MoverDave Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I am in the market to upgrade my gig bass. I currently have two Yamahas, a BB414 and a entry level model that feels like it si made of balsa but actually plays great. The BB414 is losing its luster. Maybe I am tired of it, maybe air travel messed up the neck..dunno why, but it just is not right anymore. I was thinking of going safe and getting a "vanilla" American Fender Standard P-bass. Any advice on best bang for the buck? Are the Mexican made really such a crap-shoot? Hep me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric VB Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Can't go wrong with a P bass if that's the sound you're looking for. (Right, Erik?) The last two instruments I bought were American made (Ric 4003, Ovation Elite LX). I've been very satisfied with them. The scuttlebutt I've heard is that MIJ/CIJ is as good as MIA now, and for MIM the quality varies so you have to hand pick a MIM. The last time I popped into a store to try out a bass I grabbed a Geddy Lee Jazz. But I made the mistake of going to my local GC and the setup was all buggered and I wasn't going to wait around while they fixed it up. SteveC has had good luck with his Yamahas. He might have some insight as to what's up with yours. (I assume you've already done a setup adjustment. Have you considered a fret job?) There are some other P bass makes; Jeremy would know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 The American P-Bass - the Toyota Camry of basses. Not the fanciest you can buy, but it will get you where you're going in a reaonsable amount of comfort and style. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky McDougall Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 The Fender American Precision........the standard by which all others are judged. How can you hesitate. Rocky "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo-London Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Depends what you play and what you want. Will the P-bass be that different from the Yamahas? I doubt it. I have a 70's MIA P-bass, which is OK but no more. Not much use (chords etc) above the 12th fret IMHO. I think the P-bass records very well and sits well in the mix as shown on thousands of recordings. But for practicing it's less fun, less inspiring. You might need something with a bit more tonal variation. Oh dear I think I might have gone too far again ... but I do own two of them! Davo "We will make you bob your head whether you want to or not". - David Sisk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 A P-bass is an obvious choice for a bass. It can be used in any kind of situation. Quality varies with country of origin and with each individual bass. Usually we think of US as number 1, Japan 2 (which includes the Geddy Lee Jazz and the Jaguar), and Mexico 3. Other countries are usually further down the list, although I have played some Korean ones that I liked. Then there are Highway 1 instruments which are some sort of cross between US and Mexico. Just keep playing basses until you find the one that you like. And you should know it when you find it. If you're not sure, keep trying basses. Other basses in the same price range (e.g. Yahama) are often judged by how good they are at producing a Fender sound. I've got one real USA Fender, one Japanese copy, and one hand-made bass which is modeled on a Fender design. I see lots and lots of basses because of my teaching. Some of the Squires I see are perfectly find and some just don't cut it. Happy shopping! Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenfxj Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 The American Precision Bass is never a bad choice. You'll pay over $1000.00 for one. You probably won't regret it. You probably won't think it requires any modifications. Twenty years from now you'll either still own it or wish you did and, unlike a Camry, it will be worth two to three times what you paid for it. You can get a damn good P-Bass from the Standard (MIM) Series if you have the patience to shop around. I tried at least eight different ones in four different stores before I found the right one. Now that I have it, I wouldn't trade it for any new American Fender. Push the button Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Every Fender bass that I have sold was sold for at least what I paid for it. I know there has been constant inflation over the years (many things now cost at least 10 times what they cost when I was in college), but there aren't a lot of brands of anything that you can do that with. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thabottomend Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 My God man!!! Get the P-Bass!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not be deceived by, nor take lightly, this particular bit of musicianship one simply describes as "bass". - Lowell George "The music moves me, it just moves me ugly." William H. Macy in "Wild Hogs" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edro Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Just keep playing basses until you find the one that you like. And you should know it when you find it. If you're not sure, keep trying basses. That's the best way to do it. And if it kills a few afternoons to find the one you like....there are a lot worse ways to spend that time. :grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Daddy from Motown Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 I recently bought a used Squire P bass for my son to start with . It's nice but the American made Fenders have much better hardware. If you have the money the American made Fenders are great basses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlrush Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 Don't discount the Jazz bass either. The neck is slimmer and faster, the tone is a little different. If you look for a MIM Fender, check out the ones made around 2000 or so. I've heard that around that year they were very well made. I have a Jazz V made around then that I like alot, and it IS well made. Good shoppng! Visit my band's new web site. www.themojoroots.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Chini Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 I was dead set on getting a p-bass until I played a jazz and fell in love with it. I then bought my friend's old Ibanez p-bass copy for $100 and restored it with a vintage p-bass pickup. Both are killer, classic sounds so I suggest you try a bunch out and decide for yourself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randal Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I bought my '62 'P' for $300 cash in 1974 and I consider it one of the best investments I have ever made. Go American and you will never be disappointed! People learn fastest when they struggle thru an obstacle rather than quit trying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rizzo9247 Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I recently bought a new 2007 MIM jazz V and compared it to an American that was hanging a few spots next to it. I did think the sound was an $800 difference.($400 for MIM and $1200 for MIA) I also wanted a p-bass because of its tone but Fender doesn't make it in a 5 string anymore. I am one of the few that enjoys the big clunky necks, so a 5 string precision would of been heavenly. I settled on the jazz not only for it being a 5er but the sheer versatility that a p-bass can't provide. So, being a cost-conscious grad student I went for the almost-equally sounding bass that cost way less. Then again, if I had the money, the MIA would of been the choice because they retain their value over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbn Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 It is hard to go wrong with a P bass. I prefer the sound and the big chunky neck. I bought my 2000 model US P bass used and probably paid too much for it, but it was the one. I played it on in the store 4 or 5 times before dropping the cash on it and haven't regretted it in the 2+ years that I've owned it and it has been my #1 bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenfxj Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Just in case you're still in the market... Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass from Bass Northwest And today (May 22nd) is Buy A Musical Instrument Day Push the button Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57pbass Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 You might want to take a look at a Lakland Skyline Bob Glaub... build and sound quality right there with MIA Fender.. www.danielprine.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxofunk Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 You like the Yamaha but it just doesn't have "it" any longer? Have you tried the Michael Anthony version, BB3000MA? If you can get past the limited color selection (black or green satin) and the chili pepper inlays, it's quite a bass. Short of suggesting a G&L SB-2 or L-100 (discontinued) I have nothing else to say but GO SHOPPING and play them all. - Matt W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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