So it's about time I got a Fender... but which one?

[Astre]

I've been playing for a while now and have used Ibanez basses almost exclusively throughout my time with the bass. Don't get me wrong - I love my Ibbys and they are great basses - but I think it's about time I finally got a Fender; they're classic instruments that have a root in almost all genres of music. So, over the past few weeks, I've been perusing the GC website and Reverb, but I'm still not quite sure what I even want. Most of the music I listen to uses jazz basses, and thus I am inclined to get one, but I went to GC yesterday and liked the deep, round tone of the Precisions. Still, the necks on the jazzes are much thinner, faster, and closer to the Ibanez feeling I'm used to. So I'm presented with the age-old question: precision or jazz? I feel like most of the answer lies in whether I want to prioritize the deep bass of the Ps or the articulation of the Js, but if any of you have other facets to consider or personal opinions I would love to hear them.

If anybody could also inform me of the difference between Standards and Players, that would be appreciated, as I'm pretty sure I am going to be buying one of those two lines.
Thanks.

 

[Biggbass]

I recommend a J. The neck is narrower and your transition from an Ibanez will be more comfortable. Plus the J offers a bit more tonal control than a P.
But keep in mind that eventually you may also want a P ... just because.

 

[buldog5151bass]

As to model, don't buy blind - try playing them. Coming from Ibanez, my guess is the Jazz neck will fell better to you, but you won't know until you try it. I much prefer P necks (even my fretted jazz has one), but I've been playing them for 40 years.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Get a P/J with a Jazz neck. Done. You can save a ton of money if you dont have to have that Fender logo on the headstock, very expensive piece of film.

 

[CallMeAl]

Get a P/J with a Jazz neck. Done. You can save a ton of money if you dont have to have that Fender logo on the headstock, very expensive piece of film.

My thoughts exactly! Don't compromise on comfort. And a PJ add articulation to a P, which you (OP) mentioned.

Fender P bass special (deluxe) if you want Fender.

Sire P7 if you want active/passive.

Yamaha BB have tweener 40mm necks, very comfy to my Jazz neck-loving hand.

Or, build a parts bass! (Which is what I did for my daily driver, J neck P bass.)

 

[chris_b]

So it's about time I got a Fender... but which one?

Just one?

IMO you need both.

 

[Lesfunk]

I would consider a Lakland skyline like this one.
P/j config with a nice jazz neck

 

[Gilmourisgod]

That PBass Special looks perfect, cool color too. You could put one together from Warmoth parts, which are superb, but it would probably end up about the same price. Your search is done, I Have Spoken.

 

[LukeSlywalker]

My bass journey went soundgear w humbuckers > jazz > precision > PJ.

I still have all the basses but only bring the PJ to gigs.

 

[alack]

This is a common topic around here. First question: Must it be a Fender or can it be another manufacturer's P or J? While I consider myself a "Fender Fanboy," over the past several years I've fully embraced Squier. Fender sound and feel at a fraction of the price and thanks to standardization of many parts, great mod platforms.

Depending on your budget, Squier could make one of each a possibility.

Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision Bass Olympic White

Squier Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass Black

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Sounds like you want a P with a Jazz neck.

 

[P. Aaron]

If you're gonna buy a Fender, USA made is always preferred. If you're gigging regularly, it'll pay for itself.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

If you're gonna buy a Fender, USA made is always preferred. If you're gigging regularly, it'll pay for itself.

Just as an aside, Oteil Burbridge used a MIM Fender Road Worn Precision Bass with the Allman Brothers Band.

