can win or lose. I have no problem with this advice, so long as that is understood. I recently bought a brand new 'blemished' American Deluxe Jazz sight unheard, online for a substantially deep discount off street price. As it turned out, it's simply the nicest Fender I have ever owned. I won, and won BIG TIME. But, it could just as easily gone have the opposite way, or more likely still, somewhere in between. But, I understood the wager I was making.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hsech

I've bought a lot of basses over the years without having the opportunity to play them first. My current Am Std Precision was a NOS 2008 still in the box. I bought it off EBay from a reputable dealer and I haven't been disappointed. Everything still had the plastic on it, all original packing and only one small cut on the top of the shipping box where the sales receipt was was put into the box.

Musiclogic · #18 03-01-2013, 08:17 PM

Yamaha BB800.....best P bass I own

bassman74 · #19 03-02-2013, 04:36 AM

Hello Musiclogic, Nice to hear from you, i hope you are doing great.

first, i'm in quebec and on kijiji mim basses are often around 500$ used, i haven't seen one american standard below 1100$ used in the past 6 weeks.
I keep looping at the ads all the Time.

I just narrowed my choice to 3 basses.

If i buy a cheap one first and put aside some money aside for a better p-bass in the future. I have to decide between the squier VM (maple body)for 200$ and the freeman for 380$.

Does the freeman really worth the 180$ difference?
Or
if i decide to buy a better bass first, all i can afford for the moment is a classic 70's P, is it as good as the review says???

Thanks again everyonel

Laurie Bass · #20 03-02-2013, 04:52 AM

Hello fellow Canadian. For years I lusted for an American Fender bass (I am 56,,wanted one since I was 18) and I always said,,someday. I have had my share of Squier Jazz basses and liked them very much,,,one of my favorites was bought off this forum. Well last year I decided that since I was turning 55,, I would by a USA Fender P bass and I did (American Special) and was happy with it for a while. I began to realize that a cheaper Squier P Bass that was modded (Duncan 1/4 pounder pickup,,Jazz neck,,high mass bridge) sounded just as good if not better and the neck while not quite as refined as the USA Special felt all most as good. The USA Special was twice the cost as the modded Squier and I could not see the sense in keeping it,,so I sold it for almost what I paid for it and kept the Squier modded P Bass... so I have a good bass for 1/2 the money..just my 2 cents. Good luck with your P Bass quest.