Man for what i paid for this bass over a decade ago i don't think i could
really say anymore. if i were a beginner looking to buy that first bass i would
easily recommend grabbing up a jap p-bass, switching the pickups out for
the emg's and just start rockin'! you'll be ahead of the game money wise and
could spend the rest on a nice amp. rating based on stock specs.
Model Year: 1986
Price: $400.00
Where Obtained: mass street music in lawrence, KS
4 string japanese p-bass. maple neck, alder body. gotoh tuners. i had
one of the tone knobs replaced with a pickup selector switch and ended
up with a single master tone knob and two seperate volume knobs- one
for the bridge pickup and one for the neck. stock pickups on this model
were ok but not that great. switched them out for active emg's of the
same configuration. now the output is hot and thick with tons of sustain!
original paint job was a dull metalic fleck gray. sanded down the body to
bare wood, took a torch and blacked out the sides and faded in to a
distressed burn pattern on the front. left the back clean and faded the
burn out from the edges of the bass. a couple of coats of sealer to heal
the wood grain and a nice glassy finish coat gives an entirely unique look
to this great sounding bass. my rating is based on the stock specs, the
combination of after market hardware and the custom finish put this bass
well past the excellent rating.
The neck in really great for what you would spend on a bass like this. my
hands are average sized or maybe just on the smaller side and i don't have
any problems with the neck at all as far as the width. it actually is a little thin
in the overall thickness because i do experience some fatigue in the palm of
my fretting hand. but, the neck has taken alot of abuse over the years and
after 13 years of being in my possession is just now ready to be re-fretted.
that means someone used quality wire along the way and as far as i can tell
it has never had a fret job. neck is perfect for good, aggressive playing style.
Stock sound was average. after market emg's give it stellar response. alder is
articulate ( yes, even with the burnt wood grain) and clean sounding, maple
neck has all of the sustain and attack that you wood expect. rating based on
overall stock specs.
I have to say the construction of this instrument must be fairly rugged to
have grown up next to me. from disrespectful days rocking in the garage
through refinishing and current play time ( which is quite a bit) it has held
up wonderfully.
Model Year: 1986
Price: $150.00 canadian
Where Obtained: Long and Mcuade
This is a lefthanded bass and is all white. It has emg pickups installed in the bass, and in pbass format, the body is also in pbass format.
Plays very well, has good vintage sound, some minor tuning flaws.
Sounds very punchy, i use it with a yorkville xm100c and i sometimes use an envelope filter. It sounds great with the envelope filter but it has average harmonic projection.
Its intonation has to be be adjusted often but other wise it is ok.
The japan made p-bass is just as good as the american version. i don't understand why some people put down the "other" fender made basses. and it has a good "feel" to it i just do'nt like the color of it. i wish i could remove the color and just have it natural.
Model Year: 1986
Price: $250.00
Where Obtained: the music box in hamiton, n.j.
Made in japan just like the american counterpart. all the same as a standard p-bass with one twist, it has a narrow width neck
Neck does have a problem with it . i think it needs lighter strings on it
It's a p-bass, it works in any type of music
Does need it's neck somewhat strightened
loading ...