dannybuoy Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 50s Classics are wider and thicker than the standard Squier and Fender jobs. I bought (and then sold) one for £350 in mint condition a couple of years ago (but admittedly not seen them that cheap since, the RRP has gone up since also). It was the best sounding, most resonant P I've ever played (I've owned a Squier VM, Roadworn and a couple of US Standards), but I just couldn't get on with the nut width as I have small hands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinness21 Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I'm a bit like you - I have a stingray and it's a keeper, but I'd like to get in on the p bass-goodness. For a thick neck I think dannybuoy is on the money with the classic 50's precision. A curve ball might be the fender cabronita? Real thick neck, looks the sh*t and sounds p bass-esque, maybe a bit more low end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 When we're talking about the 50s style p bass, are we talking about sting type one with the tele style neck, or the one that still has the split coil and looks standard apart from a wide neck? Or are we talking about both kinds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 [quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1446649712' post='2901146'] When we're talking about the 50s style p bass, are we talking about sting type one with the tele style neck, or the one that still has the split coil and looks standard apart from a wide neck? Or are we talking about both kinds? [/quote] The Classic 50 series is the split coil version... The one on my avatar is the fiesta red one (with replacement pickguard as I don't like the original gold one) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1446655905' post='2901226'] The Classic 50 series is the split coil version... The one on my avatar is the fiesta red one (with replacement pickguard as I don't like the original gold one) [/quote] Thanks, I'll keep a look out for one of those. There's actually a really nice looking one for sale up north, collection only though, sigh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 What about the G&L L2000 Tribute? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 [quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1446730094' post='2901811'] What about the G&L L2000 Tribute? [/quote] I've always liked G&L and wouldn't mind having one of their basses one day, but how p bass like is the L2000, being active with 2 humbuckers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skychaserhigh Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I've recently bought a 1992 USA L2000 and it does the P bass sound really well as well as other sounds too. The neck is also very P bass like and overall it's a great bass. Check one out , you might be impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) If I can I'll find one to try out. Have you tried the PJ tribute? I've always had a hankering for the older G&L p type bass (can't remember the model no.) but I think they are quite pricey now. Also i'll end up liking it too much like the ray! Edited November 5, 2015 by No. 8 Wire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skychaserhigh Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I've not tried the Tribute but will do if I get the chance. The L2000 can sound quite like a Precision and sort of like a Stingray with lots of stuff inbetween ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 I don't know exactly why, but I've always had a thing for simplicity. I generally like basses with only one pickup. I'm probably missing out though, as there are some sensational basses out there at the moment, those Sandberg VM series in the classifieds right now for instance. But that's not the type of bass needed here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skychaserhigh Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I'm the same , the P has been my main bass for years but the L2000 sounds and plays so well that it's hard to put down. The controls are really easy to use once you find out how they work and it gives me three different sounds that I can use and a few more that I probably won't ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 [quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1446732078' post='2901836'] I've always liked G&L and wouldn't mind having one of their basses one day, but how p bass like is the L2000, being active with 2 humbuckers? [/quote] It does something that can resemble a P bass if you just have to get a flavour hat resembles one... but if you want a Precision sound the L2000 ain't it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 [quote name='skychaserhigh' timestamp='1446744935' post='2902012'] I've not tried the Tribute but will do if I get the chance. The L2000 can sound quite like a Precision and sort of like a Stingray with lots of stuff inbetween ! [/quote] The L2000 is a great bass, very versatile. It can sort of imitate some of the J sounds and a sort of a P sound, it does nothing close to a Stingray, but that's ok... the L2000 does its own thing. However, and I love mine, I just don't find that I fall in love with any of the sounds it does. It's all good but I guess I have a few sounds in mind, built in from listening to music over the years, and most of those are straight P/J/Stingray... and the L2000 could never satisfy me in that respect. So my solution is... owning Precision, Jazz and Stingrays... AS WELL as an L2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 Thanks for that clarification on the L2000. I think it's probably just interesting to check one out, but not to solve my particular problem here. Check this out though, is this the ultimate beater bass? The Wilkinson pickup and d'addario strings are probably worth the asking price. https://m.