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Used Fender P-bass or something else?

The_Amoeba_Man

The_Amoeba_Man

May 23, 2023
24
91
Atlanta, GA
#1
Hey everyone,
I've been rocking a Peavey Milestone IV for about a year now, and our band has recently started getting "real" paying gigs. I want to upgrade to a more "professional" instrument, and I have a budget of about $500-600. I've seen a couple of used Fender P-basses in that price range, and I was wondering if that's still the best way to go, or if there are any other precision basses out there within that price range that would be a better instrument? For context we mostly play 80's and 90's punk and alt rock.

Thanks in advance!
 
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#4
The_Amoeba_Man said:
Hey everyone,
I've been rocking a Peavey Milestone IV for about a year now, and our band has recently started getting "real" paying gigs. I want to upgrade to a more "professional" instrument, and I have a budget of about $500-600. I've seen a couple of used Fender P-basses in that price range, and I was wondering if that's still the best way to go, or if there are any other precision basses out there within that price range that would be a better instrument? For context we mostly play 80's and 90's punk and alt rock.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

If you don't mind the colours, reverse tuners, or that you need to loosen / remove the neck to adjust the truss rod with a screwdriver; a used Vintera is pretty hard to beat.

The 50's P had a great sounding pickup, nice chunky neck, with a 7.25" radius, and beautifully glossed maple neck.

(I can't remember the name of the series that preceded Vintera, but there are probably more of them around, slightly cheaper, with a few more colour options, and pretty equal quality).
 
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#5
I've been having a LOT of fun lately with Indonesian builds. My current #1 player by far is my LTD B-1004 Dlx - one of the best instruments (for me) that I've ever touched. I'm looking at getting myself a fretless LTD and maybe also one of their guitars for when I need to do some power chords or noodle along with Uncle Dee on the House of Hair!!

Maybe a year ago I picked up a gorgeous G&L Tribute M-2000 ($550 in great condition, plus a case). Very good build quality, terrific sound - gigged with it successfully just a couple days after I brought it home. I also tried a US made M-2000, but it wasn't any better for me than the import. If you want some sort of a P, I'd say look around for either an LB-100 or SB-2 from the Tribute series as long as the neck dimensions are okay for your hands.

Since I'm yammering on about ESP/LTD, I suppose I should mention that they have some P/J's; the AP-4, RB1004, Vintage 204, Surveyor... I've been impressed with Schecter through recent years and I know that they've put out a few P and P/J models, too.

Very much agree with post #2 above - check any bass for a decent fit for you. If it's not a good fit, don't assume that you'll get used to it or somehow adapt. A good fit for you will probably seem "right" pretty much right away, but try to spend at least a little time with any strong candidates. Always a good idea for to see how a bass behaves on a strap when I'm standing up. I'm a lot more picky about the weight and balance of any instrument now that I'm older, but I think this is also part of finding that good fit.
 
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#6
The_Amoeba_Man said:
Hey everyone,
I've been rocking a Peavey Milestone IV for about a year now, and our band has recently started getting "real" paying gigs. I want to upgrade to a more "professional" instrument, and I have a budget of about $500-600. I've seen a couple of used Fender P-basses in that price range, and I was wondering if that's still the best way to go, or if there are any other precision basses out there within that price range that would be a better instrument? For context we mostly play 80's and 90's punk and alt rock.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

What's wrong with the Peavey?
 
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#8
Minimalist said:
What's wrong with the Peavey?
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I guess there's nothing "wrong" with it per se, but it is my only bass and I bought it from a Goodwill store several years ago for about $45 (deal of the lifetime!) Given that we're getting paid gigs now I wanted something a little nicer than the entry-level bass I've been playing on so that the Peavey can become my back-up bass.
 
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#11
The_Amoeba_Man said:
I guess there's nothing "wrong" with it per se, but it is my only bass and I bought it from a Goodwill store several years ago for about $45 (deal of the lifetime!) Given that we're getting paid gigs now I wanted something a little nicer than the entry-level bass I've been playing on so that the Peavey can become my back-up bass.
Click to expand...
If it is a want, what is it that you really want? Do some paying gigs with the Peavey and save up.
 
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#12
The_Amoeba_Man said:
Hey everyone,
I've been rocking a Peavey Milestone IV for about a year now, and our band has recently started getting "real" paying gigs. I want to upgrade to a more "professional" instrument, and I have a budget of about $500-600. I've seen a couple of used Fender P-basses in that price range, and I was wondering if that's still the best way to go, or if there are any other precision basses out there within that price range that would be a better instrument? For context we mostly play 80's and 90's punk and alt rock.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

if you get a PB, JB, or a PBj, the’re all appropriate. In the $500-$600 range these are easily and cost effective to modified when you want to upgrade with out buying a new instrument.
 
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#14
I’ve got to plug the Yamaha BB series here. In that price range, you could get a new BB434, or maaaaaybe a used BB734A (which I play) if you can wait on an exceptional deal or save up the 600 USD they generally fetch. After a few years of chasing the best Precision-style bass for my money, I’ve been done for a while now.
 
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#15
I recommend one of the Fender Aerodyne Precision basses. They can be had for $649 on Reverb from Franklin Guitar Works and are listed as "used" but everyone will tell you they received a new in box instrument. I absolutely love mine and think they are currently one of the best values for the price. I think the slim body and no pickguard would be a good fit for the 80s/90s vibe you're going for.

For the same price you will find a used MIM fender but I personally believe the MIJ fender is of better quality and its practically a brand new instrument with a gig bag. Here's a picture of mine for your viewing pleasure.
20231112_160754.jpg
 

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#19
The_Amoeba_Man said:
I guess there's nothing "wrong" with it per se, but it is my only bass and I bought it from a Goodwill store several years ago for about $45 (deal of the lifetime!) Given that we're getting paid gigs now I wanted something a little nicer than the entry-level bass I've been playing on so that the Peavey can become my back-up bass.
Click to expand...
So play the peavey for a while, save your gig money and take your time looking at other basses as potential purchases. If you find one before you have the cash, patience is your friend. Keep saving and treat yourself to a new bass you can enjoy for the next 50 years.
 
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#20
A $500-$600 Fender Precision will be just fine.
If you want to upgrade later, you can either get a different bass, or swap out components.
Parts are east to find, and the modular design means your combinations can be endless.
Chances are, though, it'll work just fine forever.
 

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