Not at all. I've changed necks on mine and there was no difference other than feel for me. Your pickup (placement and height) and strings make all the difference in a P setup, those would be what I focus on the most.
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P-Bass Opinions
- Thread starter GregBass1979
- Start date
Not at all. I've changed necks on mine and there was no difference other than feel for me. Your pickup (placement and height) and strings make all the difference in a P setup, those would be what I focus on the most.
90% of the tone is in the pickups and strings. Once you find which P pickup and strings that you like, you could simply install them on any P and be 90% there. The materials and construction will make up the other 10% of the sound. If you're going for vintage tone, I find that lighter body woods provide more overtones. If you're going for a tighter modern sound, heavier and denser woods generally provide more sustain.
If you like the play that a bass sounds and plays without amplification, throw your favorite pickups and strings into it and you'll get your sound.
There's a few basses that I'm looking at currently, and if I get either of them, I'd put Chromes and a Nordstrand NP4v into them on day 2.
If you like the play that a bass sounds and plays without amplification, throw your favorite pickups and strings into it and you'll get your sound.
There's a few basses that I'm looking at currently, and if I get either of them, I'd put Chromes and a Nordstrand NP4v into them on day 2.
The best P for you is the one that, when you pick it up and start playing it, feels like it's just part of you. Lots of things affect that - the weight, the balance, the neck shape, the sound, the strings you put on it, the color, how beat up it is (or isn't), the hardware color, etc.... Luckily, there is so little consistency among the P's out there in a lot of these aspects that something will call to you. My P is one I put together - having played quite a few, I knew every little detail that I wanted, and as noone makes one wuite like it, I made just what I wanted. It's pretty easy on a P platform to do this, as a lot of P parts have standard interfaces.
By the way, lots of folks get excited by a J neck on a P. For some of us (big hands especially), that's not the ticket. My J even has a P width neck. And a P shaped body, too.
By the way, lots of folks get excited by a J neck on a P. For some of us (big hands especially), that's not the ticket. My J even has a P width neck. And a P shaped body, too.
I have skipped reading most of this to hurry up and post since it's time-sensitive, but others may have mentioned this, if so, sorry for the repeat:
The Fender 50's Precision is widely praised for its great sound, and for being the best value in the Fender line-up. They definitely get a LOT of love here on TB, for what that's worth. They are MIM but are a cut above the Standard. While I can't directly compare myself, a lot of people feel they compare well to American Standards and AVRI's, which can go for twice the price.
They are priced at $749 (for blonde or 2-tone sunburst-- lacquer finishes are more). However, Musician's Friend has a 15% off coupon that expires TODAY (Cyber Monday).
So, the final price would be $637. But also:
Also, if you sign up, you'd earn 8% in rewards which equates to $50. So, while you'd pay $637 upfront, your final cost basis is $587. (You can use the "points" after 45 days... you know you'll need strings and stuff eventually) .
You may have to phone in your order to get the 15% to apply to this bass. I don't think you can get it by ordering online, but not sure.
I just ordered one.
EDIT: the 50's P bass was mentioned a few times, these are the remarks I saw, FYI:
username1 : I've owned a lot of precisions in my time and in my opinion the 50s p bass is the best playing and sounding I have tried.
Jeff K : My Classic '50s was my "go-to" for years, even though I have/had other great, more expensive basses. Just a great value. As mentioned though, these have the wide nut width (1.75").
highboltage55 : The " Classic 50's " MIM P Bass has a similar build to the Waters, without the "Signature" style incorporation. They are higher end Mexican basses and shouldn't be confused with the "Standard" series.
Anti-syzygy : I was happy with a Classic Series RW 50s P before I sold it to try out a G&L LB100. The LB100 would have been a good bass to have instead of my SB-1, but it was so similar that I found it was redundant. Now I am looking back at that RW 50s P bass and thinking "Hey, I should have kept it". My 50's RW had an EMG Geezer in it though.
The Fender 50's Precision is widely praised for its great sound, and for being the best value in the Fender line-up. They definitely get a LOT of love here on TB, for what that's worth. They are MIM but are a cut above the Standard. While I can't directly compare myself, a lot of people feel they compare well to American Standards and AVRI's, which can go for twice the price.
They are priced at $749 (for blonde or 2-tone sunburst-- lacquer finishes are more). However, Musician's Friend has a 15% off coupon that expires TODAY (Cyber Monday).
So, the final price would be $637. But also:
Also, if you sign up, you'd earn 8% in rewards which equates to $50. So, while you'd pay $637 upfront, your final cost basis is $587. (You can use the "points" after 45 days... you know you'll need strings and stuff eventually) .
You may have to phone in your order to get the 15% to apply to this bass. I don't think you can get it by ordering online, but not sure.
I just ordered one.
EDIT: the 50's P bass was mentioned a few times, these are the remarks I saw, FYI:
username1 : I've owned a lot of precisions in my time and in my opinion the 50s p bass is the best playing and sounding I have tried.
Jeff K : My Classic '50s was my "go-to" for years, even though I have/had other great, more expensive basses. Just a great value. As mentioned though, these have the wide nut width (1.75").
highboltage55 : The " Classic 50's " MIM P Bass has a similar build to the Waters, without the "Signature" style incorporation. They are higher end Mexican basses and shouldn't be confused with the "Standard" series.
