Pirellithecat Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Help! Going round in circles with this one ........ so thought I'd see if I could tap into the Basschat collective experience. I need a nice bass for 70's classic rock (guitar/bass/drums/vocals). I have an upgraded Squire P bass special Standard which has PJ config pups and a jazz style (38.1mm) neck. It's surprisingly good, but ..... I've convinced myself that I could use something better and have tried the following few alternatives. Fender P Professional - I'm not sure that the neck will really suit me. Elite PJ and the neck on this seemed much better but I can't justify the cost and don't really need the active electrics Fender CIJ P, different to the Professional but not 100% to my liking Also tried Fender Jazz Professional which is nice but moves away from the sound I'm after (and yes I know John Paul Jones used one!) Also tried a Warwick Streamer LX, which has PJ config, (and looks devine) and I REALLY like this - but it's very expensive and will it do the "P" thing? So, anyone point me in the right direction i.e. "P" sound in terms of cut through, not modern and "zingy"/hi-fi/bright, manageable (slim) neck (for quick licks where necessary). Budget would be Fender P Professional level (or loads less if at all possible). I'm in the middle of nowhere and its a 2 hour trip to any major instrument stockist so any pointer would be much appreciated. Many many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Nate Mendel? Based on a 71, with a slimmish neck. https://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_nate_mendel_p_bass.htm 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Take which P body you want Pop in which P pick up you want Bolt on your fave neck You can make the bass you desire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 (edited) Yamaha BB434 - all passive. P & J pickups. Yamaha BB734a - 3 band preamp, switchable to passive with a tone control in passive mode. P & J pickups. Sire P7 - 3 band preamp, switchable to passive with a tone control. Sandberg Electra VS4 - 2 band active preamp, switchable to passive but with no tone control in passive mode. Personally, I’d go for one of the Yamahas. Edited March 6, 2019 by CameronJ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 My recommendations, whenever anyone mentions P basses, are for the US Standards, 2012-15 Series, simply the best Precisions I`ve found (for me). Only thing that might go against in this instance is that the necks are a handful, if you like slimmer necks these may not be the best choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I popped this together for less than a Bex mex fender pretty much, or about the same. Punch, cut, fast neck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Might get even more replies posted in the Bass Lounge....😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Forgot to add - Lakland Skyline 44-64. All passive. P/J pickups. Lovely slim neck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleOhStephan Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I've just picked up a used MIM Jazz which the previous owner has had converted to PJ. Could be an option if you get a reasonable priced Jazz and get the work done. I would think the conversion would be pretty straight forward, getting a scratch plate may be a bit of a hassle but not a huge deal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirellithecat Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 Thanks everyone - food for thought. So, seems like I need to get out of the valley and try a Nate Mendel, A Lakland, and certainly a Yamaha and a few others! And that looks like a 3 hour drive to Bass Direct, who might have the Sandberg, a Yamaha, and I might need to see who has the rest "en-route". Sadly I can't do a bitsa at the moment as I have to finish rebuilding the house and haven't time to undertake a project - but I'd like to do so in the future - lovely bass Cuzzie! Any feedback on the Warwick, in terms of working in a 70's band? Cheers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2elliot Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Fender PJ Journeyman... if you can find one second hand, very rare. Fender Precision body, Fender Jazzbass neck... all bolted together by Fender. Or ask Limelight to make it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2elliot Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 My Warwick Streamer Stage 1 doesn't sound like a precision... it sounds like a Warwick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 One of these may suit your needs, this is my 1998 p bass special they are very comfortable , and they have the jazz neck, the p pickup does give the lows and the bridge pup is quite bright on its own, but blended together it’s got a lot of tonal options 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirellithecat Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share Posted March 7, 2019 The Fender PJ 1998 P bass looks great - I'll keep an eye out! Concerning the Warwick, I recently tried a new Streamer and the neck really seems to suit my technique (or lack of it). I have an Ibanez Premium range bass in my collection and it's a joy to play and looks great. It has a rich and varied tones, but in a 70's rock setting it's wasted and tends to get lost in the mix. Hence the desire for a bass that has a slim neck which is "better" than a Squire PJ and has the ability to cut through the mix better than the Ibanez. If a Warwick Streamer did this it would be worth saving up for. So, I guess the question is ...... does the Warwick fit the bill? Anyway thanks for all the suggestions keep 'em coming!