Alternative to Fender P

[BobDeRosa]

Are you a P-bass player who has fallen in love with a non-Fender P and would highly recommend it? Nothing against Fender (I love my '94 MIM), but I've been really impressed with what I've seen and heard about the Lakland 44-64 (both US and Skyline) and the G&L LB-100 (both US and Tribute). Can anyone comment on either or both? Thanks very much.

 

[Ggeorges]

Are you a P-bass player who has fallen in love with a non-Fender P and would highly recommend it? Nothing against Fender (I love my '94 MIM), but I've been really impressed with what I've seen and heard about the Lakland 44-64 (both US and Skyline) and the G&L LB-100 (both US and Tribute). Can anyone comment on either or both? Thanks very much.

Esp vintage four....that s it

 

[flyingfinbar]

I have a Lakland Skyline P5 with a Nordstrand NP5. I’ve had it set up once a few years back, and the neck hasn’t moved. It hardly goes out of tune, the wide, flat fretboard is a pleasure to play, the fit and finish is spot on, the plek fretwork is impeccable, and it sounds like a monster. I will vouch for Lakland stuff.

 

[flyingfinbar]

Here’s a shot!

 

[mdogs]

I'm not really a P guy, but I have a Nash PB57 that is out of this world, especially if you like relics and even if you don't. Plays incredibly well, but I just keep going back to my J's.

 

[Maxdusty]

What fits my Fender P bass niche is an upgraded US Peavey Fury. I used to own a MIM Fender P bass, nice bass and all but prefer the thinner neck and the lighter weight of the Fury. Just works better for me. It sounds pretty much like a US Fender P because that's the pickups and electronics that are currently on it.

 

[socialleper]

The Lakland Skyline basses are pretty awesome.
The neck is a little weird, but the Peavey Fury and Forum have good reputations.
I haven't played an old Ibanez RB bass, but I hear good things.
My 86 BC Rich ST with DiMarzio pickups always gets complements. Very classic P bass tone. It also weighs a ton and is a bear to play.

 

[Erik Turkman]

I can’t comment on the Lakland or G&L, but the Sire P7 is worth considering.

 

[arbiterusa]

Can anyone comment on either or both?

Sadly, no.

I find a Jazz on the front pickup or Stingray a perfectly adequate substitute.

 

[TDR1138]

I have an LB-100 and love it. One big advantage to the US G&Ls is that they have a ton of options, from finish to neck profile. So you can really get what you want out of the box.

 

[jd56hawk]

Are you a P-bass player who has fallen in love with a non-Fender P and would highly recommend it? Nothing against Fender (I love my '94 MIM), but I've been really impressed with what I've seen and heard about the Lakland 44-64 (both US and Skyline) and the G&L LB-100 (both US and Tribute). Can anyone comment on either or both? Thanks very much.

The Tribute is a good one and you might find a bargain on a USA-made model.
You might want to consider this, too.
Reverend Thunderbass...that's a Split Brick neck pickup, like a vintage P bass pickup but with more beef, yet retains clarity, and a Thick Brick bridge pickup, warm and thick with strong mids, output and punch like an active, but more organic sounding...and passive.

 

[Runlikegregg]

I think these are all comparable quality so it will kind of just boil down to what feels good to you.
I know hat answer is very unsatisfying, but it's kind of it.
Personally, I like G&L's the best of these. They feel pretty consistent, and I like that feel and sound.
Lakland basses just sound a bit harsh to me...they feel pretty good though!
And Fender's I find completely hit or miss. Sometimes they're great and sometimes they're horrible.

 

[Warpeg]

A P-bass is a very simple instrument. I love mine, but there are many different makes and models of P-bass that will get the job done.

 

[GBBSbassist]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Is a solid alternative to a Fender P if you're a Kiesel/Carvin fan. Also, you can pick just about any option of color/woods/whatever you want.

 

[Double E]

I have a Lakland Skyline 44-64 and a Fender American Standard Precision which I consider equally interchangeable for the purposes of play-ability and sound quality. At this point you'd have to pry them both out of my cold, dead hands to make me give either one up.

 

[Lobster11]

Are you a P-bass player who has fallen in love with a non-Fender P and would highly recommend it?

Yup, that's me. I got a nice deal about a year ago on a D. Lakin Bob Glaub and I think it's the cat's meow. I was perfectly happy with my 60th-Anniversary Fender P, which I'd been playing exclusively for about 7 years, but was intrigued when I learned that a lot of folks who have experience with all three say that the Lakin is closer to a USA Lakland (especially the neck) than the Skyline -- but it's priced more like a Skyline. (Dan took the Glaub name with him when he left Lakland.) There aren't many out there, so good luck finding one, but by all means check one out if you can.

Also note: Some of these come with a standard P-width neck, but some come with a J-width neck instead.

 

[friskinator]

I've owned both US and Skyline 44-64s, and I currently own a US LB-100. And at under half the price of the US Lakland, it's a fantastic bass for the money, even if you're buying new.

 

[AcridSaint]

My only P is a Warmoth with a Delano pickup in it. I love it. I highly recommend G&Ls, I have an SB2 and have had two L2000s. Love Lakland too. I don't see any reason to get say an MIM Fender over a Skyline.

 

[mattj1stc]

I'll second (or 5th) the endorsement of Lakland (in general, but especially for the 5 string P - Skyline 55-64). It became my one and only.

I have a Lakland Skyline P5 with a Nordstrand NP5. I’ve had it set up once a few years back, and the neck hasn’t moved. It hardly goes out of tune, the wide, flat fretboard is a pleasure to play, the fit and finish is spot on, the plek fretwork is impeccable, and it sounds like a monster. I will vouch for Lakland stuff.

 

[Relayer71]

Does this count? It's got a P bass pickup

Spector 1977 Euro LE