chickenjames Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 ok. sorry if this is well trodden but I will try to make it topical. SO. I'm GASsing for a nice Precision. Current stable is EBMM StingRay, MM Sire v7 J-bass, and Spector Classic Legend 5 (which sadly I never play, don't like 5ers any more and also it feels lovely it is too middy for my liking). Previously I had a 2006 MIM P, which I quite liked, but the sound was a bit, well, thin and I couldn't make it work in a band setting. Here are my thoughts, please share wisdom I'd like something with 'Fender' on the headstock (I realise that not everyone will agree with this!) 2nd hand is fine don't want to spend than about £800 if possible Don't like selling things privately i.e. I'd much prefer a trade in on the Spector Won't buy a Fender without trying it in person (they're extremely variable IMO, but a good one is GREAT) Prefer US, maybe Japanese. Don't really fancy another MIM. Prefer to buy from a shop Prefer something in the south of England (I live in Wiltshire). Guildford, Epsom, Warwick, all possible. So the options seem to be 2nd hand MIJ. Bassdirect have lots of them at the moment for around £700 New US standard. Quite a few places (e.g. Hickies in Reading, Hogans in Newbury) have new.old.stock 2012 models for around £999 US special? <<< not sure about the pickups in these What are the more exotic MIMs like? e.g. 50s style etc. Any other ideas? Not many shops seem to carry 2nd hand US Precisions. What would you do? thanks for ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Fender Nate Mendel. They are MIM but oh so (consistently) good. Lightweight too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious -you're in the right place already surely? Often good Precisions at great prices from reliable sellers here. I know you'd prefer a shop, but this place is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) I have a fantastic, lightweight Japanese Fender FSR Classic 60s Precision up for sale at the minute that is within your budget. It's in the For Sale section. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/295819-2015-fender-fsr-classic-60s-lacquer-precision-olympic-white/page__pid__3211938#entry3211938 Edited January 12, 2017 by therealting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 [quote name='therealting' timestamp='1484262321' post='3214255'] I have a fantastic, lightweight Japanese Fender FSR Classic 60s Precision up for sale at the minute that is within your budget. It's in the For Sale section. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/295819-2015-fender-fsr-classic-60s-lacquer-precision-olympic-white/page__pid__3211938#entry3211938"]http://basschat.co.u...38#entry3211938[/url] [/quote] I rest my case. That's a lovely Precision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) http://youtu.be/hfTvC_j8-9k Scott Devine loves his Fender Nate. Edited January 12, 2017 by miles'tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 [quote name='therealting' timestamp='1484262321' post='3214255'] I have a fantastic, lightweight Japanese Fender FSR Classic 60s Precision up for sale at the minute that is within your budget. It's in the For Sale section. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/295819-2015-fender-fsr-classic-60s-lacquer-precision-olympic-white/page__pid__3211938#entry3211938 [/quote] Wish I had 700 quid right now, that P is a bloody doozie!! 👌 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Checkout the various Lakland basses in the classifieds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Cheers guys. Yes, she's an absolute beauty and amazing to play but I can't cope with new instruments... just to scared to play them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegummy Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1484265206' post='3214284'] Checkout the various Lakland basses in the classifieds. [/quote] They tend not to have Fender written on the headstock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 I know you say you don't want a MIM but... their Classic 50 series is really good. And the RoadWorn too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom1946 Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Also post 2012 MIM's are miles better than the earlier ones, they really rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Definitely a hard choice when you're not sure, so many Fender P's out there. Do try as many as you can, and see what ticks your boxes for sound, feel and looks. You could try one bass from a range, and it'd be totally different to another in the same range, so again try as many as you can. I've had too many Fenders over the years (not complaining though!) from Pre CBS, Custom Shop, USA, Mex and Jap. My current P is a Mike Lull as I need a high quality light weight one, but I also now have a recent USA Std Jazz Bass which is excellent, especially in comparison to other models of that range. I'm super happy with that one, and don't feel any need to upgrade. So my personal advice is to find one that you get on with in the shop, because that one will scream at you to take it home. My Jazz Bass did and I wasn't even going to the shop to buy it. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 (edited) Pickup an American Standard on offer asap...hopefully you will be sent a nice one. I've had one since 2009/10 ish...great bass. Other options: Nate Mendal Precision or Road Worn Precision. Edited January 13, 2017 by Musicman20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njr911 Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 There's something about a US P that just feels "proper" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazed Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Surprised it hasn't been mentioned before, try a Limelight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Fender Classic 50's Precision, it's MIM but it's one of the best sounding (and looking) P's i've played. Good QC on the 2 that went through my hands. Will also be way below your budget. Can't go wrong with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 The oly-white American Standard P they've got in Hickies is really nice - I was going to buy it but then had to book my honeymoon instead :-( If you can stretch to the American Standards, they are very very nice. If not, the MIM 50's ones are nice too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 After trying a few, I settled on my Squier Matt Freeman sig. Not because I like Mr Freeman himself (in fact I'd never heard of him!) but because it just screams quality. And you could get three for the price of a used US P! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1484311578' post='3214569'] After trying a few, I settled on my Squier Matt Freeman sig... And you could get three for the price of a used US P! [/quote] Where from? I haven't seen any in stock for a long time. Squire seem to have replaced them with those 70's ones with the black-block markers which I don't think look as good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROConnell Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special. MIM with American Parts. P/J with Active controls, you won't get a thin sound at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 (edited) Keep a lookout on here for a used Matt Freeman, as others have said Or a used Squier Classic Vibe - they are absolutely awesome basses - you should get one for around £250 and it will blow you away There was one on here recently (EDIT: You could post a wanted ad on here too) Edited January 13, 2017 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 [quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1484310755' post='3214556'] Surprised it hasn't been mentioned before, try a Limelight. [/quote] Oh yes! Look at the quality of this! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/275912-nbd-limelight-dakota-red-precision-bass-1963-audio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 (edited) I`d go for the NOS mentioned at £999. Fits all the bill imo. I should add that I have one of the US Standards, a 2015, plus a Mex 2012, and a Matt Freeman. All are great basses, play well, sound great but if I could only keep one, irrespective of value, it would be the US because it plays nicer and has a fuller sound to it (and I have the same pickups in the Mex). Edited January 13, 2017 by Lozz196 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 [quote name='Lw.' timestamp='1484311929' post='3214572'] Where from? I haven't seen any in stock for a long time. Squire seem to have replaced them with those 70's ones with the black-block markers which I don't think look as good. [/quote] A used one from here is probably the best bet. I might even be tempted to part with mine as I am not currently gigging... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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