The ultimate bass optimization plan

[zelig.audio]

My final plan is to have two basses: a 4 string P for vintage stuff and an active JJ 5 string. As far as I can see, these two will cover all my gigging needs (basically I play Latin, soul/funk, pop and some classic and indie rock).

Sure there are nuances there, like P with flats vs P with rounds or a vintage-y Jazz bass, but I think these two would cover all the bases.

I’m trying to decide if I should keep an American Professional 2 P bass I got at 20% off new from a store or if should return it and downgrade to a Player 2.

I know that I want the AmPro mostly because the neck feels perfect, but I keep feeling it’s a lot of money sunk in a single instrument (that I love). The Player 2 neck feels a little thin to me, but I think I could get used to it. At the same time, I’ll probably gig the Jazz 5er more (at least that’s what I can see now, but I admit a lot is uncertain in terms of future gigs bc I recently moved to a new city).

FWIW, I haven’t yet figured out the 5 string. I currently have a jazz 4 string that I’m trying to decide if I’ll sell or not, but I’m inclined to keep it because it’s a great bass. OTOH, keeping it makes me feel less precious about the P bass, which favours the Player 2.

I feel that, in their own tiers, both Fenders (the Player and the AmPro) are overpriced, but due to gigging situations where I live, the vintage-leaning gigs benefit from a headstock that says Fender, so I’m accepting the “Fender tax” on the P bass.

So, what am I overlooking?

 

[BGroovy]

Never get rid of a neck that feels great for one that feels OK. The neck is everything and should fit like a glove.

 

[crazycloud]

So, what am I overlooking?

That a programmable EQ, either an individual pedal or a multi-FX can get you a whole bunch of distinct tones at the press of a switch or 2. Once dialled in you might find you only need a couple of presets to cover most things.

A couple of basses and a few presets is the path I'm heading down. The MFX is going to be my choice (probably a Boss GX100) because I sometimes play guitar in the same set.

 

[alembicbones]

Hey Zelig,

Happy Holidays.

I think you are on the right track with your bass choices. With regards to the P, a lot of bang for the buck in the used market. I would probably go the AmPro route but a Player P would probably be fine. If you can try them side by side that would be optimal.

With regards to the JJ 5 string, I recommend the Sadowsky MetroExpress JJ 5 string. I have a fretless version of it and it is a great bass. I added the Sadowsky preamp with the Vintage Tone Control but you might be fine with the stock preamp. Again, used would be great here but new still is good value for the money.

crazycloud has a good suggestion about a Multi-FX pedal. Here I'm partial to the Darkglass Anagram. Very versatile for tone shaping.

Best of luck on your hunt.

Bones

 

[Geri O]

I don’t see the logic in trading down the AM Pro unless you get a stupid price for it and pay a stupid cheap price for the Player with a bunch of dollars left over that makes the trading ordeal worthwhile.

You already like the AM Pro and have already made the investment in it, so that’s one strike against trading it.

Something like this doesn’t even occur to me. Get a bass, get settled in with it, and get busy playing. Yes, I went through a selling and buying process myself just recently. The results were worth it. I didn’t downgrade anything.

 

[Micha84]

Yeah, another vote against selling your P. I have a Player P myself and think it is fantastic, but if you already have and love the AmPro, you are setting yourself up for regret.

 

[J Wilson]

Unless your house just burnt down or your wife told you you're expecting triplets, NEVER down-sell an instrument that suits you really well . . . . to get something else that is, indeed, cheaper, and comes with a built-in KICK MYSELF reflex for ever selling my other one for this sled. You're going to spend even more money . . . to get something you won't like as well. Your current bass is paid for and costs you nothing out of pocket.

You gettin' this?

Just don't.

 

[Geri O]

Yeah, another vote against selling your P. I have a Player P myself and think it is fantastic, but if you already have and love the AmPro, you are setting yourself up for regret.

I even consider the move he’s considering to be a lateral move. And a move that’s not really advantageous. Both basses are certainly good basses for the job.

 

[RGerhart]

I say keep both the P and the J, and save up for a 5-string J, or maybe a Stingray 5. Two basses are great to cover most things, but a third is even better.

 

[oldcatfish]

Another +1 to DON’T get rid of your p bass. If anything, sell/trade your 4 string J for a 5 string one, if you can’t just afford a fiver outright.

 

[michael_t]

My final plan is to have two basses: a 4 string P for vintage stuff and an active JJ 5 string...

I’m trying to decide if I should keep an American Professional 2 P bass I got at 20% off new from a store or if should return it and downgrade to a Player 2.

FWIW, I haven’t yet figured out the 5 string. I currently have a jazz 4 string that I’m trying to decide if I’ll sell or not, but I’m inclined to keep it because it’s a great bass...

Keep the Am Pro II P. It's a lifetime investment. Keep the 4-string Jazz as well.

And save up the money for an active 5-string with dual humbuckers. Then you'll be all set.

 

[zelig.audio]

Just a clarification to @Geri O , @Micha84 , @jwilson and @oldcatfish , I'm still in the return window of the AmPro. I tried Player 2s also and found them good, but not great (for my taste for neck carve, of course), but, as I said in the OP, I don't see a P being my main bass gig-wise (though it's probably my favorite bass type and I try to smuggle it in to every job I feel it can kind of fit). This is what's giving me a bit of cold feet in keeping the AmPro, though I agree with @michael_t that it's a lifetime investment and so the "cry once" argument applies. Also, my preference for P-basses perhaps justifies spending more on one.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Keep that Am Pro II and trade your 4-string J plus cash for the 5-sting super J you want. Isn't there an Ultra 5 in the TB classifieds?