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_pb_50_sb_vintage_series.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Certainly, and for your budget you could buy a Harley Benton 51 Precision, normal Precision, Jazz, and a Stingray! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) I like the simplicty of a P. I also like the idea of a G&L, but without all the switches and knobs. So I dropped an MFD humbucker in my Matt Freeman. I couldn't afford an L1000 so I made a P1000 It sounds similar to a P but has a little more grunt on tap if needed. I'm rather liking it. Edited November 5, 2015 by ikay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1446751027' post='2902107'] Certainly, and for your budget you could buy a Harley Benton 51 Precision, normal Precision, Jazz, and a Stingray! [/quote] I would do this, only problem is the wife. You see, she plays piano, now all my gear put together doesn't add up to the cost of her piano. But to her I have 6 'guitars' (3 basses and 3 guitars) and she has 1 piano, therefore I have 5 too many. Now I can point out that a guitar is a different instrument to a bass and that of those 3 guitars, one is a classical worth maybe £150 and the other two are just beaters, one I actually found at the tip and rebuilt. Of the basses, really on the stingray counts of the electrics and the acoustic bass, well that's a different instrument too isn't it? None of that means anything to her, so in some ways I'm better off having less instruments that are nicer. That's why I'm finding the idea of the fender Classic 50s bass attractive, nice looking decent instrument, but cheap enough used that I won't be too worried about taking it anywhere. Then again the HB bass above costs virtually nothing and I'm sure would look great cut down to a tele style headstock and refinished in tru oil. Would save a lot of cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1446751041' post='2902108'] I like the simplicty of a P. I also like the idea of a G&L, but without all the switches and knobs. So I dropped an MFD humbucker in my Matt Freeman. I couldn't afford an L1000 so I made a P1000 It sounds similar to a P but has a little more grunt on tap if needed. I'm rather liking it. [/quote] Love it! Did you wire it up like a wunkay too, with all the switching options ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) It has a series/parallel/coil split switch and a regular tone control with a .33 cap. I may experiment with the wunkay tone circuit as a next step but for the moment I'm plenty happy with it as it is . (sorry if this is a bit off topic) Edited November 6, 2015 by ikay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1446801022' post='2902393'] It has a series/parallel/coil split switch and a regular tone control with a .33 cap. I may experiment with the wunkay tone circuit as a next step but for the moment I'm plenty happy with it as it is . (sorry if this is a bit off topic) [/quote] Does it still sound like a p bass when running off a single coil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) Thanks for the suggestions guys. I went with the MIM classic 50s precision. Saw one going for an OK deal and the colour was the biz. Not a beater bass, but hopefully I won't feel so precious about it. If I don't like it I can always play cricket with the neck. Seriously though, should be able to sell on after an extended trial if it doesn't suit. Edited November 9, 2015 by No. 8 Wire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 [quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1446827375' post='2902740'] Thanks for the suggestions guys. I went with the MIM classic 50s precision. Saw one going for an OK deal and the colour was the biz. Not a beater bass, but hopefully I won't feel so precious about it. If I don't like it I can always pay cricket with the neck. Seriously though, should be able to sell on after an extended trial if it doesn't suit. [/quote] Excellent choice! The neck is what makes it or breaks it for most. I personally love it. What colour did you get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1446830938' post='2902783'] Excellent choice! The neck is what makes it or breaks it for most. I personally love it. What colour did you get? [/quote] Honey Blonde, arriving next week, a used one. Not sure about the gold pick guard though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) [Does it still sound like a p bass when running off a single coil?] Yes, in single coil it sounds like an early 50s P, in parallel very close to a split coil P (perhaps a little tighter due to the non-staggered poles), series gives a bit more heft and grunt but it's still very 'P-like'. It retains the essential characteristics of a P, all very no-nonsense, just plug it in and go. Edited November 6, 2015 by ikay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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