need 'bar bass'

[lexington125]

Didn’t expect to need any new gear at my advanced age (54) but here we go. The amp situation is a sad story for another thread (and forum) but the need for a new bass is a problem many would love to have.

I’ve been out of the scene due to work for about 5 years and in that time my two old Precisions have reached the point (cost wise) where I could never even dream of replacing them. I will still probably use the 64 burst on gigs where I feel comfortable, but I need a bass that I can use in a sleazy bar that I’ve never set foot in previously without spending the whole night worrying about the bass.
‘
I drastically downsized ten years ago and now only own the two Ps (61 & 64) and a first year long horn reissue (was it 97?). When I purchased the longhorn, it was so I could bring a spare to gigs and not have to worry about it disappearing while I was busy breathing fire on stage. (kidding…) But even though I love noodling around on the longhorn, it just feels like a toy compared to the Ps. Especially in a 50s style blues band where I will be walking all night long, the Dano just won’t work.

I guess I need to break down and spend $X on a new Precision that I can comfortably play, but not fear that it will disappear when I have to use the rest room. (I’ll no longer carry a spare; I just want to carry one bass with me that I can play all night but not fear losing)

Looking for advice from guys who have kept current with Fender’s offerings – should I just go cheap and get a “made in unpronounceable 3rd world country” Precision (squier?) that give a very high “play-ability to price” value? Or does it make more sense to buy one of the less pricey “reissues” that can almost approximate my old basses? There are just so many varieties, from Mexican resissues for several hundred dollars to custom shop beauties that run over $5k…..what to do? (as this is my first post, please excuse my absolute bewilderment at the idea of “relic” finishes and other similar ‘pay Fender to scratch your guitar for you” options!)

If you are looking for a ‘player’ that you don’t have to worry about in sleazy bars, are there models at the low end that are worth considering, or do I need to look at the ‘reissues’ to get something that will feel like one of my old Precisions? (thanks in advance, and sorry for dragging on so long)

 

[Gabeja15]

Squier Vintage Modified are probably the best bang for the buck. You can get the early sixties pre-CBS flavor of your two main basses for around $320. A set-up and a fresh set of strings (pretty much the only suggested upgrade) and you'll be amazed at how good they can sound.

Honorably mentions: SX (set-up and strings a requirement) or any used MIM Fender

 

[Madcity Fats]

It can be tough when what you're judging against is a vintage P like that, but I think the key to finding a budget bass with "that" feel is going to be getting your hands on as many as you can until you come across one that's just got it (or comes close). MIJ reissues can get you close too for a bit more money than the entry level new stuff and can sometimes be had for a bargain (though less often than used to happen).

 

[Biggbass]

My "bar" bass is a Fender Road Worn P in Fiesta Red with flatwounds....bought it used for around $550 bucks and it was so well set up I've never even tweaked it. It's an amazingly good bass.

 

[ROOTSnFIFTHS]

The now discontinued American Vintage Reissue Fender offered can be had for under $1,000 if that is in your price range. They are well built and sound great.
I nabbed an AVRI for $900.00. It was a Jazz bass but I am sure you could find an AVRI '62 Precision for near that.

Of course you may now worry about $900+ walking out the door. Still, not near the value of a 1964 Precision.

 

[tbirdsp]

Squier Vintage Modified are probably the best bang for the buck. You can get the early sixties pre-CBS flavor of your two main basses for around $320. A set-up and a fresh set of strings (pretty much the only suggested upgrade) and you'll be amazed at how good they can sound.

Honorably mentions: SX (set-up and strings a requirement) or any used MIM Fender

Agreed - I have a Vintage Modified 70's Jazz and a Classic Vibe 50's P. I normally gig my '12 American Standard Jazz, but either of the Squiers would work fine.

 

[OmNomNom]

Squier Vintage Modified are probably the best bang for the buck. You can get the early sixties pre-CBS flavor of your two main basses for around $320. A set-up and a fresh set of strings (pretty much the only suggested upgrade) and you'll be amazed at how good they can sound.

I second this! I have a vintage modified J bass and it is a great bass for the money. It doesn't play like an American-made, obviously, but it is still a steal and sounds wonderful.

 

[RonniePudding]

Squier Vintage Modified are probably the best bang for the buck. You can get the early sixties pre-CBS flavor of your two main basses for around $320. A set-up and a fresh set of strings (pretty much the only suggested upgrade) and you'll be amazed at how good they can sound.

Also Squier Classic Vibe series is very good too... here's a review by Ed Friedland:

 

[Tanner5382]

I would get an old American made Peavey Bass. The Fury will be the most Precision-like, but any of the models are fine.

