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Making P Bass Copies

Make A P Bass

  • Warmoth

    Votes: 61 39.1%

  • Mighty Mite

    Votes: 13 8.3%

  • Get A Fender

    Votes: 82 52.6%
  • Total voters
    156
#41
I greatly appreciate all the feedback, thanks bass players!

You've given me a lot to think about. Especially about making/modding another bass again.

I may have to do the 4 hour round trip drive to the music store with newer Fenders in stock than the Guitar Center by me (a 2 hour round trip), just to see a better selection.

Thanks much.
 
#43
cthomas5200 said:
+1 If you ever plan to sell buy Fender. If you want custom and want to keep it, I have done both Warmoth and AllParts with great success. Still have an AllParts strat I will keep forever.
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At this stage of the game (46), I want to have a couple of good sounding/good playing basses that I can depend on for consistency. Main P and backup P, a 5 string J for when I have to use it, maybe something else too (fretless, or Tele bass, something other than a P or J fretted).

Not really worried about resale value. I only sell a bass when I need something else for work. I pretty much know what I like at this point. The last parts basses, modded basses and stock basses went due to mostly weight issues (all were very heavy ash basses and needed refretting).

The current SXs served me well in a ton of biker bar gigs but aren't going to last for the long haul... and I don't feel like rebuilding them with new necks and such. Gonna pull out the Duncan Vintage P pups out of them for use in the next basses. Will keep the brand new J5 SX bass (image attached), will mod it and keep it for a general purpose backup bass.

Now, it's a matter of whether to buy a Squire CV now, and a Fender AM later...build a Mighty Mite now and a Warmoth/BHefner/USACG/equivalent later...mod a Carvin now and later...check out alternative selections like Xaviere...or some combination of these. Much to consider.
 

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#44
Before settling on a MM body, check one out in person. I really didn't like the contours of a Strat body I had. But it was light unlike many others claim, so they're not consistently heavy.

The MM neck was nice other than the fret edges. They weren't too bad, though, and they didn't take much work.
 
#45
landau roof said:
Before settling on a MM body, check one out in person. I really didn't like the contours of a Strat body I had. But it was light unlike many others claim, so they're not consistently heavy.

The MM neck was nice other than the fret edges. They weren't too bad, though, and they didn't take much work.
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Thanks, good to know.

In fact, you've hit on the reason I put up the thread. I don't want to buy anything blind without at least asking people about it if I can't examine it in person.

I'm getting tired of buying replacement instruments (Sacrilege, I know!) for my "mains". I want consistent mains with great wood tone, and just buy/play/sell the occasional "side" bass for a touch of variety.
 
#49
BIGEJ2 said:
I voted to get a Fender.

MIM Standard's are inexpensive and decent quality. It isn't difficult to change the pickup, bridge or tuners if you want and unlike a parts bass, it has a decent resale value if you ever change your mind.
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Had one. Traded a FrankenSquier for a 90's MIM P and some cash.

Didn't like the polyester finish. Bass had a dull sound even with changing the pup. Might have been the body wood (bad cut) or something.

I do need to look at newer models in the store. :bassist:
 
#50
The finish on the MM I had was really nice. It was poly, but thin poly. I don't think there are licensed bodies available in nitro, unless it's custom shot.

Another alternative is to buy someone's used parts bass that they're taking the resale hit on. I've seen some really nice ones here in the classifieds. The thing that would concern me about going that route is the workmanship of the previous assembler.
 
#52
Codger said:
Also check out B. Hefner Company. Seems the most vintage-ish, if that's your bent.
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Has anyone had experience with them? Their prices are competitive and they claim to make parts to vintage specs. I am looking to build an early '60s P. The bodies are considerably less than Warmoth, and I don't see any 20 fret necks on the Warmoth site, all 21 fret extended fingerboard.

Also, what is the correct radius for a '62 P-bass neck?
 
#53
gigslut said:
Has anyone had experience with them? Their prices are competitive and they claim to make parts to vintage specs. I am looking to build an early '60s P. The bodies are considerably less than Warmoth, and I don't see any 20 fret necks on the Warmoth site, all 21 fret extended fingerboard.

Also, what is the correct radius for a '62 P-bass neck?
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Correct radius 7.25" i believe. No experience except from email "No skunk stripe on our bass necks..". Do some googling - reviews seem to be mixed.
 
#54
FenderBassist said:
Unhappy with Fender quality of late. Thinking of making Mighty Mite or Warmoth basses instead. Which way would you go?

EDIT: Would appreciate your explanation of your choice, if interested in giving it :)
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Why not just go FGN.
They make a nice P and are not all too expensive either.
The FGN basses I tried were well made, not too heavy and all round nice basses.
 

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