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Japan - P Bass Lyte value?

Matthew Bryson

Matthew Bryson

Jul 30, 2001
4,006
23
www.flufferrocks.com
#1
My guitar player emailed me that he found a good deal on a Fender Japan P Bass Lyte. He found it for sale at a place he used to work and talked them down to $300 including tax, with a gig bag. He says it's like new condition and plays great. It may or may not still be available to me (he had them put it on hold for him until Sat night - I didn't check my email until Sun morn, so I may have waited too long) …if I can still get this, is this a good price? My gut says yes, but buying a bass this month is a bit of a stretch so I want to be sure that it really is a good deal. I'll try to attach a pic.
 
#4
Dude,

I have a late 80's P Lyte that is made of basswood. I had trouble with the electrics eating batteries so it's got EMG PJ pickups and a BQC control pre.

Consequently, I wont comment on the electrics, but in terms of playability and comfort it is superb with a very comfortable neck.

I've never quite managed to get the P thump from it, but never the less - it makes a great allrounder, and is v comfortable for marathon gigs due to the lightness.

Regards

Col
 
#5
The mahogany-body P-Lyte Deluxes are certainly great looking basses, but I've head too many stores of neck warpage/twisting to invest in one when I was looking for a P-type bass.

...toss in the downsized body as well as atypical wood and electronics, and I doubt you'd get the traditional P-bass *thump*. I'd think you'd get a good sound, just not necessarily that one.

But $300 is certainly a great deal if everything's in working order. If it was me, I'd buy it and even if I didn't like it would be able to sell it and most likely make a profit on the deal. Just another factor to consider.
 
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#8
Thanks for the info guys! My guitar player, who found the bass did say that the neck is great and that it has nice low action and no problems. He played it for over 20 minutes and thought it was great in every way. I'm going to go check it out today, and if there are no obvious problems I'll probably be bringing it home. I won't hold my breath hoping for a traditional P bass sound. It sounds like it might be a good alternative for when my back is hurting and my 12 to 13 lb Geddy Lee Jazz gets my back and shoulder hurting over the course of a long band practice. It doesn't sound like a bass that will blow me away with it's tone, but I think it might have a place in my bass family. If I do pick it up today, I'll probably take it out to band practice tonight. I'll post my thoughts in this thread tomorrow or the next day after I've had a chance to play it both alone and with the band.
 
#9
I have two of these basses. One of them (the toffeeburst - centre, below) is my #1 bass and has been now for over ten years. The Charcoalburst P Lyte (to its right) is lovely too, but is rather more 'subtle' tone-wise and doesn't have quite the same growl to it.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I have all sorts of basses and the one in the middle above is the best bass I've ever played in my entire life.

It also is very light when strapped on.
If you have a back problem it won't EVER be because of this model of bass.
 
#10
This is my overall favorite fender! I played one of these for a short while in the mid 90's, and I miss it sooooooo much. I think $300 for it is a great price! Snatch it up!
 
#11
My very first bass was a P-Lyte identical to 12stringbassist's toffee burst one. I sold mine for $400 over ten years ago and have regretted it ever since (lesson: never sell your first bass). If you like this bass I would strongly suggest taking it home!
 
#12
I've had the chance to play one of these..its actually a great bass and it really is light weight!
Great for slap and for fingerstyle.
If you wanna hear this bass in action go to Link Removed

My friend recorded this band and the bassist had this exact bass. He used a Behringer 4500 series head and a Traynor 8x10 cab. The cab was miced with an Apex kick drum mic. Sounds pretty good IMO. Very warm and full.
 
#13
They do sound good and are easy to play. Watch out for the necks as others say. You can swap out the pickups for Seymour Duncans to get a more traditional P sound. $300 is good if the bass is playable and one of the good ones.
 

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