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P with J neck ? Fender/Squier vs Warwick vs G&L vs ???


hamfist
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OK, "if" you were looking for a P sound from a bass but with a 1.5" nut width, intermediate cost (lets say £400-£700), what would you buy and why ? New and/or used. Passive or active is fine.

What I've found so far (new) ......

Fender blacktop Jazz (P pickup a bit nearer neck than the trad P placement)
Fender P deluxe and FSR sea foam green P
Warwick Fortress rockbass
Warwick STreamer LX 4 rockbass
G & L SB2 tribute.

If it has a J pickup at the bridge that is a nice little bonus but not essential for me.


Obviously also in that price range are also MIA P deluxes and German Warwick streamer LX 4's and older Fortresses.

Just hit me with thoughts and ideas.

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Fender Duff McKagan Signature Precision. P/J config, plus a TBX (treble boost) control.

I`d have had one of these in a snap if it had a P size neck.

Edit - this looks like it would fit the bill nicely:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/196215-fender-bass-power-jazz-special/

Edited by Lozz196
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I'd have no hesitation is going for the SB2. The only possible draw back (it is for some people anyway)
is that there is no tone knob, just two volume knobs. A small upgrade will fix that though.

Great basses for the money.....and that split coil pick up is a monster !! ;)

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[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1358355766' post='1937698']
I'd have no hesitation is going for the SB2. The only possible draw back (it is for some people anyway)
is that there is no tone knob, just two volume knobs. A small upgrade will fix that though.

Great basses for the money.....and that split coil pick up is a monster !! ;)
[/quote]

Another vote for the SB1 here .

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[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1358355765' post='1937697']
Fender Duff McKagan Signature Precision. P/J config, plus a TBX (treble boost) control.

I`d have had one of these in a snap if it had a P size neck.
[/quote]

Yowser, thats a lot of money for a MIM PJ Lozz. What makes it so special for you ?

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[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1358355544' post='1937690']
<<<<<< Standard MIM P with Allparts Jazz neck, as in avatar.
[/quote]

SOunds like a good option. However, I'd be nervous about swapping necks. Are they all the same size heel etc ? I'd have no idea about shimming. So I'd probably have to pay someone to do it.

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[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1358356451' post='1937727']
Yowser, thats a lot of money for a MIM PJ Lozz. What makes it so special for you ?
[/quote]

This is the bass its based on, made in Japan. Not bad for the money although the look is an acquired taste IMO.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/196215-fender-bass-power-jazz-special/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/196215-fender-bass-power-jazz-special/[/url]

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[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1358356643' post='1937738']
These seem to be universally recommended, but as common as rocking horse sh1t. If you've got one to offer, I'm interested !
[/quote]

If i had one id be keeping shouting about it. They do come up every now and then though. Fantastic basses, ive had 3.

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[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1358356451' post='1937727']
Yowser, thats a lot of money for a MIM PJ Lozz. What makes it so special for you ?
[/quote]

It`s Fender, it`s white, and it`s Duff McKagan. All three add up to mucho cool for me - except the skinny neck.

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[quote name='Ambassador' timestamp='1358356698' post='1937740']
I have a Warwick Fortress One which holds up pretty well against my MIM p bass for that particular tone and has the j pickup at the neck for more versatility :)
[/quote]
INteresting. Do you know if the Warwick "P" pickup is the same exact size and shape as the Fender ones ? ie. are they interchangeable with std aftermarket P pickups ?

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[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1358357016' post='1937746']
INteresting. Do you know if the Warwick "P" pickup is the same exact size and shape as the Fender ones ? ie. are they interchangeable with std aftermarket P pickups ?
[/quote]

Well I just had a quick measure with a ruler lying about and the measurements seemed to match up to me but I would check yourself or with someone reliable beforehand

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[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1358357016' post='1937746']

INteresting. Do you know if the Warwick "P" pickup is the same exact size and shape as the Fender ones ? ie. are they interchangeable with std aftermarket P pickups ?
[/quote]
I've put a MEC (Warwick) P pickup in my Squier CV P, so yes, they are interchangeable.

