High End P Bass

[monsterthompson]

I like the Nash PB basses

I have a PB63 and agree.

If Fodera price tags are what I think, and five strings are interesting, maybe a F Bass VF would be worth a look. They aren’t common and new build times are 24 months, but used ones are out there, though not usually four strings.

 

[muggsy]

Not on the list but have you considered the Sean Hurley Signature P? It's cheaper than the Pino and has hand-wound pickups plus real bone nut unlike the synthetic one on the Pino. I have one so I'm biased. I love it! Also just got an Olinto P4 and man I can't put it down. It's an awesome bass!

+1 on the Hurley. I have one and it's the best P I've ever played. Also has the flip-on mute at the bridge, which I have been using quite a bit lately. Last plus IMO over the Pino is the charcoal frost finish, which is gorgeous and LIGHTLY reliced (just finish checking and worn on the back of the neck). I don't love the heavy relic on the Pino.

That said, I also have a US Lakland Glaub P/J with J neck and it's killer, at probably half the price of the FCS.

 

[carsonchilders]

Buy whatever you can play and compare/decide. To me, that means Custom Shop Fender and I'm taking a trip to Nashville to compare a bunch...

 

[Alehouse]

Fender Custom Shop if you can find the right one! I found mine!

 

[prndltech]

It’s been mentioned, but don’t sleep on Nash. A PB-57 is a thing of beauty.

There’s not a bad option in this thread. All good, just a little different!

 

[carsonchilders]

Fender Custom Shop if you can find the right one! I found mine!

That is BEAUTIFUL. Great color combo.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

Almost any well made P will do the job, honestly.
The nicest P I've ever played is my MIM Roger Waters Sig after I put a Nordstrand NP4 in it.

For my money, the pickup should be half-reverse. Put the D&G coil closer to the neck while leaving the E&A coil where they traditionally are. Evens out the tone from top to bottom.

 

[tleebassist11]

I think a Lull or Sadowsky P would play the best, but an Olinto will sound more vintage.

 

[logdrum]

I'd be buying a Lull or Fodera.

^^ or yeah get a Bordwell!

Did you get yours already?

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

Sadowsky
Kiesel
Dingwall super P
Ernie ball cutlass or caprice
Yamaha BB
Lakland
Nash
G&L
MTD could build you a single split P
Atelier Z (fav)
Olnito
Mike lull
F BASS VF-P

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Hi all,

Looking to pick up a high end P bass. These are the models I’m considering:

- Fender Custom Shop Pino Palladino Precision Bass
- Mike Lull P4
- Maruszczyk Jake
- Fodera Monarch P

I’m leaning toward the Pino but I'm not attached to relic/Fender brand. If I could even find a Lull P4 I'd probably pull that way. I don't have any experience with the other two.

Anyone have experience with one or more of these and can weigh in?

I’ve had two USA Lakland 4464 basses, so I will say that you should take them into consideration. They are great basses. My current olympic white one has a 1.5” width nut which is extremely playable

 

[Jugghaid]

The Jake is a terrific bass. Had one. But the Lull is a cut above. So is Lakland USA.

 

[logdrum]

Do you want a high end P or a great sounding P. Is it still a P if you add an active pre-amp. A great sounding P could be anything and there is no standard what make it great. It's all on the user

If it was me, I'd just get a great sounding passive precision made by Fender. It could be anything. If high price makes it high end, go custom shop or pay through the nose for a vintage version. While other custom ones can justify the high end price just because they can (relic etc etc) or use exotic woods and employ artisans living in high rent domiciles - not a guarantee for a great sound or if it is great it is may not be great precision sound - say like a Sad or Fod.

Resonant, loud and great acoustically, great neck and not too heavy, classic look (no veeners or exotic woods). You could always upgrade the pickups. That to me will be a great sounding and playing P. Make it Fender so you can unashamedly call it a Precision.

Or the short answer - a MIJ Fender re-issue of some sort can be a closer to a great sounding Precision bass if buying online

 

[Paul New]

Put together exactly what you like out of the Fender Mod Shop and then send it to your favorite shop for great setup.

 

[deepestend]

Some good P's available on Creston right now as well:

Creston Electric Instruments | GUITARS
Creston Electric Instruments | GUITARS

 

[nonohmic]

Did you get yours already?

Yeah had it for a few months now. It's an amazing instrument and I'm very happy

www.talkbass.com/threads/nbd-cliff-bordwell-scb-32.1666827

 

[MojoPin]

What's wrong with the 72' you got? Just want something for rounds/flats?

 

[stringthrough]

Nash makes some excellent ones at a reasonable price. I own one. I hear very good things about Moollon (sp?). They're pricy and not readily available, though

 

[Dbassmon]

To some, this response may seem crazy. IYKYK.

As a life long Precision player and an owner of many Pbasses, I will tell you that Leo's design is remarkably reproducible sonically, provided; you stay with a well worn selection of tone wood, put a split coil in the exact position and use a 34" scale. These elements are far more determinant to the sound than the strings, what company built the bass or what it costs.

If you play a batch of the exact same model, from the same factory and there will be some that are really good, and some that are just better than the rest. (we will assume that QC has weeded out the dogs, but in the real-world, that is not always the case). Always a good idea to play several if possible.

My friend, Ed Friedland, the Bass Whisperer, demonstrated how similar a Pbass from several manufacturers, with many types of strings, at different price points sound, especially in a mix. Listen and see/hear for yourself.

If you want to spend a lot of money and buy a Fodera P, or a Lull P, etc., by all means, buy one. We are on this earth for a very short time. In a mix, you might not be able to hear much difference compared to a Fender Player Precision. In fact, of the many Pbasses I own, the best sounding, most resonant is a Player P and the least expensive.

 

[quilanthegreat]

I own a Lull Jazz and a Nash P, both are wonderful instruments, and I love everything about them. Here is a decently priced Lull PJ. Good luck on your search [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]