 

[WillKrauseBass]

Based off the styles you listed, I would think you’ll get a ton of mileage out of that P. I’m on team keep the P and save for some kind of active 5 string.

 

[jsowers]

I am also pro-saving-what-you-already-have. Every time you pick your basses up, think of the savings, and allow yourself to dispense some dopamine.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

This is TB. Two basses are never enough he he he

 

[MechaSparky]

My final plan is to have two basses: a 4 string P for vintage stuff and an active JJ 5 string. As far as I can see, these two will cover all my gigging needs (basically I play Latin, soul/funk, pop and some classic and indie rock).

Sure there are nuances there, like P with flats vs P with rounds or a vintage-y Jazz bass, but I think these two would cover all the bases.

I’m trying to decide if I should keep an American Professional 2 P bass I got at 20% off new from a store or if should return it and downgrade to a Player 2.

I know that I want the AmPro mostly because the neck feels perfect, but I keep feeling it’s a lot of money sunk in a single instrument (that I love). The Player 2 neck feels a little thin to me, but I think I could get used to it. At the same time, I’ll probably gig the Jazz 5er more (at least that’s what I can see now, but I admit a lot is uncertain in terms of future gigs bc I recently moved to a new city).

FWIW, I haven’t yet figured out the 5 string. I currently have a jazz 4 string that I’m trying to decide if I’ll sell or not, but I’m inclined to keep it because it’s a great bass. OTOH, keeping it makes me feel less precious about the P bass, which favours the Player 2.

I feel that, in their own tiers, both Fenders (the Player and the AmPro) are overpriced, but due to gigging situations where I live, the vintage-leaning gigs benefit from a headstock that says Fender, so I’m accepting the “Fender tax” on the P bass.

So, what am I overlooking?

Buy them all and keep them all.

 

[GIBrat51]

My final plan is to have two basses: a 4 string P for vintage stuff and an active JJ 5 string. As far as I can see, these two will cover all my gigging needs (basically I play Latin, soul/funk, pop and some classic and indie rock).

Sure there are nuances there, like P with flats vs P with rounds or a vintage-y Jazz bass, but I think these two would cover all the bases.

I’m trying to decide if I should keep an American Professional 2 P bass I got at 20% off new from a store or if should return it and downgrade to a Player 2.

I know that I want the AmPro mostly because the neck feels perfect, but I keep feeling it’s a lot of money sunk in a single instrument (that I love). The Player 2 neck feels a little thin to me, but I think I could get used to it. At the same time, I’ll probably gig the Jazz 5er more (at least that’s what I can see now, but I admit a lot is uncertain in terms of future gigs bc I recently moved to a new city).

FWIW, I haven’t yet figured out the 5 string. I currently have a jazz 4 string that I’m trying to decide if I’ll sell or not, but I’m inclined to keep it because it’s a great bass. OTOH, keeping it makes me feel less precious about the P bass, which favours the Player 2.

I feel that, in their own tiers, both Fenders (the Player and the AmPro) are overpriced, but due to gigging situations where I live, the vintage-leaning gigs benefit from a headstock that says Fender, so I’m accepting the “Fender tax” on the P bass.

So, what am I overlooking?

Well...
At first glance? Ever heard the Saying "A bird in the hand..."? You have a P-Bass that you admit is perfectly suitable for what you think you need - even though the neck is "not perfect". I understand what you're saying; and I can agree - sorta. But, I own - and play - 30 different basses, and my hands tell me all the time that a lot of them don't have "perfect" necks. What they are, though, is perfectly playable. So, that's what I do...
As for the 5-er? Sorry; can't help you there. Nothing I play now, or have played in the last 55 years, has ever needed - or would have benefitted - from me using one of them. So, I don't own one. Just too many 4-stringers... But, if you think that a "Fender" decal is a benefit in one situation? Why not one in the other? Pretty sure Fender makes a 5-string Jazz bass...

 

[zelig.audio]

Well...
At first glance? Ever heard the Saying "A bird in the hand..."? You have a P-Bass that you admit is perfectly suitable for what you think you need - even though the neck is "not perfect". I understand what you're saying; and I can agree - sorta. But, I own - and play - 30 different basses, and my hands tell me all the time that a lot of them don't have "perfect" necks. What they are, though, is perfectly playable. So, that's what I do...
As for the 5-er? Sorry; can't help you there. Nothing I play now, or have played in the last 55 years, has ever needed - or would have benefitted - from me using one of them. So, I don't own one. Just too many 4-stringers... But, if you think that a "Fender" decal is a benefit in one situation? Why not one in the other? Pretty sure Fender makes a 5-string Jazz bass...

Actually it’s the opposite: the AmPro 2 I currently have (and have more two weeks to return if I decide to) has the perfect neck. It just costs a lot of money and keeping it means waiting much longer to get a 5er, so what I’m really asking you all is, apart from neck carve, what are the shortcomings of a Player 2 compared the AmPro 2 to justify me keeping the AmPro?

Wish I could update the OP with the more direct question, but it seems I can’t.

 

[CletusMarley]

Never get rid of a neck that feels great for one that feels OK. The neck is everything and should fit like a glove.

I couldn't agree more.