First Bass purchase advice?

[Indiana Mike]

Buy the pro
Buy it new
So it's a new to you bass,hadn't been modded or molested. Mods don't always add value ,IMO they detract from it.

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

I'm a guitar player (the other kind ). I'd like to take up learning bass. I'm confident I want a Fender P-Bass to start. I've already gone to multiple stores trying them out to get a feel. I've also been lurking the forum while doing my own research.

I've been looking at the Fender Player Precision and American Professional Precision. As someone starting out, should I wait until I'm farther in the journey before considering the more expensive basses? I can afford an American Professional but I'm not sure if I should dive in like that, yet. The American Professional was my favorite of the ones I tried. The Fender Player I tried was a close second.

I'm curious what the more established bass players think.

Are you going to commit to the instrument? If so, buy what plays and fits you the best (not what costs more or looks nicer!!!!). If you aren't so sure, I'd buy something in a mid-low price range to test the waters a bit.

 

[Knavery]

If you're sure you'll stick with it, buy what you want--new or used. If you're not sure you'll stick with it, buy what you want USED, so you can turn around and sell it for the same price.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I'm a guitar player (the other kind ). I'd like to take up learning bass. I'm confident I want a Fender P-Bass to start. I've already gone to multiple stores trying them out to get a feel. I've also been lurking the forum while doing my own research.

I've been looking at the Fender Player Precision and American Professional Precision. As someone starting out, should I wait until I'm farther in the journey before considering the more expensive basses? I can afford an American Professional but I'm not sure if I should dive in like that, yet. The American Professional was my favorite of the ones I tried. The Fender Player I tried was a close second.

I'm curious what the more established bass players think.

For starting out, part of the consideration is "Do I know whether I will want to do this long term". So, from a strictly economic point of view, I'd start lower. I would get a Squier P bass, either a VM or a CV, but nothing lower.
I have a CV that is a really nice bass. I've upgraded the pots and cap, but the pickup sound really good. It is an excellent player. What makes a choice like this good is that if you decide you really don't like bass as much as you thought you would, the resale value is very good and you wont lose much. If you later decide you want an MIA, it will be a nice backup or trade in. I'd vote for backup, but then I have 13 basses, so what is my opinion worth?
If it must say Fender on the headstock, then consider the MIM version. Best of luck.

 

[Aric Keith]

I'm a guitar player (the other kind ). I'd like to take up learning bass. I'm confident I want a Fender P-Bass to start. I've already gone to multiple stores trying them out to get a feel. I've also been lurking the forum while doing my own research.

I've been looking at the Fender Player Precision and American Professional Precision. As someone starting out, should I wait until I'm farther in the journey before considering the more expensive basses? I can afford an American Professional but I'm not sure if I should dive in like that, yet. The American Professional was my favorite of the ones I tried. The Fender Player I tried was a close second.

I'm curious what the more established bass players think.

Without reading the replies so far, I'd say this: the difference between the higher end Fenders and the less expensive is largely a matter of pride of ownership. There are some nifty features found on the hi-end instruments but all of Fender's stuff is well built.

So, the question is, do you really want that Professional P bass? If so, GET IT! It's a fantastic instrument and you'll never wonder "gee, what would it be like to own a nicer bass."

 

[lbbc]

Buy what you like and can afford. Playing a "pro" level instrument is much better than buying a cheaper one that you would have to replace anyway. THAT'S the real saving!!

BTW, I just bought my first Pbass and have been playing for over 43 years. I keep wondering...why didn't I do this years ago?!

 

[rtslinger]

I'm a guitar player (the other kind ). I'd like to take up learning bass. I'm confident I want a Fender P-Bass to start. I've already gone to multiple stores trying them out to get a feel. I've also been lurking the forum while doing my own research.

I've been looking at the Fender Player Precision and American Professional Precision. As someone starting out, should I wait until I'm farther in the journey before considering the more expensive basses? I can afford an American Professional but I'm not sure if I should dive in like that, yet. The American Professional was my favorite of the ones I tried. The Fender Player I tried was a close second.

I'm curious what the more established bass players think.

I agree with those who say get the AM standard and drop the real money into a top rated bass amp

 

[bholder]

Always buy the best instrument you can afford.

...which isn't necessarily the most expensive instrument you can afford.

