Difference between Fender P & J basses?

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:49 am

I for one will vouch for the build quality of new Fenders. We all know they had some hit or miss eras but I bought this NOS 2003 MIA P-bass in the lovely (now discontinued Inca Silver) a few months ago for under $700. It still had the plastic on the pickguard! It has that S-1 switching **** which is a joke, but it's a kick *** bass that I have been playing A LOT lately.

I also have a MIJ 1988 Jazz that I bought new & ended up upgrading with DiMarzios a few years back. That thing went through the rock wars with me for many years, but with Fenders I prefer that P-Bass thump.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:14 am

I dont have a "Fender" officially,,,but I've been building "hybrids" for years.

This is my favorite to date.

It was originally a Squire PJ that had a terribly warped neck. I liked the color, (Sherwood Green Metalic)???,, so I decided to keep it and work with it. I picked up a Phillip Kubicki neck on Ebay, (great neck by the way), installed a Dimarzio model "P" and a Carvin J99 Jazz pickup, some Carvin Pots,,Gripper strap buttons, gold guard off of an old Tokai, and some various other parts.

And of course D'Addario XL-170 nickle roundwounds.

Result: Awsome gig bass.

Everyone needs one.

I may install a Dimarzio Model "J" pickup with a cream cover just for some contrast,, ala "T-Bone Wolk.

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:29 am

Yeah, I just got a new MF catalog today, and while they do not have the 4003 in there for some reason, they hae a bunch of Fenders. The "Deluxe P-Bass Special" (P body, J neck, P/J combo pickups, active electronics) is only $560. I'm sure I could spend $200 easily on new hardware for this other one.

Unrelated, but I kind of like the look of the Gibson SG Re-Issue bass ($1049 at MF). Has anybody tried this one out?

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:02 pm

I think Jeff Scott owns a P-Bass Special, and thinks very highly of it.

If I were to buy a budget Fen**r bass right now,, I think I would look seriously at one of those.

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:03 pm

My Geddy Jazz is a guaranteed smile...

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:06 pm

There is no comparison for me. I currently have a 1961 P bass. My first serious bass in 1970 was a 1957 P bass. In the early 1970s I owned a 1962 Jazz. The P's are overall a better bass. I couldn't live without it!

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:40 am

I had a '61 '62 and a '65.

I really wish someone would invent a time machine.

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 3:28 am

RE: I kind of like the look of the Gibson SG Re-Issue bass

I haven't tried it Greg, sorry.
But I do own a '72 EB-0 (though I never play it).

The machine I'm drooling over now is the Les Paul double cutaway:

http://www.music123.com/Gibson-Les-Paul-Double-Cut-Bass-i158114.music

That is one handsome piece of equipment. But (a) it is a little pricey for me now (translation: wife wouldn't approve) and (b) I have pretty much sworn off long-scale basses.

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:07 pm

When I started playing bass in the 60's I couldn't imagine playing one of those big ol honkin' Fenders! Boy, have I changed my tune. I truly love these basses today. Flats on the P, rounds on the J and I love them both, although they are very different in sound and feel.