Fender Bass Questions...

[Rock n' Blues]

Is the P-Bass kind of like the "standard" in the electric bass world...kinda like the Strat is in the guitar world?

P-Bass and Jazz...what's the dif? Personal preference?

I'm thinking about buying a new bass...never played one...I can get no interest, no payments at Guitar Center for a whole year if I spend at least $499...my son wants a Wah-Wah pedal...that leaves about $400...so if I get a Mexican fender and small bass amp I'll qualify for the deal....

What do you bass players think? Would a Mexican P-Bass keep me happy for a while?

[tcook]

try this link. It's from the talkbass forum, so you might have to set up an account.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32000&highlight=fender+jazz+versus

I've only played vintage american fender basses. I really don't know much about the Mexican ones. I've heard there are some tonal differences. I really like my Washburn Force 4 for a lower priced bass. Plays great and sounds good. The T24 is a nice one to consider and should be in your price range

[Plstrcast]

I like the Jazz bass myself, more virsitile then the P-bass, faster neck too

[Lazy Bee]

The fretted J is on my wish list Rock (already have a fretless)....nicer neck than the P I think. Play a few if you can they can vary.

[Rock n' Blues]

The fretted J is on my wish list Rock (already have a fretless)....nicer neck than the P I think. Play a few if you can they can vary.

Went to Guitar Center today...played (as best I could for not knowing anything about bass) a few...American and Mexican P's and J's...I think I like the skinnier J neck...but I like the Strat-like shape of the P body. Maybe I'm tone deaf...but they all sound the same to me.

[Rock n' Blues]

I did it. Got me my first bass. I picked up a brand new Fender MIM Jazz Bass in Brown Sunburst. Also got a 100 Watt Crate BT-100 to go with it. Probably all a bit more than a beginner needs but I'm happy:)

[ubleka00]

From what I've heard, the difference between the Mexican Fenders and the American ones is that the Mexican ones are put together in Mexico and shipped back (or wherever they go from there). The parts are the same and are manufacured in the US.

Can anyone back me up on this?

[Rock n' Blues]

From what I've heard, the difference between the Mexican Fenders and the American ones is that the Mexican ones are put together in Mexico and shipped back (or wherever they go from there). The parts are the same and are manufacured in the US.

Can anyone back me up on this?

Well...that would be nice if it's true! :)

I don't know...but my Mexican J-bass was much less than half the cost of an American and I couldn't see any diffence!

[wazman]

So the Mexican ones are built in Mexico, and the American ones are built in America?

Hmm.

I've only ever played P-Bass styles, but I've never had a problem with them. The only way to know for sure is to play both and see which one works better for you.

[Lazy Bee]

I did it. Got me my first bass. I picked up a brand new Fender MIM Jazz Bass in Brown Sunburst. Also got a 100 Watt Crate BT-100 to go with it. Probably all a bit more than a beginner needs but I'm happy:)

Heck yeah...glad to hear it man you're gonna love it!! :toohappy:

[Nalu]

The P bass has one split coil pickup, and a thicker neck. The J bass has 2 single coil pickups and a thinner neck. I believe the Jazz bass gives you more flexibility in tone. I play a 1975 Fender Jazz bass. I also own a couple more bass guitars. What it all boils down to is feel and sound. You should play several bass guitars and choose the one that has the best feel and sound for you. Also be aware of the type strings you use. Strings effect your feel and sound as well.

[Hofnerguy]

The P bass is the staple of Fender's bass guitar line up. I like the jazz bass better as the neck is a bit slimmer and I favor the pickups. I have a MIM jazz bass that I put custom shop pickups in it and a set of flatwounds and it sounds awesome. I use it for songs where I need to really be able to dig deep or detune. I'll prefer my featherweight short scaled "big boom" Hofner though (it does not detune well at all).

[Bottom Feeder]

I play a 1981 American Fender Jazz. I much prefer the thinner and quicker neck and the Jazz is much more versitile in tone. Can't scoff at the P-bass though as it is a musical staple. Just seems clunky to me.
The MIM basses i believe have a less expensive set of pups and hardware maybe. But as a beginning bassist, it will carry you a long way. It actually is a very good bass and nothing wrong with it at all. The 100 watt cab will be good for learning, practice and small gigs but it would be the first upgrade rather than the bass when you're ready to drop some more cash.

Enjoy!