P body/J neck experiences

[hrodbert696]

OK, thinking about maybe eventually getting another bass. Feeling like I could use a P in the arsenal. The thing is, I've never liked the P neck, so I would want a J neck. Apart from that, I'd want it to be a standard passive P, not active electronics or bells and whistles. Being able to get a custom finish would be a bonus but not a necessity. So who's had such a bass, or better more than one of this type, and what were your experiences, what would you recommend? Budget would be up around the $1200ish range max, but going in that ballpark means waiting till summer to get one as I'd need to save up some dough.

Options I'm weighing -

1) Squier's Eva Gardner signature bass. Seems to have the requisite qualities, and Squiers seem to be decent lately. Annoying graphic on the body. This is the cheap option ($299).

2) Lakland skyline 44-64 custom (the former "Duck Dunn") model. Seen used ones around $800-900, new ones for $1300 or so. Lakland quality, would need to go with existing colors (which is fine)

3) Carvin PB4. Spec'ing them out on Carvin's website, looks like I could get one around $900, up around $1100 if I spring for stuff like a laminated neck, etc. Can order in the color scheme I like.

4) Dan Lakin Bob Glaub model. Seems to be about $1250. Can also be ordered in my own choice of color.

5) Get an MIM P bass and stick a neck on it from Allparts, Mighty Mite, Warmoth, or somewhere.

 

[hrodbert696]

PS I did think about Fender, but the only options seem to be the active Deluxe Special (and I don't want active), or the Nate Mendel which nobody seems to actually have one of to sell - not even Fender's direct-to-consumer website.

EDIT: I take it back. Found some web stores with Nate Mendels.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

You could always buy a MIM P-bass and a MIM J-bass, do a neck swap and sell the remains. It would probably end up being the same or less than getting a new neck.

EDIT: I meant used, you could probably get it done for under $300 if you are in no rush to find some deals.

 

[ShowKing]

Get the 44-64 custom, it's awesome.
I have a PJ but use it 95% as a P.
The P pickup sounds killer and the J neck is so comfortable!

 

[Malak the Mad]

1) Squier's Eva Gardner signature bass. Seems to have the requisite qualities, and Squiers seem to be decent lately. Annoying graphic on the body. This is the cheap option ($299).

2) Lakland skyline 44-64 custom (the former "Duck Dunn") model. Seen used ones around $800-900, new ones for $1300 or so. Lakland quality, would need to go with existing colors (which is fine)

3) Carvin PB4. Spec'ing them out on Carvin's website, looks like I could get one around $900, up around $1100 if I spring for stuff like a laminated neck, etc. Can order in the color scheme I like.

4) Dan Lakin Bob Glaub model. Seems to be about $1250. Can also be ordered in my own choice of color.

5) Get an MIM P bass and stick a neck on it from Allparts, Mighty Mite, Warmoth, or somewhere.

Another "cheap option" would be a Precision Bass Special from Squier's discontinued Standard Series. It's a Precision body with a Jazz neck (comes standard) and a P/J configuration. They usually go for somewhere in the $200 price range and pop up all the time on eBay and Guitar Center's used database.

If you're gonna go the parts-bass route, I suggest getting a body, not a neck, from Mighty Mite. I can't comment on the necks since I've never gotten one, but I've used two of their bodies for projects. They're lightweight swamp ash (at least, mine have been) and their finishes are excellent.

(For the record, I did the shielding paint myself)

Once you've got your body, you can pick and choose every other factor that goes into it…bridge, pickups, electronics, pickguard, etc. Then you can get whichever neck suits you, from a common MIM neck (or an uncommon '70s style MIM even) to an American-made neck, either from a part-out or a brand-new one from Fender or other online retailers. I've also heard good things about USACG parts. Their compound-radiused necks (7.25" to 9.5") certainly have my attention!

One great thing about doing a parts-bass in stages is the cost. The total price tag might seem high, but it can be spread across a longer span of time, thus minimizing the "pinch" on your wallet.

 

[Antisyzygy]

Why not order a USA G&L? You can pick what neck you want on it.

Their Tribute SB-2s have the Jazz style neck on them.

 

[flashgod]

I know u want a p body. But an aerodyne would be a nice alternative too, very light weight, standard p/j passive pups and a very fast and slim j neck with satin finish

 

[Malak the Mad]

I know u want a p body. But an aerodyne would be a nice alternative too, very light weight, standard p/j passive pups and a very fast and slim j neck with satin finish

Funny you should say that. There are Aerodyne Precisions out there. They're not currently in production, but every now and then, one pops up.

 

[Basshappi]

A parts build using quality components will put you in the $1k ballpark depending how much work you can do yourself and how patient you are shopping the classified section here and on ebay.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

I wasn't playing my Roadworn P enough in spite of the fact it sounds great and is an early lightweight one. One day the lightbulb went off and I grabbed my hot rodded MIM Jazz and pulled the neck off and slapped it onto the RW P. Voila! I loved it instantly and better yet I play it a lot more. Win win. Also a few years ago I built a hot rod P out of a real 62' Fender P body using a MIghty Mite Jazz neck. If Id have had the money I would have tried to find a period correct neck, but I didnt. The MM neck is fine for the time being and I might find a better neck for it at a later date but for the time being this is just a stellar bass. I added a SD Antiquites P pickup and an Audere 4 band pre and it's one of my favorite basses.

 

[bolophonic]

I am always into building parts basses, but the SB-2 is a good suggestion. They are about half of your budget on the used market.

 

[MegaSwing]

I have become a devotee of the Jazz neck. I have one by Warmoth on my Precision. It is a very nice instrument.

You can also follow the TB Classifieds for a Precision Special neck to turn up. It's Jazz width. The badging matches up, if that's an issue.

Funny how that extra 1/8 to 1/4 inch can matter so much.

 

[mikeyjm2]

I did think about Fender, but the only options seem to be the active Deluxe Special

I have a passive Fender P (pictured in my avatar) that is exactly what you're after, but I got it through American Design Experience. I personally love it, but it doesn't meet your budget unfortunately. Your option 5) is viable though and would get you in well under your price max. I've used a couple of Mighty Mite necks for FrankenSquier projects and I'm reasonably happy with the quality of the necks. Warmoth would probably be better and you could still come in under $1200 total.

 

[7dollarbologna]

OK, thinking about maybe eventually getting another bass. Feeling like I could use a P in the arsenal. The thing is, I've never liked the P neck, so I would want a J neck. Apart from that, I'd want it to be a standard passive P, not active electronics or bells and whistles. Being able to get a custom finish would be a bonus but not a necessity. So who's had such a bass, or better more than one of this type, and what were your experiences, what would you recommend? Budget would be up around the $1200ish range max, but going in that ballpark means waiting till summer to get one as I'd need to save up some dough.

Options I'm weighing -

1) Squier's Eva Gardner signature bass. Seems to have the requisite qualities, and Squiers seem to be decent lately. Annoying graphic on the body. This is the cheap option ($299).

2) Lakland skyline 44-64 custom (the former "Duck Dunn") model. Seen used ones around $800-900, new ones for $1300 or so. Lakland quality, would need to go with existing colors (which is fine)

3) Carvin PB4. Spec'ing them out on Carvin's website, looks like I could get one around $900, up around $1100 if I spring for stuff like a laminated neck, etc. Can order in the color scheme I like.

4) Dan Lakin Bob Glaub model. Seems to be about $1250. Can also be ordered in my own choice of color.

5) Get an MIM P bass and stick a neck on it from Allparts, Mighty Mite, Warmoth, or somewhere.

I have a MIM p bass and the neck is wide like a p bass should be, but razor thin- I can't put it down and I'm a Jazz guy.

 

[zombie1965]

PS I did think about Fender, but the only options seem to be the active Deluxe Special (and I don't want active), or the Nate Mendel which nobody seems to actually have one of to sell - not even Fender's direct-to-consumer website.

EDIT: I take it back. Found some web stores with Nate Mendels.

This is true, its active but it doesn't have to stay that way! i ripped the pre-amp out and changed the pots to USA fender ones a bit of soldering and your back to pasive with the bonus that the jack plug is in the tail of the bass not in the scratch plate. you end up with a redundant knob but you could always install a kill switch or something in that position if you want.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I recently sold my US Lakland Bob Glaub PJ with J neck. I miss it already. Fantastic bass!

 

[2.6kHz]

Could look at a Gamma bass, they offer a P body. I believe you can customize that any way you like and get a jazz neck on it. The ones I've seen look like really solid basses for the money.

 

[Mike Sorr]

Check out some of Joe Milstein's Gamma Basses. He calls his version of the P Bass the "Alpha". I'm actually picking up one of his basses tomorrow. It's an Alpha with a 1.5" neck, so pretty much exactly what you're talking about. And it only weighs 7.5 lbs!

Here's a review and a link:



I think he sells these for well under a grand, and I think they go somewhere in the $650 to $750 range, but don't quote me on that. He can be reached them rough his Facebook page.

 

[SirMjac28]

The Mark Hoppus is one of the best basses I've owned and it is a fantastic modding platform I added stacked knobs for tone I loved the neck and it is well beneath your budget.

 

[Antisyzygy]

Check out some of Joe Milstein's Gamma Basses. He calls his version of the P Bass the "Alpha". I'm actually picking up one of his basses tomorrow. It's an Alpha with a 1.5" neck, so pretty much exactly what you're talking about. And it only weighs 7.5 lbs!

Here's a review and a link:



I think he sells these for well under a grand, and I think they go somewhere in the $650 to $750 range, but don't quote me on that. He can be reached them rough his Facebook page.

Man those are pretty nice, I like the way they look.