P Basses with narrower necks?

[BassicJazzy]

I agree with the idea of buying a J neck and slapping it on your bass, but if you want a separate P with a J style neck you cannot go wrong with a Sire P5R, for around $600. Here's mine:

 

[strigidae]

You might look into Fenders precision bass special deluxe. PJ with a p body and a j neck.

Not my listing but for example: https://reverb.com/item/59477984-fender-precision-bass-special-deluxe-series-bass

 

[HardNHeavy]

i'd like a pbass neck on a jazz actually...i like both

 

[lidl e]

I recently built a P bass and I am kicking myself for not using a J neck.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I have a Squier Standard P Bass Special V, which originally came with two four-string J pickups. Because those were obviously wrong for the job, I converted it to a PJ with Nordstrand pickups. Playing it more the last few days, I've realised how bloody good and versatile P pickups can be. Unfortunately the neck is like a cricket bat, so there's no way I can gig with it.

So I'm looking for suggestions for a 4-string P Bass, ideally one with a slimmer neck (J thickness would be fine). I'd prefer traditional P looks, rather than a more modern interpretation of a P layout. PJ would be fine. I wouldn't want to spend more than about £/$800 (prices tend to be the same numerical value between the two!).

Any suggestions?

Yes, you suggested it: PJ neck which is basically a Jazz Bass neck. Or buy a Jazz Bass neck. I can't imagine there aren't hundreds of options available at a huge range of prices.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

Fender American special P
Which would be my sandblasted bass on the right

 

[NEVIS_AMPS]

You might look into Fenders precision bass special deluxe. PJ with a p body and a j neck.

Not my listing but for example: https://reverb.com/item/59477984-fender-precision-bass-special-deluxe-series-bass

This is the easiest way to buy and be done.

People have mentioned buying a jazz neck to put on a p-body, I believe fender even sells a “conversion neck” that is j profile/nut-width but has a “precision bass” headstock decal. Also keep in mind that if you buy a p-bass and take the neck off, someone will buy that neck from you fairly quickly.

 

[RomanS]

Squier Sonic Precision - J neck, looks "classic", relatively lightweight, very well; maybe budget for a pickup swap?

 

[rmayer]

Jazz neck on a Precision body. It works great for me.

View attachment 7410110

Same for me, although my bass of choice (for a P) has been a G&L LB100 with the 1.5” neck option. Got my last one last May (who knew?).
Also, a shout out for Nordstrand pickups, I replaced the stock G&Ls with Nordy Power Blade Ps and wiring harness with the tone drop pot. It rules.
Note: The full shot is the original pickup, and the photo from RocketMusic in Virginia. Thanks again Greg.

 

[Gervais Cote]

You should try a Japanese Fender Aerodyne p bass, very slim and comfortable neck.

 

[darwin-bass]

The $150 Squier P I bought a year ago has a J width neck.

 

[Crusher47]

Fender Vintera II '60's Precisions have a really skinny neck

 

[DCErik]

Back in the Pleistocene my first 'real' bass was a mid-70s 'studio model' P-bass with the 1.75" nut that must have weighed 15lb. Not a great match for a 120lb 13 year old, but not knowing any better I stuck with it for over 10 years before trying out the Spector NS-2A in my profile pic. Night and day for a guy with big palms and short fingers with the fast neck and 1.5" nut.

Best of both worlds, as it turns out, is a '98 MIM Fender Precision Special Deluxe (passive) with the PJ setup and Jazz neck.

 

[Pearly Gator]

Squier Sonic Precision - J neck, looks "classic", relatively lightweight, very well; maybe budget for a pickup swap?

+1 This is for sure a Jazz bass neck on a P bass. Light weight, too. I put a $30 Amazon “Kaish” alnico pickup in it.

 

[andrus108]

This is the easiest way to buy and be done.

People have mentioned buying a jazz neck to put on a p-body, I believe fender even sells a “conversion neck” that is j profile/nut-width but has a “precision bass” headstock decal. Also keep in mind that if you buy a p-bass and take the neck off, someone will buy that neck from you fairly quickly.

Came here to say this, Fender does sell a Jazz neck dedicated for Precision bodies. There are also baritone necks for Strats

 

[cymbop]

You'll find some good inspiration here: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/j-neck-p-bass-club.1440615/page-42#post-29229776

 

[tpaul]

The Fender Precision Nate Mendel model.

Came to say this. Note however that the Mendel neck is a slim P neck, not a true J neck, and a SD Quarter Pounder pickup. Also the Mendel has a roadworn nitro finish and can be on the heavy side, although it's possible to find lightweight examples. It's a great bass if you like the specs.

 

[antfarm]

Fender Japan has several Precision Basses with a 1.5" nut width.

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I personally like the Hama Okamota Precision Bass:

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Unfortunately, the localization of the Fender website is a total mess since the relaunch, and probably redirects you back to the start page for your country and language. In that case, manually enter Invalid Link Removed into the adress bar of your browser and then hover over the (Japanese) links in the menu until you see the preview images for the different bass models, or do a web seach for "Hama Okamota Precision Bass".

There are more interesting models that are within your budget, like the Japanese Traditional 70s Precision Bass.

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[Bar Band Bassman]

Squier Sonic P bass. Already has a Jazz neck. I have 2 and they punch WAY above their price, IMO, about $250 USD now (cheaper when I bought mine).

BBB

 

[Pet Sounds]

Lakland Skyline 44-64 custom. Awesome neck profiles.

I used one as my main bass for several years, before getting my custom Dingwall Super P.

I second this recommendation. I bought one of the first Skyline Duck Dunn models (now 44-64) and played it as my main bass for a decade. I took a 1995 Fender American Standard as a backup, but never needed it.