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Favorite NEW P-bass builder?

Jared Lash

Jared Lash

Born under punches
Aug 21, 2006
15,587
5,151
Denver, CO
#1
I haven't owned a P-bass in a long time, but I think a Precision style (with flats) is one tone I'd like to have to fill out my stable. Ideally a 5 string P but that's not a deal breaker.

Anyway, we all know the myriad of builders doing jazz basses, but I was hoping to get a list of luthiers/companies building P-basses and some thoughts from people who own them. Right now my budget would be around $2000 or less but seeing as how I probably won't buy/order this for a few months, I could go higher if somebody made a really compelling case.

So I've got:
Fender
Lakland (I'm looking at Skyline Duck Dunn and Bob Glaubs)
Valenti
Sadowsky Metro

Who am I missing, and who are people's favorite P-basses? The tone I'm looking for is more towards 60's alder/rosewood Ps even though aesthetically I like ash/maple 70's Ps better.

I am looking for one that can be bought new. I am always looking for a great vintage jazz, but I don't want to pay the going rate for an actual 60's P-bass.
 
#2
I'm gassing for a Fender American Vintage 1957 RI Precision: Olympic White, Ash body, Maple fretboard, chrome pickup/bridge covers :hyper: I've never played one, but I have played an American Vintage 1962 RI, and it felt GREAT! The neck is pretty wide (top to bottom) but it just felt right. If the '57 is anything like it, then I want one for sure. However, I'm more of a Jazz man. But I go back in forth.

Long story short: Fender.
 
#4
I am a P-holic and have some great ones including a 64. My favorite to date is Alleva-Coppolo. I've played probably 6 or so of them and have a KBP5. All but one that I played were as good a P that I've ever played. They are some coin but if you're looking at a keeper you owe it to yourself to play one. The best way I can put it is get as good an old P you can, make the fit and finish nicer, and you have an AC. Cheers.
 
#5
tobin999 said:
ive heard fender makes a pretty good p bass :hiding:
Click to expand...

That's why Fender was first on my list. ;)

I wouldn't have a problem buying a new fender, but I haven't been blown away with ones I've tried, especially considering the prices that MIA P-basses go for now.

MixBass said:
I am a P-holic and have some great ones including a 64. My favorite to date is Alleva-Coppolo. I've played probably 6 or so of them and have a KBP5. All but one that I played were as good a P that I've ever played. They are some coin but if you're looking at a keeper you owe it to yourself to play one. The best way I can put it is get as good an old P you can, make the fit and finish nicer, and you have an AC. Cheers.
Click to expand...

That's one I forgot in my initial list. I've always been curious about Alleva-Coppolos. What's the price tag on a new AC P-bass?
 
#6
I've heard many great things about A-C and their p basses but I've tried one.

I've tried all of your list, and my favorite is the Fender. There is that authentic p bass feel to it. Not that I'm a Fender fanboy, but for a p bass, I wouldn't go with anything else than a Fender (remember I've never tried a A-C, waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy too expensive for me).
 
#8
G&L is rereleasing the SB-1 (I found one online for more than you should pay, but there are better places). I'd put it on the list.

gl55813.html


Mike
 
#9
I have been kind of edgy around Fender because a lot of their basses (yeah, even the MIA ones) are hit and miss IMO, but I just bought an '08 P5 and I'm super impressed.

The action, fit, and finish are fantastic; and it sounds like a good, plain ol' P bass.
 
#11
If you're patient you can find a used AC between 2-3K. New 3+ and up.
You can certainly find a great Fender for less, the CS are usually excellent, as are the reissues and a gem can be found anywhere in the line. It just is more hit and miss.
I see you're in CA, NAMM is not too far off up and that's a GREAT place to try most all of them. That's the first place I saw the AC's and he usually has quite a few there.
 
#12
If it were me... and it was me about 6 months ago;) i'd wait out a gently used USA Lakland Bob Glaub. Amazing in every way. And the best, most comfortable neck i've ever played.

However, since you stated that you would like to go new, I highly suggest a Fender '57 or '62 RI. Great basses.

Nash looks interesting, though i've never played one. Nor have I played an AC.... although they are sooooo expensive, even used, and I just can't stand that headstock:ninja:. But by all of the great reviews, i'm sure they are great instruments.

A Sadowsky Metro would be killer as well if you want to go active.
 
#13
I had a American 57 reissue and it was a very nice bass. Look for the 62 if you prefer rosewood. Even though you said new, I would seriously consider very lightly used basses too. If you're in SoCal, go to Truetone music in Sta Monica, and/or scan craigslist, and play the bass before you buy it. For 2k you have plenty of choices.
 
#14
I should clarify. I'm not opposed to buying used - in fact, I'd love to if I found the right bass. What I mean is that I don't want to pay the going rate for an honest to goodness 60's or 70's Fender P-Bass. I guess a better way is to say, I'm looking for a bass that is currently being manufactured.

Some good suggestions so far - thanks. Interesting about G&L bringing the SB-1 back. That's definitely on my list to check out.

One bass (along with AC) that I CAN'T currently check out in person is a Valenti P. Anybody have any experience with one?
 
#16
Hey Jared: I have bought both a brand new 57 RI AND a Road Worn P-bass in the last year. Just a couple of weeks ago I went to the Hood River GTG and played an Alleva-Coppolo owned by a TB'er ( Caca De Kick ) I think, and it was fairly awesome. had I just put what I paid for the other 2 into an AC I would be a happy camper. There are a few things I like about both the basses I bought but the AC just had it all going on and was ultra light too. Lighter than the RW I got and it was hand picked by a friend for being extremely light. That was one of my priorities and the AC was lighter than the Fender RW. Even though I hate the Headstock, while playing it I could care less. I would trade both the ones I have for the AC right now. As for me I would say the AC is the hands down winner in this race.

peace Capt Kirk
 
#17
I've never seen a Fender I'd pay $2000 for (unless I could resell it at a huge gain with minimal effort!) so with that budget I'd scratch Fender and go with a high quality builder. You already mentioned Sadowsky and Lakland. Also check out Mike Lull. He does some outstanding stuff, as does Nash. If *I* were to buy a P, it would be similar to this one:

http://www.bassnw.com/New Exotic Basses/mike_lull_p5_ibm_brw.htm
 
#20
Jared Lash said:
That's why Fender was first on my list. ;)

I wouldn't have a problem buying a new fender, but I haven't been blown away with ones I've tried, especially considering the prices that MIA P-basses go for now.
Click to expand...

I am a Lakland endorser and I LOVE Lakland basses. However the new MIA Precisions are great basses and sell for low prices on the used market. Given a choice between a new MIA Precision and a Skyline GLaub I would take the Glaub but it is a pretty even match up. I think the stock pickups on the Glaub are more to my liking than the stock MIA Precision. IT's a very vintage P on steroids sound.

For a bit more the MIA Reissue Fender Precisions are un-f-able with. If you have the extra cash for that I would do it. If you don't want to spend that money than I would A/B a Skyline and MIA Precision.

The Metros from sound clips I have heard are a more "tame" beast than the above basses. Perhaps "refined" is a better term. Not bad at all but different. But I am going by sound clips so it could just be that the users of that bass tend to play more refined. Who knows.
 

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