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Top quality P-bass in the UK


malcolm.mcintyre
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A life-long (well since 1980) pre-EB Stingray player, I have succumbed to the attractions (i.e. regular good gigs) of playing in a 60's Stax tribute band. So, I need some authentic P-bass (or possibly J-bass) looks and sounds now.
I like a quality instrument so willing to spend what it takes to get a good one, but remained unconvinced by paying huge sums for a genuine 60's instument.
So, looking for a top-flight clone e.g. Lakland, Sadowsky, Fender Custom Shop. But all these require importing from the US with the resulting import and tax penalties.
Would you go for a UK builder and if so who?

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[quote name='malcolm.mcintyre' post='1114113' date='Feb 3 2011, 04:43 PM']A life-long (well since 1980) pre-EB Stingray player, I have succumbed to the attractions (i.e. regular good gigs) of playing in a 60's Stax tribute band. So, I need some authentic P-bass (or possibly J-bass) looks and sounds now.
I like a quality instrument so willing to spend what it takes to get a good one, but remained unconvinced by paying huge sums for a genuine 60's instument.
So, looking for a top-flight clone e.g. Lakland, Sadowsky, Fender Custom Shop. But all these require importing from the US with the resulting import and tax penalties.
Would you go for a UK builder and if so who?[/quote]

Nope, I would look in the classifieds here for a 62 RI Fender P. I'd probably go for a Japanese non-export one over a US model.

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[quote name='dlloyd' post='1114131' date='Feb 3 2011, 04:58 PM']Nope, I would look in the classifieds here for a 62 RI Fender P. I'd probably go for a Japanese non-export one over a US model.[/quote]

This, or if you want a custom build (but not necessarily anytime soon!) then Shuker would get my vote.

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[quote name='dlloyd' post='1114131' date='Feb 3 2011, 04:58 PM']Nope, I would look in the classifieds here for a 62 RI Fender P. I'd probably go for a Japanese non-export one over a US model.[/quote]
I too would go for a MIJ / CIJ 62RI. I wouldn't say they are necessarily better than the US but the quality is comparable BUT at a fraction of the price.

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There's an American 62 RI Precision on ebay right now (6pm) with 30 mins to go if that's of any interest

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Am-Vintage-62-Precision-bass-with-J-p-up-/130480030819?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1e61374463"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Am-Vintage-62...=item1e61374463[/url]

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reckon John Shuker would be a good bet for a custom job too.
he's local-ish to me (he's near Chesterfield, on the Notts/Derbys border) and he was very helpful fixing up an early one of his basses for me.
seemed a decent straight up guy too.
i oggled a his Jazz basses at the time (nearly 10 years ago now), they were less than a grand then if i remember correctly - wish i'd had one made then!

Another good option would be go for a USA G&L L2000 or Asat Bass instead.
better quality bass than any Fender and does some very cool USA sounds that would work great in a Stax set up.
In fact I beleive George Porter from The Meters has been using a G&L for a good while now - alright he's not Stax, more Swamp Funk; but sonically i think this option would work very well indeed, possibly better or more interesting than a J or P Bass .

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I`d check this out

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=117473"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=117473[/url]

US 62 Reissue, with added Jazz pickup in the bridge position. Having played it when I bought an amp off of Clarky, I can certainly vouch for how good this bass is. Great price for a 62 reissue as well.

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Personally I'm glad I've never seen one of these fellas on the BC marketplace:

[url="http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/basscat-overview/calp-series/calp"]Sandberg P[/url]

I'd probably end up having a fight with myself and buying one. I've only ever played the Basics but from that, if quality is what you want, these need to be considered.

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