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Searching a snappy, modern Pbass

Never thought I'd say this: but a Spector NS2 variant might be the answer

That's a nice snappy sound, a little bit of more mibass freqs and it's perfect :)

Thanks for all the comments, I'm doing some research and maybe a modern reverse p, maybe with an active emg could be the answer (ns2 derived, warwick fortress?).
Or maybe I could find what I'm looking for in a most recent active P, I have heard some nice.
On the jazz hypothesis: I already have two jazz basses that I use, one with an active preamp and DR Fat Beams (bright slappy tone), but they are different animals from the P I like.
On the idea: I have (had) several pedal preamps, equalizer pedals, and now I play with digital modelers, but they fail to be the origin of a specific sound and feeling.
I will also try the PJ solution with pickup in series, in fact on the PJs I never use the two pickups together because they sound too scooped, I will try to put them in series.
However, listening around, I'm also evaluating the idea of a Stingray derived with bright flats.
 
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If you have the real estate for it, one of these might get you where you wanna go.



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The bass I use the most is a fender precision "partcaster" with alder body, rosewood fingerboard, Di Marzio model P pickup and a weight of 3,5 kg. I use it with Fender 9050 or EB Cobalt flat strings.
I really like the sound, old school but (both with flats and rounds) with a nice emphasis on the mid frequencies between 500 and 800 Hz.
Now I'm in search of an another 4 string bass, not necessarily a Fender, P or PJ, in any case with a "split" neck pickup or sort of it, with a more modern, open and brighty sound and with a "snappy" feeling and a general emphasis on hi mids.
I thought about another precision with an ash body and maple fingerboard but I'm very scared of the excessive weight (I wouldn't use basses heavier than 4kg for my 3/4 hours sets) and I've seen that it's not an easy combination to find on the market for a precision.
So what bass would you recommend considering that I don't want to spend more than 1,000/1,500 dollars?

Bright P vibe, OK !
Squier Sonic P with Aliexpress 9.5K pickups and Daddario NYXL bass string , less than $300 spend.
Another $1200 for few used CIC Squier Classic vibe bass find, or , new Charvel Pro mod PJ IV or V.
 
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+1 for Sandberg.

I chose a California VM4 over a P bass when trying in store for the more modern 'snappy' punch factor.

Can always dial eq back to ease the snap, as desired or use seperate preamp. Active pick ups can be switched to passive if needed.

Best bass I've had.

View attachment 7017395
I've been contemplating for a while now about getting something like this. Think I'm going to do it now for a Warmoth build. Something like this.
IMG_0072.jpeg
 
The bass I use the most is a fender precision "partcaster" with alder body, rosewood fingerboard, Di Marzio model P pickup and a weight of 3,5 kg. I use it with Fender 9050 or EB Cobalt flat strings.
I really like the sound, old school but (both with flats and rounds) with a nice emphasis on the mid frequencies between 500 and 800 Hz.
Now I'm in search of an another 4 string bass, not necessarily a Fender, P or PJ, in any case with a "split" neck pickup or sort of it, with a more modern, open and brighty sound and with a "snappy" feeling and a general emphasis on hi mids.
I thought about another precision with an ash body and maple fingerboard but I'm very scared of the excessive weight (I wouldn't use basses heavier than 4kg for my 3/4 hours sets) and I've seen that it's not an easy combination to find on the market for a precision.
So what bass would you recommend considering that I don't want to spend more than 1,000/1,500 dollars?
How about a G&L L2000 - or a Kiloton? With rounds. Played with a pick. My G&L Kiloton is a Custom Shop one ('cause it's a left handed lined fretless), but... even with La Bella DTF4-A Low Tension Flats on it? Like the L2000, it's pretty much a modern iteration of a P-Bass, anyway, but - with the boost on - and played with a stiff Tusq pick? It's about as "snappy" as a normal person can stand.... :cool:
 
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Maybe an active bass could work for you, like this one: Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-Fret Hybrid P/J Bass, Roasted Maple Fingerboard, 4-String

View attachment 7015765

Or look into what Sire has to offer: Sire Marcus Miller P8 4-String

View attachment 7015766

Meets your price target, but probably not the weight...

Before i check out with Charvel PJ , i try both China made Sadowsky Metroexpress PJ and Fender Player Plus PJ too. Sadowsky has bright souding. Both D and G sound snappy, but i call it " Thin ".
 
The bass I use the most is a fender precision "partcaster" with alder body, rosewood fingerboard, Di Marzio model P pickup and a weight of 3,5 kg. I use it with Fender 9050 or EB Cobalt flat strings.
I really like the sound, old school but (both with flats and rounds) with a nice emphasis on the mid frequencies between 500 and 800 Hz.
Now I'm in search of an another 4 string bass, not necessarily a Fender, P or PJ, in any case with a "split" neck pickup or sort of it, with a more modern, open and brighty sound and with a "snappy" feeling and a general emphasis on hi mids.
I thought about another precision with an ash body and maple fingerboard but I'm very scared of the excessive weight (I wouldn't use basses heavier than 4kg for my 3/4 hours sets) and I've seen that it's not an easy combination to find on the market for a precision.
So what bass would you recommend considering that I don't want to spend more than 1,000/1,500 dollars?
I threw an EMG Les Claypool Pachyderm Gold pickup in a Squier 40th Anniversary P-Bass and felt it was too snappy. I kept the stock electronics but added the 9V for more oomph. It's exactly what I didn't want… and pretty much what you're looking for.

I have heard a lot of sound samples from the new Fender Cobalt Chrome and they are BRIGHT. Sure, $250 is a chunk for a P-pickup, but throw it into a MIM P-bass or a Squier… boom.
 
The bass I use the most is a fender precision "partcaster" with alder body, rosewood fingerboard, Di Marzio model P pickup and a weight of 3,5 kg. I use it with Fender 9050 or EB Cobalt flat strings.
I really like the sound, old school but (both with flats and rounds) with a nice emphasis on the mid frequencies between 500 and 800 Hz.
Now I'm in search of an another 4 string bass, not necessarily a Fender, P or PJ, in any case with a "split" neck pickup or sort of it, with a more modern, open and brighty sound and with a "snappy" feeling and a general emphasis on hi mids.
I thought about another precision with an ash body and maple fingerboard but I'm very scared of the excessive weight (I wouldn't use basses heavier than 4kg for my 3/4 hours sets) and I've seen that it's not an easy combination to find on the market for a precision.
So what bass would you recommend considering that I don't want to spend more than 1,000/1,500 dollars?
I put together a Jazz Bass body and a P neck with DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups a few years ago. The same Chromes I use on most of my other Bass. It is my tone options Bass, but I would not consider it snappy. That would require roundwounds. Just my two cents.