Decent P-bass . . . for under $250? Yup. (Squier content.)

[Nedmundo]

My wife and I will be spending lots of time in Florida in the coming years, so I wanted a bass for practicing down there. (And maybe some open mic jams...who knows?) Before we flew down last week, I checked the inventory at the Naples GC, and saw this GC/MF exclusive Squier Sonic P-bass listed for about $250. It took awhile for the GC crew to find it, because someone had labeled it with the wrong tag, but once that was sorted, I gave it a spin and decided to snag it.

It has a lightweight poplar body and J neck with no sharp edges whatsoever, which gives it a nice overall feel IMO. Took it home, and became even more impressed, because the resonance and sustain are great. It's acoustically lively, which is something I look for in basses. (I suspect this could vary sample-to-sample, as it does generally.) Without running it through a good rig at gig/rehearsal volume I can't say much about the tone, but through my headphones it sounded like a classic P-bass. Works for me. I'd like lower action, and I think it could set up a little lower without buzz, but it's decently playable as is. For my purposes, it's absolutely perfect.

So yes, another post about a Squier that's a great value.

It's now on sale at MF for $220, which is a steal IMO.

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[DWBass]

I bought a Squier Debut Series P-Bass (matte finish) for less than $200 from Amazon. The Sonic Series is a slight upgrade with a maple fretboard and polished finish but basically the same thing. My bass is fully functional and gig worthy. Sounds good and plays good. Just my opinion.

 

[Crusher47]

Congrats! Always loved that color combo

 

[Nedmundo]

I bought a Squier Debut Series P-Bass (matte finish) for less than $200 from Amazon. The Sonic Series is a slight upgrade with a maple fretboard and polished finish but basically the same thing. My bass is fully functional and gig worthy. Sounds good and plays good. Just my opinion.

Mine too. Definitely gig worthy.

 

[thrashingbass]

Mine is the "exclusive" yellow, which would make most gouge their eyes out, but it's honestly a great bass. Sometimes these Sonic p basses even have no fret sprout. In my case, the neck had some flaws, but because I wanted that finish, I modified everything but the body-adding a neck from a Player II Modified p bass from Stratosphere.

I think the stock pickup sounded good, for the little time I played it through my amp-if you get one of these Sonic Ps without flaws out of the box, it's really unnecessary to upgrade it, and gig-ready, for super cheap.

Hope you enjoy yours for years to come!

 

[Geri O]

This goes along the lines of the Squier 6-string Jazz being a quite decent bass for $329.

Very playable, comfortable, sounds really good. I bought one just to see if was at all decent. It is, and more.

Who knew….

 

[pcnnrs]

I've been looking at those Debut series basses on Amazon. Been wanting one in sea foam green but I was concerned they might not be great. I'm encouraged to hear you like yours. And hey, they have a 2 year warranty.

 

[nickpc]

The only "mistake" I made on my Sonic P was getting the sunburst - I should have gone with the California Blue. Put on a Fender High-Mass bridge and a 3-string retainer (cheap Hipshot style) and absolutely love it. It's strung up BEAD - including the strings I was in under $300 when they were on a special from Sweetwater!

 

[dougjwray]

I've been spreading the word about my Sea Foam Green Sonic Precision, which I got in November 2024, when they were on sale. I think mine was $169, new.
It sounds too good to be true, but the kind folks at Guitar Center brought it out from the back in its box, opened the box and handed it to me, and the frets, action and fit 'n' finish were perfect. It was "alive" and resonant, unplugged.
When I got it home, I did lower the pickup a bit, because it was a bit boomy.
I've kept it 100% stock and used it for high class gigs.
Exceptional basses!

 

[DWBass]

I've been looking at those Debut series basses on Amazon. Been wanting one in sea foam green but I was concerned they might not be great. I'm encouraged to hear you like yours. And hey, they have a 2 year warranty.

Mine is Sea Foam Green. I love it. I do plan to put a Sonic neck on it as I love maple fretboards. Gonna also put my Bart P pup in it as well. eBay has Sonic necks for sale for $99.

 

[J Wilson]

I grew up near Galveston and lived in the Florida panhandle and Jacksonville.

These locales are perfect for getting your Bachelor's Degree in Herding Guitars Through Salt Air and Big Humidity.

Will be interesting to see how this one handles it.

I was convinced when I moved from Duval County to Nashville, my basses would probably sweat and drip for a few days. Fortunately, they didn't !

 

[JTNuney]

These locales are perfect for getting your Bachelor's Degree in Herding Guitars Through Salt Air and Big Humidity.

Will be interesting to see how this one handles it.

Well, it is Sea Foam Green, so maybe that pre-acclimates it?

In all seriousness, that is one good-looking "no frills" P (the best kind of P to my way of thinking). I thought I'd cured my GAS for one of these Sonics, but I can feel that sea foam bubbling up again…

 

[Low Main]

I'm struggling to understand how someone at GC could have misplaced or mislabeled something.

 

[Shepsdad]

I bought my Squier grinch green Sonic P direct from Fender during their holiday sale in 2024, I love it, it's been my go to since I put a set of Fender flats on it.

I haven't found a thing on it (other than the original strings) that I felt the need to change.

 

[J Wilson]

Well, it is Sea Foam Green, so maybe that pre-acclimates it?

In all seriousness, that is one good-looking "no frills" P (the best kind of P to my way of thinking). I thought I'd cured my GAS for one of these Sonics, but I can feel that sea foam bubbling up again…

Congrats. The Squiers are built to a price, but for that price they are a great value, I have four.

 

[iqi616]

I love mine. I swapped in a CS62 because that's the sound I wanted but the stock pickup is good enough to gig IMO. Ridiculous value for money.

 

[iqi616]

The only "mistake" I made on my Sonic P was getting the sunburst - I should have gone with the California Blue. Put on a Fender High-Mass bridge and a 3-string retainer (cheap Hipshot style) and absolutely love it. It's strung up BEAD - including the strings I was in under $300 when they were on a special from Sweetwater!

Did the bridge make a difference other than looks (and balancing the weight of the neck)?

 

[Ostie]

I picked up this used Squier CV for less than two bills. The only mods I've made are more shielding in the cavity and the pearl PG. it's a very serviceable P bass for the $$.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Bought one on the Fender site for $200. Dressed it up with ashtrays. Liked it so much I got another when the went on sale for $140! Decked that one with ashtrays, too. And one got a fancy pickguard to boot! Great basses, totally giggable!

BBB

 

[iqi616]

Bought one on the Fender site for $200. Dressed it up with ashtrays. Liked it so much I got another when the went on sale for $140! Decked that one with ashtrays, too. And one got a fancy pickguard to boot! Great basses, totally giggable!

BBB

View attachment 7445160

If yellow had been available when I bought, I'd have chosen that instead of the sunburst. I like your pickguard too!