What P Bass should I get?

[Bassmaticmatt]

I'm really impressed with my Vintage V4.

 

[Mastermold]

Ok so I play a Fender J Bass in a full time cover band. It is an absolute workhorse and caters to all genres that we play. But I recently played a friend's P bass clone and I loved it. I was warned off a P bass when buying my J bass as I was told it wasn't versatile enough to cover the genres we do. As I was new to playing bass I took the advise as gospel and opted for the J bass instead.

Anyway, now im a bit wiser I'm looking to add a P bass to the family but I'm not sure what one to get. Unfortunately there's not a big choice of P basses in our local music stores to demo before buying.

I've watched a lot of youtube reviews but I'm still no better off. I love the gritty sound of the Mark Hoppus P bass but I'm not sure how it would sit in the mix of a corporate band.

If anyone could provide some help on what type of P bass will suit all music styles for my band, I'm all ears.

Thanks

What's your budget? An American Standard is probably what I'd suggest so long as it's within your budget.

 

[JonKim]

Not a huge fan of p basses myself and prefer a j but I really dig the new fender Nate Mendel signature bass! Very slim and fast neck, nitro finish, very light relic, ash/rosewood combo, and a Seymour Duncan 1/4er!

I been through3 different ones as all basses are not the same but fit and playability they're a great choice!

 

[Dana R Gregory]

Since you are not sure how well a Pbass will work, then maybe you should look at an affordable Fender MIM Pbass. The price won't break the bank and a good used one can be had at an attractive price and they are very comfortable to play. If you find the P is the way to go then you can upgrade if you feel the need to. What ever you decide, you can be confident that the Pbass will do just about anything you need it to. Good luck

 

[40Hz]

Can't go wrong with the American Standard P.

Actually…you can. (I once did. Just once.) But it's so unlikely that there's small chance it will happen to someone else besides me.

 

[superdick2112]

I have a Steve Harris West Ham P, a Classic '50s P and an American Standard P.
Each one has its place, but the American Standard is my "desert island" P-bass - the one P that can do it all....

 

[garp]

Since you are not sure how well a Pbass will work, then maybe you should look at an affordable Fender MIM Pbass. The price won't break the bank and a good used one can be had at an attractive price and they are very comfortable to play.

+1. As a long-time Fender Jazz player, when a gigging opportunity presented itself where a P was required, I first test-drove the MIM Standard P and the MIM '50s Classic P. While it necessitated a bit more coin, I ended up going with the Classic.

 

[bass71]

An alder bodied P bass with flats and a good dollop of mid range dialled into ur amp will cover every single genre of music...including jazz, and even anything that need s a bit of slap.
Why? because the audience don't give a damn as long as the overall sound has got some bottom in it.

 

[gidbass]

Squier Matt Freeman Signature P. I have one with an EMG Geezer Butler Pickup and love it. Lots of P for little $.

Good Luck!

 

[Tom Howland]

If you want something different. La Bella Orlinto An amazing 1963 style P-Bass.

 

[cujodos]

My favorite choice is a Lakland Duck Dunn. The Hanson pick-ups are a bit more focused than a fender P, and what no one else has mentioned, as you are already used to the Jazz neck you would be right at home as the Duck also has a Jazz sized neck. The Lakland Skyline necks are so much smoother than any fender I have ever played. I have had several fenders, but the Lakland gets the play time. Plus they are lighter as a bonus.

 

[bassliner50]

I'd be looking at a '62 Re Issue Precision, or any with a vintage voiced alnico PU.

 

[pedroims]

I love Road Worn and Classic 50's, I never liked the MIA standard. Lakland P are also great, the new P from G&L sound awesome in the demos I have heard.

 

[Juststanley]

I sure don't regret buying it......Thanks again!

Best thing to do for a great sounding P bass. IMO of course, go to a store play them all (regardless of price or name on headstock) plugged in and buy whichever sounds and plays the best. If ordering online I'd go Roadworn, classic series or American standard. My Classic 50's nitro P was one of the best basses I've owned (I've owned a few too). Definitely one that I regret selling.

 

[highway]

i've recently started playing p-style basses after owning a jazz exclusively (for years) like yourself.

i really like the wider nut width when paired with a thin thickness (front to back). it feels really comfortable overall, and what i prefer to play now. my advice to you is to try playing what you can, and find something that is nice/comfortable. a lot of the squire VM basses can be had inexpensively (ie you get a lot of bass for $299).

from there you can easily add a vintage SPB-1, or wilde P46, or atlas, or GZR to finish it off.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Ok so I play a Fender J Bass in a full time cover band. It is an absolute workhorse and caters to all genres that we play. But I recently played a friend's P bass clone and I loved it. I was warned off a P bass when buying my J bass as I was told it wasn't versatile enough to cover the genres we do. As I was new to playing bass I took the advise as gospel and opted for the J bass instead.

Anyway, now im a bit wiser I'm looking to add a P bass to the family but I'm not sure what one to get. Unfortunately there's not a big choice of P basses in our local music stores to demo before buying.

I've watched a lot of youtube reviews but I'm still no better off. I love the gritty sound of the Mark Hoppus P bass but I'm not sure how it would sit in the mix of a corporate band.

If anyone could provide some help on what type of P bass will suit all music styles for my band, I'm all ears.

Thanks

Who the hell told you this?

I disagree with that statement. The J may have more tonal options than the P, but I can get nice tonal differences from my P just as much as my J. A matter of playing technique and aggressive attack.

What kind of genre are you into mostly?

 

[MovingPitchers]

i've recently started playing p-style basses after owning a jazz exclusively (for years) like yourself.

i really like the wider nut width when paired with a thin thickness (front to back). it feels really comfortable overall, and what i prefer to play now. my advice to you is to try playing what you can, and find something that is nice/comfortable. a lot of the squire VM basses can be had inexpensively (ie you get a lot of bass for $299).

from there you can easily add a vintage SPB-1, or wilde P46, or atlas, or GZR to finish it off.

Word. This is me right now

 

[Fit4pain]

I sale Fenders and there great but I own and play 2 G&L LB100. Best P Bass I have ever played.

 

[wintremute]

Talk to @MarkoYYZ about a Hammersmith P-Bass.

 

[StudioGC]

Mike Dirnt P Bass is pretty darn good too. Chunky neck fore and aft, but the nut is slimmer then a standard P.