Non fender P's
 

Can anyone recommend some high end non-fender P basses? I want a P, but don't want a fender, oddly enough.

What's your budget?

2500 max

Lakland Glaub. A very nice P imo.

Mike Lull

Take a look at M Basses. I recently played a P Bass that was very special indeed!

I read your post when you initially posted. I'm glad that you were able to build an instrument to meet your needs.

OP - you may look at a G&L SB-1. Or SB-2 if you think you might need/want a bridge pickup. If it's in your budget and want to give multi-scale a go, you could order a Super P from Sheldon (Dingwall)...

+1 on the G&L SB-1. I have one and it's an amazing bass for the money.

I scored an Alleva Coppolo Hippie P and I love it. Its really fat and punchy sounding

Thanks.

If I were going to spend good money on a Fender-type instrument that wasn't a Fender, it'd be a Valenti.

:cool:

Non-Fender P-Basses.

USA Lakland Glaub
Alleva Coppolo P-Bass
Bluesman Vintage Guitars P-Bass

Used Sadowsky NYC is the only non Fender P I would ever consider in that price range.

Why would you want to spend that much on a P-bass? Pretty unnecessary, really... I don't think you'll end up with anything that's really much better than a $699 Fender American Special.

I can see the spend for something set neck or neck through, active electronics, custom made, etc. But a p-bass clone? I don't get it...

My advice is to check out every P-type you can, completely without prejudice, regardless of pedigree, and pounce on the first once you really fall in love with. I guarantee that you will find one. If $2500 is your ceiling, there will hardly be anything out of reach.

Yamaha bb2000!

Try a parts build with warmoth parts. Then you can do exotic woods and whatnot. It'll look kinda like a fender and sound like a modified Fender, but will be suited to you. Just get a professional fret level and dress on the neck as well as a bone nut made by a pro.

It should be far under your budget and the learning involved in this kind of build is definitely worth the time and effort.

A brand new Mike Lull P bass is around $2300-$2400 with a hardshell case. He basically takes Fender's formula and makes it as good as it gets. In my opinion, he builds the best Fender-inspired Precision and Jazz basses out there. There are other great builders out there who make Fender-inspired basses, but I believe his are closest to the original in looks & sound. His basses and customer service really are world-class. I own a Mike Lull jazz bass, and I'll actually have a brand new Lull P bass arriving in about 2 weeks or so. His build time is usually 3-4 months.

Check out his P basses here...
http://www.mikelull.com/site/instrum...ass-P4_P5.html