FujiGen has been making better Fender P Basses than Fender since the late 80’s. If you can find one of their FGN Neo Classic P bass, you’ll have a neck better than a CS Fender for less than what you can buy a P bass for from most manufacturers.
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I wanna P (but I need some help)
- Thread starter tb-player
- Start date
Scott Devine has been playing a gold Olinto recently. It's sweet. But from a brief google search, it seems they're hard to find. I did email LaBella about a build. Curious what the time frame is on that.
Fender Custom Shop no question… the definitive sound with some of the best construction I’ve seen in over 20 years of playing quite a bit of boutique Basses from some of the best to ever do it…I’ve had a ‘65 that really doesn’t come close, especially when it comes to construction…the neck on that P is a Hall of Fame neck and the pickup is the best P pickup I’ve ever heard…my Custom Shop P is, to me , in rare company with a few Basses I’ve owned made by Micheal Tobias..
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I'd probably get a G&L in Empress, or a Sandberg. The former will probably sound more vintage, but hands down the Sandberg will play better.
I've built many, but I'm not liking the quality of parts available since USACG closed.
I've built many, but I'm not liking the quality of parts available since USACG closed.
My sandberg is such an incredibly put together bass. They really give a crap about what they send out on the market and it shows. Mine is the TM4 grand dark with the darkglass tone capsule and J MM set up and a coil split switch. Every tone is usable with everything boosted or cut and any variation in between. The fit, frets, and finish are flawless.
The compliments I've gotten on my Fender 50s Classic P from ppl who have heard and know the sound of a shag ton of great basses... they reinforce my own opinion that that line of basses (and the "price-upgraded" Vinteras following, and the Roadworn line) are not just good, but among the best out there for the vintage style tone.
For other eras, there's likewise much variety... and options in the non-Fender side of things really kick up too. The Lull basses haven't ever been in my budget, but I'm pretty sure I'd play the snot out of one if it landed on my bass stand.
For other eras, there's likewise much variety... and options in the non-Fender side of things really kick up too. The Lull basses haven't ever been in my budget, but I'm pretty sure I'd play the snot out of one if it landed on my bass stand.
"I wanna P (but need some help)"
hmmm. well wanna can be slang for two different phrases:
want a
want to
I want a P (but need some help) [ok, cool]
I want to P (but need some help) [uh, you're on your own bro]
hmmm. well wanna can be slang for two different phrases:
want a
want to
I want a P (but need some help) [ok, cool]
I want to P (but need some help) [uh, you're on your own bro]
My first actual P type bass was a Lakland Skyline 44-64 with an aftermarket Lindy Frallin pickup. The quality even in the Skyline series is impeccable. The neck, even for being a 1-3/4" nut is extremely comfortable since it is thinner front to back and has a 10" radius.
I've been toying with the idea of buying an original 70's Fender Jazz, but other than being able to say that it's X amount of years old I don't fully know if spending that type of money is worth it to me yet. Fender has done sooooooooo many reissue basses over the last several decades that you can pick up some really nice period piece examples at far more affordable prices.
If money isn't a factor, then get your hands on as many basses as possible and be as picky as can be. Just because it's a 62 P bass doesn't mean that it's a 62 P bass that plays well.
I've been toying with the idea of buying an original 70's Fender Jazz, but other than being able to say that it's X amount of years old I don't fully know if spending that type of money is worth it to me yet. Fender has done sooooooooo many reissue basses over the last several decades that you can pick up some really nice period piece examples at far more affordable prices.
If money isn't a factor, then get your hands on as many basses as possible and be as picky as can be. Just because it's a 62 P bass doesn't mean that it's a 62 P bass that plays well.
My favorite P basses that I've owned are my Warmoth Ps. Since you want a thin neck. I would order a jazz neck with a warmoth P body. You could customize the hardware as you like. Warmoth's necks are rock solid and very stable.
I would play a bunch first since you want a slimmer neck...most are wider nut and 7 1/2" radius.....i agree on 80's Peavey Fury...i have an 89 with a Duncan vintage P pickup and the J neck....these have Schaller hardware as well.
I totally get why folks want the 'ultimate P bass'...otoh, there are sooo many choices in the P bass world it would be hard for me to justify spending much money (unless it would hold its value).
For me, 1 1/2" nut and slimmer neck, lightweight (under 8 lbs) would be my preference as well as a flatter radius....it seems the OP may want something along these lines perhaps.
The great thing about a P bass is the abundance of aftermarket parts which thrills my tinkering nature!
I totally get why folks want the 'ultimate P bass'...otoh, there are sooo many choices in the P bass world it would be hard for me to justify spending much money (unless it would hold its value).
For me, 1 1/2" nut and slimmer neck, lightweight (under 8 lbs) would be my preference as well as a flatter radius....it seems the OP may want something along these lines perhaps.
The great thing about a P bass is the abundance of aftermarket parts which thrills my tinkering nature!
+1 G&L LB100. You can build a fully custom bass with excellent quality for under 2k.
Or just keep an eye on the Talkbass classifieds... P basses are a dime a dozen over there.
Or just keep an eye on the Talkbass classifieds... P basses are a dime a dozen over there.
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I have 3 G&L Tribute LB100 basses. This black and maple LB100 is simple but gorgeous. This should be the official answer to this thread.
Go to a small builder.
Valenti
LEH
Lull
Lakland
Sadowsky
You can spec it out exactly how you want it.
Valenti
LEH
Lull
Lakland
Sadowsky
You can spec it out exactly how you want it.
