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

#61
The best P I ever owned was an early 2000s MIM neck, with a MightyMite gold sparkle body and Bill Lawrence pickups (back when Bill was still alive). I kick myself often for letting that one go. It was a mongrel to be sure, but an exceptional one. I was all in on it for $500USD. You don't have to spend a lot.

I've personally yet to play a G&L anything (guitar or bass) that worked for me. But my current bass is a Sting 4, so go figure.
 
#62
Best value for money now? Probably the Vintera '50s or remaining Classic '50s ... best non CS P-bass?
Either American Original '50s or '60s P-basses ... worth 3900AUD? Don't know ... find a B-stock or buy 2nd hand if you find a mint one!
The above are made by Fender ... the G&L LB-100 is another very good example of P-bass, for not to say about those which can be assembled.
Some of them can be very nice sounding (I put together an Am. Pro. body with an Am. Std. jazz bass neck myself and it's quite nice .. however, after acquiring an AO '60s jazz bass and having verified the quality and the tone of the instrument, I've been bitten by the GAS bug, getting tremendous GAS for the AO '60s P-basses, hence, I'd gladly get rid of my franken, albeit very good, P-bass).
 
#63
Umm. I'd look local if I was you, OP. By local I mean dropping cash on a local luthier - Tasmanian or Australian. Not bashing any company here but I'm always for buying from my own place, dropping money in my country. Expensive basses are expensive for a reason, and they may not be the bass you're looking for. Or maybe they are. For the same amount of cash you will probably find someone local that's gonna build it to your specs. It might even be cheaper. My 0.02 cents.
 
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#64
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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I agree with this. I've played 'mediocre' Ibanez basses since 1983 and I've worked many years professionally using them. Never had a problem getting hired or starting a band.

As others have said, best bet is to go into a store with a large inventory and just carefully test each bass to see what feels and sounds good.
 
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#65
Rogatien said:
Umm. I'd look local if I was you, OP. By local I mean dropping cash on a local luthier - Tasmanian or Australian. Not bashing any company here but I'm always for buying from my own place, dropping money in my country. Expensive basses are expensive for a reason, and they may not be the bass you're looking for. Or maybe they are. For the same amount of cash you will probably find someone local that's gonna build it to your specs. It might even be cheaper. My 0.02 cents.
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Yes.
 
#66
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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You know there such a thing as industrial products and non industrial ones.
In fender lines ,I was meh most of the time .
I did not like the player series,The elite was fun but still on that price you could find a lot of better bass .

Cost of labor ,woods and ....
So all time more expensive does not mean better .
About wood every company use different woods and quality parts .

Ibanez gives you much more for 1200$ than fender.
spector gives you different feel.

Some bass maker like bassmods feel fantastic for price plus you can control what do you prefer in it .
 
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#67
alaskaleftybass said:
I agree with this. I've played 'mediocre' Ibanez basses since 1983 and I've worked many years professionally using them. Never had a problem getting hired or starting a band.

As others have said, best bet is to go into a store with a large inventory and just carefully test each bass to see what feels and sounds good.
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I could have easily gone the rest of my life playing the same $200 bass. A small, very shallow part of me wanted a Fender neck. I had the means, so I got one. I admit, it’s nice and I love it, but not a huge difference from the Squier and other cheap necks I’ve played.

I’ve toyed with replacing the Squier pickup, but it sounds good and I get compliments all the time on my sound. If it ain’t broke....
 
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#68
wishforbass said:
You know there such a thing as industrial products and non industrial ones.
In fender lines ,I was meh most of the time .
I did not like the player series,The elite was fun but still on that price you could find a lot of better bass .

Cost of labor ,woods and ....
So all time more expensive does not mean better .
About wood every company use different woods and quality parts .

Ibanez gives you much more for 1200$ than fender.
spector gives you different feel.

Some bass maker like bassmods feel fantastic for price plus you can control what do you prefer in it .
Click to expand...
Do you have a Spector? I've always been interested in them, but living in Alaska, I'm wary of pulling the trigger. I've heard they're heavy, which I don't want. My Ibanez basses are pretty toneful for being so streamlined and light.
 
#69
Weight aside, I've owned and played all kinds of basses over the past 45 years... expensive, cheap, midway... I finally decided on a certain brand that is inexpensive, reliable and easily replaceable if something unfortunate happens.
 
