franzbassist Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 So, with a trade of my Squier Matt Freeman imminent I am looking to upgrade my P bass but am slightly bewildered by the choice! Any thoughts on what's good? Not looking to spend silly money, and if the quality of my Squier is anything to go by I don't need to anyway, but some pointers would be welcome. My choices, buying new, under £800, look like being: Standard P bass - £413 (with current rebate offer) Roger Waters P Bass - £583 50s P bass - £601 Deluxe Active P Bass Special - £647 American Special - £793 Any thoughts? Cheers Gareth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalJock Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I really liked the sound of the 50's P I tried when looking at P basses a while back, but I didn't like the neck personally (but then I like baseball bat necks so I'm probably disqualified from judging). I would say go for the standard and then mod it as required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1323081777' post='1458905'] ....My choices, buying new, under £800, look like being: Standard P bass - £413 (with current rebate offer) Roger Waters P Bass - £583 50s P bass - £601 Deluxe Active P Bass Special - £647 American Special - £793 Any thoughts? ...[/quote] Does it have to say Fender on the head? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1323082715' post='1458922'] Does it have to say Fender on the head?[/quote] It doesn't have to no, but I would be quite picky about what else appears there! What are you thinking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1323082870' post='1458927'] The Mike Dirnt is missing from that list [/quote] Indeed it is. I forgot to mention that I play in a Jam/Weller tribute band, so ideally I'd like it to look like one of Foxton's basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1323081777' post='1458905']buying new, under £800[/quote] Given the number of Precisions that come up here, for under the upper limit of your budget, why are you thinking about buying new? Could be you just want that "I'm the only person to own this" rush or are a registered business so can take advantage of offsetting VAT, but otherwise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 (edited) [quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1323084838' post='1458964'] Given the number of Precisions that come up here, for under the upper limit of your budget, why are you thinking about buying new? Could be you just want that "I'm the only person to own this" rush or are a registered business so can take advantage of offsetting VAT, but otherwise? [/quote] No qualms about buying used through BC at all, just not seen anything that grabs me at the moment. EDIT: Correction, may have just spotted one! Edited December 5, 2011 by walbassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [size=4]I'd get a second hand Precision that feels great to play and change the pickups and electrics. My choice would be Fralins or Nordstrand.[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I have to ask, why get rid of one bass that seems to work fine, only to spend more money on getting another? I would have thought the Black MF would have been perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1323082992' post='1458930'] Indeed it is. I forgot to mention that I play in a Jam/Weller tribute band, so ideally I'd like it to look like one of Foxton's basses. [/quote] Given the above, I`d look at a Black Classic 50s Precision, and then swap the gold pickguard for a black one. Instant Foxton from Setting Sons era. I had a Classic 50s P for a while, and apart form not having thru-body stringing, there wasn`t much difference between that and my US Precisions. Only sold it as I found out I`m not a maple-fretboard kinda guy. But the quality, playability, and sounds from these basses are amazing. And there`s one up for grabs on here, at a great price: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/161473-fender-classic-50s-precision-as-new-with-gig-bag-trade-possible/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I'd stick with what you have unless you are getting a modern American Standard. There won't be enough difference between the other models and what you have IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkG3 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Another option you could do is try and find a Highway One (upgraded). In my own experiance : the Highway one is my main bass and I own a Mike Dirnt sig and an American Standard P. When I got the Dirnt I thought this was the best bass from fender I had played, then I got the american standard a few years later and thought nothing could beat this, I got my Highway One in July 2011 and it kicks both those basses put together. Everything about the bass is amazing, neck feels comfortable and fretting notes is easy, its a nice weight, the body is comfortable, has the nitro finish which I love - picks up all the dents and sweat from gigging and will wear over time, badass 2 bridge which is great and the stock pickups in them sound beautiful. Now this is obviously IMO others may have experienced differently. Only issue is I believe the Highway Ones have been discontinued, I got the last one from DV247, but I'm sure there's some online shops that may have a few if not some second hand ones. Hope that has been some help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I love the HW-1/Ones. I've had a HW1 Jazz and a HW-one Jazz and P. All very nice instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutton Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Just because you mentioned it I played an American Special and it was very nice. I beleive this is what has taken over from the Highway One. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 This is all good stuff guys, although I'm not sure I'm any the wiser! I've fired a message off about the Classic 50s P, as it does indeed look like just the job. Also spotted a used Deluxe Active P that fits the bill, so asking for info on that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1323098909' post='1459232'] Just because you mentioned it I played an American Special and it was very nice. I beleive this is what has taken over from the Highway One. [/quote] It does look like that but there are some difference between the two lines, its a shame the HW-one is no more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 The 50s P bass would be my choice but the standards (MIM & USA) are both decent right now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 The decision has been made. I've gone for a second hand MIJ bass from the late 80s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 MIJ are very good quality, nice one. Don`t forget the photos though, or no-one will believe you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkG3 Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Nice one mate, look forward to the pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) It's this one Edited December 14, 2011 by walbassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Niiiice.. I was tempted to go and have a look at that one myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clashcityrocker Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 i have a 50s re issue, the maple neck is stunning, a real vintage gloss. mine has Basslines so cant say too much about the original sound but its a lovely bass. i also have a standard Mexican (for sale actually ;-) ) and the quality is awesome. iv never played a USA Fender but its hard to see how they can be too much better than my Mexicans si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkG3 Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 That looks good can't go wrong with a pbass, when are you getting it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algmusic Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 massive Jap fan... much better sound for your buck any day of the week... or the old squires are lovely too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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