OliverBlackman Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 Find a US Fender with a nice fit/ finish. Sound not to your taste, change the pickups. Hardware not to your taste, swap out the hardware. Fancy going active, put in a preamp. There’s a huge array of parts that will fit a fender P if you ever want to adapt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted June 14, 2021 Author Share Posted June 14, 2021 I'm looking plug and play, TBH. My last Ricky I spent a fortune installing a 3-pickup mod amongst other bits. When I was finished, I was unhappier, and poorer than when I started. And it still didn't sound right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 I have a Maruszczyk and I cannot find any reason not to love everything about it. However, something tells me you really would prefer a Fender P Bass. Just reading between the lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted June 14, 2021 Author Share Posted June 14, 2021 36 minutes ago, stewblack said: I have a Maruszczyk and I cannot find any reason not to love everything about it. However, something tells me you really would prefer a Fender P Bass. Just reading between the lines. You're probably right! I guess I am looking to save a few quid if poss, and maybe try something different as well. Guess the issue is, seeing a nice one in Bass Direct, it's only £350 cheaper than a big F. Still a saving, yes - but I think after reading some posts, that the quality just might not be on a par with a Pro 2. I'm wanting something to just live with - after a break from playing, I'm done with all the GAS and mucking about. Decent bass, decent amp, job done. I'm not being flashy about the saving - I'm in no way, in any way, by any means financially sorted - but when it's this much on a bass, I want to get it right long-term, rather than save in the purchase, and end up with buyers remorse every time I see it. Still not sure, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 2 minutes ago, spongebob said: You're probably right! I guess I am looking to save a few quid if poss, and maybe try something different as well. Guess the issue is, seeing a nice one in Bass Direct, it's only £350 cheaper than a big F. Still a saving, yes - but I think after reading some posts, that the quality just might not be on a par with a Pro 2. I'm wanting something to just live with - after a break from playing, I'm done with all the GAS and mucking about. Decent bass, decent amp, job done. I'm not being flashy about the saving - I'm in no way, in any way, by any means financially sorted - but when it's this much on a bass, I want to get it right long-term, rather than save in the purchase, and end up with buyers remorse every time I see it. Still not sure, though! If you’re looking for a plug in and play P at a good price from a great bloke, look no further than this…. @walshy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldon Tyrell Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 4 hours ago, spongebob said: My problem has always been I like the classics. Had Jazz basses, loads of Rickys, and a couple of P's. Nothing else has ever grabbed me! Just need ease of maintenance, easy to EQ, passive....hence looking a P shapes. Hi there. If you looking for a classic P, then maybe check out the Modern Vintage MV-P 62. BD has them in stock: Modern Vintage MVP-62 3 Tone Sunburst Precision bases , UK Basses specialist Warwick, Bass Direct, Birmingham, London, Manchester, UK, USA The name "Modern Vintage" obviously does not sound as good as Fender but I have done some digging and these basses are modelled on vintage Fender basses owned by John Files. John has quite an impressive background and he used to run a shop in Austin called the Bass Emporium (About Us – Sonata Marketing). He is now a distributor, including Rob Elrick's basses. He asked Rob to get an undisclosed factory in S Korea to replicate the specifications of his fav vintage Fender basses (P and J) and to include some more modern-ish elements (e.g. the roasted necks, better truss rod access etc.). Hence the name "Modern Vintage". The basses aren't cheap but I have only heard good things about them and will try them out myself next time I am heading to Leamington. Here is a review with some good soundclips: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 3 hours ago, spongebob said: I'm done with all the GAS and mucking about Ha ha ha ha. You better not hang around here once you've bought it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 Nice passive Sandberg VS4 at Bass Direct. Lightweight and sub £1k; what's not to like? https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sandberg_VS4_SH_SB_2.