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Probably nothing to worry about but I found a Wizard Thumper (P pup) wouldn't fit my Squier as it was very slightly too long and wide. It was supposed to be a standard P pup but I had to file down both pick guards that I've had on that bass.
Just thought I'd point that out.

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A few randomn thoughts - this has become my favourite configuration now, too.

Swapping necks is easy and the absolute sure-fire way of getting a P-Bass with a Jazz neck.. I bought a MIJ P Bass that had a Mighty Mite Jazz neck on it, albeit with tinted laquer. I swapped with someone for a clear laquer and it went on with no problem. It has become my favourite bass at the moment, especially with a P-Retro on board.

Fender Jazz Bass Special and/or Power Jazz Bass Special (this is the active version). They are P shaped, P/J pups and a J neck. Nice. But I wouldn't necessarily say they sound P-Bass-like. My Power Jazz Bass Special is more aggressive, although that might be because it has a SPB-3 in it, which I am not entirely sure about.

Thinking outside the box, as they look nothing like a P- Bass - a Hohner B-Bass or a Hohner Jack Bass or a B2A cricket bat can all manage to sound exactly like a woody old P bass and have skinny (ish) necks. you get a lot of bass for your money with those, too.

A Westone Thunder (or similar) fitted with a decent P-Pickup - say a Wizard Trad - will sound like a P-Bass but have one of those lovely Westone/Matsumoku necks that are nearer Jazz sized.

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[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1358370070' post='1938130']
A few randomn thoughts - this has become my favourite configuration now, too.

Swapping necks is easy and the absolute sure-fire way of getting a P-Bass with a Jazz neck.. I bought a MIJ P Bass that had a Mighty Mite Jazz neck on it, albeit with tinted laquer. I swapped with someone for a clear laquer and it went on with no problem. It has become my favourite bass at the moment, especially with a P-Retro on board.

Fender Jazz Bass Special and/or Power Jazz Bass Special (this is the active version). They are P shaped, P/J pups and a J neck. Nice. But I wouldn't necessarily say they sound P-Bass-like. My Power Jazz Bass Special is more aggressive, although that might be because it has a SPB-3 in it, which I am not entirely sure about.

Thinking outside the box, as they look nothing like a P- Bass - a Hohner B-Bass or a Hohner Jack Bass or a B2A cricket bat can all manage to sound exactly like a woody old P bass and have skinny (ish) necks. you get a lot of bass for your money with those, too.

A Westone Thunder (or similar) fitted with a decent P-Pickup - say a Wizard Trad - will sound like a P-Bass but have one of those lovely Westone/Matsumoku necks that are nearer Jazz sized.
[/quote]

Thanks Paul, some decent, and well articulated ideas there. If I bought a Fender std P, would any std Fender Jazz neck fit on it. Are they all std sized heels and body sockets ? ie. everything interchangable, so long as I stick with Fender.

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[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1358376890' post='1938342']
You say rock bass but I reckon you would get a proper streamer for about 700 second hand.

Actually -

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/188958-warwick-streamer-neck-thru-1988-wenge-emg-750-gbp-nownew-pics-and-price/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url]

There one is!!
[/quote]

Yes, I'm aware that a used Streamer LX is bordering on the top of my price range. However, having never played one, and being unlikely to do so, unless I actually commit to buying it, I have no way of knowing how "precision-like" the Warwicks with a P-type pipckup are. That is probably one of the bigger things holding me back.
I used to own a German STreamer $$ and found it very playable, and the build quality was superb. If I could get a bass like that, actually sounding genuinely like a P, I'd be thrilled.
And yes the bass you refer to will be well known to most on here, and does have an "issue".

Edited by hamfist
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[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1358370676' post='1938152']
Thanks Paul, some decent, and well articulated ideas there. If I bought a Fender std P, would any std Fender Jazz neck fit on it. Are they all std sized heels and body sockets ? ie. everything interchangable, so long as I stick with Fender.
[/quote]

That I don't know, I am afraid. I suspect Life isn't quite that straightforward, but the Mighty Mite neck is good value and was a direct fit into my P-Body. I am sure many folks on here will have a handle on the broader picture.

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