So Im thinking about offing my EBMM Stingray 5 HH cuz Ive got 2 Carvins that kill it and it never gets played. Ive got the vintage bug and want a re-issue or something... I want a P bass preferably under $2k. Any suggestions? Of coarse I want great tone and butterly / awesome playablility.
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Want the ultimate Fender P under $2k
- Thread starter JaredBT
- Start date
First question: what neck size/string spacing do you prefer?
Most of the Fender vintage reissues have larger necks. Make sure you want that.
Most of the Fender vintage reissues have larger necks. Make sure you want that.
Exactly so!
Neck radius is also very important. Do you want modern 9 1/2" or vintage 7 1/4"? For modern, you can never go wrong with an American Standard with stock Custom Shop pickups for about $1,300. For vintage the '63 AVRI Precision is absolutely killer, and can be had for right at 2 Grand. You can always design your own at Fender's American Design Experience. Invalid Link Removed
The OP mentions a Fender P. Period.
Under 2.000,-, vintage bug, it has to be a Fender? That's an easy one: AVS '58 or AVS '63.
Why not look for the original? There are lots of all original 1970-1975 P basses out there for $2k. Some are crappy sounding boat anchors, but if you look hard enough you will likely find a great one.
There was no mention if you wanted new or not. If you don't mind used, you might be able to find a nicely-priced custom shop under $2000. Otherwise, a nice used AVRI can be had with plenty of change to spare. Whether it's a late 50's model or an early 60's model, depends on if you prefer an maple fretboard or a rosewood one.
Fender road worn P bass are great as are any of the E series MIJ P basses from the 80's.
Are you positive it MUST be a Fender? For 2k you can either start trying as many AVRIs as you can, second hand fender CSs and 70s pbasses, cross your fingers and hope for a great one to turn up, OR get the first second hand USA Bob Glaub you find. 99% chances it's going to blow you away ans stay with you for life. Just My opinion having such a good budget.
I would reach out and grab a Tony Franklin signature Precision and be a happy guy..............
Nearly any of them. A $300 dollar one sounds almost exactly like a $2k one; they are the simplest basses on the planet. All that will matter is the fit and finish of the instrument.
There is NEVER a reason to spend more than a grand on a Fender unless you are having a custom shop model built for you.
There is NEVER a reason to spend more than a grand on a Fender unless you are having a custom shop model built for you.
I will agree with you. It took me a few years to believe this but its true.
It's funny, my general preference is for J basses, but the ones that do it for me are few and far between. With Ps on the other hand, they almost always pretty much work, regardless of who made it. I've been playing the same no name Japanese copy for 25 years.
I Am in the process of building a warmoth P, but as much as I tell myself otherwise, it is just that I want a specific color
Even though I'm not a fan of the P, it is a consistent instrument no matter what. Pickup placement will have a small effect on the tone, and of course fret board wood, but that's kinda it. Even P basses made by other companies sound a lot like a Fender P.
Really all the OP has to watch out for is neck comfort, finish availability, and the care taken in the building of that particular bass. Aside from that a MIM P made two weeks ago will sound almost exactly like a MIA P from 30 years ago.
Took the words right out of my mouth.
I like the older ones because they have that spongy feel old Fender have. I like the Nitro finish on the AVRI Ps, and I really, really dig the Tony Franklin, but it is a P/J. I will make a confession: aside from P/Js like the Tony F (which is the best of the ones I've played), I only like a P when it is wearing LaBellas. Played through an Ampeg tube amp. That P with LaBellas through an SVT tone is fantastic, but much of the tone comes from pickup placement, strings and the amp. Even low-end P basses can get this tone, with LaBellas and the right amp. Therefore, it really comes down to playability, and even the cheap ones play fine.
For other tones a P/J is the bees knees.
Depends what you like. If a guy prefers a bigger vintage 1.75 width neck the 44-64 would be a less than ideal choice with its jazz width neck.
There are plenty of reasons why somebody would spend more than a grand on a fender... They aren't all the same and a $300 one doesn't feel or play like a more expensive one. I've tried, believe me. I started at the bottom and worked my way up the line, and in my experience you get a better instrument with less hassle at a higher price. But everybody has different wants and needs and financial situations, so a $300 Squier might be just the ticket. Or a $2k vintage reissue might work for the OP. Only he or she knows what is right for them.
