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Missed My P-Bass Window

N

nkjanssen

Dec 27, 2012
20
42
#1
Spent the last three weeks trying every P-bass I could get my hands on. Finally decided that I LOVE the feel of the Fender American Pro II. The neck is perfect. But I don't like the pickups and I'm not super-keen on the finish options (though I could live with a few of them). So my options are: (a) get an Am Pro II and replace the pickup (cost ~ $1,750 US); or (b) get a Fender Mod Shop bass with the neck I want and an upgraded pickup (cost ~ $1,950 US). So is the finish option worth $200? Maybe. Probably. Not sure. I think so. Anyway...

Today I head to my local shop to make a final decision and find out: (a) the price of the Am Pro II is now $150 US higher than it was a couple of days ago; and (b) I can't order a Mod Shop bass from Canada (I was under the understanding I could through a dealer).

The short of it... my P-bass dreams are on hold.

Damn.
 
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#3
Killing Floor said:
Ask the shop to honor the previous price. Because if the bass is in stock they paid the previous cost.
Click to expand...

I asked. They won't do it. They claim Fender won't allow them to. Might be BS, but if they won't sell it, they won't sell it. And, psychologically, I just can't bring myself to pay the higher price knowing that I missed the lower price by mere days.
 
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#4
Salud!

Think of the years you'll enjoy the bass. Divide the extra amount by those months. It's a negligible amount to have the bass you want. Maybe not in such a sharp/definite way, but you've been suffering inflation all your life.

And this time you lost some money, but you can also consider not jumping right away a willpower/wisdom win.
 
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#5
Krakmann said:
Think of the years you'll enjoy the bass. Divide the extra amount by those months. It's a negligible amount to have the bass you want. Maybe not in such a sharp/definite way, but you've been suffering inflation all your life.
Click to expand...

True. Though because I was kind of on the fence about the finishes anyway, the price increase sort of tipped the balance. I might just keep my eye out for a used one instead. Just have to delay satisfaction. :)
 
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#6
Just buy it. I had the same thing happen recently with a custom build. I’m so delighted with it the extra money I unexpectedly had to pay (it was a lot more than $150) doesn’t even register on my radar now.
 
#8
nkjanssen said:
I asked. They won't do it. They claim Fender won't allow them to. Might be BS, but if they won't sell it, they won't sell it. And, psychologically, I just can't bring myself to pay the higher price knowing that I missed the lower price by mere days.
Click to expand...
I call BS. They can sell that bass for $1.00 if they want. I'd tell them to pound sand and buy something elsewhere. There are SO MANY P Bass designs by other, and in many cases, better mfgs. I'll never be held hostage by greed. Look at G&L LB-100 for an outstanding P bass and Leo's last efforts. Heck look at a Lakland or, if you wanna save some $$$, a SIRE. And there are others.
 
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#10
Maybe Fender has different deals in Canada. However there is a longtime local small chain in my area (Portland Oregon Metro) and they leave old price tags and stickers on gear. They don’t go through and raise items already in stock. They also price match but you must ask and show proof. I’m thinking you got snowed. Ask for a manager and let them know you’d really like to do business with them “today” and not have to go look elsewhere. Good luck. BTW I thought Canadians were super nice.
 
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#11
SJan3 said:
I call BS. They can sell that bass for $1.00 if they want. I'd tell them to pound sand and buy something elsewhere. There are SO MANY P Bass designs by other, and in many cases, better mfgs. I'll never be held hostage by greed. Look at G&L LB-100 for an outstanding P bass and Leo's last efforts. Heck look at a Lakland or, if you wanna save some $$$, a SIRE. And there are others.
Click to expand...
Call me shallow, but I just don't like the look of the G&L's... red, black or burst. And I really want a rosewood neck, so it's either red or burst. Just not for me. I don't want to play a bass I don't like the look of. I'd love a Lakland, but to get the neck, fretboard and finish I want, I'd be looking at a full USA model, which is pretty pricy. I wish the USA Classic series offered "tweener" 1.625" necks.

ceetee said:
Do you think the prize will drop again or are you just punishing yourself?
Click to expand...
I'm willing to bet it's going to drop again.

Neck Diver said:
Maybe Fender has different deals in Canada. However there is a longtime local small chain in my area (Portland Oregon Metro) and they leave old price tags and stickers on gear. They don’t go through and raise items already in stock. They also price match but you must ask and show proof. I’m thinking you got snowed. Ask for a manager and let them know you’d really like to do business with them “today” and not have to go look elsewhere. Good luck. BTW I thought Canadians were super nice.
Click to expand...
It's a near monopoly here. I don't know the numbers for certain, but Long & McQuade sell the vast majority of mid-to-upper-end Fender basses in Canada. L&M are actually really good to deal with on most things, but they really get led around by the nose by some of the "big brands".
 
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#12
My opinion: bide your time.

