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need 'bar bass'

#61
I'm not too sure about these guys that say a 300, 400, 500 dollar bass walking away wouldn't be the end of the world. It would be catastrophic to me! (I'm 55). I have a Washburn-made P copy, $75 at the pawnshop. Converted to BEAD, setup,and tweaked to suit me. Anytime I'm going to a jam or a less than classy joint, I'll bring the knockoff. Let'm laugh, I'm not risking my MIA '66 P, or Geddy Lee J because some Peter Townsend wannabe wants to "express themselves", or some sticky-fingered sleazeball wants to buy a bag at my expense.
 
#62
Well, I'm with you there. But, if you're going to take the risks associated with playing in public, it's better to lose a $400.00 bass than a $1,400.00 or $4,000.00 bass (if you even own one...).

For me, though, it's more about emotional attachment and replaceability. I bought a fairly worn 1980's ESP 400 Series P/J pretty cheaply a while back, with the intention of it being my "beater bass." Problem was, by the time I replaced the aftermarket bridge, pups, and electronics that the bass came with, I really fell in love with it.

Now I need a beater bass that won't make me :crying: if I lose it!
 
#64
I think I would pick up a USED MIM p-bass in the color configuration of my liking, and then modify it. Start with electronics(update with some american fender electronics), and then maybe a new bridge and tuners. I wouldn't go crazy, but I'd make it the best player I could. I have one that I keep telling myself I want to modify but I never need it.

Or, you can just find a used MIA p-bass on craigslist and low ball someone. Never know what kind of deal you're going to get. I'd probably try this first. Find one with some mileage and make a crazy offer.
 
#65
I don't understand the your comment on the Longhorn. I've chosen it over my 66Jazz and my 57AVI Precision because of its lovely woody tone and the ease of playing that makes walking so easy. I've been playing in blues bands for 35 years a and MY choice is Dano. Weather it's a Longhorn or a DC or even a 63' , I love them.
 
#67
I'm also in my mid-50s, and I also keep a 1964 P as, hands down, the best Fender I've ever owned. I owned and sold a 1960, two 1965, and a 1968 P, and a 1962 Jazz, because other people got to liking them more than I did, and they produced the $ to prove it. I did keep another 1965 P and a 1978 P that I can't seem to make myself part with.

That said, the 2013 American Special Precision that I bought a few months ago, for exactly the reasons the OP is concerned about, is a (pleasantly surprisingly) very good bass. The "Slim-C" neck reminds me fairly well of the 1960s Fenders I've owned, and the "greasebucket" tone circuit works just fine for me too. OTOH, a 2007 MM Stingray and a new G&L L-2500 are making me mighty happy these days also. You could easily buy all three for half or less of what the 1964 P would cost to replace. Just an opinion offered for what it's worth.
 
#70
Just keep trying MIMs, used American standards, and Squiers until you find "the one". "The one" for me was a Burgundy Mist Squier Affinity Jazz. I upgraded the bridge and pickups and have a really playable instrument that is perfect for "adverse conditions".
 
#73
It's funny you should mention this "problem."

I was in the same situation in 2011. I had accumulated two or three dozen basses, but the ones I liked were Fenders that were too valuable to play out and have to worry about, or else they were instruments I just didn't feel were appropriate presentation for me, which I equate to pro bog-standard MIA Precisions and Jazzes.

At that time the Highway Ones were being closed out at blowout prices and I managed to get a matching 3CSB J and P. I sold off the BAIIs and replaced them with vintage-style bridges I had, which left me with only $290 in the J and about $315 in the P. I polished them out and added Fender tortoise pickguards and 9050M flats. After some bench time they were terrific instruments, but...

The punchline: The day I sold the BAII pulls to a dealer, I did Invalid Link Removed, ending my playing out forever. :hmm:

It's improbable that you'd get a long deal like that on even used Highway Ones, but a few serious gigging guys I know who play full-time in several bands that play some really sketchy venues pick up some rat MIMs or even Squiers whenever they run across them cheap and put huge bench time into setting them up to true professional standards -- and setup is where it all is.

They have no real money in these, and they don't bother "upgrading" anything or even seriously cleaning them up -- but they're flawless players and they more or less look and sound like the real thing. I saw one of these acts on national TV playing some club and the entire band was playing this rat gear! Sounded fine.

