Which P/J combo bass to get?

[Tritone]

After playing guitar for many years, I've decided to pick up the bass. I'll probably spend 90% of my time practicing and recording jazz walking basslines with guitar and drums, but I'll also be recording some modern rock style stuff (think Radiohead, Sigur Ros and the like). I don't care about slapping, or playing fast, or whatever bass players do when they get bored with going "b'dong, dong, dong, dong; dong-ga, dong, dong, dong..." on the quarter notes.

I'm really interested in a Precision + Jazz combo bass with a Jazz neck. My budget is 1000 USD. The best option so far looks like the Reggie Hamilton Standard P Bass. What else would you guys consider? Am I on the wrong track with a P + J?

Thanks for your help!

[testing1two]

Just get the Fender Reggie Hamilton bass. It's truly the only P/J in that price range worth considering IMHO. The Sadowsky Metro PJ is a brilliant instrument but it's almost twice the price. Some of the Ibanez Soundgear PJ's sounded great but they definitely stray away from the classic Fender vibe if that matters to you.

[BROCKYMAN]

My son has an Aerodyne Jazz bass, which has PJ electrics, and I can honestly say it is the best sounding bass I have ever heard and I'm now 50 and been playing for 33 years so I have heard a lot! I tried to talk him out of buying it as I was unsure about the Japanese pickups and I didn't think it would hold it's value well but now I know it will never be sold as it is so good and is incredibly versatile. They look great too.
Here in the UK they are aroung £600ish which, at the moment, I think is around $900. TRY ONE!!!
Ian.

[Tritone]

Thanks for the advice, testing1two and BROCKYMAN. I'll check out the Aerodyne if I can find one!

[TimmyP]

Dunno if they made any combos, but the 80s Japanese Fenders are fine instruments at great prices. The age of a Japanese Fender can be checked via the serial number: http://www.fender.com/support/japanese_instruments.php

[BROCKYMAN]

Originally Posted by Tritone

Thanks for the advice, testing1two and BROCKYMAN. I'll check out the Aerodyne if I can find one!

Don't think you'll have trouble finding one in China, they're mead be Fender Japan and any Fender dealer should have one. Over there you may even get a choice of colours, in the UK it's Black only but soooo cool looking. They had to change the design slightly because ESP were threatening them with court action over some copyright issue. Imagine that, Fender being sued for making a Jazz Bass copy!!
They're on the Ishibashi website for 67,200 Yen. http://www.excite-webtl.jp/world/eng...=JAEN&wb_dis=2
Fender no longer allow Ishibashi to export to the UK but they may send to china.
Can't praise these basses enough!!
Ian.
Oh, forgot to say that Duff Mackeegan plays one!

[mainsale]

I thought I wanted a P+J fender too and bought a Precision Deluxe, which is a very, very nice bass. However, I find that I almost never engage the J pup, opting for a more tarditional precision tone. I'd recommend looking at one of the precision based models out there with a jazz neck. The Lakeland Duck Dunn is one and fender makes one or two as well.

[Tritone]

Originally Posted by BROCKYMAN

Don't think you'll have trouble finding one in China, they're mead be Fender Japan and any Fender dealer should have one.

Well, if you ever visit China, prepare to be surprised.

I live in a city of almost 5 million people, and I can't even find flat wound strings. I went to Shanghai a couple weeks ago and couldn't find a decent tube amp to save my life. Not even a Super Champ XD. Plenty of fake Gibsons, though!

BTW do you find the Aerodyne to be neck heavy at all?

[BROCKYMAN]

Originally Posted by Tritone

Well, if you ever visit China, prepare to be surprised.

I live in a city of almost 5 million people, and I can't even find flat wound strings. I went to Shanghai a couple weeks ago and couldn't find a decent tube amp to save my life. Not even a Super Champ XD. Plenty of fake Gibsons, though!

BTW do you find the Aerodyne to be neck heavy at all?

That is surprising considering how much musical equipment is made in China nowadays.

No, the Aerodyne is not neck heavy. It is a very light bass actually, much lighter than a standard jazz, probably due to the Basswood body. I have an aluminium necked Kramer and that is ridiculously neck heavy, but I think that is more to do with the small body than the aluminium neck.
Ian.

[mindseye]

mmmmmmmmmm a better Fender


G&L SB-2!!!!

Oops just seen you were from China, might be hard to find one of these over there.

[Tritone]

The SB-2 looks great, but I've heard it doesn't really sound like a P-bass, because of the pickups. I'm also worried about a lack of tone control. What do you think?

[Eliguitar]

+1 on the Reggie Hamilton Bass.

[Great King Rat]

Yamaha BB3000, not to be confused with the cheap line of Yamaha. It is a super nice.

I found one in Japan and brought it back, they come on fleabay at times. Find one.

[mccreadyisgod]

The Deluxe P-Bass Special, just for the gold-anodized pickguard.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....ss-?sku=515201

[progrockbass]

I recently had David Certain build me your exact bass. A beautiful ash P body with a bound maple J neck and MP inlays. Lots of other good stufff I had him add as well. The weird knob is a Varitone this is one of the best playing basses you will ever get your hands on. No I don't work for him I just like his basses I have two www.certainbass.com. I think this one cost me about a grand. By the way where is attach button in the menu?