Fender USA Special P/J or USA G&L SB-1? Decisions...

[solo4652]

I've been looking for a passive USA Fender P/J with a P neck.

Saw this: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_am_special_pj_bass_rw_vib_fsr.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._rw_vib_fsr.htm[/url]

Anybody played one?

Edited August 22, 2014 by solo4652

[theyellowcar]

Nope, but based on it being the only Fender that meets your brief it's probably worth taking the punt

[KiOgon]

The American Special FSR's are excellent value for money, I'd say you won't find a better P/J for £713, brand new - bargain - go for it

[Lozz196]

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1408289101' post='2528641']
The American Special FSR's are excellent value for money, I'd say you won't find a better P/J for £713, brand new - bargain - go for it
[/quote]

Agree, I played the 70s style one, the one with the Jazz neck/blocks & binding. Great sounds, great styling, played really well, but it had a Jazz-neck hence me not buying it. But the quality of the instrument was great, would happily recommend the FSRs based on my experience with that one.

Edited August 17, 2014 by Lozz196

[djaxup]

They are incredible for the price.

[franzbassist]

My American Special P is, hands down, the best Fender I have ever played. I would imagine this bass would be terrific

[afterimage]

That looks a nice bass

[solo4652]

Yep - I'm very tempted. That said, I'm not a great fan of the usual Jazz V/V/T control layout which this bass has. I'd probably change it to Pan/overall vol/overall tone. That would add a bit of cost, and I'd immediately change the bass from original spec which may impact on its value.

It's a toss-up between the Fender and this: [url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/amazing-custom-ordered-usa-made-g-l-sb1-p-bass-on-steroids-2-tone-burst-over-ash-tort-rosewood.1097521/#post-16286006"]http://www.talkbass..../#post-16286006[/url]

I do realise that we're not comparing like with like here. I'm a big G&L fan, and I've been looking for a decent SB-1 for quite a while. The one in the States is less than a year old and is "as new", with the Certificate of Authenticity and all the bits and bobs. Total cost of bass, courier, taxes and duties is almost exactly the same as the Fender from Thomann.

I already have a Fender MIJ P that I'm happy with, and I was looking for something with a P neck that would give a few more tone options without being active or having loads of confusing switches and knobs.

Whichever I buy, I'd be buying without trying it. Which would be easier to sell on if I don't get on with it? Can't decide which to go for...

Edited August 22, 2014 by solo4652

[theyellowcar]

The P will lose some value as soon as you buy it because it's a brand new bass. The G&L probably have a more stable re-sale value, although it's worth investigating the market price for used G&L's to make sure you aren't being shafted in the first place

[Graham]

G&L MFD pickups are the best sounding out there IMO, much better than stock Fenders.

[solo4652]

Thinking about it, it's the MFD pickups I'm interested in. You can buy them direct from G&L. Maybe that's the answer - buy some pickups and drop them into a half-decent MIJ or MIA Fender P which I'll be able to source fairly easily without the expense and bother of importing a full bass from the States. Hmmmm...

[gareth]

why don't you consider the G&L SB2

this will give you the pj pups

even the tributes have USA mfd pups

[solo4652]

Because, unfortunately, the SB-2 Tributes have a J-width neck which would be too narrow for my paws.

[gareth]

gotcha