Looking for my first P Bass….Help!

[dland]

I have limited experience playing bass, but I am fond of the Player Plus Precision. My local music shop had a new cosmic green model on the wall for about six months, they gave me a nice offer... $950 out the door. Good luck with your search.

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[groove pump]

I've been playing more bass in my wedding band and for an instrumental project. I've been using a 90s AVRI jazz bass but now wanting a P Bass and looking on the used market.

I've always had good luck with USA Fenders but they have really skyrocketed in price the last few years. I see some older used P basses of different models (Standard, Special, Deluxe) that I could likely get used for around $1000. It looks like the newer used Fenders are more. Which would you recommend and why? Is it worth saving up the extra for a newer one?

Some years ago when I wanted to add a P to compliment the Jazz I'd been using for a long time, I came across a really nice no-name custom build in the classifieds here that was actually a P/J. The woods were quite handsome and the specs looked nothing but right, so I bought it and it has turned out to be easily one of the best gear buys I'll ever make (a true boutique bass for the cost of an import).

Although I didn't have my heart set on getting a P/J at the time, I'm very glad that I got one. In simple terms, it does more for me than it would if it only had the P pickup in there. While it does NOT give me the best of both worlds (a P/J doesn't do a J sound, at least for me), it gives me a rather aggressive P sound if I solo that pickup. Rolling back the passive tone control only does so much, but if I partially blend in the J pickup, I get a smoother tone that is very useful for some material that doesn't need that assertive sound of the solo'ed P.

Our pals here also mentioned solo'ing the neck pickup on a Jazz bass to get a P-bass vibe. I can also say that my Jazz has humbucking pickups (DiMarzio Ultra Jazz) that give me a pretty big and warm sound. I've come to be very happy with the fat and wooly sort of tone I get with it when I solo the neck pickup. Although that doesn't clone a true P-bass tone, it's very good for "driving the bus" in a way that's similar to a true P bass and band-mates have given it more than one or two thumbs up.

Long story short; I adore the added range of tone I can get with my P/J. If you want a fun and useful P, maybe take some time to also check out one or two P/J's along the way. And if there are certain sounds you want to be able to produce, there are probably several routes to getting there.

 

[Clark W]

Nice basses! Love the sunburst especially.

That sunburst is a 2019, original pickguard is white. It has a gold colored brushed aluminum guard that came on it, and FCS '62 P pup. And it came with the the original pup and guard as well. The owner traded it to me for a bass I was flipping for $500, an American made Peavey Foundation 2000 Lined Fretless. I think I came out alright on that deal. I know I did cause I didn't have much in the Peavey, and could have come down on my price for it, if someone had asked. But when I got offered the trade I thought why not? The P bass will definitely sell. Well you got to list it first to sell it, and ever since I got it back in Oct of 2020 I've never listed it.

 

[squeally dan]

Looks great.

 

[squeally dan]

That sunburst is a 2019, original pickguard is white. It has a gold colored brushed aluminum guard that came on it, and FCS '62 P pup. And it came with the the original pup and guard as well. The owner traded it to me for a bass I was flipping for $500, an American made Peavey Foundation 2000 Lined Fretless. I think I came out alright on that deal. I know I did cause I didn't have much in the Peavey, and could have come down on my price for it, if someone had asked. But when I got offered the trade I thought why not? The P bass will definitely sell. Well you got to list it first to sell it, and ever since I got it back in Oct of 2020 I've never listed it.

It's a 2019 MIM Player Series?

 

[Old Fart]

Y u want a P bass? Im a P bass nut but it will seem odd after the lush tones of the J bass, and I don't like J basses. P basses are all dry thumpy mid range, almost kinda dull u could say...until u get used to them.

Yup. Solo'd, the best tone will come from a Jazz with roundwound strings. In a band mix, in battle conditions, the best sounding bass will be a P with flats. In my humble opinion.

 

[Clark W]

It's a 2019 MIM Player Series?

Yep