The irony is it doesn't tend to get stolen. :p
 
#74
lexington125 said:
...I need to break down and spend $ 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 just want to carry one bass with me that I can play all night but not fear losing...
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Lost the fear and bought insurance. Since 1963, I have played in some tough dives and honkey-tonks in New York, Providence, Newport, Pawtucket, Boston, Block Island, Burlington, Benton Harbor, Stevensville, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Los Gatos, La Honda, Princeton Junction, San Gregorio, Mountain View, Monterey, Hollister, Eureka, Saskatoon, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Casper, Dubois, Eugene, Portland, Bismark, Farmington, Hobbs, Denton, Pilot Point, Dallas, Fort Worth, Allen, Tyler, Palestine, etc., etc. Only time I have used the insurance was when the wind blew a door closed on my upright and cracked it. I am pretty mean looking, though, ha ha. ;)
lexington125 said:
...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?...
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My rule of thumb is that when the time comes that I can't pronounce Mexico, Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, or India, I will move to assisted living. Maybe it's time for that for you—but 54 seems nice and young to me—I'm almost 64 and still I can even pronounce "Österreich," where my upright was made. See, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria for a link to an ogg file. :ninja:
lexington125 said:
...Or does it make more sense to buy one of the less pricey “reissues” that...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?
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I play a CS Jazz everywhere I don't use the upright, and before that used a 1955 P-bass, NYC Sadowsky P/J, a '69 P-bass, a Road Worn Jazz, or a Valenti fretless 5er. Play what you want to. :p
lexington125 said:
...this is my first post, please excuse my absolute bewilderment at the idea of relic finishes and..similar pay Fender to scratch your guitar for you options!...
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Go play a Road Worn P or Jazz and report back on the status of your "absolute bewilderment." Then try a CS relic P or Jazz. One of the advantages of relics is you need not worry about dings quite so much! :eyebrow:
lexington125 said:
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?...
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Dude, honestly, life is too short to sit on couple of nice old instruments like they are a hoard of solid gold or holy relics. Play your P-basses in bars or where ever and be glad You're Still a Young Man, Baby—Don't Waste Your Time. Heck, I don't think I would sit on gold or old bones, either. Got to go play, right? :D :D :D
 
#75
I don't understand the your comment on the Longhorn. I've chosen it over my 66Jazz and my 57AVI Precision because of its lovely woody tone and the ease of playing that makes walking so easy. I've been playing in blues bands for 35 years a and MY choice is Dano. Weather it's a Longhorn or a DC or even a 63' , I love them.

I'll admit that the problem is on my end. I probably play the precisions a good 10 hours for every hour that I noodle around on the longhorn. My 'muscle memory' was developed on 34" scale necks; a 30" scale is easy and fast, but its not burned into my brain. If I've got my hand locked in a set position, the longhorn is no problem; but if I'm walking all over the neck I will eventually reach too far and grab the wrong fret. I got into the bad habit of not looking at the neck most of the time and on the Longhorn that results in some embarrassing 'clams'. Has anyone out there come up with a method of switching from long scale to short scale without this kind of problem?

oh, re: insurance - the last time I looked into this you had to approach it one of two ways: as a professional musician (and the only decent policy / rate was available to union members, which I am not) or as a rider on a homeowners or apt renter policy - and when I told my existing agent the value of the basses (6 years ago?) and where i would be playing, he politely refused. Maybe i should re-visit the insurance idea... but I can't imagine anyone would give me replacement coverage on a bass that is worth 35 or 40 times its original purchase price. Especially if I'm taking it to basement bars and unlicensed after hours clubs. A nice $400 MIM seems like a better idea.
 
#77
I didn't read all the posts in this thread and this may have been mentioned already. Here is what comes to my mind as I read your post. Find something that feels good to you and don't worry about anything else. Any group of patrons that are that rough and would steal or damage your instruments will not care what you sound like or what is on the headstock. Play the gig, take the cash, and go home to your real instruments.
 
#80
We have a lot in common. I'm 55 with a large collection of nice basses and a preference for P bass feel and sound. I'm not as worried about theft as I am that my guitarist will get drunk (hi probability) and fall on it (again) or that it might get rained on in some horrendous outdoor gig.

I recently picked up a Fender Modern Player Jaguar bass and absolutely love it. Slightly used for $200. This may be my best sounding bass I own.

Invalid Link Removed

Finally, my gig burglar alarm is to leave my amp on and the bass volume off. If anyone unplugged the cord from the bass, they'd get noticed.
 

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