LeftyBassist.com

Hi, first post.

I'm one of those guys who plays every instrument (Well, you know... guitar, bass, drums, keys...) Primarily I'm a guitar and piano guy, and I've spent more money on vintage keyboards and drums than I ever have with my guitars, which is basically because I could never get (or even find, for that matter) a decent lefty that I was truly happy with. I love vintage stuff, in general... I record analog to an old Tascam 388 and I play and collect vintage synthesizers and electric pianos. The only expensive, American-made guitar I have is a Gibson SG, because it was a gift from my dad 10 years ago when I was doing a lot of gigging and he said he wanted to buy me a nice guitar, so I decided not to be a dick and say I needed a 335 (lol) and decided on an SG, which I still to this day love playing. But it's different. I started on a Strat and still love my first one, a '93 MIJ '68 reissue that I found hanging in a local shop in '95 with the thinnest neck... still play it to this day, with some cosmetic and electronics upgrades. I also own some MIM Fenders; a Strat and Tele from last year, an Epiphone 335 copy (Dot), and a Martin DM lefty I found out in AZ in '06.

Anyway, my basses have always been crap. Well, I'll back that up with saying that I never wanted to spend the money on a 'good' bass since I always just record it and it's just that bottom-end on my recordings. I used to have a right-handed P bass that someone gave me (I think it was stolen from my high school honestly) but besides the fact that I strung it lefty and changed the nut, I really loved that bass. Don't even know what I did with it, but I'm sure I passed along the bad karma and gave it to someone else... the first true lefty bass I was even able to find was one of those Ibanez GSR things with the active pickups... I still own it, it's just kind of a "meh" bass. Like, you need to gig at a party with lots of crazy people and drinks flying around. That's the bass I'd take with me. Then I bought an SX J Bass and lastly a Rogue left-handed Hofner copy, which I strung up with LaBella's that probably cost half of the bass (lol), and it's surprisingly good sounding. The SX I'm not too sure of. I mean it sounds ok, but the neck is like ridiculously thick and glossy, and it's not set up optimally but honestly if I'm going to pay to have an instrument set up, it's not going to be a $95.00 bass from Rondo, sorry.

So, I'm looking for a P bass now. And in my travels, I was surprised to find out that Fender doesn't make a MIM P Bass!? Like, what's up with that? You make the J in Mexico but can't make one of your most popular instruments in lefty? I have to spend $1350 on a P if I really wanted to buy new? That's so beat. So I figured, well there must be a bunch of MIJ P's out there. Nope. **I remember back in '96 I had written several letters to Fender complaining that I could never find a freakin' left-handed guitar or bass, and after probably 7 letters they finally responded with a copy of the catalog from that year with the lineup of Japanese guitars and basses... everything was available. I specifically remember they had the red tortoise-shell guards on everything! That was the first production year of the Jag-Stang too. I ordered a Jaguar through a local store and loved it until I had a fret buzz up the neck somewhere and being a little moron, instead of getting it repaired, I traded it at Daddy's Junky Music for an Epi Les Paul... one of the stupidest and uneven trades I've ever done, and still a regret to this day... ugh.** Sorry to fly off topic... I digress.

Anyway, I really want to find a Fender P bass for a good price. I'm really leaning more towards vintage and just waiting for the right one to come up, but if I can spend less I'm perfectly happy going MIJ (although those aren't proving to come up for much less than American lately)... I clearly can't go MIM, and I really want the last resort to be a new MIA because I just don't like buying anything new. For what I've seen some mid-late 70s P's come up for compared to new MIA I'd be better off going vintage. Just looking for opinions. Sorry for the long-winded post, I'm just a little frustrated now after finding out I can't just order a Mexi P bass. Everything's gotta be a challenge for the lefties...

You don't have to wait around here long for a good value to come up in the "southpaw spotted" forum. P basses left and right. Honestly it's hard to discern what price range you're in and what you're really looking for a bass to do for you, but I'd think twice about vintage. They can be very hit or miss, and if you're not careful you can put a lot of money down on a dud. We lefties rarely get a chance to see before we buy. The new MIA Fenders have a reputation of excellent quality and consistency. So do the MIJ of course. A lightly used one of either of those would probably be extremely satisfactory for you.

how much are you looking to spend?

P basses will come up here in Southpaw Spotted and For Sale. They do come up on eBay also - there are some pretty cool MIJ P basses that come up on the bay occasionally. You could also check the left friendly dealers: Southpaw Guitars, Adirondack Guitar, Drum City Guitarland, and New Jersey Guitar and Bass. Happy hunting!

Ditto on the budget question. I think the latest MIA Am Std Fender P basses are some of the best basses Fender's ever made, and they do pop up used from time to time in the $700-900 range. But P basses are so prevalent and copied that I'd be surprised you couldn't find a good knockoff for less that works for you too, or at the very least couldn't be upgraded with components to get you there.

Thanks -

Concerning budget, I guess in truth I would like to stay under $1000. I know I can get a MIJ for around that and under, so I think that's what I'll keep my eye open for. That doesn't mean I'll pass up a good MIA for a good price.