 

[Grissle]

Another vote for the Fender Roadworn, seems like a natural choice, pretty much nothing but praise for these axes.

 

[awilkie84]

Squier Vintage Modified are probably the best bang for the buck. You can get the early sixties pre-CBS flavor of your two main basses for around $320. A set-up and a fresh set of strings (pretty much the only suggested upgrade) and you'll be amazed at how good they can sound.

Honorably mentions: SX (set-up and strings a requirement) or any used MIM Fender

+1 to the VM series. Their Jazz basses are AMAZING. A classic Vibe P-bass is great value for the buck, too.

If you want to spend a bit more, the Classic 50's/60's Series MIM Fenders are killer, too. You can find them relatively cheap on here.

 

[electracoyote]

I'm in a similar situation, getting too attached to my upper end "nice" basses, so when I went on tour a couple of years ago, I discovered that the contemporary Fender MIM Standards (from 2009 on) are excellent instruments (especially the maple board versions IMHO). I bought two (one white, one burst) and they were perfect. 20-minute set-up out of the box, good to go.

Now, don't expect these to sound like a well-made USA counterpart, but damn close enough for my ears and the context of the situation.

These can be had on the used market for around the $300-350.00 mark now.

 

[Jack Butler]

My "bar" bass is a Fender Road Worn P in Fiesta Red with flatwounds....bought it used for around $550 bucks and it was so well set up I've never even tweaked it. It's an amazingly good bass.

+1. Since you are used to playing vintage P's, this seems to make the most sense.

 

[Mark Nye]

If I'm in your shoes, I'm looking for a used Highway 1 (not the later Highway ONE).

 

[Webtroll]

Fender style on the low end, Squier VM. Fender style on the high end, Roadworn Fender.

There are other basses than Fenders, but if you have 2 old Ps and you want something that will feel familiar and not break your heart if stolen or broken I'd go with a Roadworn P bass.

 

[Bassbubble11]

I say a Squier CV 60's P is just what you are looking for.
It's a little more than a VM (not much) but IMO a better
deal. I think you will be surprised how nice they are.

 

[wshines1892]

I'll throw another vote in for SX if you're looking for something really cheap, like around $100 cheap. All mine needed was a little setup time like you'd spend on any bass and some new strings and it was good to go. For nearer $300 the Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe series series from Squier is very good, but again you'll want to get it set up and replace the strings.

I worked in music retail for a little bit and the QC of the setups I've seen rolling out is a bit relaxed. I pulled Squier Affinity series Precision basses out that played great, and then on the same truck I pulled out a Fender MIM 60s reissue jazz that had a solid half inch action, and I had to shim the neck just to make it playable, which is pretty bad for a $800 instrument.

I think your best bet since you seem to have an aversion to Squiers is head out to the local shop and blind test them. Pick out a few and have a sales person hand them to you without looking and play them. You might be surprised at what you end up liking.

 

[Fair Warning]

Cant go wrong with the MIM Fender Basses. Third world or not, they have a state of the art factory down there (see lots of photos on Google) and put out a quality product. Second hand, you can have any MIM P or J for around $300.

If it dissapears one day, it will be sad, but you can replace it without too much pain.

 

[tjh]

JMHO, but I would pick up a couple/few used basses in the $2-400 range, and then pick the one that suited my situation best (with my gear), and sell the rest for what you paid for them ... just buy used and you should be fine ...

I have a Squier VM Jazz (7 POUNDS!!) that is my throw under the bus bass, and two Indonesian Squier Standard Jazz's (no longer made) that I use one for a loaner and lessons and the other that I experiment with ... I dont have much over $400 into all three of them, and with my strings and set-up, any one of them would suffice any show I did ... the only snarls I would get would be from the gear snobs in the audience, and that just makes me smile, because I am playing and they are watching ... JMHO

Edit to add: I have found the '08 -current MIM Standards to be nice instruments, and very good values when purchased used as well ... I have had a couple of them, still have one currently, in the mid $300 range ... and they have the updated Fender logo for those 'watchers' mentioned above to gawk at .. another stellar option, would be a Fender Classic Series bass ... excellent basses, and amazingly sell quite often in the price range of a MIM Standard used ...

 

[AMp'D.2play]

My 2 'dive bar/beater' basses are of the jazz-pickup variety, but you can get similar models of each with a P pickup.

Fender MIM P or G&L Tribute SB-2 (this is a P/J, but you can isolate the P pickup). Good bang for the buck, and if you can snag a used one, even better!