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Fender P/J ‘Stang or Fallout Tribute?

stvnleesmth

stvnleesmth

Dec 6, 2020
40
69
#1
Hey everyone.

Looking for a shot scale bass to go along with my Fender Special Edition Deluxe PJ Bass. I am open to other basses to look at but really looking at the Fender Mustang or the G&L Fallout Tribute basses.

My initial question is…Is the Fender Mustang P/J a few hundred dollars better than the Fallout Tribute? Even though they are the same scale length, is the Mustang going to be shorter overall than the fallout (smaller body)?

My max budget is that if the Fender, so again, open to any other models I may be missing. I really like the off set body of both basses, but that’s not the main concern.

thanks!!
 
#6
I'm tempted to pull the trigger on an Acinonyx but I hesitate because it doesn't have the one sound that the Mustang p/u position gets. I wish the neck p/u on the Acinonyx was a little further back.

Honestly, I really like the way the Fallout sounds. The tribute seems like a killer deal on a great sounding bass. I don't love the looks but I like the way it sounds.

To answer one of your other questions, the Fallout IS a bigger bass than the Mustang by quite a bit. The headstock is long and the bridge is mounted a few inches inside the body as opposed to near the edge as on most basses.
 
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#7
Coming from guitar and being a Fender fanboy (strats and teles) I was sure I wanted a mustang until I started playing other short scales, and I quickly realized that the none of the mustang versions (even American) were going to be satisfactory. There are so many other options that offer better tone (IMO) and objectively better quality control.

My ultimate choice was the G&L fallout tribute. It seemed to match the American version in every way except weight. Great sound with huge low end thump. Be aware though that it's overall size is much the same as a 34" bass. Coming in a close second for me was the Banshee, and I also like the Gretsch Electrojet.

Since purchasing the G&L, I have also picked up an Ibanez TMB30 ($179 new). It needed a fret polish and some set-up work out of the box, but that has also proven to be an excellent bass. It's lightweight and smaller than a 34, and the tones it produces are very similar to what you can get out of the American Performer Mustang. I like the way this bass plays so much that I'm considering installing a G&L pickup in the neck position.
 
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#8
naokiman said:
following 'cuz I'm interested in both of those basses as well...

Also in that price range: have you considered the Schecter Banshee (used) or Sterling SS?
Click to expand...

I considered the Schecter, Sterling, MIM Fender, G&L Fallout, and Hofner Ignition, before buying the Squier Mustang. It has the best neck. The pickup is definitely "vintage output", but that's easily remedied.
 
#9
stvnleesmth said:
My initial question is…Is the Fender Mustang P/J a few hundred dollars better than the Fallout Tribute?
Click to expand...

As always, it depends on the specific serial number carrying basses in question. Try before you buy.

Even though they are the same scale length, is the Mustang going to be shorter overall than the fallout (smaller body)?
Click to expand...

yes, definitely. The Fallout is nearly the same length from the bottom strap button to the top of the headstock as a regular StingRay, and as noted above, a lot of it is headstock.

I love my Fallout and am considering getting a second because I like it equally with GHS flats as I do with Hi-Beams. For better or worse, it is really responsive to where you pluck. I did have to lower the nut slots and the fret sprout is starting to get annoying, but the price…

When trying basses, do try that Sterling SS and all of its coil selector options. Some videos of it make it seem to be able to hold a P-like place in a mix really well.
 
#11
Went with a Stang...but the JMJ Mustang over the P/J (got a good deal)
IMG_6350.jpeg
 
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#13
I owned and really liked the Mustang PJ. I’m surprised by the price increases since I bought it in January of 2020. I haven’t played the G&L, but I love their basses in general. I have played the Sterling Stingray in the store a couple times, and was very impressed. That would probably be what I would buy if I was starting over, although sound preferences matter as well.
 
#15
Given the same choice, I prefer the offset waist slab body of the Mustang PJ so that's what I went with. At the time I was looking for the tone of a P bass in a shortscale and the PJ does that for me.

However, one of my other favorite tones is an '80s ash/rosewood L1000 I was foolish enough to trade away. I figured that tone could live in the Fallout. I had a crazy idea that I'd try to DIY a shortscale to recapture that tone.

To that end I ordered a Mustang shaped slab guitar body made of Paulownia with only the neck pocket routed and topped it with a 1/16" thick figured walnut top I've had laying around for over 25 years. I installed a modified SX shortscale neck, a Wilkinson 3D bridge and an inexpensive hot humbucking pickup in the middle sweetspot wired straight to the jack. I couldn't wait so I tried it before I applied a finish and was pleased and a bit surprised to find it gave me the tone I was missing. The the offset body I prefer and a bass that weighs under 6 lbs. was a bonus.

Now I'm thinking I may not need the heavier PJ after all.
 

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