Alternative to "Fender" basses

[ThePresident777]

Get the cheapest p-bass that plays in tune and has good action and good frets and fits your hands. Then experiment with strings to get a better sound and feel. Then experiment with pickups and other electronics.

The function of a bridge is to anchor the strings and intonate them. The function of tuners is tune the strings and hold pitch. So don't worry about fancy hardware ideas. Basses are practical instruments. Only change things that don't work for things that do work for specific proven reasons.

It is important to keep your old strings to try out with all the other changes you will make. Bass strings last for years, some would say decades, unlike guitar strings. Don't cut the ends too short, so you can keep reusing the strings.

 

[rtslinger]

Do a search for SX (or check rondomusic.com). Best cheap P's you'll find IMO.

+1000 SX as a great choice for your needs

 

[Big Hoss]

Give SX a serious look, if you aren't put off by the headstock that is. You want a P bass? Look at the Ursa 1, want a PJ Bass? Look at the Ursa 3...

Want actual Fender Heritage without the sticker shock? Look at the Squier basses. The Vintage Modified P Bass is a nice instrument. The Affinity is a good rockin bass but is a PJ not a P only.

I own both a Squier, and an SX, I am waiting for my 2nd SX Bass, and 3rd SX instrument to arrive if that means anything...

 

[Big Hoss]

Get the cheapest p-bass that plays in tune and has good action and good frets and fits your hands. Then experiment with strings to get a better sound and feel. Then experiment with pickups and other electronics.

The function of a bridge is to anchor the strings and intonate them. The function of tuners is tune the strings and hold pitch. So don't worry about fancy hardware ideas. Basses are practical instruments. Only change things that don't work for things that do work for specific proven reasons.

It is important to keep your old strings to try out with all the other changes you will make. Bass strings last for years, some would say decades, unlike guitar strings. Don't cut the ends too short, so you can keep reusing the strings.

Some would disagree with the strings lasting longer than a month. I personally agree with the years / decades thing. To my ear, bass strings take about a month to break in right. Good strings will last years if treated right, you don't sweat too much with high acidity, or other factors. Simply put, keep your bass strings clean, and treat them properly, assuming your sweat doesn't rot them away, you shouldn't have strings go dead any time soon. Breaking strings, while it does happen, is far rarer with a bass than a guitar simply due to string size...

 

[Eilif]

LTD Vintage 214

$369.99 brand new even cheaper used....

quality and feel cannot be touched in this price range!!!!!

Very much agree, though as to the price, there seem to be a few dealers on amazon or ebay that routinely put up new versions with bag for 299!

It will blow away squires, and early version (pre mid-00s) MIM Fenders. Current MIM Fenders are probably better, but they're also twice the cost. The LTD has good components, solid pups and a build quality that far exceeds the hit-or-miss nature of an SX. If you want a solid P-bass at under 4 bills, I can hardly imagine a better option. Here's a repost of what I said on a similar topic:

If you want to go new, here's a P that will kick the butts off of Squiers, the ESP/LTC Vintage 214. They are very well assembled and finished and with a nice strong pickup set and a solid bridge. The only downsides I can see are limited number of models (Ash Natural, Alder Black and Fretless Alder sunburst), though the shape is the same the pickguard screw holes are different than Fender and lastly Fender purists might not like the headstock shape and the 12th fret inlay.

A new one will set you back just a smidge more than a squire, and there are a few places that have right now for only $299. It's more than worth every penny and will leave you enough scratch for a nice case or bag or a set of EMG Geezers (though the stock pups are quite nice). I can't say enough good things about my Vintage 214FL and if I didn't already have a MIM P I'd be looking to get a fretted version too.

 

[ThePresident777]

I forget to mention that I'm a guitar player too.. So, in guitar world, fender has some reputation of salling her "brand tag "Fender" ". I don't know if I express well.