🤔 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Seems to me you need to make that 2 hour drive. You have all sorts of ideas about what you want and don't want and now you need to play some basses to see if the real thing matches your ideas. If you want to cut through I'd also be looking at the amp and cab you use, any pedals and the EQ you have.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 A really cheap option - new/different strings?! Can be just the ticket with some judicious EQ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirellithecat Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share Posted March 7, 2019 Arghhhh! I know you're right chris_b!!! Hence the "going round in circles" comment at the top. I thought it best to try to nail the front end first and then catch up on the amp front. Don't really use pedals and tend to keep the EQ as flat as possible so looking for equipment that sounds intrinsically "right" at the outset. I guess it's easier to get the feel and the general tone of a bass in a shop, but I'm worried that at "live" sound levels competing with noisy guitar players and drummers things sound a little different - hence seeking the collective experience. But yes, a trip to Worcestershire seems like a good idea - but it is a 420 mile round trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Aiming for a synergy between your bass, amp and cab is the right way to go. IMO. You already have a good Precision bass, so rather than looking for a better P bass, I'd be looking for a good Jazz bass (or other 2 pickup bass) to compliment it. 420 miles? Where do you live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirellithecat Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share Posted March 7, 2019 Thanks Chris-b, We're up in the wilds of West Cumbria, no mobile phones, no BT internet (well 400kbs is possible when it's dry) so this is brought to you by satellite broadband! Heaven! The current bass is a modded (old) PJ, so we have 2 pick-ups (upgraded), the bass has an upgraded bridge, new pots/wiring, has been well set up. I like the neck profile but think that it might be worth investing in a newer/better version in terms of build quality, woods used, tuners, etc. as I don't think investing more in the current bass makes sense. Increasingly it seems that a new PJ with the appropriate neck "feel" might be the way to go. And that takes us to Fender style guitars or more unique designs eg Warwick etc. Tried a few Jazzes, but these seem more similar to my current Ibanez, in terms of feel and sound. And yes, I know, I'm dithering!!! Oh, and I do like natural wood finishes .................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirellithecat Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share Posted March 7, 2019 Oh, and I've tried a variety of strings ending up with Thomastic Infeld flats - which are my favourites, (but not so cheap!). Tried Rotosound flats but these weren't for me and a number of different roundwounds from DR Black Beauties to Elixir's - however these seem to take me and the bass into brighter more modern (is the term Zingy?) territory. Hey Ho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 If your budget is up to it, there is the Overwater factory in Carlisle. Beautiful basses. We have several BCers in Newcastle. Maybe you could meet up with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Fender Jazz Bass Special would be what I would look for. One of the earlier MIJ ones with a Jazz width neck. They have a J pup as well, although you don't have to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 3 hours ago, Paul S said: Fender Jazz Bass Special would be what I would look for. One of the earlier MIJ ones with a Jazz width neck. They have a J pup as well, although you don't have to use it. Just be aware that the very first run (serial number starts with A ) have a P neck. These were non-export so quite rare over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Fender American Standard Jaguar? It has switchable P & J pick ups which can also be switched to series or parallel. Also switchable active/passive and still works in passive with flat batteries. The neck is jazz dimensions. The only problem is that they were only made for a couple of years (2014 to 2015?) so might be hard to find. I have seen a couple for sale on basschat. Mine's not for sale. Frank. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleOhStephan Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 Heads up, there's a Fender Reggie Hamilton PJ on ebay atm - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F163583437859 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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