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BEST fender p bass
- Thread starter q1014
- Start date
In what way does a MIM not play like a MIA?My vote would be CIJ '62 reissue model... Costs like MIM fender but plays like MIA
The best P bass is the one that feels and sounds best to you. Fenders vary so much with each individual bass (yes, across the entire line from Squier thru Custom Shop) about all you can do is play a bunch of different ones and buy the one that feels and sounds the best to YOU. TRUST YOUR OWN EARS AND HANDS.
What I love, you may hate. That's life. That's why there are so many choices.
What I love, you may hate. That's life. That's why there are so many choices.
The best P bass is the one that feels and sounds best to you. Fenders vary so much with each individual bass (yes, across the entire line from Squier thru Custom Shop) about all you can do is play a bunch of different ones and buy the one that feels and sounds the best to YOU. TRUST YOUR OWN EARS AND HANDS.
+1
I would add that you have to establish what your budget is and stick to it.
+1
I would add that you have to establish what your budget is and stick to it.
I scored my MIA blonde P-bass for $600 new. I put a Badass III bridge on it and some GHS Brite Flats and it's fantastic! Graphite neck is a wonderful thing to have in Michigan. It was 52 degrees F two days ago; this morning, it's 14 degrees. Ouch! And it's always humid.
However, my friend's dad owns an original 1961 Fender P, and it's just godlike. The neck is about as close to perfect as it can get; it's almost similar to the neck on my Stingray. Thin, but wide. It's a great bass.
However, my friend's dad owns an original 1961 Fender P, and it's just godlike. The neck is about as close to perfect as it can get; it's almost similar to the neck on my Stingray. Thin, but wide. It's a great bass.
For, bang for you buck.
The 50's Reissue, is hard to beat.
I haven't played them all yet but I sure love my 50's Classic. It fits my style and the type of music I play.
on the cheap, the Squire VMP, hands down.
mid price, i'd say the Highway 1 is a sure bet.
MIA's can be good, but by that point, i'd just get a Lakland Bob Glaub.
mid price, i'd say the Highway 1 is a sure bet.
MIA's can be good, but by that point, i'd just get a Lakland Bob Glaub.
- Feb 21, 2007
- 1,853
- 7
- Disclosures
- Endorser:Fender User:Rotosound, LaBella, Ashdown, Lindy Fralin
I've played and owned nearly every MIA P-bass model in the past 6 years...
In my opinion the best production basses in the Fender's current production line is the American Vintage Series. They cost around $1500 or so but they head and shoulders above the rest of their production instruments. Of course Custom Shop basses are nicer (Like their Relic and Closet Classic Lines) but really aren't worth the extra money.
I'm not a big fan of the American Series. S-1 switching is useless in my opinion and it isn't worth the price tag. Fit and finish are usually pretty nice but its Poly so if you like Poly you're in luck. I hate the bodies but love the necks...
The American Deluxe is slightly better and it provides a meatier answer for those looking for versatility that a P/J just can't offer. They usually have very good fit and finish.
Highway One or Highway 1. Both are excellent basses. They're meant to be on the bottom rung of the MIA line but these things rate only behind the AV series in my book.
If you're looking for a 5 string P-Bass Fender used to offer a damned good one that had an excellent Low-B. I regret selling it because now I want to play more than 4 strings...
Of course there are the MIJ/CIJ instruments as well as the MIM and the Squiers.
The Japanese P's are very cheap but are on par with the Highway One series. I own two, a 51 Reissue and a 70 Reissue. Both are very nice basses. They cost roughly $500 each but are worth their weight in gold.
MIMs were never my bag but the 50s classic is a pretty good bass for the money.
The Squier Vintage Modified Series is pretty damn good as well. The have the Telecaster Bass (which is a slab P-bass with a neck humbucker) and the 70s P-bass in Olympic White. Both are very very good basses for the money.
In my opinion the best production basses in the Fender's current production line is the American Vintage Series. They cost around $1500 or so but they head and shoulders above the rest of their production instruments. Of course Custom Shop basses are nicer (Like their Relic and Closet Classic Lines) but really aren't worth the extra money.
I'm not a big fan of the American Series. S-1 switching is useless in my opinion and it isn't worth the price tag. Fit and finish are usually pretty nice but its Poly so if you like Poly you're in luck. I hate the bodies but love the necks...
The American Deluxe is slightly better and it provides a meatier answer for those looking for versatility that a P/J just can't offer. They usually have very good fit and finish.
Highway One or Highway 1. Both are excellent basses. They're meant to be on the bottom rung of the MIA line but these things rate only behind the AV series in my book.
If you're looking for a 5 string P-Bass Fender used to offer a damned good one that had an excellent Low-B. I regret selling it because now I want to play more than 4 strings...
Of course there are the MIJ/CIJ instruments as well as the MIM and the Squiers.
The Japanese P's are very cheap but are on par with the Highway One series. I own two, a 51 Reissue and a 70 Reissue. Both are very nice basses. They cost roughly $500 each but are worth their weight in gold.
MIMs were never my bag but the 50s classic is a pretty good bass for the money.
The Squier Vintage Modified Series is pretty damn good as well. The have the Telecaster Bass (which is a slab P-bass with a neck humbucker) and the 70s P-bass in Olympic White. Both are very very good basses for the money.
I'm a personal fan of a maple-boarded MIA with the S1. I think the S1 makes a bigger difference on the P bass than any other Fender.
Pushed in, it makes the P bass slap sound nice.
Out, makes the classic P fingerstyle tone.
Pushed in, it makes the P bass slap sound nice.
Out, makes the classic P fingerstyle tone.
Not sure if you guys really read the OP's question correctly. He said best P at ANY price. Not best P for the price.
