Best P for < $1000

Glarry or Burning Fire.
Maybe an SX if you can find one.

 

Try a Fender Player Precision.
All the P bass you need at around $600+-
Alder body, alnico pup, classic shape, usually light weight. Mine is 8.6lbs. Easy truss adjustment.
You really don't need more.

 

You won’t be upset with an FGN NeoClassic P. I have one and it satisfied my GAS for a P bass. The build quality is far above their price point. I believe there is a dealer, @LowEndLobster knows where to get them at screaming deals, for under $1,000 delivered. Hopefully he can chime in.

I love the tone of pickup. Very old school, woody and growly.

 

You can often find some of the used Lakland Glaub skylines for well under 1k... those are great Basses. Also, the Fender Road Worn P and Nate Mendel models are fantastic.

 

I’ve seen Laklands with a few different necks, from 1.5” nuts to 1.75” nuts... can’t remember if they were all Glaubs, but they we’re all Ps

the RW Fender P has a 1.75” nut, and the Mendel is “I believe” around 1 5/8” or so. Super comfortable.

All these are Wonderful instruments

 

If you look here in the classifieds, you will find lots of MIA Fenders, likely to be set up much better than what you have found in most stores.

 

Squier CV 60’s Precision ( crafted in China model) .

 

The neck is the nicest neck I’ve played. I think it’s a C profile (not really sure). It’s chunky...but only 40mm at the nut so also slim, but not as slim as a Jazz bass. It’s just a really nice neck...the “Goldilocks” neck in terms of width and thickness, IMO...just right. And their “CFS” seems to work as I can get lower, more consistent action on this bass than any other I’ve owned. It is a gloss neck so you may not like that, but I don’t notice the gloss when transitioning from my satin neck Jazz to the FGN. I can’t say anything bad about it.

 

If you're handy I would recommend putting together a parts bass.

 

Give a chance to an Yamaha BB 424.

 

The parts bass route is quite fun and you can get a nice instrument at that price point depending on wood and finish choices. I've built one warmoth guitar and one jazz bass both of which sound fantastic. Nice to be able to pick the exact neck dimensions you like.

 

Woody classic p vibe - Fender Vintera P.
Turbo charge P vibe - G&L Tribute L100.

 

Ask yourself this question. Have you ever heard anyone say I played a lakland, And i didn't like how it felt? There is a reason. My American Fender P has a real nice spot in the closet. Lakland Skyline P's have a build quality far above Fender. Necks are satin finished smooth as silk.

 

The OP hates Fender basses....but wants a P-bass. This is thread should prove productive.

 

He probably hasn't played one he liked...yet.