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 3 hours ago, Eldon Tyrell said: Hi there. If you looking for a classic P, then maybe check out the Modern Vintage MV-P 62. BD has them in stock: Modern Vintage MVP-62 3 Tone Sunburst Precision bases , UK Basses specialist Warwick, Bass Direct, Birmingham, London, Manchester, UK, USA The name "Modern Vintage" obviously does not sound as good as Fender but I have done some digging and these basses are modelled on vintage Fender basses owned by John Files. John has quite an impressive background and he used to run a shop in Austin called the Bass Emporium (About Us – Sonata Marketing). He is now a distributor, including Rob Elrick's basses. He asked Rob to get an undisclosed factory in S Korea to replicate the specifications of his fav vintage Fender basses (P and J) and to include some more modern-ish elements (e.g. the roasted necks, better truss rod access etc.). Hence the name "Modern Vintage". The basses aren't cheap but I have only heard good things about them and will try them out myself next time I am heading to Leamington. Here is a review with some good soundclips: I fear that these basses might become an excellent 'pre-loved' purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 13 hours ago, spongebob said: I've got the chance of a good discount on a new US Miami Blue P...... If I could have a blue P shaped thing, it would be this or very similar…. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quatschmacher Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 37 minutes ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: If I could have a blue P shaped thing, it would be this or very similar…. I’m still contemplating getting Jon to build me a nice P but I need to settle on the right neck/nut-width specs first. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 1 minute ago, Quatschmacher said: I’m still contemplating getting Jon to build me a nice P but I need to settle on the right neck/nut-width specs first. I caved in a few months back. Still have a couple of months to wait 😬. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quatschmacher Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 8 minutes ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: I caved in a few months back. Still have a couple of months to wait 😬. Have you posted on the build progress thread? Jon does all my luthier work (and he’s local to me) but I’ve never actually played one of his basses yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 6 hours ago, Quatschmacher said: Have you posted on the build progress thread? Jon does all my luthier work (and he’s local to me) but I’ve never actually played one of his basses yet. Yes, I did mate. It’s here. It’s probably a good thing I don’t live that close to him 😂. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rasher80 Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 (edited) I'd say you should probably stick with the Fender unless the Maruszczyk has specs you definitely want. I wanted a left handed P with J neck, 70s-era blocks/binding and 32" scale with a chambered body. There was no way I was getting that from Fender!! Edited June 15, 2021 by rasher80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldon Tyrell Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 This sounds like a good deal. A new Fender American Original 60s P bass for £1,549.00. Only problem is that it does not say when it will become available and with the current supply issues that could be a while: Fender American Original 60s P-Bass Surf Green RW (guitarguitar.co.uk) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted June 15, 2021 Author Share Posted June 15, 2021 Well, the Marus bass is definitely off the menu. From all the excellent posts, I really can't see a point in the one I was looking at. Still haven't bought anything - got the P ready to go, but I can't stop my Ricky itch (although I've had a load before.....and I know a P is the 'sensible' choice overall)......I know what ever I do I'll regret it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 (edited) 12 minutes ago, spongebob said: Well, the Marus bass is definitely off the menu. From all the excellent posts, I really can't see a point in the one I was looking at. Still haven't bought anything - got the P ready to go, but I can't stop my Ricky itch (although I've had a load before.....and I know a P is the 'sensible' choice overall)......I know what ever I do I'll regret it! Screw it! Get a Stingray 🤣 Edited June 15, 2021 by ezbass 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 Much deliberation, but I've opted for a Miami Blue Pro 2 P....should be here tomorrow. Main reason was ease of maintenance, returns policy, and an easy bass to sell if all goes wrong! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 9 minutes ago, spongebob said: Much deliberation, but I've opted for a Miami Blue Pro 2 P....should be here tomorrow. Main reason was ease of maintenance, returns policy, and an easy bass to sell if all goes wrong! Nice. Looking forward to the NBD thread 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 (edited) Very sensible if you can't try before you buy; a returns policy can save you from a costly mistake (I sent a brand new 4003W back the day after I got it for a full refund from GAK)... The only place I'd buy without trying is from Jon Shuker, and that's only because I've had several basses from him before, so he knows what I like (and importantly, so do I). I'm awaiting a P from him at the moment, funnily enough... Edited June 18, 2021 by Muzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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