I've had a few and by far the best I've held is my 57 AVI.
I think it's a 2002 or something like that.
Very light and solid.
I think it's a 2002 or something like that.
Very light and solid.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
BEST fender p bass
- Thread starter q1014
- Start date
OK, a bass built of the same wood, has the same shape, same everything, does not sound like a MIA? Because of what?
50's classic P, Kills the mij/cij, do a search read my review.
alot better then most current mia's and i like it better then my mia 57' reissue too.
there is nothing that can come close to touch this bass for the money NOTHING!!
they have this beautiful full LOUD resonance played unplugged thats simply magic.
alot better then most current mia's and i like it better then my mia 57' reissue too.
there is nothing that can come close to touch this bass for the money NOTHING!!
they have this beautiful full LOUD resonance played unplugged thats simply magic.
Same pickups as the American Standard. Same hardware as the American Vintage. Big, wide neck, but not too huge. Everything fits and is finished just great on mine. Plus, I love maple boards.
One more vote for the Classic '50s P. I love the neck, and the lack of "features" is an advantage for a P, IMHO.
It's the only MIM with a maple fingerboard, which was important to me. I couldn't justify the price difference between it and the MIA '57 P, even though they are similar (the MIA uses ash for the body; all MIM Classic '50s are alder).
All the other Ps Fender makes have something I don't like, whether rosewood fingerboards, S1 switches, or added pickups. The attraction,for me, of a P is that it all comes down to your hands and the strings.
Another good thing: you can modify a Classic '50s without worrying about its investment value.
As to sound, I don't think you can improve on its tone.
It's the only MIM with a maple fingerboard, which was important to me. I couldn't justify the price difference between it and the MIA '57 P, even though they are similar (the MIA uses ash for the body; all MIM Classic '50s are alder).
All the other Ps Fender makes have something I don't like, whether rosewood fingerboards, S1 switches, or added pickups. The attraction,for me, of a P is that it all comes down to your hands and the strings.
Another good thing: you can modify a Classic '50s without worrying about its investment value.
As to sound, I don't think you can improve on its tone.
+1 on trying as many different models of P-Basses to find the one that sounds and feels to best to you.
This being said, I absolutely love the MIA Standard P-Bass that I bought used via ebay. It's stock pickup was decent, but I replaced it with a Nordstrand NP4. IMO it's now a great sounding instrument, and all told it cost less than $600.00. I compared it's sound to a '64 L-Series P-Bass on a gig and it's sound was very, very close.
I've owned and played quite a few nice P-Basses over the years. Besides my MIA, I owned an early 80's '57 Reissue that was fantastic. I've also played a few mid 60's P-Basses that were outstanding, but there's no way I could ever afford one.
This being said, I absolutely love the MIA Standard P-Bass that I bought used via ebay. It's stock pickup was decent, but I replaced it with a Nordstrand NP4. IMO it's now a great sounding instrument, and all told it cost less than $600.00. I compared it's sound to a '64 L-Series P-Bass on a gig and it's sound was very, very close.
I've owned and played quite a few nice P-Basses over the years. Besides my MIA, I owned an early 80's '57 Reissue that was fantastic. I've also played a few mid 60's P-Basses that were outstanding, but there's no way I could ever afford one.
I just bought a MIM 50's P. It is a keeper. I did not hang on to my first generation Highway One. It did not get me a solid sound in the mix like MIM 50's P. It is musical for lack of a better description. Nothing seems to be missing. And the neck while big, feels comfy after getting accustomed to it. Especially if you already play a fiver.
I'm going to say Squier VM P. Playability-wise, it's the equal of any P I've ever played. Tends to be very lightweight. Then just pick a pickup. I like the stock pup myself; it has a nice, clean, hot, even response.
So basically, everything you could ask out of a $1000 p-bass and it only costs $250 (+pickup if you need one). I swear they could write 'Fender Made in America' on it, tell everyone the wood was alder, and people would just throw their money at it.
So basically, everything you could ask out of a $1000 p-bass and it only costs $250 (+pickup if you need one). I swear they could write 'Fender Made in America' on it, tell everyone the wood was alder, and people would just throw their money at it.
