ZilchWoolham Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Well, I've seen this happen in other people's lives, and now it's happening in mine. After a few years of chasing multi-pickup oddities with 4-knob pre-amps (admittedly mostly in an attempt to emulate that elusive Wal tone), these past few months have seen me fully accept that which I've known for a very long time - that a Precision paired with the right amp makes a very nice sound indeed, and a sound that I'd like to be making! So, inevitably, I am now looking for a P-bass. In a vintage flavour, really, so no PJ's and no actives. Ideally a sort of 60's-70's hybrid. That is to say, one with a nitro finish over alder but with a B or even A-style neck. I even find myself hankering for a sunburst (although I've no idea how this happened). I'd also like both body shape and headstock to look the part, that is to say, like a Fender. I'm not terribly concerned about the logo, though. I've had a few glances at the various Limelight threads and at the moment I'd say they seem a good option for me. They look accurate (although personally I'd probably not want the F-logo), are well put together, and they are custom, so I could probably get my preferred specs. At the same time they are parts-made which puts them in my reach financially. I'm not looking for a relic job however, at least not for the body, and I don't think I've ever seen a non-relic'd Limelight. I know there are several relic tiers, but does anyone know if no relic at all is an option? If it is, would that affect the price favourably, or would I be better off with another make if I'm not interested in the trademark Limelight treatment? Are there any other builders/brands/deals I should keep an eye out for? I wouldn't mind an early 80's Tokai, Greco or Fernandes but I'm not sure they were ever made with necks narrower than C-width, and I believe most were finished in poly (if my knowledge of vintage Japanese guitars apply to basses as well). All guidance appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Go Fender Nate Mendel. Don't look back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 We all do, act accordingly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 A nice American Special/Highway One P in sunburst should fit nicely. 70's logo, thin nitro finish allowing it to age nicely. and you wont feel to bad swapping out the pickups to something a touch grittier if need be. Next on my list I reckon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 You can spec Limelights with a very light relic I understand. Although mine is a medium relic, it is late 60s/early 70s spec with a B 40mm nut which is sweet spot for me, plus the TV Fender logo which is my fave. It is by far the best P I've ever played and sounds spectacular with the stock,pickup which I understand they wind themselves: [IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac162/MattM1314/FBE36F04-CEFB-43AD-A434-C2775BD3212C_zpsdw51locj.jpg[/IMG] Limelight can do with their own logo if required. A Fender Nate Mendel, as others have said, would be your best Fender option. 70s logo, B width neck, light relic nitro finish. It does have a Seymour Duncan SPB3 fitted along with a Badass-type bridge which may or may not be a showstopper. Other Fender Ps may have full fat C 44mm necks as you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbartlett Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Lovely Bass!! Just backing this up, ordered a 60s spec P Bass pickup from Mark at Limelight. He winds them himself and even sourced out the correct sized white covers I wanted. The sound of these are fantastic and cost half the price replacement Fender branded pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Adams Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Funnily enough, after years of searching for "the one" I am starting to realise that I had it and sold it. I currently have machines of almost every description, headless, 4's, 5's, spikey shaped Deans, fretless this and that, but the one that is nearest perfection IMO is a Dean Edge that I bought off eBay for £36.00. Not a P I know, but passive and uncomplicated. I think it may well be time to close the loop and return to the Fender Precision that I started with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I know how you feel - I'm in a similar boat at the moment! Limelight wouldn't do a non-reliced bass when I asked a few years ago, though I have since seem some hardly reliced at all basses of theirs which could be close enough for you. Fender do a nitro-covered P in their classic-MIM range but I don't think you'd like the neck. It's basically a Roadworn before they've taken a sander to it. You could have a look at Peterbuilt basses & Maruzcyck - they do close approximations of Fender though might not be able to offer everything you've spec'd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZilchWoolham Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 Thanks, fellas! The Nate Mendel gets several things right but unfortunately it's in Candy Apple Red, which I find deeply unpleasant to the old eyeballs. The Highway One's might be a good fit, even though the satin neck and headstock look a little bare. I'll see if I can find the neck specs for these. Lw. - That's good to know. I'll dive back into the Limelight gear porn thread to see if I can find a few examples of the just-about-reliced ones you mention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Take a look at Sandberg's lovely basses, and you don't need a relic, but they do it very well. Also G&L LB100 for a traditional P bass sound or an SB-1 for a more aggressive, both still passive and great value for money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fftc Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 [quote name='Cuzzie' timestamp='1486654875' post='3233595'] Take a look at Sandberg's lovely basses, and you don't need a relic, but they do it very well. Also G&L LB100 for a traditional P bass sound or an SB-1 for a more aggressive, both still passive and great value for money [/quote] And G&L do nitro finishes for special runs I believe, so you could order a two tone burst in nitro with your choice of neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Yep the G&L quality is obscene, I do have 3 of them, not the models I mentioned, but lovely basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 FYI #12 neck would be a modern P #8 neck a slim jazz profile #7 fat old school P bass I have one of each of those..