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What's REALLY the difference between all the different P-Bass models?

Tazziedevil

Tazziedevil

Apr 2, 2019
735
1,112
48
Tasmania
#1
Despite my possibly definitely overdramatic post about maybe selling off all my gear in a previous thread here: Tribulations finding others to play with

I'm thinking of when i do find those magic other musicians to play with rewarding myself with a NEW (not used) Precision Bass. I've never had a new instrument before, I've managed to make mostly mediocre/inexpensive Ibanez, Yamaha and epiphone sound pretty darn good.

So my question is: there are a lot of different models of P-basses out there, ranging from $1,199AUD for the 'Player' series to $3,399AUD for the 'American Original', with the Vintera 50's, Japan Hybrid, and American Profession all in between.

Is there really $2,200 difference between them? WHat exactly is better in terms of playability and sound? I don't mind paying more if i'm actually getting more.

Anyone have any input? Thanks!
 
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#4
Tazziedevil said:
Despite my possibly definitely overdramatic post about maybe selling off all my gear in a previous thread here: Tribulations finding others to play with

I'm thinking of when i do find those magic other musicians to play with rewarding myself with a NEW (not used) Precision Bass. I've never had a new instrument before, I've managed to make mostly mediocre/inexpensive Ibanez, Yamaha and epiphone sound pretty darn good.

So my question is: there are a lot of different models of P-basses out there, ranging from $1,199AUD for the 'Player' series to $3,399AUD for the 'American Original', with the Vintera 50's, Japan Hybrid, and American Profession all in between.

Is there really $2,200 difference between them? WHat exactly is better in terms of playability and sound? I don't mind paying more if i'm actually getting more.

Anyone have any input? Thanks!
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Buy one of these and you won't have to worry about the countless and sometimes confusing P bass names.
11393227-10153402385392743-5704496390292010759-n.jpg

It will get the job done and then some!
 
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#7
I find the differences to be subtle. I’ve been playing for nearly 20 years, and my main bass is built of a Squier body/pickup and a MIM Fender neck. Cost me $400 USD and it rocks. I cannot ever see paying $2k for a bass when this get the job done so well.

But it’s all relative. Many do indeed notice the subtle differences, enjoy their basses more and play better.

I notice you are in Tasmania. Is it difficult to test basses? Are we talking mail order?
 
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#8
CallMeAl said:
I find the differences to be subtle. I’ve been playing for nearly 20 years, and my main bass is built of a Squier body/pickup and a MIM Fender neck. Cost me $400 USD and it rocks. I cannot ever see paying $2k for a bass when this get the job done so well.

But it’s all relative. Many do indeed notice the subtle differences, enjoy their basses more and play better.

I notice you are in Tasmania. Is it difficult to test basses? Are we talking mail order?
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There's only one Fender dealer here, They stock mostly guitars and have between 8-12 basses at any one time. I have played what they have - The 'American Professional', on sale for $2,600, The only P-bass they had in stock at the time.

I really don't want to just order in a bass without playing it first, which is sort of why i'm trying to gather as much info as I can.
 
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#9
Tazziedevil said:
There's only one Fender dealer here, They stock mostly guitars and have between 8-12 basses at any one time. I have played what they have - The 'American Professional', on sale for $2,600, The only P-bass they had in stock at the time.
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Well what did you think? Did you like it enough to spend 2600 on it? Did you like it 10x more than your inexpensive Ibanez and Yamaha?

I get being isolated, I’m in a bit of a gear desert myself (nowhere near what you are in though !) so having to make educated guesses is perfectly understandable. Im a weekend warrior and on a budget; but for my taste Squier VM and CV or Fender Standard or Player are all wonderful instruments. I stress that the differences are subtle, and any Fender you get will probably feel/sound like an upgrade.

Also don’t neglect non-Fenders! Peavey Fury, G&L SB or LB, Yamaha BB, Ibanez TMB would all make great P bass sounds, if they are available in your area.
 
