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P-bass Question

kirkm24

kirkm24

Jan 1, 2007
2,331
51
Columbus, Ohio
#1
I don't initiate threads very often on here but I have been stewing over the possibility of selling my fretless Stingray and getting a P-Bass. I rarely use it and never gig with it, I just play it on my own time at home. I have been wanting a P-bass for a while to have in the arsenal for some old school vibe. What do you guys think? I'm trying to make this decision but thought I would solicit some opinions to help me work through it. I would estimate that my fretless Stingray is worth between $850-$900 in terms of resale value. I have hardly played it and it is absolutely mint w/ OHSC.

I've just been gassing for a P. I love Stingrays and currently have a fretted Stingray 4H and a Bongo 5 HS both basses I love and use frequently. The fretless mostly just sits in its case unused. My wife says I cannot add anything to the arsenal. Any thoughts?
 
#2
kirkm24 said:
I don't initiate threads very often on here but I have been stewing over the possibility of selling my fretless Stingray and getting a P-Bass. I rarely use it and never gig with it, I just play it on my own time at home. I have been wanting a P-bass for a while to have in the arsenal for some old school vibe. What do you guys think? I'm trying to make this decision but thought I would solicit some opinions to help me work through it. I would estimate that my fretless Stingray is worth between $850-$900 in terms of resale value. I have hardly played it and it is absolutely mint w/ OHSC.

I've just been gassing for a P. I love Stingrays and currently have a fretted Stingray 4H and a Bongo 5 HS both basses I love and use frequently. The fretless mostly just sits in its case unused. My wife says I cannot add anything to the arsenal. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

If you're not using it, why not? You can buy a nice P with the money from that one.
 
#3
These things are always - up to you. The most difficult decisions must be your own. All I can say is my two basses are a P-bass and a fretless acoustic (Dragonfly), and I love them both. Since you're not playing the Stingray, I'd say sell it and go for the P-bass. But that's a sad thought. Maybe you could convince the wife to let you get an inexpensive Squier? Or loan me the Stingray till you need it later? :cool:
 
#6
I am a committed fretless player. I own four. The only fretted bass I own is an old Pbass. I will never part with it. I pick it up once and awhile and groove. Nothing grooves like a good Pbass. I may never gig it again, but it's good to have.

Sounds like not only do you want one, but you'll use it. I say go for it!

BTW fretless Ps are sweet as well. Still GASsing for one ever since I sold mine 20 years ago.
 
#10
DeanT said:
...a nice MIA P-bass is a thing of beauty. I had a 1999 MIA that was amazing...
Click to expand...

Here we agree!

The good news is that the 2008 new american standard P-bass is terrific, IMHO. I have played several, and found all but one of them to be flawless, as P-basses go. The one with a flaw had a single high 20th fret (IIRC).

To the OP, go play some of the new P-basses. Ask yourself if you have a musical need for a P-Bass? As nice as your fretless Stingray must be, IMHO a P-bass is a more useful bass for covers, studio work, and any number of other styles, such as pop/punk/alternative, blues, soul, country, and even Metal of varying toxicity and density. :D
 
#11
Jerry J said:
I read somewhere many years ago that every bassist should have a P bass. I have two!:eek:
Click to expand...

DeanT said:
If you already have a StingRay, then I think a P-bass is redundant.

But, a nice MIA P-bass is a thing of beauty. I had a 1999 MIA that was amazing. I should never have sold it.
Click to expand...

Two equally true statements. And, I also love hearing about this NEW P BASS for 08, is just me but the damn bass been around 50 + years, its has single coil pups, two control knobs. What's F---ing new, please. The P bass is one trick pony, but that will be the only trick you need to know.

And, if you play bass, any P will be fine.
 
#13
Yeah having a fretless can be fun, but a good P is hard to pass up, i have an 83 US that sat under a bed for 20 years, and its a thing of beauty, i also have a Jazz Deluxe which is nice, but the P is always the go to bass, you plug it in turn up full volume and tone, no battery to check set the amp flat then sit and and wait until the the gig starts.

If you get a good one its hard to go back.
 
#17
It's a shame to get rid of the fretless. I love to play fretless and mine do get used on gigs. I know, I'm not helping. The truth is that if I had to pare it down to one bass, it would be my P-Bass. It just works for everything and when you're at a gig, it's a constant: If something's not right, the bass itself is 99.9% sure to not be the issue.

Less time trouble shooting or tweaking tone means more time to talk to girls.

KO
 
#18
"If you already have a Stingray then I think a P-bass is redundant"

We all have opinions but I'm really puzzled by that one. I have a Stingray and a P-bass and other than them both having 4 strings and being basses I see very little similarities. I've owned several P-basses and the 62 RI is by far my favorite.
 
#20
EnderZ13 said:
Two equally true statements. And, I also love hearing about this NEW P BASS for 08, is just me but the damn bass been around 50 + years, its has single coil pups, two control knobs. What's F---ing new, please. The P bass is one trick pony, but that will be the only trick you need to know.

And, if you play bass, any P will be fine.
Click to expand...

Graphite neck inserts are the new thing. Not that you really need it.

Half the worlds records can't be wrong... it's the AK-47 of basses. Simple and not too pretty but gets the job done.
 

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