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#70
alaskaleftybass said:
Do you have a Spector? I've always been interested in them, but living in Alaska, I'm wary of pulling the trigger. I've heard they're heavy, which I don't want. My Ibanez basses are pretty toneful for being so streamlined and light.
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I do not own spector but my label has two that I uses them in studio a lot of time .

I own two ibanez ( and a premium and a yamaha right now .

spector is not heavy at all .Actually they are light weight ,very different neck style than ibanez for sure and a curve in body .
For playing standing up they are good ,for sitting down a little bit the curve bother me .

They sound agressive and punchy .
Sit well in mix ,the sound is not that bassy so need a little bit eq for lighter music.

But be honest Ibanez premium and prestige lines are crazily good so I will not call it that much update .
 
#71
JRA said:
What's REALLY the difference between all the different P-Bass models?

View attachment 3550614

fender expects the 'mythology' to work...and it does! OP: you want a new p-bass for a reason(s) --- why? why not a J, or a PJ, or another manufacturer altogether? why does it have to be a P? thanks.
Click to expand...

I’ve played a variety of cheap, mediocre and mid level basses in my 25ish years as a bassist. After a break when the kids were born I’m back in the music again, and it’s time for a quality instrument. I have a decent day job and For the first time I’m not necessarily limited by cost. Not as much, anyway. I feel like I’ve paid my dues and made what I’ve owned sound good.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a fender, but I love the p bass sound and where I live smaller makes are sometimes hard to find. A P bass suits the stuff I like to play- blues, R&B, Soul and some Jazz. I’m playing a PJ Yamaha now, and I don’t use the J pickup. Never really have.
 
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#73
Tazziedevil said:
I’ve played a variety of cheap, mediocre and mid level basses in my 25ish years as a bassist. After a break when the kids were born I’m back in the music again, and it’s time for a quality instrument. I have a decent day job and For the first time I’m not necessarily limited by cost. Not as much, anyway. I feel like I’ve paid my dues and made what I’ve owned sound good.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a fender, but I love the p bass sound and where I live smaller makes are sometimes hard to find. A P bass suits the stuff I like to play- blues, R&B, Soul and some Jazz. I’m playing a PJ Yamaha now, and I don’t use the J pickup. Never really have.
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got it! enjoy your p-bass bliss! :thumbsup:
 
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#74
"Weight aside, I've owned and played all kinds of basses over the past 45 years... expensive, cheap, midway... I finally decided on a certain brand that is inexpensive, reliable and easily replaceable if something unfortunate happens."
... that is?

A Yamaha RBX170.
 
#75
If you are open to buying used your pool of available basses may widen!
You may find mint lightly used or really played. Broken in is a thing. A well used P may just be you, right away. New you may not know what it can be for quite a while. Used you’re buying and selling essentially renting to see if you love it and it you. :)

I insist on non smoker basses but it’s quite easy to get that smell off. The case goes in the trash or to a good home.
 
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#77
Chad Michael said:
Would it be safe to assume that they all pretty much sound the same (which is a good thing in my opinion)???
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That's the problem...while they do all sound a lot alike, each model sounds a bit different. I've had real vintage 50s and 60s Ps, 80s Ps, American Standards, no two were alike. Different pickups, different woods used. Then there's the feel issue...weight, neck profile, fingerboard material (maple vs. pau ferro vs. rosewood), different fret sizes, etc. While having a variety of models may be good from the standpoint of having a model for every budget from $100 Squiers to $$$$$ Custom Shop basses, it just leads to buyer confusion. You have to sit and play a lot of them and if dealers where you live don't stock a lot of the models, it sucks.

But yes, if you aren't too picky pretty much any P you pull off the wall will give you that sound.
 
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#78
brianrost said:
That's the problem...while they do all sound a lot alike, each model sounds a bit different. I've had real vintage 50s and 60s Ps, 80s Ps, American Standards, no two were alike. Different pickups, different woods used. Then there's the feel issue...weight, neck profile, fingerboard material (maple vs. pau ferro vs. rosewood), different fret sizes, etc. While having a variety of models may be good from the standpoint of having a model for every budget from $100 Squiers to $$$$$ Custom Shop basses, it just leads to buyer confusion. You have to sit and play a lot of them and if dealers where you live don't stock a lot of the models, it sucks.

But yes, if you aren't too picky pretty much any P you pull off the wall will give you that sound.
Click to expand...

i don’t think I’m that picky... I don’t like baseball bat necks and I definitely prefer rosewood fingerboards.
 

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