Best P-Bass for $1500ish

[bassforce]

JohnLR,

You're saying they are not worth the money.

And nobody cares

 

[esoxhntr]

At the risk of UN-DE-RAILING the thread...ahem...some wise suggestions made here, the consensus seems to be that either a Fender re-issue or American Standard, or, a Lakland Duck Dunn or Bob Glaub. I imagine the reason nobody mentioned the G&L 2000 is that it may not be considered to be very "P-Bassish"; at lest not as much as the others listed here. Someone mentioned earlier that you could get a real 70's P-Bass for $1500 or a little more. If you scraped up another $500-$1000 this is probably true, but you have to look hard and be patient. Now is not a bad time to be doing that, with the economy being a little screwed at the moment. I got nice 74 3T sunburst/rosewood P Bass not too long ago for just over $2K. They are out there, one just has to dig, and accept the fact that 30-40 year old basses usually come with a wart or two, and no warranty.

 

[Captain_Arrrg]

I'd go with a Duck Dunn.

 

[meathook]

Nash P bass. The only bass that has a real Nitro finish. The Fender 62RI has a thin poly over the Nitro. Not the real deal.

 

[xk49w]

For $1500 take a look at RS Guitarworks Old Friend or maybe a Danocaster.

 

[Burnz]

I have about $1500 to spend on a new bass and I love precisions. The sound, the neck, the look, it's alway P for me.

It sounds like you have a bit of nostalgia going on here. While it's true that the Laklands are easily the equal of the Fender American Standard P's, they are not Fender Precisions. Now, I don't really care...but you might.

The point is that they both make amazing P-type basses well within your price range. If the Fender mojo means anything to you then just get the American Standard, you will not regret it. This goes for the reissues as well, if you are GAS-ing for a certain look/feel/tone then you've got to go for it.

I would hate to come off as a Fender fanboy but go play an '08 Fender and there is a good chance you will walk out with it.

Cheers,
Burnz

 

[GregC]

yes the finish is pricier and the case is more expensive.. but why is the case more expenisve?..it isn't as good as the new one..but it's "vintage"..even though it's totally new.. I really think it's just a total money making thing...atleast when fender do some sig models..there is actually a clear difference..with this it's just like they're trying to get as much as they can for something that isn't different

and as regards to 70s and 60s basses going for more..thats because they are actually old, they are vintage... not reissues and they are collectable..totally different

Feel free to say that about the cases. But it's a plain fact that, sold separately, the tweed cases cost more than the SKB's Fender's using now. And if people generally thought they weren't as good, guess what? They wouldn't buy them and Fender would have to lower the price.
Link Removed
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Precision-Bass-Hardshell-Case?sku=541532

And in addition to the finish, the reissues tend to be better in build quality, historically. The fretwork's a bit better, the maple board on the '57 RI gets vintage tinting, both reissue Ps have finger rests below the strings, and a strap and a cable are included. In short, I see a lot of reasons for the higher price.

That's not to knock the new MIAs at all--I think they represent a better value now, given the improvements Fender's made. But I wouldn't trade my '83 '57 reissue for one.

 

[king_biscuit]

IMHO, the reissue basses generally have better fit and finish, they are lighter (better wood), and they have better pickups/electronics. The American STD has a cheaper plastic bobbin pickup and no ground plate. The reissue comes with a tolex/wood case, covers, mutes, a leather strap, and a cord. The reissue also has a nicer nitro/lacquer finish. The American series/STD is a nice bass, but the AV stuff is nicer, and worth the upcharge, IMO.

 

[Dan Robbins]

Get an American Precision Deluxe 5 String. They're only used. Get the 18v 4+1 version, it has an amazing Bill Lawrence pickup in the bridge as well, and they still sell for what they were new. Do a search. I just bought one and am in hog heaven...Tone monster. Not as good Low B as some 35" basses, but it sounds balanced with the other strings. LOVIN MINE!
The four string version doesn't have the same Bill Lawrence pickup; I once had one of those and put a Bartolini in the bridge.

 

[Diddii]

American Standard 1100$... leave you 400$ extra to spend on something else

 

[GregC]

Oh yeah, as for an actual recommendation: I think a used US Lakland Glaub is your best bet now, though you might have to pay a shade over $1500.

 

[mikeswals]

I wouldn't rush this decision. Alot of times, you can find a used Custom Shop Precision for 1500 bucks.
The only brand-new one I'd consider buying would be the '08 American Standard. Other than that I'd preferably look for a used old one, or even better an 82-84 Fullerton.

 

[zombywoof5050]

The Fender 62RI has a thin poly over the Nitro.

I thought it was the other way around, a poly finish with nitro clear coats on top.

 

[playibanez]

i know someone who just scored a late 70s p for a grand.

try and find a deal like that =]

 

[king_biscuit]

I thought it was the other way around, a poly finish with nitro clear coats on top.

It is. And most of the old Fenders had a thick undercoat called fullerplast.

 

[Jim Carr]

IMHO, the reissue basses generally have better fit and finish, they are lighter (better wood), and they have better pickups/electronics. The American STD has a cheaper plastic bobbin pickup and no ground plate. The reissue comes with a tolex/wood case, covers, mutes, a leather strap, and a cord. The reissue also has a nicer nitro/lacquer finish. The American series/STD is a nice bass, but the AV stuff is nicer, and worth the upcharge, IMO.

I pretty much agree, though when I played them A/B a few months ago at a GC in San Jose, CA, I was so deeply impressed by the fretwork, finish, and tone of the new American Standard P-bass, that I think if I had had the money, I would have bought it instead. It is a bargin at the normal ~$1.05k price.

That said, there are features of the AV that just kill me, number one being the 1.750” width at the nut neck. Oh, the humanity! Oh, the rosewood! Oh, the Nitro....stop me here boys, OK???...Oh, the brown tolex case!...Oh, The Tone!!!

 

[Muddslide]

Just to get this straight--what Fenders currently have nitro finishes? Just the RIs? ALL the RIs or just certain ones?

I don't know when/if I could afford one, but I keep hearing such good things about the '08 Amer. Standard P. However, if I was ever gonna shell out upwards of a grand on a bass, it's gonna bygod be nitro-finished.

 

[JimmyM]

The RI's, most CS models, and the Hwy 1's (though it's a satin finish). And none of them have a true nitro finish. As discussed earlier, it's nitro over poly.

 

[Jim Carr]

Fender.com has all of this info. Go to Products, Basses, P-basses, pick a category, and then a type of bass. Then click on the specs button and read down the list.

There is probably a little more detail available elsewhere, but those spec pages have the basics. BTW, most Sadowskys have poly finishes, and sound great. It is my feeling that tone is not that affected by the type of finish. Thickness may be another matter, though.

Nitro is fragile, expensive, unstable, and hard to use. Poly doesn't wear as nicely and tends to be thicker. However, I'm not certain anything would improve the sound of my Sadowsky except if I practiced more!!! All IMHO, YMMV.

 

[Muddslide]

Can someone school me on the Nash basses? I've never heard of them before now. I'm looking at their site, but wonder about price, etc. and if all of them are made as relics?