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Precision basses with Jazz necks

U

ulynch

Nov 8, 2010
820
31
Nor Cal
#1
That's what I like: a p-bass with a 1.5" nut Jazz neck. I know the Precision Special is pretty close (not the American Special Precision though!). But the Special has an extra pickup, and they're mostly active basses. I'm a passive kinda guy (just ask my wife :p ) So here's my question:

What stock Precision basses has Fender put out over the years that have Jazz necks and are passive?

(I say stock, because custom p-basses with A necks are both rare, and consequently overpriced IMO.)

The extra pickup's not really a big deal. Aerodyne's are very close to everything I like. I just wish the bodies were ash or alder, not basswood. I've had bad luck with screws (especially strap pins) stripping in basswood.

I think the California Series comes close too. Any others? Or should I just get a Jazz bass I like and route it for a P pickup? :bassist:
 
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#2
One other thing: I've done a bunch of searches here and elsewhere on the web, and I can't see to find this question covered. But if I've missed a resource, or the perfect TB post, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks!
 
#4
#6
Leialoha said:
The Duff McKagan, American Special, '70s P Bass, all have thinner necks (1 5/8")than the standard P width. Not quite J width but pretty close. And they're all passive. I have a Jazz and a "Duff" and they feel pretty much the same.
Click to expand...

That 1/8" makes enough difference for me. I always considered the 1 5/8" nut to be "standard" p-bass, and the 1 3/4" lumps a rare bird.
 
#7
You should consider a US Lakland Duck Dunn, aka 44-64 Custom. This is a Precision with a "Jazz neck", i.e. 1.5" at the nut. From time to time they pop up for sale here on TB, and they go for under $2k. A very nice bass for a reasonable price, IMO. Here's a photo of mine...

Jim

BTW, Lakland also has an import line called the Skyline series. They cost about half as much as the US instruments, and some folks here like them a lot too. But I've not tried them.
 

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#8
I have a P-Bass Special (MIM)that came stock with passive
pups. The reason I bought it was because I wanted a P-Bass
but coming from a Jazz I couldn't get used to a P neck. I also
bought a Schecter Model-T (also a P-bass w/ J neck) as a
back up for when I was gigging a lot. The extra pups came
in handy.

Fender
FenderP-BassSpecial.jpg


Schecter
SchecterModel-T.jpg
 
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#10
My favorite neck is the 'modern' P, the 1.625 width. Stingrays, ATKs, American Ps all use the same neck width, and for my monster hands its about perfect. I wear size XYL motorcycle gloves, when people shake my hand they usually comment on how big they are.

Classic P necks in the 1.75 are too wide for my taste/style, I find myself thinking about the neck as I'm playing, which is a sure sign it isn't right. I still prefer the big old necks to Jazz necks - my first bass was a J necked P clone, and I never bonded with it. Too skinny, string spacing is too tight. I find my giant fingers crashing into each other and trying to bend notes on the E or G off the fretboard.
 
#14
jsbarber said:
You should consider a US Lakland Duck Dunn, aka 44-64 Custom. This is a Precision with a "Jazz neck", i.e. 1.5" at the nut. From time to time they pop up for sale here on TB, and they go for under $2k. A very nice bass for a reasonable price, IMO. Here's a photo of mine...

Jim

BTW, Lakland also has an import line called the Skyline series. They cost about half as much as the US instruments, and some folks here like them a lot too. But I've not tried them.
Click to expand...

My old bass in my old living room! Cool!
 
#16
SoonerMatt said:
HUGE +1 for the Lakland Duck Dunn; IMO it's the best P out there for under a grand.
Click to expand...

TB is the only place I've ever even seen a Lakland. They may be well regarded (and that blocked neck sho' is purty), but I'm sticking with Fender.

So far I've got Aerodyne, Precision Special, and California Series. How about the P Lyte? Any artist series? Any others?

Thanks everyone!
 
#17
SoonerMatt said:
HUGE +1 for the Lakland Duck Dunn; IMO it's the best P out there for under a grand.
Click to expand...

Does the Dunn have a Fender-like neck radius?

I'm asking because I had a US Glaub PJ for almost two years. It was a beauty.

I wanted to love that bass, but the neck radius was too flat for me and I never could get used to it.

The Dunns seem intriguing, but not if they have a similarly flat neck radius like the Glaub for me.

Thanks.
 
#19
Here's my P-Bass with a Jazz neck .... it's a 78 P-bass with a 62 reissue jazz neck .... I also installed the Kluston reverse tuners and swapped out the pick-up for the newer Fender 62 reissue pick-ups, also did the anodized pick-guard, believe it or not , it made the bass a little quieter, also installed a different locking chrome plated brass bridge, I also had a thumb rest made out of rosewood ..... how's it sound ..... pretty good ...IMHO

5946772906_89e10354bd_b.jpg

Fender Precision Bass by Invalid Link Removed, on Flickr
 
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