 

[bassliner50]

Buy used if you can. There are countess threads that will tell you why.

 

[ics1974]

I had the same choice not long ago and decided to get the Player Series P Bass and Player Series Jazz bass for less then the price of the MIA. Two great basses with way more tonal options.

 

[projectapollo]

If the collective experience here is a useful guide, this bass purchase will not be your last! Far from it. My strategy has always been to buy Excellent to Mint condition used basses. You can resell with little loss and try something else.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Either one of those is a great choice, personally I would get the players p bass and a decent amp for what your gonna pay for the American..

 

[EriktheRed]

I'm a guitar player (the other kind ). I'd like to take up learning bass. I'm confident I want a Fender P-Bass to start. I've already gone to multiple stores trying them out to get a feel. I've also been lurking the forum while doing my own research.

I've been looking at the Fender Player Precision and American Professional Precision. As someone starting out, should I wait until I'm farther in the journey before considering the more expensive basses? I can afford an American Professional but I'm not sure if I should dive in like that, yet. The American Professional was my favorite of the ones I tried. The Fender Player I tried was a close second.

I'm curious what the more established bass players think.

Spend. The. Money.

(assuming you have it to spend, of course)

 

[Jimmy4string]

You lucky dude! You are about to embark on the REAL fun of music. The rythm! You have chosen an excellent weapon in the Fender P. I love Fender -the look the feel THE SOUND!
I bought the Steve Harris sig P -mainly because it was the most beautiful bass I have seen. Steve put some good stuff in there with the pickups and the fret board and comes with some great strings- i believe flat wounds.
The only thing that some folks did not like was that it is a heavy chunk of wood. Luckily i am pretty stout.Of course there are many awesome P's out there! good luck and happiness on the low end.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

If you can afford the American Professional Precision, go for it.

Now consider, there's a slight possibility of looking this cool while playing a Precision bass:
View attachment 3337464

Or like this:

 

[skaine]

Some used basses are really in great condition, if you happen to find one get it. Keep in mind a problematic used bass can make you spend some more money afterwards, even you cant resale/trade some of them due to their condition, so be careful.

If you can afford American ones generally a better choice than MIM ones, also with better resale value. There are always exceptions of course, exceptions depends on craftmanship, quality control and the wood used on the bass.

Some Squiers are also really worth the money, in particular Classic Vibe series were great, they dont manufacture them any more. I like the basses produced in previous years more, compared with the new series.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

Buy the best bass you can afford. Looks like you’ve done a good job of narrowing it down, so pull the pin!

 

[Tampabass]

Buy a good one, used -- for a million good reasons. Lots of great Fenders on offer in the TB classifieds.

 

[skaine]

You lucky dude! You are about to embark on the REAL fun of music. The rythm! You have chosen an excellent weapon in the Fender P. I love Fender -the look the feel THE SOUND!
I bought the Steve Harris sig P -mainly because it was the most beautiful bass I have seen. Steve put some good stuff in there with the pickups and the fret board and comes with some great strings- i believe flat wounds.
The only thing that some folks did not like was that it is a heavy chunk of wood. Luckily i am pretty stout.Of course there are many awesome P's out there! good luck and happiness on the low end.
View attachment 3338702

As far as i know its a heavy chunk of wood for a particular reason (yea 2 pieces of dense maple body). At mid 70s Fender had a problem with alder wood supply, so they had to use different and heavier kinds of woods on the body instead of alder.

So i guess Steve uses a 70s P Bass painted with his team colors, the neck style also point it out. So they manufactured that particular signature bass accordingly as a kind of period correct bass. Correct me if i am wrong of course.

His royal blue bass is more versatile in my opinion, has vintage tones and less aggresive. It has a chunkier neck just like 60s era necks and it has to be like that in order to resist the tension of 50/110 flatwound strings.

Edit: There are heavier Les Pauls than P Basses

 

[jd56hawk]

I've tried so many P basses in the past few years, more than I can count, and I've learned one thing: there are some Squiers as good if not better than MIMs, and some MIMs as good if not better than USA-made ones.
Never limit yourself to a bass from this or that country.
Never limit yourself to the name on the headstock.
Only one thing matters...bonding with a bass.
It will happen if you listen to the bass and not the bassist.