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Help with P Bass decision...

#43
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#46
S.F.Sorrow said:
That's two very different sounding basses. At least they SHOULD be if they're anything like the models they're based on. In my experience the Squier CVs are usually "in the ballpark" rather than 100% true to the 50s/60s/70s Fender models they're based on. The single coil CVs are still VERY different from the split coil CVs though (as they should be). I think some people may think single coil and split coil P-basses are similar instruments because they're both Precision basses. They're not.

A split coil P-bass is the classic P-bass tone IMO. It's all about the wonderful mid presence. A split coil P-bass will work great with most genres and sit nicely in the mix. It may be a cliche but it's hard to find a bass that sits better in the mix than a passive, split coil P-bass. It's a mixing engineers dream and an industry standard for a reason.

The 50s single coil P-bass is different. It doesn't have the same mid range presence as the split coils. It can sound GREAT of course but if you're not careful it can be boomy and get lost in the mix (especially on stage). Single coil P-basses are very cool instruments but less versatile than split coil P-basses IMO. The single coil can also be noisy in many environments because they're lacking the hum-cancelling of the split coils. The dynamics of single coil P-basses are also quite different from split coil P-basses. The single coil feels less compressed with a more aggressive attack. It can get a bit clanky if you play it like a split coil. If you're used to a split coil P-bass you might find a single coil P-bass a bit unfamiliar at first. Personally I find the dynamics of split coil P-basses a lot easier to control but that's probably because I play my split coil P-basses a lot more often and only use my single coil P-bass occasionally in the studio.

My advice would be to get the 60s split coil version unless you're 100% certain you want the 50s single coil version. The 60s version is a lot more versatile IMO and probably closer to the tone and feel you think of as a "classic P-bass". A split coil P-bass is a great choice if you own ONE bass. You can play pretty much anything with a passive, split coil P-bass. A single coil P-bass is something I would rather recommend as a second or third bass (unless you're specifically looking for THAT tone/feel of course).
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Perfectly said.
 
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#48
Alexis Duntov said:
Honestly, contrary to what some responses have indicated, I find the tone of single coil Ps to be very different from the split coil. I even have a Sting Precision MIJ with a stacked Fralin split coil, and that’s very different from a standard split coil. Without getting into trying to describe those differences, I would suggest the somewhat impracticable option of trying to A/B them side by side, if you can make that happen. Maybe find someone (like me) who is in your area and who has both and who would let you compare them. After playing post ‘57 split coil Ps with flats for years, my current P sound is the Sting bass with the Fralin pup and rounds.
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Yes, the pickup on my 2008 50s CV is very different. It has great mids and seems to have a roll off if the very lows. I usually cut these anyway to lose the mud. If you want BOOM, the split pickup may be what you want, but with the band, the CV sounds terrific.
image.jpg
 
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#49
S.F.Sorrow said:
That's two very different sounding basses. At least they SHOULD be if they're anything like the models they're based on. In my experience the Squier CVs are usually "in the ballpark" rather than 100% true to the 50s/60s/70s Fender models they're based on. The single coil CVs are still VERY different from the split coil CVs though (as they should be). I think some people may think single coil and split coil P-basses are similar instruments because they're both Precision basses. They're not.

A split coil P-bass is the classic P-bass tone IMO. It's all about the wonderful mid presence. A split coil P-bass will work great with most genres and sit nicely in the mix. It may be a cliche but it's hard to find a bass that sits better in the mix than a passive, split coil P-bass. It's a mixing engineers dream and an industry standard for a reason.

The 50s single coil P-bass is different. It doesn't have the same mid range presence as the split coils. It can sound GREAT of course but if you're not careful it can be boomy and get lost in the mix (especially on stage). Single coil P-basses are very cool instruments but less versatile than split coil P-basses IMO. The single coil can also be noisy in many environments because they're lacking the hum-cancelling of the split coils. The dynamics of single coil P-basses are also quite different from split coil P-basses. The single coil feels less compressed with a more aggressive attack. It can get a bit clanky if you play it like a split coil. If you're used to a split coil P-bass you might find a single coil P-bass a bit unfamiliar at first. Personally I find the dynamics of split coil P-basses a lot easier to control but that's probably because I play my split coil P-basses a lot more often and only use my single coil P-bass occasionally in the studio.

My advice would be to get the 60s split coil version unless you're 100% certain you want the 50s single coil version. The 60s version is a lot more versatile IMO and probably closer to the tone and feel you think of as a "classic P-bass". A split coil P-bass is a great choice if you own ONE bass. You can play pretty much anything with a passive, split coil P-bass. A single coil P-bass is something I would rather recommend as a second or third bass (unless you're specifically looking for THAT tone/feel of course).
Click to expand...
This ^ pretty much covers it. It's what I would have written if I just wasn't such a lazy ass.
 
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#51
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#53
I have both of these CV’s. The 50’s has a Frailin split coil (no noise) and the 60’s has an EMG Geezer Butler P pickup. The necks are radically different the 50’s is chunky, a real handful for players used to narrow necks, the 60’s is not a true 60’s style neck, it has a somewhat more standard modern P bass profile and nut (my Fender 60’s basses have a very wide 1.75 nut but thin front to back profile). I prefer my 60’s CV to my 50’s CV, for both playability and tone. I’m also got lucky with their weight with CV 50’s @ 7lbs 13oz, and the CV 60’s @ 8lbs 11oz.
DFB48CDE-37C5-486A-97DA-BC1A80800BB5.jpeg


2540F411-1CD5-4C72-8571-73E2DA14E553.jpeg
 
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#55
41Hz To Go said:
A little background, the wife is allowing another bass purchase and the budget is limited. I've got it down to two Squire choices. One is a standard P bass with split coils and the other is a 50's p single coil.

If you could have only one, which one and why?

Squier Classic Vibe '60s Precision Bass - 3-Tone Sunburst

or

Squier Classic Vibe '50s Precision Bass - 2-Color Sunburst
Click to expand...
I have a Squier CV 70s P and it's probably my favorite bass. I'd go with the 60s P. But if you can find a CV70s bass from a.couple years ago (crafted in China), they are excellent quality.
 
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#56
Although there were things I liked about sound and feel of 50's style pbass you'll likely get more mileage from the CV 60's so I voted for that. Had a Sting bass but couldn't really bond with it though it did have some great sounds I read a bunch of posts from people who busted the bobbin resting their thumb on SC pbasses though you could install something I guess.
 
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#57
mikecd1 said:
I read a bunch of posts from people who busted the bobbin resting their thumb on SC pbasses though you could install something I guess.
Click to expand...

bobbin bustin’ really is a thing, I had it happen once on my fender cij 51 reissue. However, I did it with an e-string I played too heavily and it got stuck under the bobbin, subsequently flipping it off and tearing the pu apart basically.
Which didn’t make me love the 51 style the least bit less. So on my current 51 style, I have ashtrays (pu and bridge covers) installed and I’m not playing floppy rounds anymore. Never had an issue since.

And still, with the options here in this thread, I’d wait for the almost Mary Kay white late50s with gold guard.


Best
Sidecar
 
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#58
Although I voted for the CV 60, at the prices I saw for these you should consider a used made in USA Peavey Fury. Pbass body, jazz neck. Well made and one of my fave pbasses. Sold my MIA after cleaning up and gigging with the Fury. One of the unsung heroes of the pbass universe. Although I liked the electronics after years of reading here about the GZR's love put one in mine and just love the sound!
 
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