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

[JTNuney]

There's just something about a P that works out well on the cheap.

Agree! It feels true to Leo's original vision… a simple, inexpensive, easy to repair instrument for working musicians.

(In case you can't tell, I'm still trying to convince myself to buy one…)

 

[dougjwray]

Agree! It feels true to Leo's original vision… a simple, inexpensive, easy to repair instrument for working musicians.

(In case you can't tell, I'm still trying to convince myself to buy one…)

Buy one!!!

 

[iqi616]

Agree! It feels true to Leo's original vision… a simple, inexpensive, easy to repair instrument for working musicians.

(In case you can't tell, I'm still trying to convince myself to buy one…)

If you don't already have a P-bass, it's a small outlay to add that sound to your portfolio.

 

[JTNuney]

If you don't already have a P-bass, it's a small outlay to add that sound to your portfolio.

Oh, I have a p-bass. The question is, do I need *another* p-bass? (I know, I know… the default TalkBass answer is YES.)

 

[HowieD72]

I have to agree the Squier Sonic Precision is a exceptional inexpensive bass, everything you need and nothing you don't. Great right out of the box or a perfect mod platform. Whether it's your first bass or you are long time player on a budget the Sonic Precision get the job done.
I have lots of more expensive bass but I really do love my Sonic Precision. I modded mine a little but I have to stress it didn't need it. I replaced the pickguard with a w/b/ w and put a Fender Pure Vintage 63 pickup in it. The J profile neck is absolutely killer, price aside it's one of my best playing basses. Highly recommend. Here's a video I did two years ago. Actual playing starts about halfway through.

This is the video I watched awhile back & helped me decide on buying this bass. And like you, I modded mine but as you mentioned, it didn't need it. (Maybe other than a nice set of chromes ) and yes, the J profile neck is killer! Fast & smooth.

Great review too!

 

[iqi616]

I have to agree the Squier Sonic Precision is a exceptional inexpensive bass, everything you need and nothing you don't. Great right out of the box or a perfect mod platform. Whether it's your first bass or you are long time player on a budget the Sonic Precision get the job done.
I have lots of more expensive bass but I really do love my Sonic Precision. I modded mine a little but I have to stress it didn't need it. I replaced the pickguard with a w/b/ w and put a Fender Pure Vintage 63 pickup in it. The J profile neck is absolutely killer, price aside it's one of my best playing basses. Highly recommend. Here's a video I did two years ago. Actual playing starts about halfway through.

Your video helped sell it to me!

 

[HowieD72]

I've had a similar experience with Chromes and a Fender pickup. I used to have a 2004 MIA P, and the stock pickup left much to be desired, with weak output and muddy lows. That pickup wound up in a project fretless P, on which I used Chromes--and it came to life. It sounded fantastic.

Hmm...... all this talk now made me go & buy some chromes

I think my California Blue might end up staying with me. Sale currently on hold. It currently has a Fender Classic 50's pickup & harness, but the Fender Flats on it, just don't work for me. Even the DR Nickels & GHS Precisions sounded average. So, let's see how the chromes liven things up!

(She's back in the stable!)

 

[micguy]

There's just something about a P that works out well on the cheap.

P basses are the AK47's of bass guitars - the designs of both things are simple enough that they can be made anywhere in the world, and it doesn't take much tech at all to do it reasonably well. Part of that is how old the design is - it's from the early 50's, when the materials and tech available in the USA to produce mechanical devices was relatively primitive - most anywhere in the world, you have that level (usually better) of manufacturing tech available now, thus making a decent P in...whatever place has low wages is fairly easy.

 

[tvbop]

Agree with the above. Ive had vintage, modern etc. For me a P bass has to be cheap. Its just a P bass, right?. Found this VM bright blue P/J for cheap. Filled the cavity, refinished etc, added vintage bridge for sustain. Prob got the lowest action of any bass Ive ever owned and those DD PU's are sweet too. Cured my GAS for good.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

49 posts in and no 'Squire!
Farkk yeh!!!

 

[dougjwray]

49 posts in and no 'Squire!
Farkk yeh!!!

