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I feel the Need for Speed (and my first P)
- Thread starter Rumble Thunder
- Start date
I was in your current situation not long ago, I bought the Fender American Pro. I'm just a bedroom player but can tell you that after a couple of weeks the tone and playability are off the charts. Not that you would ever want to part with it in the future but consider demand for the American made models. Just my .02 YMMV.
That is obviously the best way but it's not always possible. Even big box music stores don't carry all the specific models we'd love to try. I listen to demos and also go by the feel of other basses that mat be somewhat close. I know I can handle P bass necks but not the real thick and heavy early types. Most jazz necks feel great to me. I prefer P or P/J configuration. Just some examples of what leads me in the right direction. Sometimes it just doesn't work out and those are the basses I sell here.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Don't buy with your eyes, use your ears.
You are talking about a significant purchase - something that you hopefully will have for decades. Find the right one.
Look through the TB classified, and see if there are any near you, in addition to new instruments.
You are talking about a significant purchase - something that you hopefully will have for decades. Find the right one.
Look through the TB classified, and see if there are any near you, in addition to new instruments.
I'm in the same boat as you when it come to access. However, while most P's are in the same range tonally there can be a pretty significant difference in feel. The three you've listed all have different necks. The 63 AVRI has a 1 3/4 vintage profile, which I adore, while the others get slimmer with different profiles. So unless you know what you what go try or buy with an ironclad return.
With the number of aftermarket pickups available the Precision bass can be tweaked to sound exactly the way you want it to. If it feels good then you're good to go with pickup experiments. As with any bass different strings are the other variable to explore.
As some have said above, you really gotta try them out to see what one fits you. I just purchased a new P bass about a month ago. It was a (still new) 2015 Fender American Standard. MANY P basses have sounded good to me, but none really fit well in my hands. This one was just calling to me.
With the American Professional line coming out, it seems some places are willing to deal a little more on the discontinued American Standard line. I got a helluva deal on mine which made pulling the trigger all that much easier.
I am a Fender fan, but I'm not suggesting you stop there. But like BigDrew said above, it probably would be a good starting place.
With the American Professional line coming out, it seems some places are willing to deal a little more on the discontinued American Standard line. I got a helluva deal on mine which made pulling the trigger all that much easier.
I am a Fender fan, but I'm not suggesting you stop there. But like BigDrew said above, it probably would be a good starting place.
P's are all about tone, neck and balance. I played 10 before I found my forever p bass. Seems to still be my go to to this day
Just sharing a story for inspiration, as someone who hadn't felt the need for a pbass.
I took an 8 yr hiatus from playing and decided I missed it a lot, so got back in to it about 4 years
ago. Bought a black MIM Deluxe Jazz...then an Alembic Epic, then a USA Deluxe Jazz so the MIM wasn't
getting much play so I had 2 thoughts occur...I don't have a fretless bass, and I don't have a P!
So my plan was to get an ebony fretless neck for the MIM Jazz, which would leave me with a spare
rosewood neck from the MIM J. I decided to buy a P body and attach the spare J neck. I wound up buying
the special edition seafoam pearl P/J body off a fellow TB'er who had already upgraded to Geezer Butler
pups and a BadassII bridge. I am deliriously happy with this bass...I've had it together for about 3 months and my USA Deluxe J, Epic and L2k have been sitting in their cases ever since! Just an update too. the fretless is still in the parts collecting stage as I have plans to make it a complete blackout bass AND Ive decided to do a P/J fretless as well as a final project...I'm picturing fiesta red matching headstock, rosewood and a tort pg. Ive done an honest assessment of my want/needs and feel this combo of basses to choose from will cover all my needs and most of my GAS! This realization came after I had acquired a bunch of basses that I wasn't playing and decided to clean house of course, but it wasn't
a bad thing (yeah I've lost a couple bucks in the process, but ive learned a few things...like 5 and 6
string basses and I just don't gel...I still love L2k's....Pbasses really aren't overrated, but I like mine with
a J pup for good measure....Don't buy it just because you CAN, make sure it fits in the arsenal).
I took an 8 yr hiatus from playing and decided I missed it a lot, so got back in to it about 4 years
ago. Bought a black MIM Deluxe Jazz...then an Alembic Epic, then a USA Deluxe Jazz so the MIM wasn't
getting much play so I had 2 thoughts occur...I don't have a fretless bass, and I don't have a P!
So my plan was to get an ebony fretless neck for the MIM Jazz, which would leave me with a spare
rosewood neck from the MIM J. I decided to buy a P body and attach the spare J neck. I wound up buying
the special edition seafoam pearl P/J body off a fellow TB'er who had already upgraded to Geezer Butler
pups and a BadassII bridge. I am deliriously happy with this bass...I've had it together for about 3 months and my USA Deluxe J, Epic and L2k have been sitting in their cases ever since! Just an update too. the fretless is still in the parts collecting stage as I have plans to make it a complete blackout bass AND Ive decided to do a P/J fretless as well as a final project...I'm picturing fiesta red matching headstock, rosewood and a tort pg. Ive done an honest assessment of my want/needs and feel this combo of basses to choose from will cover all my needs and most of my GAS! This realization came after I had acquired a bunch of basses that I wasn't playing and decided to clean house of course, but it wasn't
a bad thing (yeah I've lost a couple bucks in the process, but ive learned a few things...like 5 and 6
string basses and I just don't gel...I still love L2k's....Pbasses really aren't overrated, but I like mine with
a J pup for good measure....Don't buy it just because you CAN, make sure it fits in the arsenal).
