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Alternative to Fender P

#65
Holdsg said:
You won't go wrong with either the Lakland or G&L. My main P-bass for several years was a Skyline Bob Glaub that I really loved.

As a passionate devotee to the P, I've tried many in 15 years of playing.
Over time, I have moved towards active PJs instead of pure passive P, but I still love me a good P-bass, with flats (naturally).
As has been stated, there are many competent manufacturers making P-basses right now. As it's a pretty simple instrument, there are many that get it right, including the 2 you have mentioned (Lakland and G&L).
I've been fortunate to own some from boutique brands, as well as their imports.
I've never really owned a "bad" one, one that did not sing to me.
I've also found that once you get past the "feel" part of the decision (scale, fretboard, nut width, body weight, etc) to me the pickup is where the bread is really buttered when it comes to P-basses.

I think Fender misses the mark by a long shot with its P-pickups, and I've found many great replacements that do the job (to my ears) so much better. Better yet, P-pickups are usually pretty inexpensive (some are less than $100) so experimenting is not a threat to the pocketbook.

for Vintage: my favorite is the Lollar, closely followed by Nordstrand. These have full bodied tone that sound like all those Motown records I loved since a kid. Honorable mention to the Duncan and Aguilar models, which are all better than the stock Fenders.

Thanks very much for all the excellent detail.
for a little more modern take on the P pickup (which I prefer for country, my main genre): the Nordstrand power blade, followed by the Nordstrand NP4a (angled pole pieces), and the EMG Geezer Butler pickup. All those give you higher sheen and output versus the vintage pickups. They are followed a way back by the Aguilar Hot P and Duncan Quarter Pounder, which I don't like as well. Then there are the EMG active P-s that are used in Spectors. Those are kinda in a realm all to themselves, because they are so gnarly.

Point is, if you like how a bass feels, but not how it sounds, there are many alternatives out there.

Hope that helps (and doesn't deter you from your quest).
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#67
I used to have a couple of Yamaha BB300's, great basses. I played those for years. I now have a couple of Yamaha Attitude basses and IMHO they are as good as any Fender P bass. I once did a blindfold test with some bass player friends. Everyone of them picked the Yamaha as the best sounding bass. They were all surprised that they liked it better than the Fender P bass.
 

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#68
AndyPanda said:
I know this will come as a complete surprise to you :roflmao:... but this is one P-Bass alternative that I love:
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I had one in the early 80s. I bought it because someone stole my 1980 Stingray and I needed a bass quickly for a gig that night.
It surprised me just how good it was, but I wanted another Ray at the time. That was then...today, I wish I had kept the Yammy.
 
#73
Bthebassplayer said:
There’s one for sale here in the Netherlands. One word...... BEAUTIFUL!!! Do you know what the neck specs are? I’m hoping that they have jazz necks and if they do, I might trade in my jazz for it!!

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It s in between a jazz and a p...very comfortable...go for it...the only downside to me is the fatory relic job...heres a picture of mine...changed the pickguard from white to black.
20190604_111737.jpg
 
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#77
BobDeRosa said:
I'm a Yamaha guy -- own 6 of them -- but haven't had the chance to try the BB34. Glad you like yours.
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The BBP34 is a work of art. It just screams EXPENSIVE (and that's before you've even opened the case!). Sure, it IS expensive but not THAT expensive. The workmanship is as good as any Custom Shop or boutique bass I've owned (but without looking like a coffee table or something the tide dragged in, lol)!

It is a slightly different approach to the Precision sound than a typical Fender though. It's tighter and slightly more aggressive (but based on memory not quite as aggressive as the older BB-series). The lows are deep/tight rather than the warm/blooming lows of a vintage Fender P. Any given setting on the tone control will have considerably more highs but they can of course be rolled off all the way.

I absolutely love it! Tone/feel will always be subjective of course but the craftsmanship is certainly a big step above similarly prices Fenders. It does have the P-vibe, but with a modern twist. Great allrounder. It wouldn't be my first choice for something that requires a very authentic vintage Precision tone though. Like a Motown cover band. That's Fender territory IMO.
 
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#80
Deleted member 271037 said:
The BBP34 is a work of art. It just screams EXPENSIVE (and that's before you've even opened the case!). Sure, it IS expensive but not THAT expensive. The workmanship is as good as any Custom Shop or boutique bass I've owned (but without looking like a coffee table or something the tide dragged in, lol)!

It is a slightly different approach to the Precision sound than a typical Fender though. It's tighter and slightly more aggressive (but based on memory not quite as aggressive as the older BB-series). The lows are deep/tight rather than the warm/blooming lows of a vintage Fender P. Any given setting on the tone control will have considerably more highs but they can of course be rolled off all the way.

I absolutely love it! Tone/feel will always be subjective of course but the craftsmanship is certainly a big step above similarly prices Fenders. It does have the P-vibe, but with a modern twist. Great allrounder. It wouldn't be my first choice for something that requires a very authentic vintage Precision tone though. Like a Motown cover band. That's Fender territory IMO.
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This is the best review I've seen of the BBP34. Now you've got me really curious. Thanks very much.
 

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