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Which P bass on tight budget


Thunderbird
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Right guys n gals,I have decided after much experimenting that I just do not get on with Jazz basses now I thought they would be better for my stupid knackered hands but my hands are just to big for those slim necks so I am going back to a P bass, I should hopefully have about £200 to spend when my jazz sells now what I would like to know is what brands of P basses are worth looking at now I know the obvious ones like Squire , Vintage etc will be in that price range but is there anything else worth looking at ? I am going to try the S/H route as obviously I will get a bit more bass for my smallish budget. Now any ideas will be appreciated maybe a brand I have overlooked blah blah blah you know the drill :) Thanks all

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IMHO there are no really bad budget P-basses out there these days ... the competition is just too fierce.

What there are is plenty of decent budget basses let down by truly crap pickups & electronics.

Before buying your bass, you might be better advised seeing if you can pick up some decent after-market pickups cheaply.

By way of example, one of the best P-bass sounds I heard was a Polish guy playing a £99 Westfield. He'd dropped in a set of SDs and given it a decent set-up and it sounded absolutely fine.

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The Vintage V4 P got some good reviews. It has Wilkinson pickups and hardware too, which is generally well-regarded.
I'm seriously thinking of getting one as a spare/backup.

[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Vintage-V4-Bass-Guitar-Maple-Neck-Vintage-White/S6K"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Vintage-V4-Bass-Guitar-Maple-Neck-Vintage-White/S6K[/url]

14-day money-back guarantee too - and a 4-year warranty for an extra twenty quid. Worth thinking about. :)

I'll see if I can find a review of it...

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[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1382289436' post='2250159']
The Vintage V4 P got some good reviews. It has Wilkinson pickups and hardware too, which is generally well-regarded.
I'm seriously thinking of getting one as a spare/backup.

[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Vintage-V4-Bass-Guitar-Maple-Neck-Vintage-White/S6K"]http://www.gear4musi...ntage-White/S6K[/url]

14-day money-back guarantee too - and a 4-year warranty for an extra twenty quid. Worth thinking about. :)

I'll see if I can find a review of it...
[/quote] Why thank you kind sir much appreciated :)

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[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1382289848' post='2250172']
Why thank you kind sir much appreciated :)
[/quote]

Yoooouuuu'rreee welcome... It was originally £269 RRP too, which was still a bargain imho.

[url="http://www.jhs.co.uk/reviews/V4MVW_BassJan2012.pdf"]http://www.jhs.co.uk/reviews/V4MVW_BassJan2012.pdf[/url]

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[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1382290248' post='2250184']
Yoooouuuu'rreee welcome... It was originally £269 RRP too, which was still a bargain imho.

[url="http://www.jhs.co.uk/reviews/V4MVW_BassJan2012.pdf"]http://www.jhs.co.uk...BassJan2012.pdf[/url]
[/quote] Yep thats the kinda thing and a maple board too mmmmm :)

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[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1382290515' post='2250190']
Yep thats the kinda thing and a maple board too mmmmm :)
[/quote]

Yes! And as gear4music are doing them for £188 it seems rude not to, really. :D
I'd have bought one by now but for the fact I've already given cash to The Bass Doc for certain services...

... no, not [i]those [/i]type of services. :rolleyes:

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[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1382290866' post='2250205']
Yes! And as gear4music are doing them for £188 it seems rude not to, really. :D
I'd have bought one by now but for the fact I've already given cash to The Bass Doc for certain services...

... no, not [i]those [/i]type of services. :rolleyes:
[/quote] I know it sounds very sad but I don't even have 188 pence right now oh woe is me lol

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Could you not put a P neck on your jazz if money is very tight, or do you just not like the J?

I bought an Aria STB series P for £40, put some 1/4 pounders and a set of Chromes on it and I think it's awesome, very light and well balanced and the Aria necks are superb.
There's the Jazz version on ebay atm for £50ish, I'm sure they use the same P sized neck for both.

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From those above the Vintage basses definitely look worth checking out. I`ve played a Vintage P and it was very nice in the hands. Wasn`t plugged in so can`t comment on the sounds.

2nd hand Squiers are worth a look too - shameless plug time - I picked up a Korean 97 Precision a couple of weeks ago, but having just bought a Duff McKagan Sig Precision something has to pay for it so I`ll be putting an ad up in the week, but briefly, black, tort (from Bass Doc) rosewood, new CTS pots and Switchcraft jack. Will be looking for £140ish. Nice sized neck on it, a mans handful for sure!

