Should probably read all the posts here before putting my neck on the chopping block. My short answer to your initial question is.... YES.... From my own experience. I began playing in 1977. The P-bass was the unreachable dream for this kid. Went thru a range of trash instruments until music got real about 83-84 when I squirreled enough money for an Ibanez. Ten hard years on the road sharing stages with Marshall Tucker, Charlie Daniels and many times with the Blowfish in their early days to name a few and that instrument was always a reliable dream to play. Deep wonderful tone that always cut thru the mix. But always the dream for that P-bass burned. In 92 I put it all away to raise a family and only two years ago blew the dust off the old axe to play along with some youngsters in our church. Even after twenty plus years of attic neglect that old Ibanez still sings as sweet as the day I brought her home. But still today when I walk in the music store I immediately gravitate to the P-basses to lust at the dream I never had. Oh yes, I played many over the years and never did I experience that personal, perfect feel that guitar players feel with that "special" instrument. But oh, the magical P-bass was always and forever the ultimate dream. I imagine if I bought one today I would hang it on the wall to marvel at. Something of a "trophy wife" as it were. But when it comes time to play, I'll take my 35 year old Ibanez every time.... I think Fender set a standard all those years ago.... Heck, I still cannot get used to picking up an amplifier that doesn't require a hand truck to move... Times change... Standards often don't.
