P-Bass Alternatives

[flashgod]

Are the Ashdown basses ever gonna hit the US market, I’ve been on the fence for the gold Pbass....

Sooner later for sure. Meanwhile you can purchase via Thomann Germany or Andertons UK

 

[jmlee]

In your price range (new), this Yamaha BB434 will knock you over.

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

I agree, the Player series didn’t impress me much I hate to say since I’m a Loyal Fender Player, the LB100 I had was one nice bass and the CIJ Classic Vibes I owned blew away every Player series I ever picked up, that Harley B is a killer looking bass!!

Thank you. The Harley Benton was a labor of love during lockdown. It become my main player when we started gigging again.

Yes the Squier was tried out right next to a Players series I was going to buy. The Squier Classic Vibe smoked the Fender in all ways. Fit, finish, sound, neck. And almost half the price.

 

[Chicken Wing]

EBMM Cutlass

 

[JRA]

Does anyone have any opinions or insights on any of these instruments?

not on those specific instruments, sorry!

but an opinion, in general: get an ax with a split-coil pickup in what is called the "sweet spot" + a bridge pickup to actually make the thing more versatile than the one-trick-pony limitation of the traditional, fender P-bass.

good luck with your choices!

 

[Trailertrash74]

Just picked up this P Bass (MiM) from a local pawn shop for just a shade over $200. I'm a real fan of Olympic White! It's simple and majestic at the same time. There's a lot of choices out there without spending a ton of cash...

 

[matti777]

Its interesting that people are recommending basses that are as rare as hens teeth or far in excess of the OPs price range.

 

[Max Bogosity]

All basses should have a zero fret, why they don’t do that would be a better question IMHO.

Pure speculation: it’s just historical. Modern fretted instruments evolved from instruments with no frets or tied-on gut frets. The nut is a feature that predated the metal fret, so it was there by default until some builders questioned the traditional construction methods. And people mightily resist departures from tradition.

 

[richwag]

i’ve tested those 2 G&L basses (the USA version of the LB-100, though):

You do great videos on YouTube.

 

[Bleecker]

Its interesting that people are recommending basses that are as rare as hens teeth or far in excess of the OPs price range.

...opps...!

 

[Jack Deth]

Its interesting that people are recommending basses that are as rare as hens teeth or far in excess of the OPs price range.

Tribute L-2000. Great price in the right range, tons of various tones (including the “P” sound), most likely the most versatile as well for when that sound is not enough.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Not quite a P but better in some ways

Seems more Stingrayish than P?

 

[_Obra_]

P-Bass doesn't really have an Alternative

 

[Hundred proof]

P-Bass doesn't really have an Alternative

yes for me it does… this “replaced” my P bass