Don't make me call the "Mane 6" out on you, Discord!
Also, wouldn't a fretless P be a "Non-Precision P"?
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P Bass choices
- Thread starter J Sudjian
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Also, wouldn't a fretless P be a "Non-Precision P"?
I would focus on the neck, as you can always swap out the pickup.
I’ve been perfectly happy with my Standard neck (discontinued made in Mexico series) and really like the necks on the Player series (current MIM line.)
the Squier vs Mexican vs American debate is a hot one around here. Best bet is to wait until you can get your hands on some basses, and decide for yourself. Good luck on the hunt!
edit- I see you have a VM Jazz, that’s a great frame of reference. Do you like that bass? I think Squier makes some great instruments These days, but haven’t yet found one I like quite as much as my MIM.
I’ve been perfectly happy with my Standard neck (discontinued made in Mexico series) and really like the necks on the Player series (current MIM line.)
the Squier vs Mexican vs American debate is a hot one around here. Best bet is to wait until you can get your hands on some basses, and decide for yourself. Good luck on the hunt!
edit- I see you have a VM Jazz, that’s a great frame of reference. Do you like that bass? I think Squier makes some great instruments These days, but haven’t yet found one I like quite as much as my MIM.
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Ohhhhhh…I'm gonna tell your Squier P-Bass Special you said that!
Sometimes I hear him crying from the closet while I’m playing my parts bassOhhhhhh…I'm gonna tell your Squier P-Bass Special you said that!
So mean…so very, very mean…Sometimes I hear him crying from the closet while I’m playing my parts bass
+1. If you want Fender on the headstock, a Vintera or even a pre-owned MIM Standard P or an MIM '50s Classic P (both pre-Vintera instruments) will get you not just into the ballpark, but quite near home plate. My Motown machine: a '50s Classic P wearing 9050ML flats.
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For a bit more money, the Fender AVRI '63 Ps and the Fender American Original 60s Ps are really, really nice. Ya might find used in the $1,300 range. Well worth the extra money!
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I've never owned one, and they're rare enough that I've never had the pleasure of sampling one either, but I've heard an overwhelming amount of praise heaped upon the American Vintage reissues. And yeah, like the good Mr. Gojira said, they'll cost you a bit extra. (…maybe quite a bit, from some of the listings I've seen)
I had some 80+ basses and at least 30 p and j basses over the yrs. All kind of them, usa standard, japan, mex, vintage, US reissues, roadworns etc. Currently l got Squier cv 70s p bass made in China. This bass holds with them all and in most cases even above, in terms of construction, feel and playability. Only thing l did is to swap pick up. I 've put in Schecter tone monster.
Not sure if you need Fender on the headstock. I really like G&L lb-100 as a great P bass. The tribute ones are cheap and good. US models can be had for about a G. For me, it’s also about weight and the nut width. I really like the 1.5” jazz nut and that rules out most p Basses.
I picked up a new Fender Tele style "P" bass a year or so ago. It's a love hate relationship, it plays great, sounds great, but weighs a ton and is not a contour body. It has a great stage look, so it has become my gig bass. The model is no longer available, but I'm sure there are some used ones around. My recommendation is to play them first, through a similar amp that you will be using. This Tele was only available online so I took a chance. I usually like thin necks, but this one has a baseball bat and love it.
Good luck on finding your next axe...
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-standard-telecaster-precision-bass-limited-edition
Good luck on finding your next axe...
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-standard-telecaster-precision-bass-limited-edition
I picked up a new Fender Tele style "P" bass a year or so ago. It's a love hate relationship, it plays great, sounds great, but weighs a ton and is not a contour body. It has a great stage look, so it has become my gig bass. The model is no longer available, but I'm sure there are some used ones around. My recommendation is to play them first, through a similar amp that you will be using. This Tele was only available online so I took a chance. I usually like thin necks, but this one has a baseball bat and love it.
Good luck on finding your next axe...
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-standard-telecaster-precision-bass-limited-edition
Good luck on finding your next axe...
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-standard-telecaster-precision-bass-limited-edition
J, get a cheap one and get used to what P Basses are about and then move up to something finer once you know the bass better. Start at $100, seriously. Let us know where you live approximately and I’ll send you a list of local listings that are likely choices. Save the rest of your cash until you don’t even need to ask. Then you will know.
I have a sick collection of Basses. They were all under $400.
RARE!!! -Ibanez - EX-405 - '80's - RED - SWEEEEEET, Double reverse P's!!! | Frosty says that I'm overstocked... | Reverb
This in the studio or at home is going to sound amazing. Not all bands would want an eighties bass on stage. But cheap excellent sounding Basses are out there. I can find more for ya.
edit: Ibanez (lawsuit) Precision Bass | Larry 's Shop | Reverb
I think that’s not actually an Ibanez but I bet it sounds and plays as good as a US Fender.
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Maybe look for an Fender American Original series used? Or perhaps they're still a little bit too new for the price to come down significantly.
Ibanez GSR200 Gio Soundgear Bass Guitar Sunburst | McBride Music | Reverb
I was serious about the $100 idea. And you wouldn’t be hurting anything by putting a crazy upgraded pickup in it down the road sometime. Play something like this, a high quality basic P bass like an Ibanez or used Squier, and play it until you are aware of its limitations. Then you will know what to choose after a while.
This one has flats AND A NAME!
Squier Precision Bass 2000's | Downbeat Music | Reverb
I was serious about the $100 idea. And you wouldn’t be hurting anything by putting a crazy upgraded pickup in it down the road sometime. Play something like this, a high quality basic P bass like an Ibanez or used Squier, and play it until you are aware of its limitations. Then you will know what to choose after a while.
This one has flats AND A NAME!
Squier Precision Bass 2000's | Downbeat Music | Reverb
Here is the short answer; judge each bass on its own merits. To do that, you must play a bunch. Pbass is a simple design. You don't need exotic wood or sophisticated electronics. You need one that plays well, feels great and sounds great. Where do you find that? Everywhere. Start playing a bunch you fill find one that screams "I am the one." Mexican Fenders - you can find a gem well within your budget. Used. Build-a-bass, Warmoth Mightymight etc.
We have all seen the videos putting the very expensive pbass against a lowend model with very little sonic difference.
We have all seen the videos putting the very expensive pbass against a lowend model with very little sonic difference.
If you really want US made and under a grand, I see American Special P basses turn up on Reverb all the time. Just saw one for $750. I also see MIA Standards turn up under a grand a lot, too.
I do think it would be worth it to spend the extra dough and find a nice AVRI, but if you can't, there are still a lot of options.
I have not tried Vinteras, but I read much praise for them.
I do think it would be worth it to spend the extra dough and find a nice AVRI, but if you can't, there are still a lot of options.
I have not tried Vinteras, but I read much praise for them.
USA Standard American P can be had easily for < 1000 used. I've been very happy with every US Fender P I've owned. MIM Fender 50s P is great and < 1000 new.
