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Fender P Bass Alternative?
- Thread starter Weberman
- Start date
They just closed last month! My timing always works that way.
I do have one of their guitars, that I like.
buy wormoth pbass parts (they are licensed by fender) i built one and installed Nordstrand P Bass p/u. used wenge neck and fretboard w/stainless frets, came in under $1500 including a custom paint job from a local car painter and a luthier to fix everything I screwed up, + a Fender hard case, and it was a tone MONSTER!!
I'd also recommend the Fender American Standard, preferably 2008 or later. And the Lakland Skyline Duck Dunn model is excellent, if you dig a J neck.
I was thinking the same thing. I've never played one but I've never nothing but great things about the Peavey Fury.
Other than that, I'd go for the Carvin PB4. I have the PB5 and it's pretty great.
Choices, choices, choices...
There is a Reverend dealer near downtown Cleveland that appears to have decent stock. I'll try to stop by there and see if they have any basses I can try.
I haven't seen a Peavy bass in shops around here in a while. If I spot one, I will be sure to give it a try.
Warmoth is an interesting option. I was actually thinking of recreating an old Strat that I had using their parts. I'm not sure how much effort I want to put forth, though. I have heard that the state of finish on their necks is variable. Some people seem to get frets, in particular, that are more, or less finished than others.
I should mention that I really don't have a neck-width preference. I haven't found myself hating the J-spacing. At the same time, I have no issues with wider necks. I usually play C-shaped or ovular necks. I don't like necks that are too chunky, or anything resembling a "v", since I often anchor my thumb in the middle of the neck.
There is a Reverend dealer near downtown Cleveland that appears to have decent stock. I'll try to stop by there and see if they have any basses I can try.
I haven't seen a Peavy bass in shops around here in a while. If I spot one, I will be sure to give it a try.
Warmoth is an interesting option. I was actually thinking of recreating an old Strat that I had using their parts. I'm not sure how much effort I want to put forth, though. I have heard that the state of finish on their necks is variable. Some people seem to get frets, in particular, that are more, or less finished than others.
I should mention that I really don't have a neck-width preference. I haven't found myself hating the J-spacing. At the same time, I have no issues with wider necks. I usually play C-shaped or ovular necks. I don't like necks that are too chunky, or anything resembling a "v", since I often anchor my thumb in the middle of the neck.
If the p bass from bass mods is anything compared to their jazz basses then I would go for one of them. Better pups better preamps.more options.
I noticed your issues were with MIM Fenders. That has been my experience as well. However, I have never had such issues with MIJ,MIA, and Custom Shop Fenders. Find a good used one and you will be good to go.
^
MIM Fender P Roadworn I tried was good if not better then some MIA. MIJ always better IMHO.
OP:
Actually I was thinking about buying a used Fender MIM Roadworn P-Bass and change it's original pickup with EMG GZR and maybe swap in a 70s Fretless P-Neck (don't laugh at me, I'd really consider to try/have fretless P-Bass for first time in my life LOL).
If I have budget as yours I'll do it
MIM Fender P Roadworn I tried was good if not better then some MIA. MIJ always better IMHO.
OP:
Actually I was thinking about buying a used Fender MIM Roadworn P-Bass and change it's original pickup with EMG GZR and maybe swap in a 70s Fretless P-Neck (don't laugh at me, I'd really consider to try/have fretless P-Bass for first time in my life LOL).
If I have budget as yours I'll do it
The guitars with issues were MIJ or MIA, but that was some time ago, I must admit. Even my J is from 2003, which isn't the most stellar point in Fender's MIM history. The more I read, the more it seems that they have really gotten things together with their QC since 2006, or so.
bluesdog - I'm not qualified to laugh at anyone. I wouldn't, though - I have heard some cool (from my perspective) fretless Ps. Your project might yield a nice instrument.
Fretless P-Basses are awesome, but there's no reason to spend that much on it. The Mighty Mite fretless necks are really nice and you can get a body pretty cheap too.
Have had an '87 G&L SB-1 since I was twelve, and am 29 now. Was $389 in the sleaziest pawn shop in Dallas, TX but my dad talked them down to $300. It's the best P-Bass I've ever seen in my travels; even better than the vintage ones from the 50s/60s/70s that are floating around Austin. Makes everyone jealous who plays it. Can probably find a vintage on E-bay for around $800 now.