If you are talking about the 63 AVRI, the main difference is that it has a larger neck and smaller frets. Personally I love mine. It also has unique pickups that you can't get unless you buy the bass and the tone is sick. Also, the action right out of the box is really good. I can play very fast on it.
However, if you prefer larger frets and a smaller neck, you may want to go with the American Professional or American Standard. I can't really comment on the Mike Dirnt bass because I have never played it.
However, if you prefer larger frets and a smaller neck, you may want to go with the American Professional or American Standard. I can't really comment on the Mike Dirnt bass because I have never played it.
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Agreed. I ordered one without playing it and I seriously doubt I will ever buy another precision.I can attest that the 63 reissue is killer! I wouldn't hesitate.
Agree with who said that you need to play them all.
The one that works for you is not necessarily going to be be the coolest looking (or the least cool looking) bass in the bunch. Might be the one that's on sale, (or not).
Check out this vid for Scott's Bass Lessons:
P necks are usually wider than jazz necks, so is that something you are up for? Personally, I don't dig me a P neck so much, but that's me. Whatever you test out, if you are liking it, envision it with better string height, and better overall playability by way of a good setup. Also, is likely that the strings will be junk, so if that's the case, envision better strings.
No matter what you pick, you will find a thread here that depicts some part of the bass as "lacking" i.e. weak pickups, cheap electronics, etc... Take any and all of that wit a grain of salt. Unless something is truly broken it's probably not a crazy big deal, especially in the price range you are shopping.
Find something that is the finest quality you can afford, and the most comfortable in your hands, buy a set of good strings with it, get it set up, and play the snot out of it.
Hope this helps!!
The one that works for you is not necessarily going to be be the coolest looking (or the least cool looking) bass in the bunch. Might be the one that's on sale, (or not).
Check out this vid for Scott's Bass Lessons:
P necks are usually wider than jazz necks, so is that something you are up for? Personally, I don't dig me a P neck so much, but that's me. Whatever you test out, if you are liking it, envision it with better string height, and better overall playability by way of a good setup. Also, is likely that the strings will be junk, so if that's the case, envision better strings.
No matter what you pick, you will find a thread here that depicts some part of the bass as "lacking" i.e. weak pickups, cheap electronics, etc... Take any and all of that wit a grain of salt. Unless something is truly broken it's probably not a crazy big deal, especially in the price range you are shopping.
Find something that is the finest quality you can afford, and the most comfortable in your hands, buy a set of good strings with it, get it set up, and play the snot out of it.
Hope this helps!!
For any buyer with limited P bass experience, obviously playing as many as possible is helpful. However, you don't get a sense in 20 minutes at a music store how that bass will or could or might not work for you.
Before spending big $ on a P bass, I'd suggest buying a good-but-not-high-end P bass at a relatively more modest price, and then playing that a lot as a demo, so to speak.
Specifically, I think the Fender Classic 50's P basses are very good values and will give you a good sense of what a P has to offer. They really do sound good and can be had new for $600 and up (they list at $750 to $899 depending on variation) and used for who knows.
At that you point you may find that:
1) you don't really like P basses, and it's a good thing you didn't put $1.5k to $2k in one;
2) you really like the one you have in your hands, and so you just saved $1k+;
3) you like them and want to move on to a monster high-end P or P style like a Nash etc. Sell your 50's classic and buy with confidence knowing it's money well spent.
I have 2 P's but here's the 50's classic I recently bought:
Before spending big $ on a P bass, I'd suggest buying a good-but-not-high-end P bass at a relatively more modest price, and then playing that a lot as a demo, so to speak.
Specifically, I think the Fender Classic 50's P basses are very good values and will give you a good sense of what a P has to offer. They really do sound good and can be had new for $600 and up (they list at $750 to $899 depending on variation) and used for who knows.
At that you point you may find that:
1) you don't really like P basses, and it's a good thing you didn't put $1.5k to $2k in one;
2) you really like the one you have in your hands, and so you just saved $1k+;
3) you like them and want to move on to a monster high-end P or P style like a Nash etc. Sell your 50's classic and buy with confidence knowing it's money well spent.
I have 2 P's but here's the 50's classic I recently bought:
Not sure where in KY you live, but Guitar emporium inLouisville has a used mike dirnt you could try out:
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It also looks like they have a blonde highway one in stock as well
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It also looks like they have a blonde highway one in stock as well
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I would play them all and see, but if you could get a 2016 MIA Precision from before they made the change, you might be able to get a good deal (and an awesome bass).
I am in Southern Indiana on the river across from Kentucky. Not sure exactly where you are located, but Owensboro Music Center in Owensboro is a nice shop. If you go across the river to Evansville, IN they have Guitar Center, Musician's Den, and Moore Music who should all have P basses. I have the inconvenience of living right in the middle of those + Louisville so I have at least a 45 minute drive to get to the closest music store.
