Budget "P" bass?

[Fozziemeister]

Hello,
I've been looking for a "P" style bass with a budget of approximately £400. I have been recommended Squier basses by several people and am considering a few of their models (Cabronita, Eva Gardner sig, Mike Dirnt sig, Chris Aiken sig, VM 5 string, VM P/J, VM Jaguar and CV 50's P). Aside from these, I have stumbled upon Retrovibe (T-Rod and Super-P) and Bass Collection (Power Bass). I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with some of the above basses and if anyone could make some recommendations (either from within those I've listed or any others that I have not mentioned) for a "budget P bass". Any information or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Also, as a side note, I would much rather buy new than used which is why I have only mentioned models that are new for under £400.
Once again, thanks.

Mark.

[Lozz196]

Seeing as it`s new only, I`d add in the Matt Freeman Sig - I`ve never played one, but have heard a lot of people use them and they sound great in the mix.

[Fozziemeister]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1470686958' post='3107705']
Seeing as it`s new only, I`d add in the Matt Freeman Sig - I`ve never played one, but have heard a lot of people use them and they sound great in the mix.
[/quote]

Thanks for the advice, I have heard some talk about the Matt Freeman Sig. I didn't mention it as I've not had much luck finding one for sale, however I will keep an eye out.

[Painy]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1470686958' post='3107705']
Seeing as it`s new only, I`d add in the Matt Freeman Sig - I`ve never played one, but have heard a lot of people use them and they sound great in the mix.
[/quote]

You beat me to it while I was checking if they came in on budget !

They seem to be about £421 online currently but probably worth saving the extra couple of quid for.

[Woodinblack]

I have a CV 70s (black and maple) and it is lovely - I picked it over the other (fender) Ps in the shop.
I am not really a P player but I do love it.

[Painy]

Also, if you are interested in a five string, my Squier VM P5 is genuinely excellent to play. While it also sounded pretty good from stock I have played around with the electronics a bit to get it to sound to my personal liking but you'd have enough left in your budget for some very decent upgrades if you did feel you needed it.

[karlfer]

David Konig (Retrovibe) will do a great set up on the basses he supplies. He has a lot of fans.
Have a chat with him and tell him Karl recommended his gear, but more importantly, his care and service.

[kodiakblair]

Had the Retrovibe Super P for over a year now.

Got the 2nd last white one and Dave K added the mini toggle for free.Damn fine bass.
My hands are wee and the neck's on the chunky side but Man it fit perfect.

The big MM burbles away nicely.It's a massive extra to a P bass that pickup.Makes such a change from the J single.
Maybe one day I'll finally get around to fitting the Stinger to it

[Matte_black]

For small jams into a very small place I got a €99 Harley Benton P-bass ('51 model) and fitted a MM-style pickup on it. Sounds as good as any P-bass stile in the €500 league... I think a pickup swap is always in order when you buy one of these basses.

[MacDaddy]

Vintage (brand) basses pack a punch well above their price.

Shop around and there are some deals to be had.

http://www.jhs.co.uk/brands/vintage/vintage-basses

[Fozziemeister]

[quote name='Matte_black' timestamp='1470693171' post='3107782']
For small jams into a very small place I got a €99 Harley Benton P-bass ('51 model) and fitted a MM-style pickup on it. Sounds as good as any P-bass stile in the €500 league... I think a pickup swap is always in order when you buy one of these basses.
[/quote]

I'll check their P bass out, not sure why I didn't think of that, I own a Harley Benton jazz bass myself.

[Fozziemeister]

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1470693539' post='3107786']
Vintage (brand) basses pack a punch well above their price.

Shop around and there are some deals to be had.

http://www.jhs.co.uk/brands/vintage/vintage-basses
[/quote]

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check those out.

[Bassman Sam]

I have a MIM Fender P bass from 2014. I can't fault it. CAR with a maple fretboard. It was fitted with a SD pickup by the previous owner and is great. It cost me 400 quid including postage with pick up covers and a new gig bag thrown in. You can pick a good one up second hand for around 350 quid or less in great condition.