Even if you were to ignore all the other brands that are - and have been for decades - making excellent P-bass copies and stick strictly to Fender products…. Even if you were to limit yourself further and only look for US-made Fenders…. There are SO MANY P-basses out in the wild that there just isn’t any good reason to pay top dollar (even before the price hike) for a bass that isn’t even exactly what you want.

Keep your eyes on the local used market, the classifieds here, FB marketplace, Reverb…. anywhere you’re likely to find used instruments and just check out everything you see. One of them will be great. It might be next week or next year but the thing about missing your P-bass window is that it’s a window that reopens constantly. The P-bass is the most ubiquitous bass on Earth.
 
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#14
Two things are guaranteed :

1. There will be other sales (Black Friday for sure, Summer probably, Easter possibly)

2. Prices will continue to increase.


If you're buying new, shop around, and be ready to pounce at a moments notice.

Personally, there are so many mint condition used Am Pro II's available, at between 50% - 70% MSRP, I'd go that route and replace the pickup for less than $200.
 
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#15
Lo-E said:
My opinion: bide your time.

Even if you were to ignore all the other brands that are - and have been for decades - making excellent P-bass copies and stick strictly to Fender products…. Even if you were to limit yourself further and only look for US-made Fenders…. There are SO MANY P-basses out in the wild that there just isn’t any good reason to pay top dollar (even before the price hike) for a bass that isn’t even exactly what you want.

Keep your eyes on the local used market, the classifieds here, FB marketplace, Reverb…. anywhere you’re likely to find used instruments and just check out everything you see. One of them will be great. It might be next week or next year but the thing about missing your P-bass window is that it’s a window that reopens constantly. The P-bass is the most ubiquitous bass on Earth.
Click to expand...
Yah, this is likely what I'm going to do. Problem is that I'm really picky about the neck. I don't like 1.5" and I don't like 1.75". I'm looking for 1.625". I'm a bit flexible on the carve, but it has to be a "C" (though, again, that Am Pro II carve is perfect). And I want a rosewood FB. And I don't like black, white, red or burst finishes. And I'd rather not have a bridge pickup. So, to get exactly what I want, that basically leaves me with these as far as new production basses:

Lakland Skyline 44-64 (Vintage P) - $1,358
Warmoth "homebrew" - around $1,450 + my labour
Fender Am Pro II - $1,799
Moollon P Classic - $2,299 (with a one year wait)
Lakland USA 44-64 (Vintage P) - $3,680

Plusses and minuses to all of those. And the Fender is the only one I'd be able to try. But I agree. That window constantly opens and closes. If I wait, I know I'll eventually find the right one.
 
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#17
nkjanssen said:
Yah, this is likely what I'm going to do. Problem is that I'm really picky about the neck. I don't like 1.5" and I don't like 1.75". I'm looking for 1.625". I'm a bit flexible on the carve, but it has to be a "C" (though, again, that Am Pro II carve is perfect). And I want a rosewood FB. And I don't like black, white, red or burst finishes. And I'd rather not have a bridge pickup. So, to get exactly what I want, that basically leaves me with these as far as new production basses:

Lakland Skyline 44-64 (Vintage P) - $1,358
Warmoth "homebrew" - around $1,450 + my labour
Fender Am Pro II - $1,799
Moollon P Classic - $2,299 (with a one year wait)
Lakland USA 44-64 (Vintage P) - $3,680

Plusses and minuses to all of those. And the Fender is the only one I'd be able to try. But I agree. That window constantly opens and closes. If I wait, I know I'll eventually find the right one.
Click to expand...
From what I have seen, you may wait a LOT longer than a year for a Moollon.
 
#19
Hang in there OP. I was in a similar situation a little over a year ago and I’m glad I waited. Now I have more than one really great p bass and… they don’t say fender on the headstock.

Keep the money available and keep going into your local shop(s) and you’ll come across one that you like better. When you find it, buy it.
 
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#20
nkjanssen said:
Spent the last three weeks trying every P-bass I could get my hands on. Finally decided that I LOVE the feel of the Fender American Pro II. The neck is perfect. But I don't like the pickups and I'm not super-keen on the finish options (though I could live with a few of them). So my options are: (a) get an Am Pro II and replace the pickup (cost ~ $1,750 US); or (b) get a Fender Mod Shop bass with the neck I want and an upgraded pickup (cost ~ $1,950 US). So is the finish option worth $200? Maybe. Probably. Not sure. I think so. Anyway...

Today I head to my local shop to make a final decision and find out: (a) the price of the Am Pro II is now $150 US higher than it was a couple of days ago; and (b) I can't order a Mod Shop bass from Canada (I was under the understanding I could through a dealer).

The short of it... my P-bass dreams are on hold.

Damn.
Click to expand...
If it were me, I would buy the bass as is, holding off any mods until you spend 20 hours with it played at least through your own rig. This will give you anmpke time to twist dials to see if you can get what you want tone wise. . If you have a gig in this time frame, all the better.

Then if you still don’t like the pickups, mod it.
 
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