GASing for a P-Bass

[highway]

Im not saying this to be rude, but why does it have to be a Fender?
There is alot of great p basses out there without the fender name on it.

To expand on this, I was in your boat a few summers ago.

I got a swamp ash p-body from the warmoth showcase for $198 shipped to my door. The parts to stain the body (cherry) + filler + pots/cap/jack were $65 shipped.

Add to this a pickup for ~50 from the classifieds, a bridge from the classifieds, and a neck from the classifieds -- you might have your MIA quality instrument for $500-600 -- depending on what parts you are happy with.

 

[SteveC]

Im not saying this to be rude, but why does it have to be a Fender?
There is alot of great p basses out there without the fender name on it.

I believe it does if you are going to follow the OP's thinking. Must be Fender P and have flats. Learn it and that's how you will get gigs. I have never gigged with a P bass in 35 years, but I am not a young person looking to make it in the biz as is the intended audience for the OP.

 

[fretno]

I have a few of those

 

[highway]

10/10, that rosewood looks amazing

 

[danosix]

Get yourself a sweet MIJ. High quality, good price. Lots floating around.

Good advice, except $500 MIJs are getting pretty scarce.

 

[groovaholic]

I get where you're coming from; there is something pure and elemental about a P-Bass...it's not my #1 bass, but I wouldn't feel comfortable without one in my (small) collection.

My first bass was a Japanes Squier Precision from 1984. Since then I've had 4 other Precisions, ranging from beat up 60's, a '72, a '76, another 1984 Squier...and my current beauty.

This fine example was purchased for $89 at Music Go Round, then I spent twice that on a BadAss II bridge, DiMarzio Will Power pickup, and tortoiseshell pickguard -- still, a killer P-Bass for a total investment of less than $300.

A friend of mine was switching from guitar to bass and borrowed it until his MIA Precision was delivered.

He liked mine better, until his got set up to his preferences -- and then it was a close call.

Other worthwhile options are the Yamaha BB300, G&L LB-100 or L-1000.
And I'll second the recommendations for the RoadWorn Precision; they really nailed the vintage vibe with those!

 

[Antisyzygy]

Since I read angelcrushers thread on P basses, I find myself wanting one pretty bad.

My dilema(s) is/are

Do I need one?
I am convinced I do. Lol!

Also, I feel I am a high enough caliber of a player that I need an American one.
I'm feeling kind of snotty and spoiled by thinking this.

My funds are quiet enough for an American made one, but they are enough for a MIM.

The urge to just buy the MIM and be done is pretty strong, but I want a one time purchase. A Pbass that will grow old with me. Ya know?

MIMs are great basses. I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up. If you shoot for a used one you'll get a crazy deal, then you can save the rest for your next bass or an amp or something.

They play very nice for the price, I have absolutely no trouble with my Fender MIM P bass. Fender also has some higher price range MIMs that can be great deals as well, like the Deluxe series that have the active electronics.

 

[Kmay]

Nice responses guys.
I happen to like Fender is why I want one.
I am young (ish) and I have a bass I love (5 string EBMM).
I was just going to expand my tonal palette for studio or live work, and a P-Bass just seemed like a great place to start.

I currently own a MIA Jazz Plus V (that I am trying to sale/trade). I agree, I love to "playability of this thing. I am not a fan of the pickups (Lace Sensors).

So instead of chopping it up and replacing it I was going to try selling/trading for a P-bass.

I will consider a MIM,MIA or MIJ
I just have a buddy who is a Fender snob, to the point he quotes himself the phrase "Friends don't let friends buy MIM's" Lol!

 

[KickingBass]

Play all the p basses you see without looking at the manufacturer origin on the back of the headstock, maybe youll surprise yourself. When I bought my first bass with my own money, an SR305, I think one of the first things my mentor did was look at the back of the headstock and point at the Made In Indonesia print. He then proceeded to teach me about how American made instruments are some of the best. I now have an SR505 and I don't care if it was made in Taiwan, Ghana, Atlantis or anywhere else, it sounds and plays great.

 

[KickingBass]

Also, I have a MIM Fender Deluxe P Special, and its pretty sweet, Ive actually really liked my MIM Fenders.

 

[Kmay]

I suppose I'll just hit up GC {UGH! I hate going in there } and play some more. I've been kind of "avoiding" them. I did play a '67 (ish) one that was GREAT! Lol1 but at a $6700 price tag...don't think I'll be getting it anytime soon. Haha

 

[fretno]

10/10, that rosewood looks amazing

Thanks ! That's Warmoth for ya , they have an eye for good wood !

 

[Antisyzygy]

Nice responses guys.
I happen to like Fender is why I want one.
I am young (ish) and I have a bass I love (5 string EBMM).
I was just going to expand my tonal palette for studio or live work, and a P-Bass just seemed like a great place to start.

I currently own a MIA Jazz Plus V (that I am trying to sale/trade). I agree, I love to "playability of this thing. I am not a fan of the pickups (Lace Sensors).

So instead of chopping it up and replacing it I was going to try selling/trading for a P-bass.

I will consider a MIM,MIA or MIJ
I just have a buddy who is a Fender snob, to the point he quotes himself the phrase "Friends don't let friends buy MIM's" Lol!

I find Fender snobs kind of hilarious.

Leo Fender went on to co-found two other companies after he sold off Fender--MusicMan and G&L. Those were cofounded with other influential people that had moved on from Fender Co. Fender is almost not even the same company anymore, they've had stakeholder changes and most of the original people working there have moved on or died.

