You set out to build/buy one P Bass to be your main player for years to come. What are you getting?
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Your Dream P Bass?
- Thread starter Matthew_84
- Start date
Sandberg California V, passive only, soft aged creme color, roasted maple neck....
The one that spoke loudest to me.
I wouldn't really care about looks, nor colour, nor origin. It would need to feel nice, play nice, sound nice, and be well made. I'd try as many as possible before making a decision.
I wouldn't really care about looks, nor colour, nor origin. It would need to feel nice, play nice, sound nice, and be well made. I'd try as many as possible before making a decision.
It would be MiA satin black, tort guard, solid rosewood neck. I’d shield and ground it properly and put a proper bone nut on. I’d get a Plek job.
It would be this.
I’d make sure it came with a weight and spacing.
It would be this.
I’d make sure it came with a weight and spacing.
Squier CV 60's Precision (in the three color sunburst, natch, THIS is what a PBass is 'sposed to look like)
Everything I need, nothing I don't. MAYBE swap in a suitable Antiquity or Fralin period-correct pickup, add both ashtrays and a tweed Fender case, I'm good. My own little Motown tribute axe. Hell, I might even get a piece of foam. For me, a more expensive version is just extra money without much extra return. The magic of these is their tremendous simplicity, which is hardly improved by throwing Mo Money at one to me.
It's easy to get 90 or 95% good, but you have to decide if getting that other small percentage to get to 100% that can cost just as much or more as the 90% is worth it. Is a Chevy good enough, or do I just have to have a Mercedes? I'll take the Chevy.
Everything I need, nothing I don't. MAYBE swap in a suitable Antiquity or Fralin period-correct pickup, add both ashtrays and a tweed Fender case, I'm good. My own little Motown tribute axe. Hell, I might even get a piece of foam. For me, a more expensive version is just extra money without much extra return. The magic of these is their tremendous simplicity, which is hardly improved by throwing Mo Money at one to me.
It's easy to get 90 or 95% good, but you have to decide if getting that other small percentage to get to 100% that can cost just as much or more as the 90% is worth it. Is a Chevy good enough, or do I just have to have a Mercedes? I'll take the Chevy.
I already built it! It’s been my main squeeze since 2018. Though, it took a few tries with the parts where I felt it was “done.”
Fender Jazz MIM neck and a Duncan SPB1 on a Squier MII Body. Everything else is Fender or aftermarket parts. The neck is definitely the secret sauce for me; the Duncan is great but I'm sure I’d be equally happy with another decent, vintage voiced pickup.
Fender Jazz MIM neck and a Duncan SPB1 on a Squier MII Body. Everything else is Fender or aftermarket parts. The neck is definitely the secret sauce for me; the Duncan is great but I'm sure I’d be equally happy with another decent, vintage voiced pickup.
I don't want much , just a pre CBS in gold w/ matching headstock , rosewood neck , clay dots and weighs 8.5 pounds ..........that's not so much ......is it ?
I don't really know to be honest. My Players Series P is pretty amazing. I know there is obviously better out there but this does what I need and I love playing it.
This would be my approach as well. There are plenty of great sounding Fender Ps, but my '62 reissue wasn't one of them. The D and G strings were totally lost in a band mix and it was riddled with minor dead spots. I couldn't get rid of that thing quickly enough. If I had to buy without trying? Mike Lull P5.
Did this a while back: Warmoth ash P body, Allparts fretless Jazz neck, Hipshot hardware, Fender ashtrays & neck plate, Wild P-46 pups, LaBella Deep Talking Flats
even though i didn't "set out to build/buy" one i ended up with a parts P-bass while playing with the idea of the lightest possible bass --- and although i don't consider it my "main player," i do consider it my main P-bass:
i don't have 'the love' for P-basses that is so apparent on TB, but i have a lot of love for this one --- it's a dream to play!
that's a great color to..try the 63 FCS' pups..they're relatively cheap and sound pretty vintage on my pj or the 62's..havent tried those yet...maybe next build
I've played Squier CV CiC, MiM Fender, Japanese 7okai, Warmoth, and a whole slew of P shaped basses that were better instruments than SOME of the MIA Fenders I've played. I've also played MIA Fender Ps that were just lovely.
I couldn't just order a Fender and think I was getting "the one."
Aesthetically it would look like an inca silver stingray, but a p-bass
inca silver body, tinty 50s style maple neck, b/w/b pickguard. A nice pickup, fender or lollar maybe.
Really I just need to find an inca silver body and I could make it happen...
inca silver body, tinty 50s style maple neck, b/w/b pickguard. A nice pickup, fender or lollar maybe.
Really I just need to find an inca silver body and I could make it happen...
My Valenti which was built to my specs = it's perfect.
You trying to tempt the GAS beast?? I said I was done!
I love this color too, it’s got a slight metallic sheen/sparkle to it.
I could dream up about 25 color combos / reissue years I'd want done from the custom shop.
As far as how they play, my modest American Special is already PERFECT:
As far as how they play, my modest American Special is already PERFECT:
