pbass question

[BrandonBass]

are all of them 20frets?

 

[Nedmundo]

That depends on your definition of "P-bass." Fender's American Deluxe has 22, as did the earlier Precision Bass Plus (P/J, with Lace Sensors, 1989-early 1990's). Mike Lull's P4 and G&L's SB-2 (P/J pickups) have 21 frets, and I'm sure other makers offer more than 20. But I believe Fender's current passive P-basses (Am. Vintage and Custom Shop Reissues, Am. Ser., MIM Standards) all have 20, as does the Lakland Bob Glaub signature.

 

[BrandonBass]

damn, that just turned me off fender P....:-/

 

[JimmyM]

Yeah, I used to think that more than 20 frets was important, too. Then I realized I'm playing bass.

 

[wildsponge]

Yeah, I used to think that more than 20 frets was important, too. Then I realized I'm playing bass.

Haha, and +2

 

[BrandonBass]

I used to think 20frets was enough, until I tried to that stu hamm solo thing which requires the 21th fret...

 

[aesir6]

Yeah, I used to think that more than 20 frets was important, too. Then I realized I'm playing bass.

+1 for me

 

[GM60466]

I haven't played the 18th fret in years.

GM

 

[Nedmundo]

I used to think 20frets was enough, until I tried to that stu hamm solo thing which requires the 21th fret...

I had a similar experience last summer, when I subbed in a friend's band whose regular bassist played a Schecter. The signature riff for one of their best songs required that high E, and when I first tried to learn it, I simply ran out of fretboard on my Precision. Luckily, I also have a DiPinto Belvedere with 24 frets, so it was no problem.

But it alerted me to the issue. I wish Fender would adopt 21 or 22 fret necks on the passive American Series, because the vintage spec folks by the reissues anyway, and E is kind of useful in rock. If I ever buy a boutique p-type bass, I'll make sure it has at least 21 frets.