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What is a "true" P-Bass?

#21
My opinion: It's a Precision if and only if it's FMIC and Fender calls it a "precision" - including Custom Shop, MIA, MIM, CIJ and Squier and all the varieties thereof, including the specials and hotrods that have the split-coil P pickup and something else. Because they were the originals, this also includes the early single-coil precisions and the recent single coil lookalikes.

My opinion: I wish Fender would not have marketed the Cabronita, Blacktop (with humbuckers) and VM TB as "precision" basses, because they have neither the original-style single coil pickup nor the split-coil pickup.

My opinion: If someone has taken the precision-style pickup (single or spit) off a precision bass and replaced it with one or more different style pickups (like a mudbucker), the bass is no longer a precision and is now a frankenbass. Same with a precision-style pickup placed on a non-precision body. Jazz necks on otherwise-complete precisions are OK because Fender sells them that way, too.

My opinion: Other companies that sell copies of precison basses are selling just that - copies. Whether they are very high-priced, very low-priced or very similarly-priced.

If you disagree with my opinions, that does not make you wrong, nor does it make me wrong. It just means we have different opinions about something that has no right or wrong answer!
 
#23
What's a 'true' Corvette? (no High-Jack intended... for illustration purposes only)

c%20-Chevrolet%20Corvettes%20C1-C5.jpg


Perhaps that GM says it is?
 
#28
For me, a Precision bass in at its most fundamental can be of any brand, but must meet the following criteria:

1. Split coil, AlnicoV pickup wound between 9.5 and 11k

2. .047, .05 or .1uf capacitor

3. Alder or Ash body

4. Maple neck with rosewood or maple fingerboard

5. Traditional "bent metal" or similar "low mass" bridge

6. 34" scale

7. "Fender" type headstock or one of similar mass/dimensions to the original


But these are just my guidelines. There's plenty of folks out there who's standards are different.
 
#31
^^^ -what I was told:
'Fretted" was what made the P "precision" ,
nothing about the single pup/placement.
So- any fretted bass is a 'precision'.
Correct me with any validation by Fender if I've been wrongly informed...
 
#32
Precision Bass is a registered trade mark of Fender. Therefore, anything similar can be called Precision style, but it is not really a Precision. Having said that, there are many great Precision style basses available.
 
#34
Any product of Fender/fmic (Squier included) that says precision bass on it when it was built and retains its P neck. The rest of you that say copies are Ps are plain wrong.

It would equate to a Honda Fat Boy. Just doesn't fly. Hamburgers :scowl: :eyebrow: :rollno: :rolleyes: :( :spit: :help::ninja:

Their TM, sums it up right there. /thread. :p
 
#37
For me, a P bass is not the same thing as a Precision Bass. I have a p-style Ibanez, and it serves all the purposes a Fender Precision Bass would do for me. Even though it says Ibanez on the headstock, its still my P. I consider the new carvin things people were going on about p basses, even though leo didn't make them. If it does what a fender precision does, in the owner's opinion, I would say its a p.
IMO of course
 
#38
You see the can of worms you've opened here? So, let me say that the answer clearly is:

1. Only the original design by Leo Fender

or

2. Any bass that says "Precision" and "Fender" on it

or

3. Any bass that says Precision and is made by a company owned by Fender

or

4. Only one that has one of these qualities listed above and has the thick neck

or

5. Only a single-pickup, split-coil 4 string designed by Leo Fender (the person who suggested this apparently missed that it would include G & L's)

or

6. Any single-pickup split-coil 4 string designed like the one designed by Leo Fender

or

7. Any single-pickup split coil designed like the one designed by Leo Fender even if it has more strings.

or

8. Any electric bass with frets.



And there we have it. Now you have a clear definition.

Edit: Okay, many clear definitions.

You're welcome.
 
#40
I'm going to echo/expand on Mark and Wild's comments...

I do not own a Precision Bass, but my 44-64 is a "P-Bass".

If I'm talking to another bassist, it's a 44-64 or a "Glaub" because I'd assume you know what I'm talking about, or are at least informed enough to figure it out. If I'm talking to a band mate, an engineer, an MD or anyone else that spends time around the process of making music, it's the "P-Bass", because I'm not so self centered as to expect everyone to know the intricacies of my gear, but I do expect them (to varying degrees) to know the difference between general styles of instruments. If I'm talking to anyone outside of my musical circle it's "the orange and brown one" then, "no, the other one with only 2 knobs"

Yes, I know "P-Bass" is trademarked... but I still call copiers "xerox" machines, and facial tissues are "kleenex", and unsolicited email "spam". Because they are generally accepted terms for common things.


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Actually... That's my "Bob Glaub"... it has a "BG" serial so when I'm talking to Lakland fanatics, that's what I call it... See how silly this gets?
 

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