[kodiakblair]

Discreet started a good thread on the Harley Benton PB-50.
There's a couple of sound clips a friend of mine did, A/B CV between Seymour Duncan single and the stock Wilkinson . It makes for surprising listening.

[mcnach]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1470686958' post='3107705']
Seeing as it`s new only, I`d add in the Matt Freeman Sig - I`ve never played one, but have heard a lot of people use them and they sound great in the mix.
[/quote]

+1

It's a great bass. The stock pickup is pretty decent and the neck is fantastic.

I had mine converted to 'Jazz' purely because I already had a Fender Classic 50 Precision and a Maruszczyk Jake (P/JJ) so that was a lot of 'Precisions' and I always wanted the Jazz vibe but in a smaller body with the Precision neck... so I took my Matt Freeman to a well known luthier and he had a lot of praise for this bass. He was amazed that Squier produced instruments of this quality these days.

The Classic Vibe Precision is also very nice. I had one too, Fiesta Red, and I only let it go because I had to have a maple fingerboard Precision instead

This is my converted Matt Freeman. The neck is simply delicious. It's a bit on the slim slide for a Precision but feels great, they didn't slim it too much:

[dannybuoy]

Squier Classic Vibe all the way. 70s / Matt Freeman if you like maple, or 60s if you prefer rosewood (like myself)!

[Funky Dunky]

Probably like hen's teeth, but I'd be looking around for a used Carvin PB-4 at that price point. Failing that, the Squier CV range is, by all accounts, fabulous. I particularly like the blue one .

[Marvin]

Revelation p basses have a good reputation. Stuart Clayton, of Bassline publishing etc, has been using one recently for a project and said it was a very good instrument.

J&D p bass from DV247 are also good apparently.

I picked up a Squier VM p bass for £150. I love it. It's not mind blowingly stunning, but it has a real feel and charm to it

[kodiakblair]

Good bunch of folk at Revelation and quick to answer queries.

Entwistle pickups too,not to be sniffed at

[Funky Dunky]

https://www.hobgoblin.com/local/sales/products/HO56023/revelation-p-bass-guitar-metallic-red/#BrandDivLink

I think that is bloody lovely! Wish I could hear soundclips. Nothing on YouTube other than a demo of a Revelation Jazz. But what a lovely looking bass.

[bagsieblue]

Best budget P bass for me is a Farida P Bass.

[Geek99]

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1470775969' post='3108436']
Revelation p basses have a good reputation. Stuart Clayton, of Bassline publishing etc, has been using one recently for a project and said it was a very good instrument.

J&D p bass from DV247 are also good apparently.

I picked up a Squier VM p bass for £150. I love it. It's not mind blowingly stunning, but it has a real feel and charm to it
[/quote]
I had one, you're totally wrong ! They are actually mind blowingly stunning

[Shaggy]

Sound advice above, but mine would always be to put together your own bitsa. My last 4 or so main gigging basses have been self-build P's, and latest one (5th post from bottom of page: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/109268-white-bass-porn-thread/page__st__360 ) blows away any other boutique P bass at any price level I've tried, and probably cost me around £300 all in; body, neck, and tuners sourced used here on BC.

You (1) get exactly the spec you want, (2) end up with something that means more to you because you made it, and (3) it's dead easy and fun.....in fact can become addictive!

Good luck anyway, and hope you find (or make) a good 'un!

Edit: I'd be very tempted by this: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/288461-seafoam-green-usa-parts-built-p-bass/

Edited August 13, 2016 by Shaggy

[Thunderpaws]

Here's a nice Classic Vibe...

http://m.guitarguitar.co.uk/Product/14072911262332

[philw]

Well I reckon you can't really go wrong with a Squire VM PJ, and that's not just 'cause I have one for sale (http://basschat.co.uk/topic/288224-squire-pj-bass/).

P