Yes!
And thankfully no "You people are pathetic and deluded. If you could play my ostentatiously expensive basses, you'd realize that yours suck."

 

[RicheyLather]

You're very close indeed! Yes, I play mostly at Bluebond Guitars in Center City, which has a performance space in the back. I'm in a GD cover band with the owner, so we play every few months, and I'm in another band there in the adult band camp. The latter band also plays West Philly Porchfest in the spring/summer. Both are planning to play other venues, and I think the GD band will do it. How about you? I'd like to see some TB folks out in the wild.


I have a Gotoh bridge in my parts bin, so I immediately thought about installing it. But I'd do it for better feel when palm muting with a pick, not for sustain, because this bass has plenty of that. I've had a similar experience with Chromes and a Fender pickup. I used to have a 2004 MIA P, and the stock pickup left much to be desired, with weak output and muddy lows. That pickup wound up in a project fretless P, on which I used Chromes--and it came to life. It sounded fantastic.

Yeah man, recently relegated to a wheelchair, but been to Bluebond a few times, glad to hear all's well there. Transpo is a bitch, but I'm right by Sweeney's if you get out this way. My drummer from the last band fronts Nimrod, is that you Keith?

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Yes!
And thankfully no "You people are pathetic and deluded. If you could play my ostentatiously expensive basses, you'd realize that yours suck."

Bass snobs are a pita. If an el cheapo sounds good and plays good, who gives a toss what's on the headstock. I've never owned an expensive bass tbo. I have the coin for one, but as a recreational player I see no point. Maybe if I was a pro. But even if I was, I still don't think it would be worth it, if the el cheapo sounded and played well. And a lot of that is just a setup. Any bass can play bad and sound off if the setup basics are off

 

[aero58]

Agree with the above. Ive had vintage, modern etc. For me a P bass has to be cheap. Its just a P bass, right?. Found this VM bright blue P/J for cheap. Filled the cavity, refinished etc, added vintage bridge for sustain. Prob got the lowest action of any bass Ive ever owned and those DD PU's are sweet too. Cured my GAS for good.

View attachment 7446214

Cool color!

 

[dougjwray]

Bass snobs are a pita. If an el cheapo sounds good and plays good, who gives a toss what's on the headstock. I've never owned an expensive bass tbo. I have the coin for one, but as a recreational player I see no point. Maybe if I was a pro. But even if I was, I still don't think it would be worth it, if the el cheapo sounded and played well. And a lot of that is just a setup. Any bass can play bad and sound off if the setup basics are off

I was a full time pro, now a semi-pro, and in nearly 56 years as a bassist I've never spent more than $800 on a bass. (That was a used Stingray 5, which I bought from an L.A. studio musician in 1994 and still have.) Most of my gigs in the past 17 years have been done on a $99 SX P-Bass copy.

 

[aero58]

I've been enjoying my Sonic. Had some mods done, but that was for my own edification, not that it "needed" anything. The neck is great! No fret issues at all.

 

[JTNuney]

So the only reason I haven't given in to GAS on these yet is that the ones I played sounded just… meh. Not bad, just not inspiring.

And then I took a 'burst one off the wall at my local shop yesterday, and WHOA. Proof of the old TB adage that you gotta play a few basses to find "the one." Fretwork felt really nice, neck was fast, and when I plugged it in, the thing absolutely roared. Weirdly, the Classic Vibe 60s P next to it felt cheap and sounded thin by comparison.

Didn't take it home with me immediately, but I'm already thinking about mods (cosmetic, since I'd hate to wreck the secret sauce), so it's pretty much a done deal…

 

[Nedmundo]

If anyone in the Philly-Baltimore area wants one of these for even cheaper, I saw a used one at the GC in Wilmington, DE today. It's around $160, and looked to be in perfectly good condition.

Normally, I don't find much of interest in GC for basses, but the Wilmington store had quite a few cool things today, like new Am. Ultra II Precisions on clearance with deep discounts, and a used recent StingRay 5 with the three-band EQ and 18v pre, roasted maple neck, and a lightweight body. Man, that thing sounded and felt fantastic. I've never been crazy about StingRays, but I loved this one. But I don't need it, right?