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[quote name='bassmachine2112' timestamp='1382291574' post='2250225']
An older Peavey made in USA,crafted etc.
Lotsa bass for the money.
Lots of love for these
[/quote] Good Idea but I am rather liking the look of that Vintage Mr discreet found.

[quote name='Maude' timestamp='1382292165' post='2250240']
Could you not put a P neck on your jazz if money is very tight, or do you just not like the J?

I bought an Aria STB series P for £40, put some 1/4 pounders and a set of Chromes on it and I think it's awesome, very light and well balanced and the Aria necks are superb.
There's the Jazz version on ebay atm for £50ish, I'm sure they use the same P sized neck for both.
[/quote] I am a bit funny about changing necks I just hate seeing a perfectly good bass bitsa-fied (is that a word lol) and really I would like something I could use straight away with no messing :)

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[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1382292970' post='2250250']
From those above the Vintage basses definitely look worth checking out. I`ve played a Vintage P and it was very nice in the hands. Wasn`t plugged in so can`t comment on the sounds.

2nd hand Squiers are worth a look too - shameless plug time - I picked up a Korean 97 Precision a couple of weeks ago, but having just bought a Duff McKagan Sig Precision something has to pay for it so I`ll be putting an ad up in the week, but briefly, black, tort (from Bass Doc) rosewood, new CTS pots and Switchcraft jack. Will be looking for £140ish. Nice sized neck on it, a mans handful for sure!
[/quote] I could well be interested Lozz depends on if mine goes we shall wait and see :) But Im really liking the Vintage

Edited by Thunderbird
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If I wanted to spend £200 on a Precision bass I would hold out for a Silver Series Squier. I had one and it is the second best Precision straight off the bat that I have played (the best being my newly acquired JV). They are lightweight, have a beautiful neck and a warm, dark, woody tone especially with flats on.

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[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1382288826' post='2250147']
Right guys n gals,I have decided after much experimenting that I just do not get on with Jazz basses now I thought they would be better for my stupid knackered hands but my hands are just to big for those slim necks so I am going back to a P bass, I should hopefully have about £200 to spend when my jazz sells now what I would like to know is what brands of P basses are worth looking at now I know the obvious ones like Squire , Vintage etc will be in that price range but is there anything else worth looking at ? I am going to try the S/H route as obviously I will get a bit more bass for my smallish budget. Now any ideas will be appreciated maybe a brand I have overlooked blah blah blah you know the drill :) Thanks all
[/quote]

This one looks nice. This guy in Glasgow has sold quite a few nice basses of the years. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Precision-Bass-Guitar-Fender-lic-Squier-parts-Vintage-Hi-A-Bartolini-Pickups-/231073207913"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Precision-Bass-Guitar-Fender-lic-Squier-parts-Vintage-Hi-A-Bartolini-Pickups-/231073207913[/url]

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[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1382296295' post='2250353']
This one looks nice. This guy in Glasgow has sold quite a few nice basses of the years. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Precision-Bass-Guitar-Fender-lic-Squier-parts-Vintage-Hi-A-Bartolini-Pickups-/231073207913"]http://www.ebay.co.u...s-/231073207913[/url]
[/quote] Nice looking bass but is over budget sigh but thanks anyway

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[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1382296496' post='2250357']
Nice looking bass but is over budget sigh but thanks anyway
[/quote]

He's looking for offers. A Squier body and a mighty mite neck don't come to £275. Offer him £200 and there's a good chance he may accept.

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[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1382295708' post='2250334']
If I wanted to spend £200 on a Precision bass I would hold out for a Silver Series Squier. I had one and it is the second best Precision straight off the bat that I have played (the best being my newly acquired JV). They are lightweight, have a beautiful neck and a warm, dark, woody tone especially with flats on.
[/quote]

I second this, I love the one you sold me ;)

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[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1382351639' post='2250885']
Just spotted - looks good for <£200 posted [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEAVEY-ZODIAC-BASS-WHITE-CLEARANCE-SALE-ONE-LEFT-/310774657667?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item485b9cf283"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item485b9cf283[/url]
[/quote] OOO thanks looking good but must admit I got some gas for that Vintage discreet pointed out :) most likely will get one when/if my jazzer sells :)

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