Another day, another NBD!
First, a bit of back story... I'm Paul, and I'm a GASoholic. I've been playing for around 22 years now, and in this time can only think of two times I've truly been happy with a bass... First was an Aerodyne P around '07, which I let go for peanuts as I was convinced I needed a jazz bass in '16, and second was an EBMM Sterling 5 which developed a faulty pickup, but PMT would only refund (both pictured below)
Other than this I've had premium, budget, mid range, headless, short scale, fan fret, four string, five strings from Ibanez, Yamaha, Rickenbacker, LTD, Spector, SBMM, Nordstrand, Sire, Squier, Sandberg, Fender, Charvel, Harley Benton... you name it! Every time, I find something I'm not fussed on, and either move on at a loss, or modify past the point of no return - whether it be neck profile, knob placement, active pickups, inherent mid scoop, perceived low end loss or ergonomic issues and so forth... Most recently it's been a Sire Z7 which I was convinced would push me through the mix, but I struggle with the weight and preamp and the cycle resumes...
After weighing up my options I decided I'd like to try a P, but that it was time to grow up and a Sunburt P would be the way to go... no luck in the local stores (as usual) but then I spotted Greeneking's P on the FS section... After a couple of messages and an impulsive post xmas cross country drive, I arrived at Peter's house raring to give it a try. It didn't take long to decide it was for me, and off I went 1 bass heavier...
And here she is!
A fender Player II P... nothing fancy, and couldn't be any more opposite to the basses I've had in the past (P's are so boring, right?) But it totally clicked, and I'm in love! It plays like a dream, the neck isn't as fat as I remember Ps being, and it's light but it still roars and has that P weight to the sound. Ive played this bass EVERY night since I got it, (often into the early hours before remembering I have work tomorrow 😬). It's just so good in every way! I had a Mex Fender P back in 2010 and it was a DOG and put me off both Ps and Fender, but I've gigged this now around 6 times and each time I've been so excited to play it... For now at least, it feels like a forever bass!
If you made it this far... thanks for reading!