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P-Bass Help-Again

#21
iriegnome said:
This is kind of what I am looking for! The "MIA Standard" is not like say a 1973, but the MIA Vintage reissue (whatever) is more like the old ones. That is exactly what I am looking for. With all the Paint undercoats, heavier bridges, different pick ups and so on, I think that all of that will most certainly make a difference. I don't believe that none of that doesn't matter. Also, with the diffence it p-ups, I think that will make a huge difference and I am not interested in upgrades or mod's. I am looking for an off the shelf P bass that gives a vintage feel and vibe but without having to buy a vintage bass.
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I guess though the question is "for you, what constitutes a vintage feel and vibe?" The current American Standards with rosewood, Sunburst and tort have a vintage feel and vibe for some; for others, the Reissues are what they're looking for, for some the Mexican Road Worns are bang on (I'm a big fan), and some will settle for nothing less than an actual vintage instrument.

I'd guess the '62 American Vintage Reissue would give you what you're looking for.
 
#24
mooreon131 said:
I'd go with the Fender 57 p re-issue. It sounds great, and has all the features you want. The only thing I can't stand about it is the gold anodized pickguard, but you can easily swap that out.
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Someone please correct me if I am wrong - but the anodized guards on the older style basses aren't a direct swap with the newer plastic ones. The number of screw holes is not the same for starters.
 
#25
thmsjordan said:
Someone please correct me if I am wrong - but the anodized guards on the older style basses aren't a direct swap with the newer plastic ones. The number of screw holes is not the same for starters.
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That's for sure true, the '57 pickguard has ten holes versus thirteen on the '62 and modern ones. If you don't mind drilling three small holes that'll be hidden by your pickguard, it's not a big deal.
 
#27
Ace, my 2012 CCOLA MN P Bass is on its way. Looking forward to years of playing it. Just played a couple of notes on a 2011 in the shop on a P Bass and a J Bass. The P Bass sounded great with really low bass tone, the J Bass sounded weaker but I guess its more versatile with the different pickups, tone controls etc but what would I know, I'm a newbie. The P Bass seems ideal for me with one tone control and the volume set full. :-)
 
#28
There are lots of options out there, depending on your budget. There are a couple of US Lakland P-basses that are very nice and can be had used for less than $2k. But the best pre-CBS P-Bass Humbucking pickup I've heard is the new Aguilar 4P-60. You might want to find a P that plays nicely and then install one of these pickups. They only cost about $110, well worth the investment.

Jim
 
#29
jsbarber said:
There are lots of options out there, depending on your budget. There are a couple of US Lakland P-basses that are very nice and can be had used for less than $2k. But the best pre-CBS P-Bass Humbucking pickup I've heard is the new Aguilar 4P-60. You might want to find a P that plays nicely and then install one of these pickups. They only cost about $110, well worth the investment.

Jim
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That's what I did! Well not with the 4P-60 but with a Wizard Thumper.
 
#33
I have a MIM P Special. I don't want to offend anyone, but I am just looking at a MIA P bass. I have narrowed down what I am looking for to a bass that over the last 60 years has been changed updated and altered, but stayed the same. I bought a American Standard today. No frills, Charcoal Frost, maple board and I am unsure how I am going to like it. Since I have only played mid-70's P basses, I question the new buzz words with the newer basses as I stated in my OP. Thinner, Lighter, Different electronics - all of that comes out of the bass. I am the same player if I am on my Aria A-200 or my Modulus. I don't change my style or my playing in the slightest bit. Therefore (for me) thinner undercoat, heavy bridge, lighter tuners, new vintage electronics all mean something. This is not a debate about MIJ, MIM, MIA and so on. All make and have great basses. My focus however is exactly this - a newer MIA that brings what the mid-70's had, but just newer. A basic workhorse bass that sounds good without having to change p-ups, wiring, tuners, bridge and so on.
 
#34
iriegnome said:
I have a MIM P Special. I don't want to offend anyone, but I am just looking at a MIA P bass. I have narrowed down what I am looking for to a bass that over the last 60 years has been changed updated and altered, but stayed the same. I bought a American Standard today. No frills, Charcoal Frost, maple board and I am unsure how I am going to like it. Since I have only played mid-70's P basses, I question the new buzz words with the newer basses as I stated in my OP. Thinner, Lighter, Different electronics - all of that comes out of the bass. I am the same player if I am on my Aria A-200 or my Modulus. I don't change my style or my playing in the slightest bit. Therefore (for me) thinner undercoat, heavy bridge, lighter tuners, new vintage electronics all mean something. This is not a debate about MIJ, MIM, MIA and so on. All make and have great basses. My focus however is exactly this - a newer MIA that brings what the mid-70's had, but just newer. A basic workhorse bass that sounds good without having to change p-ups, wiring, tuners, bridge and so on.
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I'd say that's what you got. Plug it in and play it with your band, I'm sure any lingering doubts will disappear.
 
#38
gitlvr said:
I would just go with the plain old American Standard P. Or, if you got the cash, one of the Vintage reissue Ps might be closer to what you're looking for.
As for the "thinner undercoat, lighter tuners, heavier bridge" thing, I don't really think all of that matters on a P as much as some people think it does. IMHO, a passive P is a passive P. They're all gonna sound like a P bass. That's the beauty of the P. So go play a few, and get the one that plays, feels, and looks the way you want it to. If it's a passive P, the sound will take care of itself. One of the reasons I love them so much. Again, MHO.
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Words of Wisdom :bassist:
 
#39
Just for reference, here are my other 2 -
2006 MIA Fender Deluxe V
IMG_0568.gif

and my MIM 1999 Fender Precision Special (Tons of mods)
Fgallery1-28.jpg
 

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