What guitars do you play? Fret board radius? Nut width? Etc. You might like something similar. Or, you might like something easier. You can think of each note on a bass as a chord since you're not used to it. They say small radius is easier for chording in the upper frets. Ibanez SR has a small neck. It seems that guitarists prefer it.

Will you be playing with fingers or picks?

 

[moreblues]

i would wait until i saved enough for a G&L LB100...last pbass you will ever have to buy ...will last a lifetime and on the used market a steal...

 

[SakulNosslaxe]

Sandberg makes very good bass guitars and have a few p-bass-like models.

 

[GC4]

The Squier Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe lines are great basses. Don't let the name on the head stock fool you.

I second this. I own two classic vibe basses and the quality for the price is remarkable. Squier has been doing great things with the VM and CV basses.

 

[Alaotatto]

I think that, what the OP meant, is that fender guitars are usually more expensive than others just because they read "fender" on the headstock...

 

[Handyman]

I'm curious, why won't you consider a Fender P if you want a P? As others here have said, a Mexican Fender or even a Squier will be great.

Right. Nothing sounds quite as much like a P Bass as a P Bass.

 

[40Hz]

Squire Classic Vibe or used G&L (or possibly Lakeland) if you're willing to shop and be very patient since there are bargains to be had if you're in the right place at the right time with cash in hand. But both of those will easily max out that $500 you have to spend, so again - you'll really have to shop around.

In your price range, however , I'd strongly consider a used MIM Fender PBass. That $500 will definitely get you something decent. Just be sure to try before you buy since there are good and better MIMs. Both go for the same price. So be sure to get a really good one.

Luck!

 

[JACink]

Sandberg makes very good bass guitars and have a few p-bass-like models.

I wish I could find one for under 500$!

 

[Big Hoss]

Sandberg makes very good bass guitars and have a few p-bass-like models.

And they are considerably outside of the OPs stated budget limit of $500.00

 

[RED J]

Man those LTD's look sveeeet. Didn't even know they existed.

 

[cheechi]

ronodomusic.com
monoprice.com
both cheap for new and decent basses.

Or older used Peavey & Ibanez could fit the bill.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I would go for that ESP or something similar. If you plan on playing live, you should invest in a good quality instrument, and usually a Fender is the best bet.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Very much agree, though as to the price, there seem to be a few dealers on amazon or ebay that routinely put up new versions with bag for 299!

It will blow away squires, and early version (pre mid-00s) MIM Fenders. Current MIM Fenders are probably better, but they're also twice the cost. The LTD has good components, solid pups and a build quality that far exceeds the hit-or-miss nature of an SX. If you want a solid P-bass at under 4 bills, I can hardly imagine a better option. Here's a repost of what I said on a similar topic:

If you want to go new, here's a P that will kick the butts off of Squiers, the ESP/LTC Vintage 214. They are very well assembled and finished and with a nice strong pickup set and a solid bridge. The only downsides I can see are limited number of models (Ash Natural, Alder Black and Fretless Alder sunburst), though the shape is the same the pickguard screw holes are different than Fender and lastly Fender purists might not like the headstock shape and the 12th fret inlay.

A new one will set you back just a smidge more than a squire, and there are a few places that have right now for only $299. It's more than worth every penny and will leave you enough scratch for a nice case or bag or a set of EMG Geezers (though the stock pups are quite nice). I can't say enough good things about my Vintage 214FL and if I didn't already have a MIM P I'd be looking to get a fretted version too.

These look totally cool. ESP has a good reputation for sure. I'd go with this over an sX for sure.

 

[bass J]

Might give a G&L tribute sb-2 a try. You can find them right around 500-550 brand new...maybe better if you have a local dealer. I would describe there sound as P with A bit of extra testosterone. The quality of the tributes are incredible for the cash & have decent resale....until you can find the bass that is truly for you I bet you would be very happy with it..

 

[Fat Steve]

It should probably be mentioned that the OP is in South America