I realize if I were to go vintage, I'd likely double my budget. When you say they're hit or miss are we talking about lefties in particular? The one thing I always get really OCD about is the neck and action. Like electronics and finish are the last thing that concern me. I'm more interested in an instrument I can play comfortably without struggling. In this case, a new or lightly used bass would probably be the best bet because there's less chance of a neck that's too far gone.

I'll keep checking here and the sites you guys recommended. Thanks again!

The one thing I'll say is keep your eyes open (ebay, craigslist, arny's, etc) and you might find vintage even within your budget, if you're ok with more of a beater/player's bass than a collector's item. I have a J and a P, both 77, both purchased in the $1200 range.

And as pj mentioned, with so many clones, you can find good stuff if you don't mind not having the Fender logo on the headstock.

I've actually listened to quite a few demos now of the 77 P basses and I really like them. I contacted a local guy who may have some 70s vintage lefty stuff and if he does I am excited that I'll be able to try them out.

I prefer a genuine Fender... Just because ...

Here's my 77 P

Oh you just had to go and post that....

Friend of mine just informed me that the necks on the 70s P basses are like tree trunks

Is that true for all? Honestly I want a thin neck, I'm trying to get away from the thick necks of the copies I've played... What about the profile on a MIJ bass? Are they more modern C?

Not true, generally. Necks can vary depending on year, order, etc. and are not exclusive to thickness or nut width. My '72 P has a B profile, while a C is the classic original fat neck associated with the early P basses. A jazz is typically an A profile (1-1/2" nut), but again, there are variances in neck shapes, radiuses, etc. as well. I've seen variations in every profile over the years, (for example, the new AM Std MIA P Bass has a much different radius/feel than Ps I've played in other years that have the same profile) so it's best to just try a few and see what works for you in terms of nut width, radius, neck shape, etc., so you need to clarify what you mean by "thin neck" (Do you mean the nut width, shape, etc?). If it's a Jazz neck you're looking for, they're not common on a P bass and you may have to swap out the P bass neck for one to get what you need. Another thing to consider are the fret sizes as well.

Here's a link to help you understand Fender's neck profiles:

https://www.bestbassgear.com/ebass/arti ... tions.html

All of the MIJ and CIJ P Bass necks that I have come across have been the same. Pretty much middle of the road. Very comfortable feel at lease to my taste. Not Jazz, not Basball bat.

Here are links to a couple I would consider selling. They would be in the $500 to $700 range. The third link is to my collection page. If there is any thing else that interests you let me know. There are a few others I may consider selling as well.

Feel free to give me a call. Talking by phone is way easier for me. 301-932-2734
Wolf

http://webhosting.web.com/imagelib/site ... lx_picj3bf


http://webhosting.web.com/imagelib/site ... lx_picqwmr


http://www.wolfsmusicweekly.com/id45.html

If I were a P guy, that Electron Blue P of yours would have been mine a long time ago.

Wolf - PM sent.

I should have clarified that. I think I mean nut width. When we were talking and the term "tree trunk" came up I wasn't even sure if that meant neck width or radius. He said that he got rid of his 70s P bass and got a 60s J Bass for that reason. Now, for comparison, my J bass copy feels like it has a huge neck, not very comfortable, gets thicker and thicker the higher up you play, even at the nut it still feels thick, and so if that's supposed to be a J neck apparently it's incorrect, right? i will say that even on the new MIA and MIM righty stuff I've picked up and tinkered with upside down, the necks still feel 100 times better to me than my copy, so I assume I'll be safe... if the MIJ P necks for the 60s reissues are anything like the guitars, I'm assuming I'll be comfortable since I love the neck on my '68 reissue MIJ Strat.

What's the neck feel like on that '83 Fender 32" Scale P-Bass?

pete

Pete
I sold that one 4 or 5 years ago so it's been a while since I played it. My recollection is that it was a very good playing and comfortable neck. Similar to the full size Japan made jazz necks. The bass was a great sounding little bass, The rosewood board was warm and clear. I was put off by the smaller size and considered selling it a number of times but every time I would pick it up and play it I would be reminded of how well it played and sounded and would decide to keep it. I never did put it up for sale. Someone saw it on my site and talked me out of it. I don't regret the sale , but it was a great 32 scale bass.

Some of you may recall that I had placed a deposit back in February on a 1978 Fender P Bass, and I'm happy to say I bought it, and have been playing it exclusively for the past 3/4 months, and am loving it! After playing 5-and-6 strings for years, it's fun to go back to the basics, and play a 4! I've been wanting to post pics, and a review on this bass for awhile now, but I've just been too busy on my current house renovation project. Suffice to say, I'm digging it, and channeling the mojo of a '78 P is cool! By the way, the maple neck is thin, somewhat like a jazz, but not too thin, and feels great in the hand! Got it for $1100....

That's a nice one!

I was just at Sam Ash this afternoon and they had the black Mexi Jazz Bass in stock and after playing it for a few minutes I couldn't help myself but buy it... LOL!

Of course, I'm still waiting patiently for the sunburst P that's coming tomorrow from one of our own (probably obvious but I'll post when it arrives and I get some time with it)