Fender P-Bass: Japan, US, CS or Limelight

[Owen]

1 hour ago, Reggaebass said:

 I’d still like the Sean custom if one came along at a reasonable price, especially if it made me play like him 😁

I have some bad news for you. In 1987 I inadvertently bought a 66J because it looked like Jaco's. You can guess the rest......

[peteb]

3 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Ah get what you mean, well I’d say all were of similar - pardon the pun - standard.
 

My ultimate faves are the 12 - 15, playability wise I just gel with the necks the best which are chunkers, but no standout points on build, with playability being down to the individual. Given you’ve a 2015 Jazz I’d say look at this series for Precisions too as I find the Jazz necks on this series quite chunky.

 

Again if pushed I’d say 08 - 12 my least fave on playability as necks quite flat/shallow, which isn’t my thing.

 

Funnily enough, you are selling me a bit on 08-12 period basses - I quite like the idea of a P bass with a relatively flat / shallow neck! I do like the 98 jazz bass that I have (that I originally thought was a 09), so I wouldn't mind trying a same period P bass. I know that the 12-15 series are just well made, good basses -  I remember playing a 2012 one once and it was great, a really well put together P bass, top notch. 

 

The thing is, I grew up on mid to late 70s Fenders and most of the best ones that I have played come from that period. Unfortunately, the worse ones I've ever come across come from that period as well! I know that this is an age thing as I am too young to get too misty eyed about vintage 60s ones (not that I could afford them), but a lot of the newer models just don't feel quite the same to me! I suppose that I would ideally like to find something with a bit of that feel about it, but with a more modern level of consistency / finish. I wouldn't rule out another 70s / early 80s P bass, but I would have to really try it out to be sure about it. The last time I got one for what seemed like a decent price, I ended up a bit disappointed and losing a fair amount of money on it.