Favorite NEW P-bass builder?

[Johnny Alien]

I've never seen a Fender I'd pay $2000 for (unless I could resell it at a huge gain with minimal effort!) so with that budget I'd scratch Fender and go with a high quality builder. You already mentioned Sadowsky and Lakland. Also check out Mike Lull. He does some outstanding stuff, as does Nash. If *I* were to buy a P, it would be similar to this one:

http://www.bassnw.com/New Exotic Basses/mike_lull_p5_ibm_brw.htm

Lull is in his price range but US Sadowskys and Lakland are way more than $2000.

 

[R. Laevinus]

I definitely vote Fender.

Disclaimer: I'm no Fender-freak.

But I do find they make a pretty decent bass. Admittedly their QC is sort of... interesting... but find one you like in a shop, and walk out with it. Just a couple of months back, I got myself a MIM Fender Precision that I love to bits. There's a couple of manufacturing scuffs on the fretboard, but other than that, pristine. Slapped some Jazz Flats and an Orange Drop on that puppy, and now I wouldn't trade her for anything.

Really.

You can all keep your Sadowsky's and your Alembics and your Fender Custom Shops and whatnots - no disrespect, of course, these are all wonderful instruments - but my $600-retail MIM Precision is all the bass I need or want.

In short... Fender makes a good bass.

 

[bdgotoh]

Definitely Mike Lull's P4.

 

[Vinny D]

I have been very pleased with both of my Valenti basses. The Jazz I bought used but the P-bass I had made for me.
Excellent all the way around, may be worth a call to Nino to see what he can do for you.

 

[spade2you]

What, no Stambaugh hybrid between boutique and tradition? Cliff Bordwell is supposed to be making his take of a P bass with his current batch.

 

[rayzak]

This thread just reinforces why their are so many builders of similar basses.
They are all great in their own respects, and everyone seems to have a favorite of their own. That's why it really is best to try to play before you buy. But that's why we also love TB. So we can buy without trying, and if it's not to our liking, flip it for something more your "flavor".

 

[Hoover]

Is it just the sound you're after, or are the aesthetics of a P Bass an important part of your GAS?

I really want to check out the Rob Allen Solid 4
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before I pull the trigger on any other Precision Bass Surrogates...but I realize that visually it might not fit the bill the way a more traditional faux-P would. Plus it's more than $2k.

I guess if I were trying to do it on the cheap I'd look at a Warmoth also.

 

[Fawkes007]

MIKE LULL

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I recently got to try a Sadowsky 5-string P (standard P, not a P/J). I've played a lot of Fender Ps of lots of variations and ages, as well as a some other nice ones like Lakland, etc. I'm not a P guy at all, but if I was I'd save up for that Sadowsky. Perfect fit, finish, and balance, really light weight, and a variety of tones that all eminated P-bass.

 

[B.Anderson]

I would look at Dan Atkinson basses. From everything I have read it appears to be a lot of bang for the buck. I will probably talk to him once I get a few more bucks

B.

 

[Gopher Bob]

I played one of the ESP "Vintage" basses they had a guitar center a few months back and it was very nice. Had a solid feel to it and a great tone.

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[EricF]

I'm quite amazed there hasn't been more pimping of Lakland. Even the Skyline series is quite amazing.

 

[LuvMusic]

Some good suggestions so far - thanks. Interesting about G&L bringing the SB-1 back. That's definitely on my list to check out.

I was curious about the SB1 too. Did a quick google. Not sure this is a good deal but it sure is purty.

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[lefty007]

For a 5-string P-Bass around or under that prices, I think you have three choices:

Mike Lull, Valenti, and Fender.

Go with the Fender if you want to save money and don't need custom specs. If you are looking for a special color or active electronics, then you should look at Lull and Valenti.

The Fender 5-string P-Bass has gotten great reviews.

 

[Jared Lash]

What, no Stambaugh hybrid between boutique and tradition? Cliff Bordwell is supposed to be making his take of a P bass with his current batch.

Believe me, I've seriously considered talking to Chris about this. But I wouldn't want to go to him (or have the wait time) for what would amount to a variation on a P-bass. But something like his new Fossil design? Hmm . . .

Is it just the sound you're after, or are the aesthetics of a P Bass an important part of your GAS?

Honestly, the aesthetics ARE part of this. Of my four basses, three are somewhat out there looking (the two Stammies you can see in the gallery in my sig and a six string ACG Recurve singlecut that will be done soon) and I want a traditional P-bass sound but also one bass that will fit in anywhere.

MIKE LULL

Definitely a consideration.

I recently got to try a Sadowsky 5-string P (standard P, not a P/J). I've played a lot of Fender Ps of lots of variations and ages, as well as a some other nice ones like Lakland, etc. I'm not a P guy at all, but if I was I'd save up for that Sadowsky. Perfect fit, finish, and balance, really light weight, and a variety of tones that all eminated P-bass.

I've only played one Sadowsky and it was a Jazz. Very modern and bright/sizzly sounding. It made me wonder if their P-basses could really get that classic thump.

I would look at Dan Atkinson basses. From everything I have read it appears to be a lot of bang for the buck. I will probably talk to him once I get a few more bucks

I had never heard of him before this thread but definitely on my radar now.

For a 5-string P-Bass around or under that prices, I think you have three choices:

Mike Lull, Valenti, and Fender.

Yeah, I really am leaning toward 5 strings. I've played a couple Deluxe Precision fivers and liked them somewhat, but did feel like they were overpriced for what they were.

Valenti and Lull are at the top of my list right now.

 

[neptoon]

my favorite P has always been the yamaha attitude limited bass...yeah, there's that extra pickup in there...

 

[J. Crawford]

I would look at Dan Atkinson basses. From everything I have read it appears to be a lot of bang for the buck. I will probably talk to him once I get a few more bucks

B.

Danocasto, I think he goes by?

But I can stand for Valenti and Sadowsky, but not their Ps.. But they look awesome!

 

[peterpalmieri]

Alleva-Coppolo.....

Jimmy makes an unbelievable 5 string P bass, there was a recent discussion in the AC club thread not long ago I'll paste in a link.....

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8084649#post8084649

Starting at post #609

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I've only played one Sadowsky and it was a Jazz. Very modern and bright/sizzly sounding. It made me wonder if their P-basses could really get that classic thump.

I played one that was also very bright and sizzly right before I tried the P 5-string. They have several makes of jazz- was the one you tried designed to sound like that, like one of their 70s/Marcus Miller- type basses?

Also, I haven't tried a straight P from Valenti, but since you're thinking about him, I'm sure he could make a P for you. I've played five or six of his basses (including P/Js) and they all rocked.

 

[peterpalmieri]