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#12
I have purchased two P's in the past year. A '59 Fender CS and a 2013 USA Lakland Bob Glaub. They are both amazing yet completely different animals. The biggest differences are the neck profiles, fret sizes and the pickups.

Living in LA, I had a lot of local basses to try and try I did... must have played over 40 or 50 precisions in my spree. Funny enough, both of these basses were bought online. But I had played enough of them to know exactly what I wanted and which models were solid enough to be trustworthy. I'm not sure what kind of local options you have in Tasmania, but if you have to make a pilgrimage to Melbourne or Sydney just to be able to play a bunch of Ps I cannot recommend it enough. I learned a lot about myself trying all those basses!
 
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#13
CallMeAl said:
Well what did you think? Did you like it enough to spend 2600 on it? Did you like it 10x more than your inexpensive Ibanez and Yamaha?

Also don’t neglect non-Fenders! Peavey Fury, G&L SB or LB, Yamaha BB, Ibanez TMB would all make great P bass sounds, if they are available in your area.
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I did like it quite a lot - biggest difference between what I have had and that is the pickup. Just sounded thick, thumpy and bassy, which I like!

I'm not necessarily opposed to a Non-Fender, but I feel (rightly or wrongly) Fender P is a known quantity, you know what you're getting, good resale value, etc. I have played a higher end Yamaha which didn't feel like enough of an upgrade from what I have now. Ibanez just doesn't have the right sound.
 
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#16
Tazziedevil said:
I did like it quite a lot - biggest difference between what I have had and that is the pickup. Just sounded thick, thumpy and bassy, which I like!

I'm not necessarily opposed to a Non-Fender, but I feel (rightly or wrongly) Fender P is a known quantity, you know what you're getting, good resale value, etc. I have played a higher end Yamaha which didn't feel like enough of an upgrade from what I have now. Ibanez just doesn't have the right sound.
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Well if you can afford it just get it! Support the local shop in the process :thumbsup:

If that price tag seems steep, a Fender Player would still be a perfectly good choice. every single one I’ve tested, I would proudly take on a gig
 
#17
In terms of build quality, you might not notice much difference between a Squier Affinity and a top-of-the-line instrument. Spending more gets you noticeably better stock hardware and electronics, and more options for finishes and particular neck profiles. MIM is the sweet spot for me: stock tuning machines and guts work for me, I personally would swap the pickup and bridge and pickguard no matter what (stock aren’t necessarily bad, I’m just particular in those areas), and I like common finishes just fine. I don’t care for the finish on the necks of the Affinities but other than that I have liked every new-ish Fender or Squier I have played in the past couple years, FWIW.
10AA8035-96AE-4ADB-AEC2-CEB60B22475A.jpeg
 
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#18
CallMeAl said:
Well if you can afford it just get it! Support the local shop in the process :thumbsup:

If that price tag seems steep, a Fender Player would still be a perfectly good choice. every single one I’ve tested, I would proudly take on a gig
Click to expand...

I want to pay cash for it, so that amount I'll need to do a little saving for but that's fine! I'd try and support the local shop whenever possible - If i found one i loved at a big box place I'd see if they could get it in for me anyway!
 
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#19
My advice: Absent an opportunity to travel to the U.S. where they’re readily available, practice [extraordinary] patience, then grab every opportunity to put your hands on a Fender Precision Bass where you live. (That’s where the patience part comes in.) Buy the one that speaks to you. If none do, wait patiently again for the next opportunity.

I have owned/played Fenders and Yamahas, I now have an Ibanez that I’ve had for 35 years and an Epiphone for two-and-a-half. All have been excellent. I don’t know what you expect of a bass but a Fender may or may not yield it. I loved playing my Fender Precision but after it was stolen I got this Ibanez instead. No regret. Always remember that it’s the bass, not the badge that you’re playing. With that in mind try everything else as well. You’ll find something that’ll keep you quite happy while your search rolls on.
 

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