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Best Sub $600 P Bass
- Thread starter Thebrownarrow
- Start date
I sold my expensive bass last year. Picked up a Squier Affinity PJ, and it’s a great bass!
I found that out the hard way. I stripped the gear in a tuner (Squier 70s CV Jazz V)
Sweetwater tried to help me out but hit a solid dead end. (I didn't get it from them, I bought it from a local Mom & Pop -- I don't want to go back into that neighborhood , and it's Out of Warranty)
(I eventually solved the problem when I got lucky by stumbling across an old TB thread where someone else had the same problem. Someone in the thread dropped a link for a new tuner from Music Man that fits.)
Every time I look over a G&L Tribute - either a bass or a guitar - I do the Mr. Spock 
and wonder to myself just how much those imports are taking a bite out of the sales of their U.S. builds. A couple years ago, I had both a Tribute and also an American M-2000 at home for a while. Both were very good and I ultimately didn't hold on to either one, but the Tribute stayed with me for many extra months until I sold it to my guitar pal.
If you can get your hands on one or two of the Tribute P's from the used market for a closer look, that might turn out to be your no-brainer.
Not sure whether anybody above mentioned Schecter, but they have a lot of bang for our buck stuffed into their instruments, too.
and wonder to myself just how much those imports are taking a bite out of the sales of their U.S. builds. A couple years ago, I had both a Tribute and also an American M-2000 at home for a while. Both were very good and I ultimately didn't hold on to either one, but the Tribute stayed with me for many extra months until I sold it to my guitar pal.If you can get your hands on one or two of the Tribute P's from the used market for a closer look, that might turn out to be your no-brainer.
Not sure whether anybody above mentioned Schecter, but they have a lot of bang for our buck stuffed into their instruments, too.
D
I should probably add that I'm NOT saying everyone will be more happy with a Yamaha bass. I was only commenting on the objective build quality, QC/consistency and how well the instruments hold up over time (basically neck stability).
Fenders and Yamahas are very different instruments, even if we're talking about the BB-series, which are basically PJs. Some bass players will definitely prefer the tone/feel and looks of a Fender. And let's be honest, looks matter. The neck profiles are different too, and the neck profile should always be one of the most important things to consider when buying a bass. Perhaps THE most important.
If a Fender Precision Bass is your dream instrument, a Yamaha BB will probably not scratch that itch, even though it is objetively better built and tonally very close.
My search for the PERFECT bass ended with the Yamaha BBP34, but that doesn't mean it will be the right choice for everyone. I do still use Fenders from time to time, and there is definitely something special about a GOOD Fender bass. They are also the most iconic basses ever made. The problem is that some of them are quite frankly rather poor, even brand new ones. Yamahas are far more consistent IME.
