I wanna P (but I need some help)

[bearhart74]

 

[micguy]

25430542[/URL], member: 117055"]Crazy talk. Unless they've all been abused somehow.

A lot of them have endured decades of high tension flats, and the necks aren’t in great shape at all. Is that abuse?

I’ve played a bunch of them. I know a great instrument when I play one. Most old Fenders aren’t great instruments.

 

[BobDeRosa]

I'm very happy with my '94 Mexican Fender P, which I bought used for about $300. But my Yamaha BB400 with Seymour Duncans is the most P-sounding P I've ever heard.

 

[Phaidrus]

A brand new Fender American Professional II Pbass. Play it and play it again and again and you'll put the mojo in it.

 

[Billy Bob Bass]

Let me help you. The Squier Classic Vibe 60's Precision. In 3-tone sunburst (obviously).

 

[77stingray]

Alien Audio Constellation! Single P, double P, or P/J.
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[swarfrat]

That happens once you put tort and flats on your bass

 

[Killens84]

99% of the time, an assembly line bass isn’t going to be able to match the build quality, materials, and craftsmanship of a great custom shop bass (e.g. US Lakland, Lull, Sadowsky NYC, Valenti, Roscoe, etc.). There’s nothing wrong with assembly line basses. In fact, I have a Fender American Pro P that I love (after swapping pickups and having it PLEK’d), but it’s still not up to the quality of materials and craftsmanship of my US Lakland, my Sadowsky NYC, or any of the Lull’s I’ve previously owned.

 

[rmayer]

Thin neck and sound/playability

G&L LB100. You can get the Jazz width neck option. You even have your choice ofradius. Ash or Alder or you can opt for their lighter Empress body. I recently got one that’s 6.7 pounds. They also have around 30 color choices. All for under $2K. A fantastic sounding and playing bass.

 

[John Webb]

Jeez.....go out and play many. You will know when you find the right one.

Asking this question here may not help you in making the decision.

 

[75Ric]

Another vote for the Mike Lull. My 2011 P4 is the best p bass I've ever played. Love it.

 

[Kitsapbass]

I ended up buying parts off the classifieds years ago, but ended up with the perfect P bass for me. Not bad for under $50. Warmoth neck, 1/4 pounder, Allparts body.

 

[WillyW]

I’m not a Pbass kinda guy, but the white MIM on the left was everything you need in a bass.

The Sting signature next to it, was even better and sounded amazing.

The Tony Franklin (fretless) is one of the finest instruments I have held. The jazz pickup was its only downfall.

The Sting inspired me to build the yellow one (and the only Pbass I currently own)

The end one was a Japanese body and I think an allparts neck, but another very nice bass.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I just played my friend's Fender American Professional II P bass, and it is really nice (I had the jazz bass version but sold it for a non jazz). The necks and hardware are really excellent.

 

[tb-player]

Jeez.....go out and play many. You will know when you find the right one.

Asking this question here may not help you in making the decision.

OP here… Of course it’s helpful. Without this thread I wouldn’t know which ones to “go out and play.” There are decades of experience, tastes and all around good (and bad) information on this board. I can’t think of a better place to ask this question.

 

[Webtroll]

There's an Atkinson P5 on Reverb (not mine) for 700 that seems to have low action from the pics.

 

[Gregc57]

I'd go Fender Custom Shop, (since you said 'at any price'), unless you're looking at 'P-like' (other MFG)basses.

 

[Mastermold]

A lot of them have endured decades of high tension flats, and the necks aren’t in great shape at all. Is that abuse?

I’ve played a bunch of them. I know a great instrument when I play one. Most old Fenders aren’t great instruments.

Yeah sounds like you’ve only experienced the abused ones. When properly taken care of an old Fender continues playing well for decades. The necks on my 64 P-basses are great examples.

 

[drumvsbass]

I ain't holding it for ya.

 

[Alban]

Fodera Monarch P, or De Gier Soulmate