Anti-syzygy : I was happy with a Classic Series RW 50s P before I sold it to try out a G&L LB100. The LB100 would have been a good bass to have instead of my SB-1, but it was so similar that I found it was redundant. Now I am looking back at that RW 50s P bass and thinking "Hey, I should have kept it". My 50's RW had an EMG Geezer in it though.
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Agree on all this. If I had to nitpick, I like the pickup in my 50's P but I'd prefer a little more character. Trying to find examples of Dimarzio Model P in this bass, or just in a P with TI flats. I want a little more output and more lower midrange response. I can generate the upper mids and treble with my hands.
The Geezer EMG in my RW 50s was perfect. Loved it. It has some more beef to it. It sounds great with roundwounds, just taming the top a little and increasing output and upper mids.
I suspect that 50s P pickup is really designed for flats. It's got a slightly brighter tone.
You could try some Cobalt flats or Chromes. The cobalt flats though seem to have more upper-mids, so if you don't need to boost that you're probably better off with a thumpier sounding set like chromes or regular flats.
I agree. For the price it's impossible to beat. I got mine new for $600 and I play it as much as I play my AVRI 63, which cost twice as much. Mine is the regular fiesta red finish which I prefer to a RW finish, but that's just me.
I agree. I use TI flats in mine now. It does sound great, but I was looking for maybe a little more aggression, a little more 70's jazz/funk punch, if you will. I may just stay with the original pickup because it is no slouch, but I got curious about the Dimarzio.
If you like this you ought to be looking at the Yamaha BB basses. They have a very P-bass tone, but it's not bright at all. Also, the necks are quite thin, perhaps thinner than a Jazz although I never measured. I have a couple of them and love them. Used they are very inexpensive, and new the BB425X is also relatively cheap and very good. It has the additional bump of a Jazz type single coil in the bridge position.
I also want to add that my favirite basses by far are the ones I've built using Warmoth parts and Fender pickups. Play killer, and sound better.
I really like that one on the right. It looks a little like the color scheme of my SB-1!
Although I think the closest G&L color is Whiskey.
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If yu fell in love with it that might ought to be the one you buy!
shhhh! Everytime I post how great they are, the price of used ones goes up
I'm getting a Japanese Precision soon but I still love my BB1024X. A perfect blend of a P/J without the harsh high end. Very smooth with a mid growl using DR Sunbeams. I find the neck to be between a P and J but more round than flat.
I'd get a used Classic 50's P at your budget. They have great following on this forum. I'd suggest a Roadworn but it's above your budget.
username1 : I've owned a lot of precisions in my time and in my opinion the 50s p bass is the best playing and sounding I have tried.
Jeff K : My Classic '50s was my "go-to" for years, even though I have/had other great, more expensive basses. Just a great value. As mentioned though, these have the wide nut width (1.75").
highboltage55 : The " Classic 50's " MIM P Bass has a similar build to the Waters, without the "Signature" style incorporation. They are higher end Mexican basses and shouldn't be confused with the "Standard" series.
Anti-syzygy : I was happy with a Classic Series RW 50s P before I sold it to try out a G&L LB100. The LB100 would have been a good bass to have instead of my SB-1, but it was so similar that I found it was redundant. Now I am looking back at that RW 50s P bass and thinking "Hey, I should have kept it".
Good suggestion and I endorse the concept.
However, used they seem to go around $550 give or take, when available (nitro finish). There's a lacquer finish one on Classifieds now for, what, $800? You can get a brand new one with warranty from MF today for $637, with $50 store credit thrown in (redeemable after 45 days) so net $587. That means you can basically get new for the used price from this retailer today. But, maybe deciding today isn't feasible... they may have the 15% off again before Dec 25th though.
Jeff K : My Classic '50s was my "go-to" for years, even though I have/had other great, more expensive basses. Just a great value. As mentioned though, these have the wide nut width (1.75").
highboltage55 : The " Classic 50's " MIM P Bass has a similar build to the Waters, without the "Signature" style incorporation. They are higher end Mexican basses and shouldn't be confused with the "Standard" series.
Anti-syzygy : I was happy with a Classic Series RW 50s P before I sold it to try out a G&L LB100. The LB100 would have been a good bass to have instead of my SB-1, but it was so similar that I found it was redundant. Now I am looking back at that RW 50s P bass and thinking "Hey, I should have kept it".
Good suggestion and I endorse the concept.
However, used they seem to go around $550 give or take, when available (nitro finish). There's a lacquer finish one on Classifieds now for, what, $800? You can get a brand new one with warranty from MF today for $637, with $50 store credit thrown in (redeemable after 45 days) so net $587. That means you can basically get new for the used price from this retailer today. But, maybe deciding today isn't feasible... they may have the 15% off again before Dec 25th though.
I would suggest that one too. Those basses are NUTS for what you get for the money. They are high quality as well.
The only kicker for the OP is they really wanted a Jazz bass neck.
That Classic 50s neck was comfortable for me, coming from Jazz necks, thanks to the 7.25 radius and smaller frets. Also it's not a thick neck front to back with it's C shape. However everyone is a bit different.
Other wide necks like that I've tried had flatter radius, or were thicker front to back like the old B or baseball bat necks, and those do get uncomfortable for me.
That 15% off coupon doesn't seem to work for that bass as far as I can tell. I'd pick one up today if I could.
That Classic 50s Lacquer comes with a hard shell case. It's a fantastic deal already. It's vintage specced, has American Fender features, finished in nitro, and comes with a hardshell case for 900 dollars? WHAT!?
Having played the RW 50s and loved it I'd be super tempted to take a deal on that bass.
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