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxx204 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Hi I've just ordered a Limelight from Mark based on a Fender 62 Jazz Bass, however, with Limelight logo. I also specified a really light relic finish, so period correct tarnishing to metals, colour fade/darken Sherwood Green with matching Headstock, but then block & bound rosewood fingerboard. Just find a photo of a similar model, colour & period correct details & talk to him, he will build to your spec I'm sure, he's a great guy. I've seen reviews of the Limelights where people have preferred them to their Fender Custom shop models & rave about pickups & electrics. Good luck getting the Bass of your dreams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZilchWoolham Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 While G&L and Sandberg make fine basses, I'm really aching for something that looks a bit more like a Fender (if not a Fender). The good thing about Limelight and Peterbuilt is that they're essentially very well put together bitsas made from Allparts (parts), and Allparts, much like Warmoth, are officially licensed by Fender to make accurately dimensioned necks and bodies. The Peterbuilt prices seem to be a tad steeper though. If Limelight were able to put together a non-relic bass I think my mind would've been made up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Contact Doug Wilkes at Wilkes Guitars. Based in Keele, Staffordshire he will hand build you [u]exactly [/u]what you want from the very finest select materials literally to the nth degree. This will be done with a minimum dose of bullshit and a large helping of sardonic humour, unlimited free coffee and chocolate digestives thrown in. https://youtu.be/SiNrSKqvLK0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 3rd or 4th time in recent weeks I've saw Doug's name come up I'd take that as an omen and phone him !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckman67 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 What about a secondhand American special or American Standard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Definitely give the Maruszczyks a look... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Try a Road Worn? Great basses, incredibly nice to play and sound great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthaside Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Jaxx , how dare you spec my IDEAL bass . * Bass Envy mode engage* [quote] really light relic finish, period correct tarnishing to metals, colour fade/darken Sherwood Green with matching Headstock, block & bound rosewood fingerboard.[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I keep telling myself I need a P bass in the stable, it's a classic sound etc etc... and it felt odd not having one the last time I sold one, but to be honest despite the "classic tone" In reality I never find myself choosing it over the Wal, which does everything I need and makes me sound the way I want to sound. I have a beautiful Moollon Classic P which sits in the corner and gets the occasional noodle... silly really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1486742326' post='3234302'] I keep telling myself I need a P bass in the stable, it's a classic sound etc etc... and it felt odd not having one the last time I sold one, but to be honest despite the "classic tone"... [/quote] It's a fair argument really; every bassist should have a classic J and P style bass in their armoury. Then add modern actives, fretless, acoustic etc... To taste. It doesn't matter if you don't use them, it's just good to have the option available for if it's ever required! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZilchWoolham Posted February 10, 2017 Author Share Posted February 10, 2017 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1486674115' post='3233797'] Contact Doug Wilkes at Wilkes Guitars. Based in Keele, Staffordshire he will hand build you [u]exactly [/u]what you want from the very finest select materials literally to the nth degree. This will be done with a minimum dose of bullshit and a large helping of sardonic humour, unlimited free coffee and chocolate digestives thrown in. [/quote] I should probably add that my budget wouldn't be high enough to hire a master builder. Luckily, I don't think I need one either, as what I'm looking for could easily be pieced together from rather standard parts. [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1486683793' post='3233909'] Definitely give the Maruszczyks a look... [/quote] Ah yes, I've given them more than a few looks in the past. However, at this point, I don't really need anything quite custom enough to warrant the price of a fully custom Maruszczyk, which, affordable as they are (and anyone please correct me if I'm wrong), I believe would still be a bit more expensive than a Limelight. A stock model would be a good idea, since they are insanely affordable, but unfortunately I don't like the look of the M logo, and I can't stand John Belushi! Actually, WoT, what I'm looking for is something very much like your lovely '71('72?) P. I'm not terribly well versed in Fender history; is it ash or alder? It doesn't look very figured, but still perhaps a bit too figured to be alder. Were they nitro or poly finished at this time? In my original post I mentioned both alder and nitro as preferences of mine, but really I think I'd be well pleased with something that looks, plays and sounds like a bog-standard early 70's P. Ash does tend to be heavier than alder though, which does concern me a bit. Of course, Fenders of the late 70's seem to be rather well-known for their less than ideal ergonomic properties. [quote name='luckman67' timestamp='1486679943' post='3233875'] What about a secondhand American special or American Standard? [/quote] I'm thinking about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK Jale Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Reading the OP, here's a long long long shot: a Fender Japan Hama Okamoto. It's essentially an alder-body sunburst slab-board '62 P-bass reissue, but with an A-width Jazz nut. Recently discontinued, and you'd have to order one used from Japan thus unplayed and untried. Great looking basses though..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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