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2008 P vs. 50's P?

superfunk47

superfunk47

Sep 9, 2007
2,090
39
#1
If I were to get a P bass...

Do y'all think that an '08 American is worth the extra $$ over a 50's P, bought sight unseen?

I ask, because there's an '08 P sitting in my local shop marked down a bit that feels great, but I hear people going on about how awesome those 50's P's are.

I could afford either, but how close is the 50's P to the 08 in terms of feel/sound/overall solid-ness?
 
#5
Superfunk I own a 50's P and I've played the new 08's and that thing is sweetness in a bottle. The 50's P is nothing special, just a standard P with a fatter profile neck and that's the key. The 08 mod "C" neck, plus the HMV bridge, etc makes it a better bass and worth the bucks if you got it. But, if you don't and need a P bass and can handle the 50's neck make it happen. Its a good P bass IMO.
 
#6
:cool:
Both are great basses.

50's P sells for around $600.00.

2008 MIA P-$1099.00.

There is a reason for price difference.

50's P- is a no frills, P-bass. (sounds like a P-bass should.)

2008 MIA P- has many upgrades.(They have been said before.)
The 2008 also comes in a choice of rosewood fingerboard.
50's P, just maple.

I've sold my 50's P-bass. ( I love the neck profile)
For a , 2008 P-bass.
Does that answer your question.
 
#9
I recently got an 08 jazz bass after I sold my 50's P. Both are very good basses. As said, the new American Standard basses are indeed something special. You cannot go wrong with either from a quality standpoint. As someone here said, what speaks to you, and do you like the beefy neck of the 50's P?
 
#10
50's Classic all the way for me. I love the vintage style--the sound, the feel, the wide neck. It's as solid as any instrument I've ever played. The fact that it was less than 1/2 the price of the American Standard was just frosting on the cake. Lots of frosting.
 
#12
Think of the Classic 50's as a USA 57 reissue, that sounds more agressive, has the same hardware all way around, but is finished in poly vs nitro, that about sums it up. Your not going to get anything MORE from a 08 mia std p-bass.
 
#14
CrimsonGhost said:
Think of the Classic 50's as a USA 57 reissue, that sounds more agressive, has the same hardware all way around, but is finished in poly vs nitro, that about sums it up. Your not going to get anything MORE from a 08 mia std p-bass.
Click to expand...

I love my 57 AV reissue. :bassist:

Read lots of great reviews of the 50s but I'd be surprised the 50's is more agreesive. It's pickup doesn't have raised A-poles like the 57.
 
#16
the 50s classic and the 57ri both have about the same neck, its just finished in poly vs nitro, In my case, the classic 50s is a bit thinner front to back. I have fat hands short fingers so it was comfy, but what really feels like "home" to me is a 70s style p-neck,
B width and a bit rounder,chunkier front to back, it fills up the space that a super thin neck leaves open.
 
#17
I've played quite a few of both, and much prefer then new American Standard.

IMO the 50's P is a decent bargain, and a respectable bass, but the new A.S. is definitly a step up, and worth the differnce in price.

Factor in that if you shop smart, you can get an new A.S. for quite a bit less than asking price., making the decision even easier.

Last year, I would have recomended the 50's P without hesitation. Fender has really stepped it up this year IMO.
 

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