A p-bass is a p-bass is a p-bass. If it has to be a Fender then check out the player line as they are excellent and are priced within reason. I personally use a G&L L100 for when I need that sound.
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Looking for my first P Bass….Help!
- Thread starter squeally dan
- Start date
My #1 bass is my American Performer Precision. Least expensive of the US-made Precisions, I believe. It has the P/J combo, which I love for some really nice tonal combinations, the neck is easy to navigate and has great weight. Very easy to play and it sounds great live or recording in studio. I use mine with Elixir (nickel-plated nano) and it offers warm tones, but you can easily dial in some punch with a few onboard knob adjustments.
Because they're great basses. 2008 was the year that they upgraded the bridge and the tuners to current specs, and you can get them for a better price than an American Professional II, even though they're basically the same bass.
You def need a P in the arsenal!
I'd search out a used American Special Precision in that price range. I like mine a lot better than I liked my American Pros or Standards.
AVRI / American Original is nice, but too pricey. Vintera is, well, Mexican.
I'd search out a used American Special Precision in that price range. I like mine a lot better than I liked my American Pros or Standards.
AVRI / American Original is nice, but too pricey. Vintera is, well, Mexican.
I have owned 2 Classic Vibe Squier precisions (still own one of them, and regret selling the other)
I have owned 1 Mexican player series precision (played as nicely as any American Fender)
I currently own an American Originals 50's Precision that retails for over $2k
…my advice is to buy a used Player Series (not the old MIM standard series) or find a good Classic Vibe and upgrade the guts and tuners as needed. Chinese Classic Vibes are better than the newer Indonesian built models, but the Indos can be good too if you know how to look.
I have owned 1 Mexican player series precision (played as nicely as any American Fender)
I currently own an American Originals 50's Precision that retails for over $2k
…my advice is to buy a used Player Series (not the old MIM standard series) or find a good Classic Vibe and upgrade the guts and tuners as needed. Chinese Classic Vibes are better than the newer Indonesian built models, but the Indos can be good too if you know how to look.
The cool thing about a p bass is almost all of them sound like a p bass.
Personally I'd go one of two routes. Mim p bass brand new
Or a Cort p bass.
A Cort p bass was my first ever bass and to this day I have not laid hands on a more rock solid bass.
I'm not super familiar with all the MIA offerings but I've always liked the Standard and Professional series. I've been very impressed with the Player basses, don't over look them. G&L makes great P basses too!
But I'm one who will tell you to go try a bunch. It's all in the neck! Pickups are easy to change. Good luck!
But I'm one who will tell you to go try a bunch. It's all in the neck! Pickups are easy to change. Good luck!
Find a used MIM.
October of 2020 I bought an Am Performer Precision P/J, two weeks later I picked up a used MIM Precision on a trade with the intention of selling it to make up for some of the money I spent on the Am Performer. Well I never listed the MIM for sale, still have it, and two MIM Jazz basses to go along with it. I have never been more impressed with a bass that I own, with the exception of a Carvin LB-70, than I'am with the MIMs. Yes you can get a bad one, same can be said for any American Fender too. But every MIM I own I got to try before I owned them. And they play as well and sound as good as my Am Performer.
Biggest differences to me in the MIM vs Am discussion, tghey're a little thicker body profile, less contoured, and a little heavier than my Am Performer. I really like the slimmer profile of th Am Performer body, but is that enough to justify what a Performer costs new now? Heck even the MIM prices are getting crazy. I got lucky, the two jazzes I bought were during GC's Christmas Sale and President's Day sale, both for $649. GC had a MIM limited edition Precision for sale for even cheaper, under $600. Might wanna wait for the next GC sale, 4th of July sale maybe?
Great point.
When I look for a P I want the 1¾ nut width.
Otherwise stick with the Jazz. Because modern P's are basically Jazz necks stuck on a P body. Then there's the Hoppas Fender Bass... J-bass with a P pickup.
I have an Affinity P that was built in Indonesia that I quite like. I can't speak to the lines out of China or India, though.
Other than that, totally agree. Japanese and Korean instruments seem to very well made. I have a recent Schecter that plays very well and feels really good. Build quality seems pretty excellent.
These days, vintage MIJ Ibanez's have been the object of my lust. To OP, I'd say check out the old Blazer or Roadstar basses with split pickups. From what I've read, they're well regarded, and they can be had for around $500, which is cheaper than what MIJ Fenders seem to go for.
...or stick with your J bass. Using just the neck pickup gets pretty damn close to a "p bass" sound.
Check this out from the classifieds. (No affiliation)
For Sale - Make an offer..PRICE DROP-04 Highway 1 P Bass w/Geezers
For Sale - Make an offer..PRICE DROP-04 Highway 1 P Bass w/Geezers
"...or stick with your J bass. Using just the neck pickup gets pretty damn close to a "p bass" sound."
However, it is nice to have a 2nd. If there ever was a reason for a beater... there is!
However, it is nice to have a 2nd. If there ever was a reason for a beater... there is!
Thank you. Don't know a ton about the Highway 1 but this looks like a strong possibility.
I had an American Performer. I A/B'ed them and chose the Lakland. "MIA Fender" doesn't automatically mean a grade A bass like some people think.
