Help me choose a bass.

[SJan3]

Get the Dirnt before it's gone!

Players have bad QC.

No they don't. My Player P circa 2019 was virtually perfect. So, do us all a favor and don't generalize. Every instrument is unique.
Now, neck profile is subjective. Some love em. Some prefer a beefier P neck.

 

[lark_z]

I'd check locally (maybe Craigslist) and play a few more before deciding.

 

[waynobass]

Sell the Jazz, get the Dirnt, pocket the difference.

 

[Dust2Dust]

Keep the jazz, buy the Mike Dirnt, then buy an American P in the future.

This.

 

[andare]

No they don't. My Player P circa 2019 was virtually perfect. So, do us all a favor and don't generalize. Every instrument is unique.
Now, neck profile is subjective. Some love em. Some prefer a beefier P neck.

It's not a secret that recent MIM Fenders have sharp fret ends and many also develop fret sprout. I've seen enough to feel ok about generalizing.

 

[smtp4me]

I’m another guitarist turned bassist. Been switching between bass and guitar for a wedding band over the past 7-8 years but now I’m finally getting serious about bass.

For the past 7 years I’ve been using a used AVRI J bass. Last week I tried a gig with the P bass in the picture and realized this is the sound I have been looking for. I borrowed it from a friend and it appears to be a 2004 Mexican Mike Dirnt bass. At first the wide neck and the heavy body bugged me but now getting used to them. I think he wants to sell it for $400-500.

Also have an eye on a year old Player series P that I can get for $550. Plan to play it this weekend.

So, any thoughts on these two? I really want a USA P and have contemplated even selling my J. However, now I’m thinking I’ll buy the Mike Dirnt P until I can save some money for a USA model. Thoughts?View attachment 4734793

Are you committed to Fender? G&L makes both the Fullerton (US) and Tribute (Korea) LB-100 bass. Assuming you are aware that Leo Fender started G&L with George Fullerton, the LB-100 model is a P bass with design improvements. I recently bought a Tribute LB-100 after quite a bit of research and recommendations here at TB. IMHO and IME, The LB-100 at $550 has better build quality than MIM Fender at $850.

This is the only LB-100 I've owned and played, so maybe I got lucky. But they come highly recommended and I've played more MIM Fenders than I can remember (and I've owned 3 MIM Jazz basses).

 

[SJan3]

It's not a secret that recent MIM Fenders have sharp fret ends and many also develop fret sprout. I've seen enough to feel ok about generalizing.

Sure, that's because you've played each and every one of them. Impressive!!

 

[Ostie]

I want to know more about the mandolin in the picture.

 

[Pilgrim]

I’m another guitarist turned bassist. Been switching between bass and guitar for a wedding band over the past 7-8 years but now I’m finally getting serious about bass.

For the past 7 years I’ve been using a used AVRI J bass. Last week I tried a gig with the P bass in the picture and realized this is the sound I have been looking for. I borrowed it from a friend and it appears to be a 2004 Mexican Mike Dirnt bass. At first the wide neck and the heavy body bugged me but now getting used to them. I think he wants to sell it for $400-500.

Also have an eye on a year old Player series P that I can get for $550. Plan to play it this weekend.

So, any thoughts on these two? I really want a USA P and have contemplated even selling my J. However, now I’m thinking I’ll buy the Mike Dirnt P until I can save some money for a USA model. Thoughts?

First, the USA models aren't necessarily any better than MIM or other lines. Fender basses vary from instrument to instrument. So don't set your goals based on marketing; wait until you hear and feel what you want in a bass.

The Dirnt sounds like a nice buy. If you really want to you can always get a narrower Jazz neck and install it on the Dirnt...just save the original neck.

Play the P-bass this weekend and don't make any decisions until after you have done that. But don't get goo-goo eyes just because one is a made in USA bass.

 

[Xjenrbcjsmsbfjw]

Sounds like a great deal on the bass, and if it is exactly the sound you are going for, I can't see any reason not to grab it.

 

[nonohmic]

Buy the Dirnt and swap the necks. Can't believe this hasn't been mentioned yet.

Then sell everything else as parts. And be the player that rocks their own creation and says no to GAS.

 

[definenredefine]

I played a player model P at GC recently. The neck felt less wide which is nice but I’m actually getting used to the Dirnt P. Even though it felt skinnier, something about the Player neck felt weird but couldn’t put my fingers on it.

No pun intended...

 

[squeally dan]

I want to know more about the mandolin in the picture.

Eastman. Nice affordable A style. Don’t get much mando time. To busy practicing bass and guitar.

 

[J Wilson]

Here's some original advice:

If the budget permits either one as a choice, then play them both, and keep the one that sounds and feels the best.

I find this works pretty well.

 

[Possum Willy]

I’m another guitarist turned bassist. Been switching between bass and guitar for a wedding band over the past 7-8 years but now I’m finally getting serious about bass.

For the past 7 years I’ve been using a used AVRI J bass. Last week I tried a gig with the P bass in the picture and realized this is the sound I have been looking for. I borrowed it from a friend and it appears to be a 2004 Mexican Mike Dirnt bass. At first the wide neck and the heavy body bugged me but now getting used to them. I think he wants to sell it for $400-500.

Also have an eye on a year old Player series P that I can get for $550. Plan to play it this weekend.

So, any thoughts on these two? I really want a USA P and have contemplated even selling my J. However, now I’m thinking I’ll buy the Mike Dirnt P until I can save some money for a USA model. Thoughts?View attachment 4734793

 

[el murdoque]

I do own a 2019 MiM P bass and I really love it. It is by far the cheapest bass in my stable, but I view the P bass as a simple affair where you can't do much wrong. I had the pickup swapped for an Aguilar and now it has that warm, pleasant sound I wanted to have a P bass for.
That said, I second that the Dirnt is a great deal for a good bass, but I'd also advise you to go and have a look at the other bass - and buy what feels best. If you really insist on getting a US made P bass in the long run, I'd get the Dirnt for the time being - that one is more likely to sell quickly and without loss should the time come.

 

[Gizmot]

Here’s my advice: Don’t limit yourself to only considering Fender basses. There are lots of other great basses / brands that might fit you better or provide the sound you’re looking for.
It took me 10 years to learn that. Switching away from Fender helped me play and sound better. Yes - Fender is popular, but I think it’s because a lot of players simply never try G&L, Yamaha, MusicMan, Rickenbacker, Warwick, etc, etc.

 

[DwaynieAD]

USA p is nice to have but not in any way necessary. Even less necessary if you already like using that dirnt

 

[Ostie]

Eastman. Nice affordable A style. Don’t get much mando time. To busy practicing bass and guitar.

I’m the opposite. I play about 80% mando and 20% bass. I get more work playing mando. Lots of bass players around, not so many mando players.

 

[bassliner50]

Split coil Precision is my recommendation.