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Search for P Bass, my progress so far....

M

Manimal29

Apr 17, 2008
6
0
Massachusetts
#1
Hey guys/girls,

I'm in a wicked bind time wise and financially for a P Bass (yes i've done hours of research between brands, types, tones, applications, etc.). I'm into Classic Rock/Metal/Blues, that sort of stuff and the P Bass seems to do the job for that. Anyway, I can only spend up to $300 on a bass, and for a live band I'm going to be playing with. Yikes!! Crazy turn of events considering I've played guitar for 15 years and just dropped $2k on an LP, love it like crazy, yet now am going to play bass live in a new band. Ok, so I played a couple MIM P Basses, mweh, so-so. Played a couple MIA P Basses, mweh especially for the price which I can't even afford right now. Then as a joke I played the Squier Pete Weisz? signature P bass (ugly as F with dumb design on body and 12th fret, only a volume knob, nope not the right bass) and it totally spoke to me as far as feel and what not. This was kind of confusing. So, like many others on this forum I've seen, I'm gonna go for the sight unseen purchase of an SX P Bass!!! I spent as much as I possibly could on an LP that I'm floored with, maybe this time around (not that I have a choice in the matter) I am going to spend the least amount possible on the bass and try to have the same results!! $110 for the P Bass, another $25 or so for a tortoise guard, new knobs, GFS Quarter Pounder knockoff, Gotoh 201 bridge, new strings (any suggestions?) and a complete setup of course. This way, this thing should smoke the Squier, and if it doesn't, the guitar will feel way less generic to me and have more of a bond with it. Am I nuts?? I have been reading all the SX praise, I'm sold, and I want to go for value and something cheap for the first time in my life, and make the best of it. Am I nuts?
 
#2
SX's are great for the price and perfect for modding, if I hadn't gotten an MIM first I would have definitely gone for the SX. The Gotoh 201 and everything sounds great also ... I'm not a fan of Quarter Pounders (my used MIM came with one and I switched it out for a Rio Grande) but for punk or rock it'd work well. Good luck with this project, I think it'll work out well for you.
 
#5
TrooperFarva said:
You need to get yourself a Link Removed

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Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick replies guys! I have to admit this Squier VM P Bass has been lingering in my head the last week or so. No one around me has em' at all. I called a GC on the other end of the state and the kid i've spoke with before there told me that it wasn't worth the ride for this one (go figure at GC!). He said it was beyond light and not very impressive. He said the MIM where much better. Well I wasn't overly impressed with the MIM P, and liked the feel of the Pete W Squier P better (do I have bad taste?). Anyway, I'm not going to praise to the heavens about SX basses as I've never seen, felt, played one personally, but there are a few things that I like the idea of. I like that the SX bass is supposedly made of "solid Alder". The Squier VM P Bass is made of agathis. The options of finish (although I do like the white). And obviously the bang for the buck and surprise that people are experiencing with these SX P Basses for the money. The extreme low cost gives me a cheap platform(Alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard like the MIM bass) to put much better parts in, better than even whats on the VM P Bass. Am I wrong? I certainly am no bass expert.....
 
#6
Well i've never played an SX, but my roommate has the Squier VM P and that thing really rocks. It's definitely next on my list of things to buy...but then again i'm going to mod it out with new hardware and a darkstar pickup.

From my experience, I'd say get the Squier VM, but this is your bass. Do what you want.
 
#7
Peavey Zodiac on ebay for $150 + $100 shipping from Hong Kong. Hm...

I recommend an SX only as a platform to modify or perfect your wood working skills. That's what I did with mine and I'm happy with it. Bone-stock is probably not good. Mine had problems with the fretwork. I also think that SX has a creative interpretation of "solid". Mine is pretty clearly a sandwich of at least 3 pieces of wood (plus the 3 pieces visible through the top finish).

And then there's craigslist. I've pulled a MIM Jazz V Deluxe for $100, a T-40 for $50, a Peavey Predator (very P-bass-like) for $50, a Cort Curbow fretless for $50 (I'll buy just about anything for $50, actually), and a Yamaha Attitude Deluxe for $100 (which I regret selling).
 
#10
I have the Squier VM P, and an SX Jazz. The SX is very, very good, for $100. But the Squier is better. Better feel, better sound, better fit and finish. If I were you, I'd order the VM P from MusiciansFriend. It'll be the same price as Guitar Center, because Guitar Center doesn't make deals anymore, and if you decide you don't like it, you have 45 days to return it.
 
#11
Don't feel crazy. My P-bass is a Squier Affinity... I would not trade it for another P-bass, sounds great, plays great, and nice and light. Now has a nitro coat, "Fender" logo, hipshot HW, RI pickup, and nice pickguard. Go for it!

My other main bass cost over 1500.00, so no you aren't nuts. It's all about the right tool for the job.
 
#12
I have the Squier VM P. I have owned an SX P and a '75 MIA P. The SX's and Squiers can be as good as the real vintage American Ps.

The biggest thing to look for is quality control. Check the neck joint for a good fit. It makes all the difference on sustain and punch.

The only pickup that I have found that sounded like the '75 P pickup was the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder. That's the only mod I would really recommend for the Squier or SX. You could put a heavier bridge on for better balance, but the stock bridge will sound more vintage.

I like the lighter Agathis body on the VM P. With my full stack behind me I can get infinite sustain because the body resonates so well.
 
#14
I also recommend the squier, slap on a few flats and you got yourself a grand bass:), you might want to invest in a few tuners, because the stock ones aren't bad, but gotoh's are just a lot better and a not to expensive mod
 
#15
I've owned SX and Squier basses, and my guitarist has the Vintage modified P that has been mentioned. Either bass would be a good buy for you. I didn't find either bass to be "amazing", but they are both well priced, well made and sound good. If you have the cash, I would lean towards the Squier.

If you do go with the Squier, you can get it for $225 with free shipping and no tax from www.theperfectbass.com . Just enter "talkbass" in the promotion code box.
 
#16
thecapm said:
If you really liked the Pete Wentz Squier P, why not just get a Squier P? It's modable enough, and at least you will have held one in your hands unlike the SX.
Click to expand...

It's funny, whether a cheaper type of wood or not, who knows, but the neck and fretboard on the Pete Wentz seemed to be a birdseye maple of some sort (maybe veneered) and felt great. Anyway, thanks for the replys. I think I am convinced and am going to order from PerfectBass. Thanks a lot for that heads up!!! I appreciate it! I'll let you know how it goes!:hyper:
 

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