Paolo85 Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 Hi all, I was putting my head around an issue lately, which came back back to mind with another thread here and this is I would say a "spin off". Are there cheap basses that sound exactly like a P, (or they would with a pickup replacement, because they have a split coil exactly in P position), have 19mm string spacing, but have a different design that make them lighter and better balanced (something like the Ibanez soundgears, a Cort B4 etc... maybe with small 2+2 tuners instead of big 4 in line)? The Yamaha TRBX174 looks like a possible candidate but I know the Yamaha BBs do not have the pickups exactly in P position and I am concerned it may be the same for the TRBX. The Ibanez talman long scale has 2+2 headstock but it's a big headstock so I am not sure it would do.. anybody tried? Maybe an Ibanez GSR 200b (although I don't like that headstock) Other options? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 The Ibanez Mezzo sounds bang on if the J pickup isn't used. The stock pickup is fine - just rip out the preamp and go passive. 32 scale, 2+2 headstock, easy to play. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 Westone Thunder or Concord, 2+2 headstock with lightweight tuners, and great pickups. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paolo85 Posted June 21, 2023 Author Share Posted June 21, 2023 20 minutes ago, hooky_lowdown said: Westone Thunder or Concord, 2+2 headstock with lightweight tuners, and great pickups. Interesting! I think I had heard that Westone Thunders are heavy. If that's not the case, I quite fancy the look of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Paolo85 said: Interesting! I think I had heard that Westone Thunders are heavy. If that's not the case, I quite fancy the look of them! Thunder maybe a little heavy, but Concord are around 7.5-8lbs. Gotoh japan tuners also. Edited June 21, 2023 by hooky_lowdown 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 Westone's are one of the most underrated bass and guitars. Most have ash or alder bodies, all Gotoh hardware and dimarzio or hardpuncher pickups. Plus they were mostly made at the Matsumoku factory during the golden period of Japanese production during late 70s - early 80s. Good quality, well made basses at low prices if you look around. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 Peavey Milestone if you can find one of the P versions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 Early Washburn models with a P pickup would match the brief too 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbandit599 Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 1 hour ago, fretmeister said: The Ibanez Mezzo sounds bang on if the J pickup isn't used. The stock pickup is fine - just rip out the preamp and go passive. Sorry for the diversion - I'd like to do this to my Mezzo but have never ventured into electronics before. Have you got any steer on how you did this? I'm thinking VVTT might be handy. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 1 hour ago, redbandit599 said: Sorry for the diversion - I'd like to do this to my Mezzo but have never ventured into electronics before. Have you got any steer on how you did this? I'm thinking VVTT might be handy. Cheers! If you don't fancy soldering - then I suggest asking @KiOgon to make you up a solderless loom with the controls you want (Don't forget the barrel output jack). You'll also need to measure the spaces between the body control holes to make sure the component connecting wires are long enough. All the connections will have a little screw block. You might have to strip a few of the existing cables once you've disconnected them from the existing system, but that should be about it. Dead easy job. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbandit599 Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 28 minutes ago, fretmeister said: If you don't fancy soldering - then I suggest asking @KiOgon to make you up a solderless loom with the controls you want (Don't forget the barrel output jack). You'll also need to measure the spaces between the body control holes to make sure the component connecting wires are long enough. All the connections will have a little screw block. You might have to strip a few of the existing cables once you've disconnected them from the existing system, but that should be about it. Dead easy job. That's great - thanks very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 5 hours ago, velvetkevorkian said: Peavey Milestone if you can find one of the P versions. Aye decent basses. Lighter than the US Furys and not a blatant Fender copy, unlike the US Furys 😄 Skinny jazz neck for those that like that sort of thing. 7.5 - 8 lbs with little chance of neck dive thanks the longer top horn, strap button lands at 11th fret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 58 minutes ago, kodiakblair said: Aye decent basses. Lighter than the US Furys and not a blatant Fender copy, unlike the US Furys 😄 Skinny jazz neck for those that like that sort of thing. 7.5 - 8 lbs with little chance of neck dive thanks the longer top horn, strap button lands at 11th fret. And they're about 90 quid s/h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 2 hours ago, velvetkevorkian said: And they're about 90 quid s/h Sometimes less than that. Put mine on FB last Friday at £50, had just one interested party. Sadly I had to refund the boy's cash last night, spotted a split in the fretboard when doing the pre-shipping clean and set up. Don't know who took the news worse, him or me 🙁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.