Build quality Fender player or vintera p bass

[Maki_Randy]

Hi,

I am a Yamaha trbx 504 player. But for some time I have been thinking of switching it for a p bass. To go more simple and more vintage tone.

I was thinking about a Player series or a Vintera 50.
Yesterday I played a p bass for the first time, a MIA version.
And to be fair it was not what I expected. I knew the neck is day and night with the Yamaha so there would be some adjustment period.
But more important. I was rather disappointed with the quality and the feel. The all gloss neck gave it a cheap plastic feel and the quality of the knobs and pots was really something else. On the Yamaha they feel very high end in comparison to a much more expensive MIA instrument. The Yamaha is built in Indonesia.

Was this because the p bass I played was a student instrument at the music school I go or is there something more to it?
Thanks...

 

[Fresh Eddie]

One day a few years ago my friend was in the market for a P-bass so we went to total of four or five instrument stores all around Boston and played a few at every one of them. What we learned is that they are all way different from each other and you need to play way more than one to get an accurate representation of what they are like.

At the end of the day there was actually a black MIM Mike Dirnt bass that shined above all of the rest, but I'm sure if we did it again three weeks later some other bass would have been the best one. Try a few more and see if a different one speaks to you, if not then you just saved a few dollars.

 

[jd56hawk]

Hi,

I am a Yamaha trbx 504 player. But for some time I have been thinking of switching it for a p bass. To go more simple and more vintage tone.

I was thinking about a Player series or a Vintera 50.
Yesterday I played a p bass for the first time, a MIA version.
And to be fair it was not what I expected. I knew the neck is day and night with the Yamaha so there would be some adjustment period.
But more important. I was rather disappointed with the quality and the feel. The all gloss neck gave it a cheap plastic feel and the quality of the knobs and pots was really something else. On the Yamaha they feel very high end in comparison to a much more expensive MIA instrument. The Yamaha is built in Indonesia.

Was this because the p bass I played was a student instrument at the music school I go or is there something more to it?
Thanks...

The Vintera is one of the few Fenders I would consider at this point in my life.
As mentioned above by Fresh Eddie, try out as many P basses as possible. From one model to the next, you'll be surprised how different they can be.

As for glossy necks, never let that stop you.

 

[Maki_Randy]

The Vintera is one of the few Fenders I would consider at this point in my life.
As mentioned above by Fresh Eddie, try out as many P basses as possible. From one model to the next, you'll be surprised how different they can be.
View attachment 3730978
As for glossy necks, never let that stop you.
View attachment 3730980

Is it that easy to sand down a glossy neck to get a more satin feel?

 

[jd56hawk]

Is it that easy to sand down a glossy neck to get a more satin feel?

I've done it with quite a few basses.
The pads are definitely the way to go.
I can't tell you how many people here use them.

 

[king_biscuit]

Build quality will be similar with both, it's a matter of whether you want a more vintage appointed model or a more modern appointed model. I disagree with the above posters that Fenders vary a lot from bass to bass within a particular model. I think what people are noticing is string age and setup. If there is a defect that is another issue of course.