• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ok last post...Which bass should I pick?

Which P bass should I choose?

  • MIM 50's P bass

    Votes: 48 32.4%

  • MIA American Special P bass

    Votes: 100 67.6%
  • Total voters
    148
#23
obimark said:
I own the MIM 50s P-bass sunburst, but I didn't like the 1-3/4" nut width at all, so I ended up changing the neck to the standard maple neck with the 1-5/8" nut. Other than that great bass. I tweaked the pickup height and string height, and now have what I consider perfect P-bass tone out of it.
Click to expand...
Here is the first decent post in this thread, IMO. Between these two P basses, you won't play them and think MIA or MIM. MIM machine heads hold tune just fine, so you won't notice that either. If you buy new, you are going to lose money when you sell it. But, in terms or what matters when you play it, the necks feel different. I am not a huge fan of a 1.75" nut on a four string bass; you may prefer them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rockinb and obimark
#31
bordinco90 said:
:D well thank you. Hopefully I will. I just don't wanna buy a bass used on guitarcenter without playing it. The guitar centers around where I live have a horrible selection of basses.
Click to expand...
That does make sense! Sight unseen is it's own ball of wax. :thumbsup:

That said, the old wisdom of "buy the one that speaks to you" will apply if you're playing before you buy.
 
#34
Here's my American Special P. As far as I know, it's passive :). I bought it "sight unseen", online. Sometimes you get a good one that way, sometimes a dog. If you're buying at the right place, you can always send it back. This particular one happens to be a surprisingly good example of a Precision. Sometimes that happens.

You can look at my profile to see my benchmarks for Fender bass comparison, and honestly my son plays this bass now, I need the aid of another string or two in my old age...



IMG_3105.JPG
 
Last edited:
#35
bordinco90 said:
I'm just not a big fan of active basses. I really like the simplicity of a p bass.
Click to expand...
I think you're confused. Other posters were suggesting an American Standard over an American Special, even if you have to buy used. The American Standard is THE "standard" heritage classic passive P-Bass by which all other Fenders or Fender-type instruments are compared. The American Special is a step down from the American Standard based on components, etc.

Above the American Standard in terms of price is the American Deluxe P-Bass. That is active (with a passive switch). Most "traditionalist" Fender players consider that line a different animal because of the electronics. The heritage Fender passive basses are the American Standards. Of course, the reissues are nice too, but most aren't MIA if you care about that as many of us do.

Sorry if I'm telling ou something you already know, but your responses seem to indicate some confusion on this.
 
#38
bordinco90 said:
Well I dont wanna buy used becuase, when you buy used you buy somebody else's headache lol.
Click to expand...

Unless the neck is warped, which is unlikely if it's relatively new, it's pretty difficult to mess up a P bass. What you see is what you get. I will echo the other posts and recommend American Standard used. Industry standard, can't beat it at its price point.

On the other hand, we are talking about Precision basses here. Outside of build quality, they are all going to sound pretty similar.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back