FWIW, I have a Squier Matt Freeman P Bass that I absolutely adore. I currently have it strung up with Rotosound flats and have not played a bass that I like as much as that one yet. I've tried several American P's but that cheaper Squier just feels amazing to me for some reason.
FWIW, I have a Squier Matt Freeman P Bass that I absolutely adore. I currently have it strung up with Rotosound flats and have not played a bass that I like as much as that one yet. I've tried several American P's but that cheaper Squier just feels amazing to me for some reason.
Nice bass! I have a 50's lacquer, that I really like, but I wouldn't necessarily start there as the neck is very wide and pretty flat.For any buyer with limited P bass experience, obviously playing as many as possible is helpful. However, you don't get a sense in 20 minutes at a music store how that bass will or could or might not work for you.
Before spending big $ on a P bass, I'd suggest buying a good-but-not-high-end P bass at a relatively more modest price, and then playing that a lot as a demo, so to speak.
Specifically, I think the Fender Classic 50's P basses are very good values and will give you a good sense of what a P has to offer. They really do sound good and can be had new for $600 and up (they list at $750 to $899 depending on variation) and used for who knows.
At that you point you may find that:
1) you don't really like P basses, and it's a good thing you didn't put $1.5k to $2k in one;
2) you really like the one you have in your hands, and so you just saved $1k+;
3) you like them and want to move on to a monster high-end P or P style like a Nash etc. Sell your 50's classic and buy with confidence knowing it's money well spent.
I have 2 P's but here's the 50's classic I recently bought:
Never underestimate the value of letting a bass grow on you! Sometimes when you pull the trigger on something you've heard rave reviews about and listened to clips of being played, you will give it a little extra time to let it grow on you.
I just snagged a killer deal on a Lakland 55-02 and I couldn't pass it up. I did something I never do; I bought something sight unseen - from Amazon no less! Had I pulled it off the wall at a shop and played it for a few minutes while my wife sat there bored, staring at me
I would have probably put it back on the hook and left disappointed that a Lakland let me down. It didn't feel right in my hands at first, probably partially due to the fact that I have been a 4 string player 99% of my bass playing life and the neck is pretty wide, especially as you get down towards the body. I also hadn't gotten to try it on my big amp so I didn't get a real feel for the tone.
But I can honestly tell you now that it is the best bass I have ever owned, fast comfortable neck, killer tone, sounds big and cuts through the mix without being too loud. There might be one of those in your future, who knows. You could even pull one off a hook and love it, and the brand new one they bring out for you from the back could sound or feel completely different.
You could even try making a list of all the features you want in a bass, then go to warmoth to order yours custom to your liking!
I have a precision, its an American Special, one of those exclusives that GC sells, and it is one of my favorite precisions I've owned. If I hadn't given precisions a try again, I might be stuck playing this jazz that I hate now lol. I had one over a decade ago and I hated it, and if I had based my view of them on that bass, I probably wouldn't have tried them again.
All that to say that buying one without playing one is a scary thought, but if what you REALLY want to try can't be found in a shop nearby, then ordering one isn't a terrible idea.
I just snagged a killer deal on a Lakland 55-02 and I couldn't pass it up. I did something I never do; I bought something sight unseen - from Amazon no less! Had I pulled it off the wall at a shop and played it for a few minutes while my wife sat there bored, staring at me
I would have probably put it back on the hook and left disappointed that a Lakland let me down. It didn't feel right in my hands at first, probably partially due to the fact that I have been a 4 string player 99% of my bass playing life and the neck is pretty wide, especially as you get down towards the body. I also hadn't gotten to try it on my big amp so I didn't get a real feel for the tone. But I can honestly tell you now that it is the best bass I have ever owned, fast comfortable neck, killer tone, sounds big and cuts through the mix without being too loud. There might be one of those in your future, who knows. You could even pull one off a hook and love it, and the brand new one they bring out for you from the back could sound or feel completely different.
You could even try making a list of all the features you want in a bass, then go to warmoth to order yours custom to your liking!
I have a precision, its an American Special, one of those exclusives that GC sells, and it is one of my favorite precisions I've owned. If I hadn't given precisions a try again, I might be stuck playing this jazz that I hate now lol. I had one over a decade ago and I hated it, and if I had based my view of them on that bass, I probably wouldn't have tried them again.
All that to say that buying one without playing one is a scary thought, but if what you REALLY want to try can't be found in a shop nearby, then ordering one isn't a terrible idea.
Totally agree. I have the Skyline. It's also known as the 44-64 (or 55-64 for the 5 string).
Any time you want specific information about an item as personal as a bass, it's best to do your own hands on test. Realize that P basses have been around for over 65 years and there are many variations within the model line (neck shapes, etc.). Even two consecutive off of the assembly line may be quite different. Play as many as you can before buying. Some good deals can be had on '70's models due to the CBS stigma. There were some great instruments (along with some real dogs) from that era for a lot less money than a '60's model would cost. Hope this helps.
