BettySwallocks Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Hi Guys Earlier in the year I bought a used Mexican P Bass. I wanted a the P to wear flats. So I looked up the string gauge on the fender website and put the same gauge Chromes on it. I instal the Chromes and it makes the formally low action,super high, worried it took it to my local luthier. He did a setup and said the truss rod was pretty much maxed out and advised me to put lower gauge, lower tension strings on it. I put La Bella Rx on it, set up again and it plays like a demon. Fast forward a few months and I would like to get a MIM 50's P Bass but I'm worried the same thing will happen. I need a bass with a nice low action due to past hand problems. So should a '50s P Bass be good for a low action wearing flats? Any help greatly appreciated Cheers Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammeFriday Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Should be ok with Labellas, or Thomastiks (even lower tension) but if still too high just stick a shim in the neck pocket - should do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Too much relief (that can't be corrected using the truss rod) might cause fret buzz on the higher frets, with or without any neck shim. You might just have been unlucky with the neck on your current P bass and another bass might have plenty of adjustment in the neck, however if you're happy with the La Bellas then maybe consider putting those on the 50's P bass you're considering. Another option is get a shop to put the strings you'd like on an instrument and check it's playing exactly how you like before you part with any cash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Don't go to your 'local luthier' again & you'll be alright find a decent tech Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettySwallocks Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Sorry Guys Thanks for you're advice, what I meant to say was, if I buy this http://www.fender.com/series/classic/50s-precision-bass-maple-fingerboard-2-color-sunburst-gold-anodized-aluminum-pickguard/ Will I be able to put flats on it and get I nice low action? Cheers Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 With someone who knows what they`re doing (or someone who gives it a go, persists and gets there in the end) you should be able to get a great action on that. After all, when the original version of that Precision came out there were only had flats to choose from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 If you are buying new, then the truss rod [b]should[/b] have plenty of adjustment anyway. I've just got a new Squier VM P Bass 5 string and put a set of Status flats on it, tweaked the truss rod about 45 degrees, dropped the saddles, readjusted the intonation and it is sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 (edited) [quote name='BettySwallocks' timestamp='1411159814' post='2557218'] what I meant to say was, if I buy this (MIM 50's Precision) Will I be able to put flats on it and get I nice low action? [/quote] Almost certainly, yes*. If you're buying it new from a shop ask them to throw in a set-up as part of the deal. Tell them you want flats and a low action. If you're buying it off the web or privately then take it to a decent luthier and ask them to do the same. If you're anywhere near Bath bring it here and I'll do you a basic set-up for nix. [size=3]*One in every few thousand MIM 50's P-Basses may resist for some bizarre reason. Don't worry.[/size] [size=3].[/size] Edited September 21, 2014 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antnee Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Hate to go slightly off topic but I hope you're going to get the honey blonde model 😍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancer Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) I like the Sunburst😍 Edited September 23, 2014 by lancer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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