Man, I just played a Honey Blonde MIM 50s P today and loved it. Did a side by side with Highway one/Highway 1/& MIA Standard (all of which came in the sunburst that I really like), and then I tried the MIM 50s P and was blown away by how much better I liked this bass--irrespective of the price.
I liked the feel/fit/finish of the neck much better-- the "Vintage" 1 3/4" wide-at-the-nut just fits my big fat fingers much better than I could have imagined (I was suprised by how big a difference there is even between the Vintage and the 1 5/8" of the other MIA Pbasses).
If I am able to buy it, I might change the pups (maybe Fralin or Villex).
Swap the pickguard to antique white, cream pearl, black or Snake Skin/Croc
Then some flats--and then play till my finger can't move no more
I liked the feel/fit/finish of the neck much better-- the "Vintage" 1 3/4" wide-at-the-nut just fits my big fat fingers much better than I could have imagined (I was suprised by how big a difference there is even between the Vintage and the 1 5/8" of the other MIA Pbasses).
If I am able to buy it, I might change the pups (maybe Fralin or Villex).
Swap the pickguard to antique white, cream pearl, black or Snake Skin/Croc
Then some flats--and then play till my finger can't move no more
Man, I just played a Honey Blonde MIM 50s P today and loved it. Did a side by side with Highway one/Highway 1/& MIA Standard (all of which came in the sunburst that I really like), and then I tried the MIM 50s P and was blown away by how much better I liked this bass--irrespective of the price.
I liked the feel/fit/finish of the neck much better-- the "Vintage" 1 3/4" wide-at-the-nut just fits my big fat fingers much better than I could have imagined (I was suprised by how big a difference there is even between the Vintage and the 1 5/8" of the other MIA Pbasses).
If I am able to buy it, I might change the pups (maybe Fralin or Villex).
Swap the pickguard to antique white, cream pearl, black or Snake Skin/Croc
Then some flats--and then play till my finger can't move no more
I did the same thing side by sides with 3 Fender P's a MIM 50's reissue honey blonde...love that color. A Light blue older highway 1 before the badass which i prefer and a used like new American Standard. MIM 50's $618.00, Hwy 1 $600.00 American Std.(used) $650.00. I played all 3 thru 2 diffrent amps and took the MIM 50's P bass home. Price was no big deal since i had trade value of $550.00. The Hwy 1 was second best and 3rd well the AS...to be honest my Modded MIM P bass was better than both the Hwy 1 and the AS. That 50's reisssues are hot really nails the origianal 57 model in looks and tone.
At any price...
1. A good 1957 - mid 60's Precision (up to and including 67) is where it's at in my book. I like the L Plate P's the best.
2. Custom Shop version of above.
3. Pino Palladino Signature.
4. American Vintage Series 62 Re Issue.
5. Used 90's vintage American Standard/American Series Precision or Pre Upgraded Highway 1. Kind of a toss up between the two. I might lean toward the pre upgraded H 1 in that case. Tough call.
6. The MIM 50's P is decent, but it just doesn't feel "right" to me for some reason, and is kind of pricey for what it is. Pretty decent though.
1. A good 1957 - mid 60's Precision (up to and including 67) is where it's at in my book. I like the L Plate P's the best.
2. Custom Shop version of above.
3. Pino Palladino Signature.
4. American Vintage Series 62 Re Issue.
5. Used 90's vintage American Standard/American Series Precision or Pre Upgraded Highway 1. Kind of a toss up between the two. I might lean toward the pre upgraded H 1 in that case. Tough call.
6. The MIM 50's P is decent, but it just doesn't feel "right" to me for some reason, and is kind of pricey for what it is. Pretty decent though.
I love my 1983 Squier JV Precision. The feel and playability of it is great. It's also very light and loud acoustically. A previous owner fitted active EMG's but I'll forgive them that as it sounds great.
I've owned MIA & MIM P's, but my JV is by far my favourite of the P's I've owned & played. I can't recommend them highly enough.
I've owned MIA & MIM P's, but my JV is by far my favourite of the P's I've owned & played. I can't recommend them highly enough.