 

[BobKos]

I have an SR-500 and SR-1200 and enjoy them both. Per the OP, My recently bought Jazz Bass Ultra comes closest to the ibanez necks of all my 'Fender' basses. It is unique even among Jazz Basses and deserves at least an audition. It is switchable active with a very good passive tone. The preamp Fender used is pretty decent and should be able to satisfy any special tone requirements. I think if you try one you will dig it. There is one on the MF used site at a decent price. They offer a generous inspection policy, so it may be worth checking:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Others are right in that if you can live without the Fender name on the headstock, the sky will open and the choices of truly awesome instruments goes on forever. My all time favorite is a Warmoth jazz bass with Nordies and an East Retro preamp. Have to say my recent Alien Audio does P-Bass way better than P-Basses can IMO. Just start playing basses every chance you get and the right one will speak to you.

Remember - At the end of the day every bass you play will sound exactly like YOU with slight tonal differences between models....

 

[P. Aaron]

Just as an aside, Oteil Burbridge used a MIM Fender Road Worn Precision Bass with the Allman Brothers Band.

My reasons are not Otiel's as much as if the owner ever wishes to sell, historically, buyers will always look at USA first.

 

[jd56hawk]

For the serious minded.
One thing I love about my G&L basses?
Whenever someone says "Why didn't you buy a Fender?" I simply plug in and show them why.

 

[themickster]

I've been playing for a while now and have used Ibanez basses almost exclusively throughout my time with the bass. Don't get me wrong - I love my Ibbys and they are great basses - but I think it's about time I finally got a Fender; they're classic instruments that have a root in almost all genres of music. So, over the past few weeks, I've been perusing the GC website and Reverb, but I'm still not quite sure what I even want. Most of the music I listen to uses jazz basses, and thus I am inclined to get one, but I went to GC yesterday and liked the deep, round tone of the Precisions. Still, the necks on the jazzes are much thinner, faster, and closer to the Ibanez feeling I'm used to. So I'm presented with the age-old question: precision or jazz? I feel like most of the answer lies in whether I want to prioritize the deep bass of the Ps or the articulation of the Js, but if any of you have other facets to consider or personal opinions I would love to hear them.

If anybody could also inform me of the difference between Standards and Players, that would be appreciated, as I'm pretty sure I am going to be buying one of those two lines.
Thanks.

Ibanez sell great musical instruments. Fender sell a name. I've known folk say how their low-cost Ibanez is better than their Fender. You seem to be buying one for the sake of owning one. It's up to you.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

No brainer. A P bass!

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Buying to eventually resale? Get a Fender. I never had any issue selling a fender bass. I had a VM Squier I almost had to give away. Right now I am down to a LTD & Sterling Ray4, both are good basses for the $$.. but have bad resale. So I am keeping them. Been looking around for another p bass, it will be a Fender.

 

[calypsocoral302]

Get a P/J with a Jazz neck. Done. You can save a ton of money if you dont have to have that Fender logo on the headstock, very expensive piece of film.

I've been playing for a while now and have used Ibanez basses almost exclusively throughout my time with the bass. Don't get me wrong - I love my Ibbys and they are great basses - but I think it's about time I finally got a Fender; they're classic instruments that have a root in almost all genres of music. So, over the past few weeks, I've been perusing the GC website and Reverb, but I'm still not quite sure what I even want. Most of the music I listen to uses jazz basses, and thus I am inclined to get one, but I went to GC yesterday and liked the deep, round tone of the Precisions. Still, the necks on the jazzes are much thinner, faster, and closer to the Ibanez feeling I'm used to. So I'm presented with the age-old question: precision or jazz? I feel like most of the answer lies in whether I want to prioritize the deep bass of the Ps or the articulation of the Js, but if any of you have other facets to consider or personal opinions I would love to hear them.

If anybody could also inform me of the difference between Standards and Players, that would be appreciated, as I'm pretty sure I am going to be buying one of those two lines.
Thanks.

It is my contention that the best Mexican-made Fender basses have the "Charvel" logo on the headstock.

Their San Dimas Pro Mod bass is a classic reverse-P + J configuration and the neck has a slimmer, narrower contour.

The only downside is that Fender preamps -- even in the $2000+ "American Ultra" models -- tend to be hit-or-miss with some people. Ibanez has about 30+ years of preamp design on Fender.