best p-bass for under 300?

[sol2soul]

my only requirements are that it's

• New
• 4-string
• P-bass specific
• ~$300

is there anything like that on the market? Im currently just using a cheap $90 one off of Amazon. It seems all I can find is PJ which is not what I want

 

[Tubehed]

If you are okay with a p/j configuration....

https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...wj6m93l0uXuAhWSFTQIHWjlBf8Qwg96BAgKEB8&adurl=

 

[sol2soul]

If you are okay with a p/j configuration....

https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...wj6m93l0uXuAhWSFTQIHWjlBf8Qwg96BAgKEB8&adurl=

Well I want P-bass specifically cause I heard the PJ doesn't even have the same tone as just a regular P-bass. Idk how true that is.

 

[Slater]

Harley Benton PB-20

PB-20 SBK - Harley Benton

 

[Tubehed]

If you want 100% p bass tone, just solo the split coil (p bass) pickup. It will be no different than a standard p bass with one pickup. You might discover, though, that you like blending in some of the jazz pickup on occasion.

 

[devnulljp]

Why is new a requirement? You're much better off used. You can't get anything worth playing new for $300. Bets PBass I ever had in that price range was an 80s Westone Thunder off CL for $50

 

[ejaggers]

You have the right to want what you want, I'm just questioning why it has to be new?
If you lose this restriction there are many good choices.
Unfortunately Squier discontinued the PBass in that price range, which they are good basses.

Also, welcome to TalkBass...057912

 

[DanAdams]

Bets PBass I ever had in that price range was an 80s Westone Thunder off CL for $50

Thunders have gone up quite a bit. They are fabulous, although I've realized that the short top horn really messed up the ergonomics for me...
Anyhow, I think the Classic Ibanez Roadstar rb630 is superior to a CBS Fender P bass of the 70s and 80s era.
If you want to argue that, first acknowledge that Fender had the Ibanez factory build their Fender basses for them.
It's harder to find Roadstars in the sub $300 range. but you can still find them pretty close to that.

Otherwise, the jig is up for Fender (literally). computers and machines can make pretty dang good bases these days, and nothing is more simple than a P bass, so cheap ones are pretty good. just get a modest set of luthier tools and learn how to do your own setup.
Once I saw that Fender was charging $1700 for basses made from PINE!!!! I decided that it was time to start crapping on them publicly.

that $90 Amazon bass you already have is the perfect bass to learn how to do setups with. You might be surprised with what you have after giving it a good setup.
And -NEW is a terrible criteria when you want bang for your buck.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Why is new a requirement? You're much better off used. You can't get anything worth playing new for $300. Bets PBass I ever had in that price range was an 80s Westone Thunder off CL for $50

Especially in that price range, you are much better off buying used. Even better, wait and save.

 

[BobDeRosa]

Yamaha BB234. $299 new, and an excellent instrument.

 

[Davbassdude]

It's not a P-Bass, but the EBMM Sterling (SUB) bass with a single humbucker is $299 and sounds and plays awesome!

 

[JC Nelson]

I have an SX that came with almost zero setup required (strings lowered) $168 shipped. I play this one and a six string SX regularly. A search for SX Bass will show a lot of love here for the SX.

I also picked up a Glarry on craigslist for $50. The owner sanded the neck, dressed the frets and upgraded the pickup. This is now the lightest bass I own at just under 7lbs. Dr Cheese here on TB has some great demos of the Glarry brand right out of the box.

I also have American Fenders that stay at home more often.

You might already have your dream bass after a pickup upgrade and proper setup for your music style.

 

[Jared Houseman]

Ibanez TMB100

It's not a pbass shape but it's pretty close, has pretty good stock pickups, and a fantastic p style neck. It's active which could be a pro or con depending on your preference, but it's pretty easy to swap to passive.

 

[CallMeAl]

A) push the budget to $400, get the Squier Classic Vibe P.

B) forget the “PJ can’t sound like a P” myth, and get a Yamaha BB or any number of great PJ basses.

C) Get the Harley Benton P bass. Even if you’re in the states, (I think) you can get it shipped from Europe for under $300.

D) shop used, you’ll be fine. Really

Good luck!

 

[wncBass]

I see used MIM Fender p basses go for 300-400 locally. That's what I would look for.

 

[Bassclef46]

you should think about the PJ basses. Nate Navarro posted a nice review of 5 budget basses today

 

[SgtHulka]

Yamaha BB234. $299 new, and an excellent instrument.

Winner! Excellent suggestion.

 

[SunByrne]

It's not a P-Bass, but the EBMM Sterling (SUB) bass with a single humbucker is $299 and sounds and plays awesome!

I have a Ray34 that is a fantastic instrument that I love, and I agree the SUB4 is great for the money... but it really does not sound like a P bass.

OP should go with a Yamaha BB234, as others have mentioned.

 

[Logic_11]

I see used MIM Fender p basses go for 300-400 locally. That's what I would look for.

Woah, where do you live? The ones around me are about ~500

 

[Horseflesh]

Not everyone know enough about basses to make sure a used one isn't a lemon. I bought a used bass, and it was literally the first bass I had ever seen or touched. I did my homework and checked what I knew to check, but honestly I was lucky it wasn't a wreck because I didn't really know what I was doing other than looking to see if the neck was a corkscrew.

Then, a used $300 bass could be a $400 bass if you have to buy a setup. Also, OP might not be in an area that has a lot of used stuff in that price range. And private party shipping cost on a $300 bass kills the deal.

Used is clearly better on paper... but sometimes you just want to make a decision and have the darn thing in a few days with free shipping. OP should consider used, sure... but if he wants something new, no shame.