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Post subject: Looking for a P-bass, couple of questions
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 11:59 am
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I'm new here, hope you guys can help. I'm an old-geezer blues-rocker, I've had a bunch of basses (haven't we all?) including a '77 P-bass long ago. Most recently I had a Dingwall Afterburner II, and a Roscoe Beck 5-string (teal green), both of which I sold within the past year. After a 5-6 year layoff of playing altogether, I need to get back in the game and I want to buy something in the "Precision bass family" so to speak. But the choices make me dizzy! So...I have a couple of first-up questions. Hopefully the answers will allow me to make my selection a bit easier.

1. Regarding Precision necks, is there a name for the shape profile that is standard 1-5/8" nut width, but THIN from front-to-back? I know that in Strats and Teles, some necks are called "V-necks", some are called "C-necks" and some other names I can't recall (I told you I'm an old geezer!) just now. My hands really remember this one P-bass I played years ago with maybe the most comfortable neck I ever played....it was thin front-to-back but standard Precision width at the nut. My hands want a neck like that again. Is there a name for that profile?

2. What's a good onboard preamp to pop into the cavity so I can make the pickups active or passive, with no modification needed to the bass?

Thanks,
...Doug

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4-string Squier P-bass Special with EMG "Geezer Butler" P-J pickups
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Post subject: Re: Looking for a P-bass, couple of questions
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 12:52 pm
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1. The profile you are looking for is a modern C. That is generally your standard thin front to back neck. The American Deluxe, Special and Standard all have modern C necks and the B width. (1.625" or 1-5/8")

2. I have no idea what pre-amp to recommend. Sorry. However, the current American Deluxe Precision Bass will give you the neck you want, with a passive/active set up, and a J pick up in the bridge if that's your kind of thing.

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Post subject: Re: Looking for a P-bass, couple of questions
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 1:29 pm
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TheKingofPain wrote:
1. The profile you are looking for is a modern C. That is generally your standard thin front to back neck. The American Deluxe, Special and Standard all have modern C necks and the B width. (1.625" or 1-5/8")

2. I have no idea what pre-amp to recommend. Sorry. However, the current American Deluxe Precision Bass will give you the neck you want, with a passive/active set up, and a J pick up in the bridge if that's your kind of thing.


Ahh...now I think I'm getting somewhere. Thanks for that, King. The P-bass I'm looking for needs to have the old-school look and old-school thump when appropriate, but I want to be able to switch on the active circuitry when needed as well. I have a few requirements, and now that you've nailed down the neck profile for me, I can ask a bit more intelligently (hopefully).

My ideal bass would have:

1. NON-NEGOTIABLE...Origins in the "Precision family". That encompasses American, MIM, MIJ, custom shop, Squier, whatever...as long as it's a good player with a straight neck.

2. NON-NEGOTIABLE...P-J pickups. I once had an old Washburn that had a P-J setup, and looking back I really miss that sound. Dang thing had active circuitry, too...I was bummed when it got stolen.

3. NON-NEGOTIABLE...Active circuitry. That means it could come stock (Zone series looks good right now) or I could retro-fit it in later.

4. NON-NEGOTIABLE...Maple fingerboard. Cut/punch. 'Nuff said.

5. NON-NEGOTIABLE...Modern "C" profile neck. Still not sure if I am non-negotiable on the Precision "B" width, or if I can go with a Jazz neck. I gotta get my butt down to a Guitar Center and spend a couple hours trying some out. If I'm a "B" width guy, then the Zone series goes out the window, I guess.

6. 5-string. I'm not so rigid on this one...I've loved my 5's in the past but I can't believe I'm saying that I think I can live quite righteously with a 4-banger. I guess I'd "prefer" a 5'er...but lemme see what's out there.

Anyway, I was thinking I could dig an Affinity Series, but they're not offered with a maple fingerboard. Dang. Then I could just hot-rod it later with other pickups & a preamp. And they're only offered in 4-string, from what I can see.

Thoughts, anyone?? Thank you all very much in advance,

...Doug in Arizona

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Doug in Prescott Valley, Arizona U.S.A.
4-string Squier P-bass Special with EMG "Geezer Butler" P-J pickups
"Smoothie" compressor by OVNIFX
Ampeg B-100R, Ampeg B-50R


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Post subject: Re: Looking for a P-bass, couple of questions
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 4:23 pm
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The American Deluxe Precision will give you everything but the 5th string. I believe the previous Deluxe P was available in a 5, but I think that had a MM style bucker instead of the J pup in the bridge. Maybe, I don't know. I don't usually pay much attention to the modern offerings. The American Deluxe P literally hits every point on your list except the 5'er. So unless you decide that is definitely something you need, I'd say this is the model you want to take for a test drive.

http://www.fender.com/basses/precision-bass/american-deluxe-precision-bass-ash-maple-fingerboard-white-blonde/

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2012 Fender Custom Shop 55 Precision Bass
2012 Fender American Vintage 57 Precision Bass RI
2014 Fender Super Bassman and Bassman 100T/410 Neo


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Post subject: Re: Looking for a P-bass, couple of questions
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 5:34 pm
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TheKingofPain wrote:
The American Deluxe Precision will give you everything but the 5th string. I believe the previous Deluxe P was available in a 5, but I think that had a MM style bucker instead of the J pup in the bridge. Maybe, I don't know. I don't usually pay much attention to the modern offerings. The American Deluxe P literally hits every point on your list except the 5'er. So unless you decide that is definitely something you need, I'd say this is the model you want to take for a test drive.

http://www.fender.com/basses/precision-bass/american-deluxe-precision-bass-ash-maple-fingerboard-white-blonde/


Hey King... yep, methinks you're dead on. The more I think about it, I used to use that low B maybe 2% of the time. The American Deluxe Precision has absolutely every feature I need - test drive here I come.
Thanks man! I appreciate your input!
...Doug in Arizona

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Doug in Prescott Valley, Arizona U.S.A.
4-string Squier P-bass Special with EMG "Geezer Butler" P-J pickups
"Smoothie" compressor by OVNIFX
Ampeg B-100R, Ampeg B-50R


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Post subject: Re: Looking for a P-bass, couple of questions
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 2:13 pm
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See that picture on your profile...that is an active P-Bass deluxe special with a Jazz neck which I own...the picture looks very familiar...is that the guitar you have or that you want?
It really is the best of both worlds IMHO. The gold pick guard grows on ya after a whikle

Chuck S.


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Post subject: Re: Looking for a P-bass, couple of questions
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 3:08 pm
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I imagine it may be hard to find all that stuff in one bass ...If you do it may not sound as good as just a plain old P bass. It's okay to want what you want.


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