jonnythenotes Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 I have decided to go for a P bass, but realise a new or second hand American made Fender for £500 is not going to happen, so what is the next best thing, eiher new or second hand that is as good as or even better? There must be one or two gems out there that are ignored or undiscovered as they have the wrong name on the headstock.. There is the obvious in Squier, but anything else that is worth a squint.... Quote
Hobbayne Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Harley Bentons are getting top reviews. As are J&D Quote
Number6 Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 J&D are really good imho and get really good reviews too. Quote
Truckstop Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 I've seen plenty of US Precisions for under £500 on BC. Keep your eyes peeled, they will turn up! If you've got your heart set on a Fender, nothing else will do. There are many manufacturers that make good P basses. G&L, Fret King and Lakland make great P basses that'll come in at around £500 used. If you don't mind keeping an open mind, an 80's Yamaha BB or Tokai Hardpuncher would be an excellent find. Quote
Coilte Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 (edited) You should check out the G&L SB2 Tribute. : [url="http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/TributeSeries/basses/SB-2_new/index.asp"]http://www.glguitars...2_new/index.asp[/url] ....or a used USA one.... The "L" stands for some guy whose first name is "Leo" Just be aware that the neck on these is 1.5" at the nut...i.e a jazz neck. Edited April 26, 2015 by Coilte Quote
jonnythenotes Posted April 26, 2015 Author Posted April 26, 2015 Any opinions on the Sandberg p bass....and what's the likely used price on one of them.. Quote
discreet Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 G&L are very underrated basses. You can get a Leo Fender-era SB2 for £5/600 if you keep your eyes open. Quote
pete.young Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Second hand Japanese mij or cij not-for-export model. Quote
booboo Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 I've just imported an Ishibashi pb62-US. P*sses on my AVRI 62 in terms of playability/set up out of the box and is about half the price (doesn't smell as nice as it's a poly finish though). Over your budget once import duty ect is added, but there are plenty of good P basses on there used and new from around 45000 yen upwards. If you are thinking of buying unseen off the net then unless there is a bargain going on here you could do a lot worse. Quote
jezzaboy Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Yamaha BB any day. Either a 70/80s Jap model or one of the newer ones. Both are excellent. Quote
Wilco Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 (edited) 2008 onwards MIM P (£250 - £350) & mod the danglies out of it? Worked for me! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/258698-should-i-be-nervous-about-a-nbd-tomorrow-now-a-modded-nbd/page__view__findpost__p__2737549 Edited April 26, 2015 by Wilco Quote
FinnDave Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Plenty of gen-you-ine Fender Ps for 500 or less, from US to Mex via MiJ/CiJ.US special is a lower quality than US standard, but plenty of excellent Mex standards around. Quote
dannybuoy Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 Rare to see an MIA under £600, MIJ is your best bet but harder to come by. Lots of interesting MIM bases out there though, from the classic 50s, Roger Waters, and Nate Mendel models, then also some cracking Squiers, the Classic Vibe, Vintage Modified, Matt Freeman... Do you have a preference for colour or maple/rosewood? Quote
CamdenRob Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 I sold a japanese precision last year for around £350... sounded great, lightweight and played wonderfully. Quote
Mykesbass Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 [quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1430084301' post='2757902'] The "L" stands for some guy whose first name is "Leo" [/quote] And just as importantly, the G stands for George (& not the bloke from Asda)! Quote
Paul S Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 Another vote for Japanese Fenders. Never picked up a bad one. Quote
BobVbass Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 there's a Lakland Bob Glaub on the market place at the mo for £475 as well - awesome "P" bass Quote
Lozz196 Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 As above really, plenty of choice, CIJ Fenders are good, but have to say that the Mexican range has really upped its game on the post 2008 models. I`d get to a music shop and just try the Mex Standards, if you like then keep an eye out on here or ebay/gumtree for similar. I`ve had a good few of the Mex Precisions, and the post 2008s have all been much better quality. Quote
Coilte Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1430116634' post='2757988'] And just as importantly, the G stands for George [/quote] Very true...though most people would not be familiar with him. Quote
Born 2B Mild Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 Checkout the Bass Collection Precisions.I've got a Bruce Thomas signature myself. Top basses! Phil Quote
ras52 Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 (edited) Squier Classic Vibe (as you already mention), and a definite echo of the Yamaha BB recommendations. BB42** are only £300 new, and isn't there a S/H BB1024 in the marketplace? (Edit: yes there is, was listed at £475, now "sold pending"...) Edited April 27, 2015 by ras52 Quote
jonnythenotes Posted April 27, 2015 Author Posted April 27, 2015 So much appreciate ALL of you for the time, help and suggestions you have put forward. I have looked at all the makes and models you have reccomended, and now from being in a position of ' what shall I do,' I am actually spoilt for choice.... Brilliant chaps, and thank you so much..... It's also nice to know this thread could prove really useful to so many other folks after something similar.... Quote
grunge666 Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 Def look at G&L - I've got an L2000 Trib and it does P and Stringray all in one, a really great bass. Quote
Prime_BASS Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1430136452' post='2758235'] Also - Sandberg Electra VS4 [/quote] Up vote! looks ace cause it's design isn't just another carbon copy and the quality is excellent Quote
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