New to me bass day... a coming of age story.

[thisisswanbon]

Another day, another NBD!

 

First, a bit of back story... I'm Paul, and I'm a GASoholic. I've been playing for around 22 years now, and in this time can only think of two times I've truly been happy with a bass... First was an Aerodyne P around '07, which I let go for peanuts as I was convinced I needed a jazz bass in '16, and second was an EBMM Sterling 5 which developed a faulty pickup, but PMT would only refund (both pictured below)

 

Other than this I've had premium, budget, mid range, headless, short scale, fan fret, four string, five strings from Ibanez, Yamaha, Rickenbacker, LTD, Spector, SBMM, Nordstrand, Sire, Squier, Sandberg, Fender, Charvel, Harley Benton... you name it! Every time, I find something I'm not fussed on, and either move on at a loss, or modify past the point of no return - whether it be neck profile, knob placement, active pickups, inherent mid scoop, perceived low end loss or ergonomic issues and so forth... Most recently it's been a Sire Z7 which I was convinced would push me through the mix, but I struggle with the weight and preamp and the cycle resumes...

 

After weighing up my options I decided I'd like to try a P, but that it was time to grow up and a Sunburt P would be the way to go... no luck in the local stores (as usual) but then I spotted Greeneking's P on the FS section... After a couple of messages and an impulsive post xmas cross country drive, I arrived at Peter's house raring to give it a try.  It didn't take long to decide it was for me, and off I went 1 bass heavier...

 

And here she is!

 

 

A fender Player II P... nothing fancy, and couldn't be any more opposite to the basses I've had in the past (P's are so boring, right?) But it totally clicked, and I'm in love! It plays like a dream, the neck isn't as fat as I remember Ps being, and it's light but it still roars and has that P weight to the sound.  Ive played this bass EVERY night since I got it, (often into the early hours before remembering I have work tomorrow 😬). It's just so good in every way! I had a Mex Fender P back in 2010 and it was a DOG and put me off both Ps and Fender, but I've gigged this now around 6 times and each time I've been so excited to play it... For now at least, it feels like a forever bass!

 

If you made it this far... thanks for reading! 

 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 07:28 by thisisswanbon

[Lozz196]

Looks really  nice, the burst going well with the black plate. 

[80Hz]

Excellent, I looked at this bass several times on the for sale forum and was sorely tempted. Also agree on the comfort level of current Fender offerings, they do seem to have hit a sweet spot in terms of playability.

 

Your point on an instrument that makes you want to play is well made. I've had several instruments that were objectively good and didn't lack anything, but they didn't speak to me in that way that says: hey dude, time for a brain break, pick me up!

[OliverBlackman]

I got my P bass at 16. It’s the only one of two basses that have stuck around.

[cocco]

Sounds like you've been on quite a journey.  

 

I think more players would have this realisation if they let themselves 😂. 

[thisisswanbon]

6 hours ago, 80Hz said:

Excellent, I looked at this bass several times on the for sale forum and was sorely tempted. Also agree on the comfort level of current Fender offerings, they do seem to have hit a sweet spot in terms of playability.

 

Your point on an instrument that makes you want to play is well made. I've had several instruments that were objectively good and didn't lack anything, but they didn't speak to me in that way that says: hey dude, time for a brain break, pick me up!

I'm glad you didn't! 😂... I feel like Fender get alot of stick on the youtubes "sire showing fender up" etc, but truthfully this feels a level up from the two Sires I have.

[thisisswanbon]

6 hours ago, cocco said:

Sounds like you've been on quite a journey.  

 

I think more players would have this realisation if they let themselves 😂. 

A very long and very expensive journey with a lot of bass casualties along the way 🥲... Hopefully this is the destination though 🤞

 

I get it though, given the P is where it all started you'd expect it to have been surpassed - horses for courses 🤷‍♂️

[neepheid]

P bass == promised land.  Again.  Welcome to the retirement home - aren't you a little young?

 

 

[neepheid]

15 hours ago, thisisswanbon said:

I'm glad you didn't! 😂... I feel like Fender get alot of stick on the youtubes "sire showing fender up" etc, but truthfully this feels a level up from the two Sires I have.

 

Eh, bunch of YouTube edgelords and blowhards just saying "controversial" things for clicks and views.  I wouldn't pay it much mind.  In your little bass microcosm, you're always right and the subject matter expert when it comes to how basses feel and stuff like preferences.

I could play all three you mention above and come to a completely different conclusion, and that would also be fine.