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P-Bass Opinions

#41
For me, it's got to be the 2011 70th anniversary P-Bass. Lookswise, it combines both the 50s and modern era together in one Bass. Sounds great as well! My favourite pickups are the CS62, Geezers, and the CS59s.

I would recommend the aforementioned bass. Or even a Mike Dirnt Precision. Such badass Basses. I want one so bad.
 
#44
GregBass1979 said:
Honestly the project I was thinking about using this particular bass for is a Symphonic Wind Ensemble of about 50 pieces max where I play tuba. They have an older lady on Upright Bass with a tiny amp that no one can really hear well. I am trying to find the right sound for that..it should be woody, earthy but yet some mid range as to not make mud. I won't be in anyone's sonic space like other guitars or super loud drummer or keys. What would you guys use for that?
Click to expand...

Honestly, I'm thinking more along the lines of Rotosound 88 Tape Wound strings might be what you are describing. Strings play an important role in tone. There's a lot to the whole tone equation.

Also, IMO, the SB-2 never really struck me as a P bass. Very different: slightly smaller body, more of a Jazz neck, and a hotter/brighter pickup. Now I *like* all those things, and I like my SB-2, but I just never really think of it as a classic P sound.
 
#45
How about a used American Standard P with the GZR pickup upgrade :)

For Sale - 2008 American Standard P-Bass w/ GZR

img_1503-jpg.jpg
 
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#48
I bought a Black Pbass with a beautiful maple neck for my son last Christmas. He decided that he didn't want to play bass anymore so, I inherited it. There are no markings on it so I assume it's a parts bass with a Fender Precision waterslide logo. I picked it up for $300 including a flight case. I put in a new set of Seymore Duncan passive pickups, an ashtray bridge cover and a white
IMG_20161023_095056170.jpg
pearloid pickguard.....she's a beauty to look at and play. Total invested....$425
 
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#49
I tried a bunch of Ps (and other bases) and wound up with the Fender Roger Waters Precision Bass model. The "Quarter Pound" pickups did it for me. Plus I like the fact that they are still passive pickups. Clear, warm, loud and lots of punch.
 
#52
In that setting, I would look for a P who's tone is on the darker side
since they are used to an upright.
Alder body, RW fretboard, flats or tapes.
Neck width is a personal preference, but also more mass and a stiffer neck
contribute to the sound and sustain.
In your case, I'd compromise on a B width.
I'd also suggest looking for a natural or SB finish.
I don't think any bright colors are going to blend in.

As to what brand or model, play all you can and find one that covers the
general features I listed above.
Where it was made or what is says on the headstock should not be the most
important deciding factor.

If you find a Squier Affinity with alder body and straight neck, you have the basics
to change pickups, hardware, finish, whatever it takes to get you there,
and still be under budget.
 
#54
Don't know if you've considered building one up yourself (from parts). EMG Geezers have been mentioned - and I agree. Flats mentioned - and I agree there too - but another string possibility is the GHS Pressure Wounds (kind of best of both worlds thing between flats and rounds).
 
#55
Like many "what is the best __________?" questions, I tend to think that there never really is one definitive answer which will tick off all the boxes for each player. But, if we focus in on the P-bass with a J-bass neck part of the question, and if we are looking for a great bang-for-the-buck, then the Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom ("Duck Dunn model") is a great choice.

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Now, if you have a bit more to spend, and you can actually find one, my Celinder VP-4 also has a J-bass neck, and it has tone for days.

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But once again, there are a lot of great-sounding P-basses out there, and it is so hard to declare one to be the "best" for all players/styles/preferences.
 
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#56
I have 7 Precisions. The only one that is 100% original is my 1977 maple neck/off white alder body. Others that I enjoy playing and listening to are 2 Made in Mexico's ( one has a Fender original '62 pickup the other has a Seymor Duncan SPB-1.) Other fine basses are the Squire Vintage Modified P and the Squier Classic Vibe P (Matt Freeman) model. These also have replacement pickups in them. (Fender original and Duncan SPB-1). Personally, I dislike hotter pickups. To me they always sound "loud", lack detail, and don't respond to subtleties like the ones I have chosen, . All my basses and all the replacement pickups (and everything else for that matter) was purchased used in like new condition. Acquired for very low cash and I could not be happier with all of them. Almost any bass tone can be greatly improved by the correct choice of strings, pickups and a good set up. Good luck.
 
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#57
My pee quest took a couple years. I bought a Squier P/J for $150 off eBay and spent two years cycling through pickup/string combinations before settling on a G&L MFD split-coil and TI Jazz flats. (As a lefty I rarely have the opportunity to play before I buy, so I have to be creative.) I bided my time until an '88 G&L SB-1 popped up on craigslist. This thing kills.

G&L fans will tell you that you have to hear SB-1s and 2s in a mix before you can gauge whether the tone works for you. SBs are intense. But that's also because people tend to dime the vol and tone and play in isolation, and the resulting thunder is overwhelming. Think of it this way: an SB-1 with vol and tone at 5/10 is a normal P-bass. Anything more is like super charging it. At 10,10 I can hear my fingerprints.

***

tl;dr: G&L SB-2 tribute, and experiment with the middle ranges of the controls. It's got a jazz neck, jazz bridge pickup, streamlined body, and consistently high build quality. Incredible value.
 
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#58
GregBass1979 said:
I certainly know it's all subjective and a matter of opinion so I will take in all your responses and weigh them out. Two fold question here but,

A) what do you Precision Bass guys think the best sounding Precision Bass was either old or new and

B) If you were going to recommend a solid well built P-Bass to someone whose played Jazz Basses all their life who wants to change up their sound and is on somewhat of a budget, which new or used should I be looking for that will deliver strong sustain and awesome traditional P sound?

Thanks!
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Well I own a Fender P bass. So enough said. American version.
 
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#59
Keep in mind, from Squier to MIM to MIJ to CIJ to FrankenFender to American Standard to AVRI to Custom Shop to boutique to pre-CBS (and all points between) versions of the Precision bass, there are crappy ones *, OK ones *, and stellar ones so it's difficult to make accurate blanket statements about any particular category or era within a catagory. All things being equal, I'd like to think that there are more OK and stellar ones toward the end of the above list than toward the beginning. That said, I think that a used 2008 or newer Fender American Standard Precision is your overall best bet for a good playing and sounding P-Bass that is a good value. At any given time, there are reasonable deals to be had on them on TalkBass, eBay, Craigslist and Reverb. Keep an eagle eye out.

* As well as crappy ones that could be OK and OK ones that could be stellar with the right setup and strings.
 
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