Which P bass would you choose?

[Ishouldbeking]

Just started a new band that incorporates a 50s "thumpy" bass vibe into some of our songs. So far I've been using my MIM Jazz bass strung with webstrings flats to approximate a P-bass thump, but I was thinking it'd be really nice to get an actual P bass and string it up with some nice thomastik infeld flats so as to get an "actual P-bass" thump going on and use the TI's for a slightly brighter flatwound sound.

My question is this: which P bass would you choose? I probably won't want to spend much more than 600-700 when the time comes (translation: when i have the loot), but I'm not hung up on actually having a fender. I do, however, want the bass to look cool. I'm not afraid of the mexican basses, but I guess I'm just looking for the best bang for the buck. I also could care less about tonal versatility. I have a stingray and a MIM jazz for that. This would be purely for gigging and for use on 2/3 of our songs, the rest I'm using my 'ray to get a zingy guitar-like sound.

Right now I'm thinking of a MIM Precision, a Highway One precision (used or maybe new) or maybe a used American Precision. Also maybe consider one of the Lakland skyline P types (the bob glaub and duck dunn). Trust me I'd love a sadowsky, but i can't afford that. And I much prefer retro styling on these basses. Not a fan of flame maple tops etc, and i like pickguards. Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

[Thor]

If you want new: The Lakland Skyline series is hard to beat.

If you want used: Look into a MIJ Fender and drop in some new PUPs (and then you have some extra $ left in your pocket).

Happy Hunting,

Edward

[walterw]

a used american std P,with its graphite rods in the neck, string thru body bridge, and 1/8" thicker headstock, is hard to beat.i like the earlier ones with the steel saddles.

[alanbass1]

a used american std P,with its graphite rods in the neck, string thru body bridge, and 1/8" thicker headstock, is hard to beat.i like the earlier ones with the steel saddles.

+1 on this. I would even look ut for a MIA vintage re-issues as I have seen some go second hand for $750.

[rpjones]

I recently played with a bass player who owns a stable of fine instruments. He was playing a MIM P-bass that he scored on ebay for $200. He had a 66 P-bass pickup in a box of stuff that he had forgotten about, stuck it in the cheapy MIM, put some nice knobs and pickguard on it, and had a killer bass that he loves for thumping out some rock 'n roll. He said he likes it almost as much as his pre-CBS P and Jazz.

[RickC]

Something about P-basses; I don't think I've ever played a bad one. They all have "it".

/rick

[agreatheight]

a used american std P

Yep, this is the ticket. Very nice basses. I sold one back a few months ago in excellent condition shipped for $600 over on Talkbass, so they are in your price range for sure. Good luck!

[Ishouldbeking]

Thanks for the responses guys. Are there any real advantages to the 57 or 62 fender reissues over the american std P? I like the chrome covers, but i probably wouldn't pay much more for one. Anyone like the highway one P?

[Bassomatic]

Something about P-basses; I don't think I've ever played a bad one. They all have "it".

/rick

My experience with Fender P's and J's is that they're all over the map, and I rarely pick up a new one that I can dig on at all. The Stu Hamms, Roscoe Becks, etc have fared better in my own evaluations (YMMV, of course - these things are very personal).

I do like the few Pbass Sting models I've checked out, but haven't gotten enough bottom end w 'em for my liking (though flats would change the picture somewhat). Well-priced, too:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-STING-Precision-Bass-Two-Tone-Sunburst-Japan-NR_W0QQitemZ120116281719QQihZ002QQcategoryZ64401QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem