best p-bass for under 300?

[Playbyear]

Sad thing is when I purchased my first Precision Bass, in 1968 I believe they were $399.00 with a hardshell case. There is a Godin Bass that was discontinued but very reasonable used. Nice wood's, great neck, decent pickups.

And a brand new car was $2,880. (Avg)

 

[Playbyear]

If you wanted something a little nicer than budget in a straight P,
Stretch the budget a little further and get a classic vibe.
If you call musicians friend, they may cut you a deal... (you have to call)

 

[wncBass]

Man, that really is a good price. I wonder why the person is selling it for that much, now I feel like I over payed for mine

Bargains can be found but you've got to be ready to move quickly. Guitar center has used deals like this from time to time as well. If its your local GC then you don't have to pay the shipping costs. New Squiers are great deals too.

 

[Playbyear]

Man, that really is a good price. I wonder why the person is selling it for that much, now I feel like I over payed for mine

I’ve always thought to avoid the five a side tuning models.

 

[JRA]

Im currently just using a cheap $90 one off of Amazon.

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.

also, OP: for less than you're willing to spend = that $90 ax can be made to "go places" by tweaking some parts and upgrading others. here's a whole thread devoted to what you can do with a $90 electric bass:
Official Exquisite/Glarry/Burning Fire Bass Club?

and this company now makes these for my fine, fretted friends:
Glarry GP Ⅱ Upgrade Electric Bass Guitar Wilkinson Pickup Black Burlywood Sunset White Yellow - Glarrymusic

no matter what you do, you're getting some thoughtful advice suggesting lots of options that attend to your question. good luck with your choices!

i have no affiliation with that company: i just like to make great players, cheaply, if i can! i've been a long-time, professional (for a living) musician and i found out that price doesn't matter so much these days...especially if you can work some screwdrivers and some tiny hex wrenches.

I swear, the people who think a PJ solo’d doesn’t sound like a P are the same people who think blue M&Ms taste different than red ones.

try the brown ones before you judge....

 

[beaglesandbass]

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.

1st mistake there is listening to other people and their opinion on the sound. There are hundreds if not thousands of bass videos on youtube. Watch them, come to your own conclusions.

 

[Brookmichael]

How about a Luna p bass... They have long scale and short scale versions... They come in under budget

 

[bassliner50]

I bought a used Xavier (Guitarfetish) from a kid in Brooklyn a while back for $65. I put in a Fender Original PUP, quality strings, did a detailed set up, and ended up with a wonderful bass that performs every bit as good as my American Precisions. No lie, no exageration!!!

 

[Logic_11]

I’ve always thought to avoid the five a side tuning models.

Interesting, why is that? Too much pressure on one side of the headstock?

 

[LeFunk Machine]

Check your local facebook marketplace or Craigslist; you might find an almost new but "used" for sale for around $200-$300.

 

[Wesley R]

OP, we don't know where you live as you didn't list it in your profile. You may wish to consider asking for help to look at some basses in your city/town/area. I would be inclined to believe that there is a TB member or more in your are that would go look at basses with you. If your in the Minneapolis St. Paul area I would go looking, heck, I would pay for the gas and drive my truck. Best of Luck.

 

[DJ Bebop]

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

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

For not reading the OP...

 

[MoeTown1986]

Look used and you can probably score a decent Fender P.

 

[Bassiclees]

If you call MusiciansFriend an agent there will not only help but all sales agents are armed with 15-20% off coupons. If you are really sold on a P, get the Squier, it's great although I'd push for either the Squier PJ, even better the Stingray Ray4 and best yet is the Epiphone Embassy which is my fave inexpensive bass. All in price range.

 

[bassist4dalord]

This was listed for $250 at my local music store. I talked them into a 10% discount and they gave me 60% of what they would list my Squier VM Fretless Jazz for as trade value. I walked out of there with this fantastic P-Bass for less than $50 with tax. Best P I’ve ever played.

It’s a 1986-1987 Ibanez Roadstar II RB630. I added TI Jazz Flats, Dunlop Straplocks and the chrome knobs from my Squier Jazz. Eventually I’ll get some new pickguard screws and maybe a new pickup. Until then it works great!

 

[DwaynieAD]

I have an affinity Squier I paid 159.00 new for and it will play circles around tons of basses out there. Idk what they run for new nowadays but all these basses are made on cnc machines in the same factories so you can find a serious player in that price range even tho that may upset some tummies around here.

And pj Def sound different than a straight p even with the p pup solod.

So stick to what you want and don't let others talk you out of it

 

[Durham52]

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

Damn! I wish a Yamaha BB234 cost that down here in Australia. Yamaha build quality and their quality control is top class, always has been.

 

[wfirbolg]

I know it's not a pure P-bass, but I quite like my Fender Squier Affinity p-bass. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

But then again, I haven't played bass for over 20 years, so what the hell do I know.

 

[skycruiser]

And pj Def sound different than a straight p even with the p pup solod.

So stick to what you want and don't let others talk you out of it

Don't listen to this OP. A pickup shorted to ground on both sides won't produce a signal. When you turn the volume down, its output is zero. You could attach a billion grounded pickups to your bass and it would have absolutely no impact on the sound of the pickup that is on.

Edit: Well maybe not a billion - the billion parallel pots would short out the signal

 

[jirios]

Check Craigslist and Facebook marketplace also Offer up. You can find some deals there. I would look at a MIM Fender P Bass there well made for the money.