Help needed picking out a p bass

I'd personally say that you should try some local ones out. It's not like you're going to be struggling to find a few of various brands and vintages. And honestly, I'd go for the black one you like best regardless of pickguard color (since that can always be changed after the fact). Especially if you find a black/rosewood Fender P. You could probably easily score one of those and get a replacement pickguard for well within your budget.

As far as specific suggestions? I picked up a pristine used 2012 Fender MIA Precision for $600 by being patient and trying stuff out. The deals are out there.

 

Play every P you can find, close your eyes and DON'T worry about the color/finish/brand on the bass.

Go with the one that sounds "best to YOUR ears" and "feels the best to YOUR hands".
(From your post above you already know this....)

I'd also suggest standing and playing, find the weight of bass that "feels best to your back."
(Some P's can be very heavy after a 4 hour gig!)

Since your a long-time player of Jazz basses and their thinner necks you might try to borrow/rent a P for a gig or two just to see if your hands REALLY want to go to the wider, thicker neck of a P.

 

You don't have to spend anywhere near that much to get a solid P. When I was in the hunt several years ago, I played everything I could get my hands on, and ended up with an MIM '50s Classic P.

The beauty of Leo's platform is interchangeability of parts. If you can't find exactly what you're looking for, it's easy enough to build it yourself.

 

come again...what was your question?

why yes, yes you are!

if you absolutely insist on buying an ax --- strictly based on looks: you are disinvited from the party i'm going to have for all TB members...maybe in august.

if looks matter: take a chance on an online purchase (more options for 'looks') from a seller who accepts returns and get exactly the look you want.
good luck finding the right P-bass!

 

Plenty of options for a split coil "P" with a 1.5" nut. You just need to accept that it either won't be a Fender or will have an extra pickup.

 

sounds like you jumped off your preference pedestal pretty quick, that makes suggestions far easier, and will say a dirt cheap '80s era Ibanez P or PJ could be the Fender killer you may never had considered. here's what my RB-620 looks like, the complete opposite of your desired object.

 

G&L LB100.
P bass perfection.

The Fender Midnight Japanese P bass is another option. Just add a tort pickguard.

 

/\ this

If I were buying a P, I'd definitely try the L100

 

Let's consider what we're dealing with here...

- You're a longtime Jazz guy.
- You've got GAS for a P.
- You gonna lean on looks with this one, with some particular ideas of what you want.
- You're open to going with a non-Fender.
- Your budget is between $1K and $2K.

Run those through the ol' TalkBass 5000 and it's telling me you should splurge for a custom-build. You'll spec every detail out exactly the way you want... not sacrifice a thing... get excellent components... and end up with a one-of-a-kind P that will sound great, look killer and last you the rest of your days.

Maybe go for a Jazz width on the neck? Put that thumbrest wherever you want. A nitro finish perhaps? Choose whatever bridge, pickups, nut, knobs, tuners, face dots, side dots you want.

Done... deal.

 

That's pretty cool... I really dig what Ibanez was doing back in the early and mid-80s.

 

As others have eluded to: Your bass awaits you via the G&L custom order option. LB-100 bass in black, tort guard, good ol' #8 neck (1.5" Jazz width) with rosewood board. Voila! The LB-100 is definitely on my GAS list, and this isn't helping.

 

they were killing it for kids getting started on a budget and most of their vintage product still excels today

 

Why not just buy a used black Precision with rosewood board? The 2008-2012 run was nice. You can easily find them in your price range. Check out Guitar Center online used instruments, you can have it shipped to your local store and try before you buy.

 

If you want a narrow neck like the jazz neck you're used to, try an American Special.

 

I found a Butterscotch Blonde 2007 USA P for $600. Not pristine, but a fantastic playing and sounding bass that has become my #1 - over basses that cost me 5x more.

 

Budget between $1-2k. Save a couple hundred more and buy yourself a used custom shop precision. They’re AMAZING.