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Buying my second bass

B

Bizor

Aug 2, 2011
9
0
#1
Hey all,

I've been playing bass for 6 months and currently use an ESP B-15.

I have done some research and am very interested in p-basses. I went to my local shop and held a fender p-bass and it felt really comfortable. The shorter neck is what I like the most. I also like the sound that Mark Hoppus and other punk, P-bass users get out of their bass.

My price limit is $600 dollars. So far Fenders and Squiers have interested me the most.

At first I was really turned on by the Fender Blacktop Precision Bass:
Invalid Link Removed

But then I realized it doesn't have pups. If i'm leaning towards the Mark Hoppus-like, punk rock sound, should I pretty much ignore any bass that doesn't have pups? Or does the shorter neck contribute a lot to that typical p-bass sound and I can still get that out of the Blacktop Precision Bass?

Should I just shell out the extra money for a Fender Standard Precision Bass Guitar (even though I personally LOVE the way the Blacktop looks)?

I also am picky about the colors, I would really prefer all black. I've looked at several Precision Squiers that would be nice if I liked the color.

Just looking for people's opinions who have much more bass knowledge than myself.

I'm not in a band, but I mostly play punk rock, pop rock, hard rock, and metal. Most of the time I don't even use my amp so I don't bother anyone. I'd like to join a band in the near future.

Thanks in advance for your responses!
 
#2
You do realize that despite calling it a P bass it absolutely will not sound like a P bass cause it doesnt use P pups?

Id suggest on of the esp ltds in the under $500 price range which gives you several B and F models to choose from along with some of the surveyors.
 
#3
Yeah, he's right. Without the Precision pickup, it's not going to sound like a P bass. The Squier CV (Classic Vibe) 60's Precision plays well and will give you that classic P bass tone. As a bonus it's right in the middle of your price range, so you have some money left over. I'd recommend you check one out.

Invalid Link Removed is a link to an example on the GC website.
 
#4
Thanks for the quick responses. I do understand that it will not sound like a p-bass. When I said that, I was referring to the shorter neck, sorry about that.

I suppose my next question would simply be, would the Fender Blacktop Precision bass suit the kinds of music I play? Or should I look for another precision bass that actually has the P-pickups
 
#6
Bizor said:
Thanks for the quick responses. I do understand that it will not sound like a p-bass. When I said that, I was referring to the shorter neck, sorry about that.

I suppose my next question would simply be, would the Fender Blacktop Precision bass suit the kinds of music I play? Or should I look for another precision bass that actually has the P-pickups
Click to expand...

Well if you're not specifically looking for the P bass tone, then it opens up more options.

Like madmatt said, check out the various MIM Fender P basses. They'll probably be in your price range, and may have more of a sound you like than the Blacktop. But if you like the Blacktop, then get it.
 
#7
I would prefer to be able to get a tone at least similar to the P-bass tone.

So the "Fender Blacktop Jazz" would have much more of the punk rock sound to it than the "Fender Blacktop Precision". Wouldn't have thought that from the names lol

I really love the look of the Blacktop Precision...but perhaps I should really be leaning towards the Fender Standard Precision....
 
#9
After reading more of the forums...I am debating just getting one of the Fender Blacktops. Do you think the Jazz would be more of what I am looking for as opposed to the precision?
 

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