I wanna P (but I need some help)

[darwin-bass]

Every man and his dog copies the Fender P. All these companies ride on the back of Fender’s success. You won’t be happy until you buy the real McCoy. Get yourself the legendary Fender P and live happily ever after.

I think that depends on the person. Every Fender I've had has left me wanting. I wanted lighter weight tuners and top load bridges. I wanted less weight overall and better balance. I wanted blocks on my P. I wanted to not have a dead spot at the 7th fret G string.

All my keeper basses have ended up being inspired by Leo Fender designs (P, J, Stingray) but none came from the Leo Fender associated company (Fender or MusicMan).

So, not every man and his dog copies the Fender P, some times the dog actually improves it

 

[Renegade bass]

Hmm apologies if this has been suggested, long thread, think I read most of it but, if money isn't a major factor, why not get your own built? Custom Shop or via a luthier and project manage?

 

[Shlabotnik]

Another +1 for Sandberg. The necks even on the P models are between a Jazz and a P so you'll get the thinner neck you prefer and they play sooooo smoothly. I just love their necks. Hits that sweet spot right in the middle. And they come PLEK'd from the factory. Build quality is phenomenal.

 

[marchone]

Assuming an actual passive Fender Precision (of which there many) and a not a FSO suggestion, and barring Fender Custom Shop, is the 2011 Fender 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Precision Bass.

NAMM 2011: Fender launches 60th Anniversary Precision Bass | MusicRadar

Fender Limited Edition 60th Anniversary Precision Bass 2011 | Reverb

One of its features is the Fender Custom Vintage ‘59 Split Single-Coil Pickup. Fender hasn’t made it available other than in this LE and the 2013 Mike Dirnt slab model. It also has a thin nitro finish and a hi-mass bridge for sustain.

 

[Matt O]

Do you have experience with Fullerton reissues?


I have a jazz and have played a couple of Ps , which were both great basses.

My ‘83 AVRI fiesta sporting a spitfire. Quite possibly the best P I’ve played. I’ve owned and played many excellent pre-CBS and mid 60s Precisions and this guy ranks up there. Wide and flat neck shape and a perfect vintage P tone.

 

[ThudThudThud]

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

The Fiesta Red one (hen's teeth), plus Chromes, is joyous.

 

[Drang22]

The best P-bass at any price? Why, all of them of course! Especially the one I currently own. All the others aren't as good, because I've never played them.

Asking questions like this on talk bass is an exercise in futility....

 

[Philip McAdam]

I'm selling off some gear and I want to buy one really good Precision bass. In your opinion, what's the best P-bass out there, at any price?

(Note: not a P/J. Just a straight-forward, passive P. Any brand... not just Fender)

This looks like a very nice "P" bass to me.
For Sale - F Bass VF-P5 Custom - Spectacular Cocobolo Top! 33" Scale! PRICE DROP!!!

 

[BurningSkies]

Hrrrm. Pretty open budget...best modern P you say.

It'll be no surprise that I vote Dingwall Super-P.

 

[cnltb]

I'd call a builder I know and whose work I like . I'd ask him to build me the P I want.

 

[ThudThudThud]

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.

I had a 2000 MiM P that [once set up properly] was really nice. I put 7250Ms on there, and it just worked - soundwise.
I did change out the pots, jack, guard (tort on black), and knobs - because strat knobs belong on strats.

 

[cnltb]

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.

View attachment 4324897

I like FGN!

 

[Matt O]

A note about buying pre-CBS. I see a lot of comments that they are just old basses and many are junk. I have a different experience. The phrase “try before you buy” is very true here, as with anything vintage, basses, cars, hula-hoops, anything.

The only Pre-CBS I’ve owned that was “meh” I bought online without playing first. I can see how if I had a few “meh” experiences in a row, I would write them off. There are many out there that are excellent and you’ll know as soon as you feel it and hear it. There is variation in neck shape and, admittedly, build quality with Pre-CBS, but when you get the right one for you, it’s really something.

 

[fretno]

If you're gonna P, P with your boots on

 

[Grinderman]

I'm selling off some gear and I want to buy one really good Precision bass. In your opinion, what's the best P-bass out there, at any price?

(Note: not a P/J. Just a straight-forward, passive P. Any brand... not just Fender)

It seems to me, the answer to this question is unknowable.

 

[Aidenn7]

Lightning Boy Audio DiVision vacuum tube direct box - YouTube plus the sumo

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Mid 90s to early 2000s MIA Precisions on the used market are some good basses for around 1000.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I'm selling off some gear and I want to buy one really good Precision bass. In your opinion, what's the best P-bass out there, at any price?

(Note: not a P/J. Just a straight-forward, passive P. Any brand... not just Fender)

Any brand? Too generic .. you go from 200 to 3000 USD likely ..
One of the best P-basses out there is in effect the Fender AV ‘63 or AO ‘60s P-bass … vintage reproduction basses (the P-bass is a vintage bass, for both what concerns sound and style), especially the AV ‘63, reasonably priced especially second hand ones .. you can’t really go wrong there

 

[DJS]

Any modern Fender American P

Agreed. You just can't go wrong. I had a very meticulous producer stick his head into the studio last month and ask what I was playing. Just a basic 10 y/o bone stock off the shelf American P, I said. He seemed really happy with the sound.

 

[marchone]

If you’re fully set on a gold plated Precision, and money is no object, order a Fender Masterbuilt by Galuszka for $7K or $8K. Failing that, buy an off-the-rack Pino Palladino Signature Precision for $5K.