P-bass, maple fingerboard, under £500... What's out there?

[Jellyfish]

I've got a rough idea, but I don't often delve into the 'Fenderish' end of things so I'm asking your assistance. It could be used, but I'd also like some ideas of new basses as I'll be down in London soon with a lot of shops available to trawl though...

[Lozz196]

I`d check out these Squier Cabronita Precisions. Another maple necked Precision I`ve heard and thought sounded very good was the Squier Matt Freeman Sig model.

[theyellowcar]

Another couple of options in the Fender Modern Player series - not 'typical' Precisions, but the Tele bass (50's style precison body, 2 giant covered humbuckers) and the Jaguar bass (P/J pickups) have maple boards and are worth a look.

http://www.fender.com/en-GB/series/modern-player/modern-player-jaguar-bass-maple-fingerboard-black/

http://www.fender.com/en-GB/series/modern-player/modern-player-telecaster-bass-maple-fingerboard-butterscotch-blonde/

Edited February 18, 2014 by theyellowcar

[Jellyfish]

Cheers for the suggestions. I'm definitely going for that flatwound, P-bass type sound. And the maple is just a preference.

[NJE]

Classic 50's precision gets my vote, amazing basses and there is one on ebay for £400 at the moment. They regularly pop up under £500

[jgmh315]

Fender Standard Precision.
MTD CRB 4
G&L Tribute series

[LiamPodmore]

If you don't mind buying used i'd go for a s/h Japanese P bass off here. Failing that, the Squier stuff should be a good safe bet, just try before you buy of course.

Liam

[sixdegrees]

+1 to try before you buy.

I had a £700 budget when I was in search of a maple P. I tried a USA hotrod, USA Special, two Mexican standards, a Mexican Special, a Matt Freeman Squire, a Roadworn series, and every maple P I could find over a 3 month period.
I didn't like the active sound of the MIM special (or the feel of the Jazz profile neck). The grain and finish on the two Mex standards was poles apart.
Then I was lucky enough to find my 'goldilocks' P in the form of a mint 50s Precision, in Cash Converters, for £320!
Wunjos in Denmark Street were offering a red one for under £500 last time I was in there, and that one was as good as mine in sound and feel. The neck on the 50s model is a bit 'marmite'. But for me it's got a perfect feel.

Edited February 19, 2014 by sixdegrees

[Paul S]

Rather than getting one off the shelf it is maybe worth gathering together a bitsa for the perfect P bass? I bought a scruffy black 90s MIJ P bass on here with a Mighty Mite all maple Jazz neck on it and have fallen head over heels with it. Did a few other mods - P-retro, Wizard Trad pup, Hipshot bridge, La Bella Deep Talkin' flats - and it is my main gigging bass. The P-retro opens up the tone brilliantly - it will do Jamerson to Foxton.

[stingraybassman]

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1392756933' post='2372485']
Classic 50's precision gets my vote, amazing basses and there is one on ebay for £400 at the moment. They regularly pop up under £500
[/quote]

Another classic 50s vote here, 2nd best P I ever had.

[Lozz196]

Ah yes, I was going purely on new items, if considering used the Classic 50s is a fantastic bass. Used CIJ/MIJs are also worth a look, they have some of the nicest playing necks around for Fenders.

[stingraybassman]

Shame you are set on maple, Lozz has a beauty of an MIJ Precision for sale!!

Edited February 19, 2014 by stingraybassman

[Paul S]

[quote name='stingraybassman' timestamp='1392827680' post='2373205']
Shame you are set on maple, Lozz has a beauty of an MIJ Precision for sale!!
[/quote]

That would be an easy fix - stick a maple Mighty Mite neck on it, sell the original.

[lee4]

How about a JHS Vintage Tony Butler?Black/Black/Maple joy!

[Geek99]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1392826147' post='2373176']
Ah yes, I was going purely on new items, if considering used the Classic 50s is a fantastic bass. Used CIJ/MIJs are also worth a look, they have some of the nicest playing necks around for Fenders.
[/quote]
Yes agree - played one and it was very nice indeed. Pmt knock them out around £500, I would buy one new and I don't say that often

[bonzodog]

[quote name='lee4' timestamp='1393100033' post='2376273']
How about a JHS Vintage Tony Butler?Black/Black/Maple joy!
[/quote]

+1. Great bass

[cocco]

Squier Matt Freeman is worth a look.

[goonerjoe]

I tried the squier Matt freeman last week and it's fantastic for the money... IMO better than some of the Mexican standard models I've tried recently. Always pays to try before you buy with fender/squire in my experience.

If you can find one second hand, the classic series 70's P is brilliant, I bought mine from Lozz and it's probably the best P I've played.

Edited February 25, 2014 by goonerjoe

[RhysP]

[quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1392760196' post='2372540']
If you don't mind buying used i'd go for a s/h Japanese P bass off here.
[/quote]

This is what I'd go for.
Got my 57RI MIJ Precision off Ebay for £400 & it's a fantastic bass.

[Jazzjames]

I'd agree with all of the MIJ suggestions. I too have a 57 reissue from the early 90s and it's awesome. Try before you buy is a must though as I've played a couple of jazz basses from this time and while they weren't made badly, the wood just wasn't very resonant.

[jgmh315]

I picked up a 89/90 57RI this week from ebay for a very good price, they are out there.

[jgmh315]

I know of a Roger Waters P Bass for sale s/h near me if any good? In a shop, he said he would let it go for £450 and that was several months ago so maybe eager to get rid now.

[badboy1984]

You mean something like this?

[Truckstop]

G&L Tribute!

Truckstop

[nick]

I would look for a nice old Tokai, or a S/H Fender 'Road Worn'.