P-Bass Help needed -- Opinions Welcome.

Most people here would probably think that an SX is better then a MIM Fender /shrug

 

If I were you, I'd definitely explore the Optek option first. You already have the bass, you like the way it plays and you've determined that it needs new pickups anyway. For $100 +/-, you're in business!

 

I would:
Play a Rondo and if it has a good neck with nice fretwork. If so, buy it. I'd then replace it's stock pickup with a passive pickup with a classic vintage P-Bass tone.

I personally like the Nordstrand NP-4. Lindy Fralin and and Duncan's Antiquity pickups are also highly regarded if you're striving for a vintage sound.

I recently started playing in an old school funk band. I put a set of flatwounds on my P-Bass. IMO it gives a real classic "thump" to it's sound.

 

Another option would be to have your tech do the series/parallel mod on your Fender (i.e. "S-1" in Fender-speak). Both pick-ups played together in series yield a fat, P-Bass like thump. The 2 Jazz pickups become a giant humbucker in the series mode. That would be, by far, the cheapest road for you to take. It won't sound exactly like a P-Bass but it will be damned close.

 

i would buy a used Fender P.

 

+1
So would I.

 

+1 on used fender p

 

Used Fender P would be my first choice, except-make sure you play it first.

I'm tempted, if i have enough cash left over after christmas, to pick up a Rondo P-Bass after playing a MIM P-Bass @ Guitar Center. The setup on the MIM was terrible, but-somehow i loved the sound.

So yeah-that's me, a guy that longs for 6+ string basses w/active electronics, has serious gas for a4 string passive, 2 knob P-bas. [god, i wish i could find a cost efficient in other words less than $300 5 string REAL p-bass].

It's on the list of things to buy.......and with the prices of em-i might just continue my trend of buying in 2s [last time i ordered 2 jazz 5s, a fretted and a fretless-i dig em] that way i could keep one with rounds and one with flats.

 

fender p bass, a p bass by any other name would not smell as sweet.

 

If you look around enough, you can find pretty nice MIM P-basses for not a lot of money. I scored one on the web at Annies Guitars. It was a limited run ash body, and I got it for around $400.00 delivered.

It's pictured on the far right with some mods (Precision Special maple neck, SD QPs, and a Gotoh Bridge.

http://home.comcast.net/~marwady/wsb/html/view.cgi-photo.html--SiteID-2357222.html

I have since gone back to stock Fender USA pickups and it thumps like a mother!! (if you like that vintage P tone, the QPs may be a little too modern sounding for you)

I agree with those that are advising you to be patient and get the real thing. Good things come to those who wait. I shopped for mine for 6 months before I found the one I wanted.

A genuine P-Bass will round out your collection nicely.

Just my .02

 

Absolutely hold out for an american P bass on the used market. Sell the old bass, take the money you'd spend on pickups, and you're probably just about there. Market price is about $550 for a basic late model american standard in good condition. They ARE great basses, I never should have sold my '95

 

Check out the used market. Sometimes you can find fantastic deals. I nearly got an '83 Squire for $199... it was gone when I went back. That's always my luck.

 

I'd also recommend selling your current bass and buying a used Fender, either MIM or MIA, unless you can A/B your current bass against the Fenders and prefer its feel. I've been following the MIA's on eBay, and over the past few months they've sold for prices from $480 to about $750, so it pays to be patient. I don't know about the MIM's, but I suspect a good one could be had for about $300. Another option might be the Peavey Milestone P-bass copy, which has a Jazz-like neck and very solid P-bass tone for the low price.

And Marwady is right about pickups: the Quarter Pounder will sound quite different from the stock American Series pickup you liked. It has much more output, and a more full range, modern tone. If you want something closer to the stock MIA Fender at a sub-boutique price, get Seymour Duncan's SPB-1 or Fender's own "Original P-bass" pickup.

 

I too would suggest looking in the used market. I've seen many fine used USA P's selling at a good discount to cost of a new bass. Take your time and find the right bass. You may own it for the rest of your life. I've owned mine for over 30 years.

 

You wouldn't get as many chicks either.

 

If you can wait?
Get the best bass youn can afford.
You will have a better playing and sounding bass.
A good bass is a bass you want to play over and over again.
Plus the better the basss, the better the resale if you sell?
I'am looking for a P-style bass also.
Saving for a Lakland USA Glaub, with darkstar pickup.
Or a Sadowski Ultra Vintage.
I have to wait, but will have a bass I will never sell.

 

I would get the Mexican P-Bass. You need to check a few out but with a good set up and a pick up upgrade I think they can play and sound every bit a good as a MIA one.

 

MIM precision, as long as you can find a good one, i bought a MIM precision special recently, and i played 3 before i found the one i eventually bought, i think it plays better than a MIA i tried

 

As I said, a old P is the way to go, but if you do mod your bass I wouldn't use Quarter Pounders if you are after the old school P sound. Personally I think the SD Antiquity Pbass pickup is the way to go. When I got my 70 P it had EMGs in it, which just didn’t do it at all, so I put in a Antiquity PJ [the holes were already there] set and it gets the sound a 1970 Pbass should: big, meaty and round. Even if you went with the Sx or Mexican I’d still put one of those pickups in.