I have been on a P-bas jones as of lately. I have come to the conclusion that I need one, BAD!! It's funny, I always see posts like "I've been playing bass for xx amount of years and it only took me this long to realize "ALL I EVER NEEDED WAS A GOOD P BASS!" LOL!! Well, I've been playing for over 20 years, and I am just now realizing all I really need is a good P. It's funny, cause until the last couple of years I have never been a plain-jane P or J guy. I have always had a thing for J basses.....but never P's. Now, all I can think about is finding 'the one".
Here is the caveat, I really cant stand (or play) std P bass necks. The odds of me finding "the one" with a J neck is gonna be challenge. I have been really spoiled lately as my A bass DJ prototype Jade Bass (Albey Balgochian) has one of the best jazz necks I have ever played. In a perfect world, I would like to find a P that has a neck like my A Bass. Prob aint gonna happen unless I have a P Bass built to my specs
My local GC has two really pimp P's for sale now....they have a used white Benavente PJ4 and a new Fender CS 60's P with red sparkle finish. The Benavente is $1500 used and the Fender CS is $4500. If the Benavente had a J neck, I would not be writing this thread. Funny thing is the Benavente plays and sounds better than the CS Fender.....both basses seem to have the same amount of quality in their build. Although, the lightly relic'd red sparkle finish, dark rosewood board, lolly-pop tuners, etc of the Fender is super pimp. I realized today, that is what I want in my P (although, with a J neck).
So I guess what I want to know is what builders are out there who can build on par with Fender CS quality? I am looking for someone who isn't just going to order me some Warmoth parts and slap them together. I am looking for someone who can take the time and pick me out nice light/resonant body blanks, someone who can make my neck to spec if need be, and someone who wouldn't mind (possibly) slapping on a replica Fender waterslide decal instead of their logo. Basically, I am looking for to build my Fender CS P bass with a J neck, but with out the $4500 price tag. My max budget would be about $3000 for said build.
Here is the caveat, I really cant stand (or play) std P bass necks. The odds of me finding "the one" with a J neck is gonna be challenge. I have been really spoiled lately as my A bass DJ prototype Jade Bass (Albey Balgochian) has one of the best jazz necks I have ever played. In a perfect world, I would like to find a P that has a neck like my A Bass. Prob aint gonna happen unless I have a P Bass built to my specs
My local GC has two really pimp P's for sale now....they have a used white Benavente PJ4 and a new Fender CS 60's P with red sparkle finish. The Benavente is $1500 used and the Fender CS is $4500. If the Benavente had a J neck, I would not be writing this thread. Funny thing is the Benavente plays and sounds better than the CS Fender.....both basses seem to have the same amount of quality in their build. Although, the lightly relic'd red sparkle finish, dark rosewood board, lolly-pop tuners, etc of the Fender is super pimp. I realized today, that is what I want in my P (although, with a J neck).
So I guess what I want to know is what builders are out there who can build on par with Fender CS quality? I am looking for someone who isn't just going to order me some Warmoth parts and slap them together. I am looking for someone who can take the time and pick me out nice light/resonant body blanks, someone who can make my neck to spec if need be, and someone who wouldn't mind (possibly) slapping on a replica Fender waterslide decal instead of their logo. Basically, I am looking for to build my Fender CS P bass with a J neck, but with out the $4500 price tag. My max budget would be about $3000 for said build.