MusicMan has what I'd call the "Third Iconic Bass" after the Precision and Jazz, and that's the Stingray (there are more iconic basses). Talk about an amazing funk sound. G&Ls are also excellent basses, they take the Fender feel and innovate it even more. Those Fender snobs many times will tell you simultaneously that G&Ls suck, and Fender is the only way to go even though Leo Fender influenced both companies, and he himself said that "these are the best instruments I ever made" about G&Ls.

Aside from that any human can make good products if they learn how and actually try, Americans don't have a monopoly on that. Fender has really upped their quality control in Mexico, as well as Indonesia and China.

At any rate, if you're trading that American Jazz V I bet you you could find someone with a MIA Fender P bass (maybe even a deluxe with some cash padding in there) they're willing to trade for it. I'd personally get a PJ if you're used to the Jazz bass, it just gives you some extra Jazz-like tone options and you can leave the bridge pickup off most of the time if you want. However, you have your own preferences and I'd say go with whatever you want.

 

[mattattack187]

Classic '50s series. Sunburst. Done.

Seriously I'm gassing for one of these highly rated MIM '50s. $749 US. I just found one used listed for $500 CDN with a case, but it's fiesta red. Pretty sure I'm gonna pull the trigger because it's such a great deal. Try to snag it for $450. Up here with tax a bass and case would be $1250 CDN.

Now as for you, when you have saved enough for a USA precision, they will still be available. They're not going to be discontinued. So wait. Or finance. Put the cash you have down and pay interest. Generally a bad plan but we are talking a beautiful bass, not a crap leather sofa or stupid fridge.

I have the classic 50's in the black/gold pickguard. Great Bass out of the box but I did add EMG GZR's because those are my P pickup of choice.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

If you can get along with the color, Fender's FSR Antigua's a great basses. Quality is extremely high and with flats, these things really rock.

 

[Muddslide]

If you can get along with the color, Fender's FSR Antigua's a great basses. Quality is extremely high and with flats, these things really rock.

I would love one of those myself, but I don't think they are being produced anymore. Crazy about the Antigua finish though!

TO THE OP: Meh, MIMs get bagged on a lot, and I think some of this is unnecessary.

I WILL say that MIMs have been around since--what?--1990 I believe--and over the years they have undergone significant changes. My experience with MIMs is rather limited. I have owned two MIM Telecaster guitars (a 1998 and a 2003) and both were really good quality. In fact, when I bought the 2003, I was actually specifically shopping for an MIA Tele, but the MIM I found was on par with the MIAs I tried, so I pocketed some $$$ and went with the MIM. I didn't regret it.

At the same time, I have played several MIM guitars that I felt were sub-par.

The fact of the matter is that--in general--MIA Fenders are going to have better QC...more consistent I should say. And (depending on the year of MIM) you are likely to get some better-grade hardware and electronic components with an MIA (though MIMs are easily moddable/upgradeable.)

Many people have said that MIM quality, particularly since 2008, has been much higher.

I was bass shopping a couple months back and played several MIM P basses, from various years. Some I thought were quite good, some were not so great, but I got the impression they were also not cared for and maintained as well as they could have been. One 2006 model had some neck issues with a maxed out truss rod (though this can happen on any instrument with a truss rod.)

The one I ended up with was a 1994 MIM P bass. I played the heck out of it at the GC where I picked it up and though conventional wisdom indicates the earlier MIMs were often not as good, this 1994 I scored is very sweet. Nice neck, takes a setup like a champ, not a single dead spot or buzz anywhere. Tuners and bridge may not be "the best" available, but they are fully functional. The thing plays and sounds great as-is, but I am still modding it a bit with a new wiring harness and jack, SD 1/4 Lb pickup, Fender chrome knobs (this model came with Strat-style plastic knobs which I THINK are stock to this year) a b/w/b pickguard and a cream pickup cover.

I'm only really making changes to it because I have an old P-bass copy project bass and I am moving all the MIM guts into that.

As it is, I would gig with the MIM the way it came to me.

Incidentally, I played 3 MIA P basses at the same time I was trying out my MIM and for ME there was nothing about any of the MIAs that justified the extra expenditure it would've taken to take one home with me.

Bear in mind--this is a sample size of ONE. I happened to luck out with a fine MIM. This surely won't always be the case.

One final thing--while shopping, I played a brand new MIM P bass in white with a maple fingerboard and it was a killer instrument. It was really, really good. I went with the older used one because I was specifically wanting a rosewood fingerboard (already owning a maple-board P.)

Good luck on whichever you find and choose. If you find a good MIM, I think you'll be happy and you should feel no shame. But it might be easier finding a good MIA!

 

[Robus]

I would not pay more than $900 shipped for a used American Standard J or P.

 

[wintremute]

OP: I think that if you settle for the MIM, you're always going to have questions and doubts. Be patient and save up and get the MIA.

 

[wintremute]

Im not saying this to be rude, but why does it have to be a Fender?
There is alot of great p basses out there without the fender name on it.

Read this thread: GAS free guide to Bass purchasing | TalkBass.com

There you will find the origin for the OP's GAS, and his reasoning for the MIA P.

 

[daniel sanchez]

yes definitely get one! I got an American special P(the one with the greasebucket and thiner neck similar to the jazz) for 600, put on a tortoise pickguard and never looked back! i love it!