I currently own a Fernandes "retrospect" J - bass copy. I dont know whats up w/ it but the pickups are picking everything up. If you hit the body or the strap buttons it picks up through the amp. Its especially bad since i have straplocks you hear the sound of metal grinding through my amp. With this in mind i think im gonna get a new bass. Ive narrowed it down to either a Fender Standard P - Bass or an Epiphone Thunderbird. I really like the Thunderbird, but i dont like how the neck is a lot longer and wider than most basses and i hear ALOT about how its very unbalanced and the neck tends to dive. The neck diving is really driving me away from that bass since i have a cheap Rogue bass that does that and it annoys the hell out of me. I like the Fender P - bass alot but it seems like every man woman and child that has ever owned a bass has a P- bass or P - bass copy, and i like to be original (yea, i know a thunderbird isnt exactly a rare bass to see ppl playing but compared to the p -bass its pretty original). I also dont like teh colors. could someone please shed light on the situation
You could look into replacing the pickups on your current bass.
If you really don't like playing the Thunderbird don't buy one. I know somebody who bought a Flying V bass because it looked cool, but he can't play it because it neck dives so badly.
There's a good reason why everybody plays a P bass, theyre very good basses, but I do see what you mean about them being too common.
I suggest you look at other brands, Ibanez, Yamaha, Washburn etc. they make very good basses that have more interesting body shapes that aren't oddly weighted like the t-bird.
Or, my last suggestion is to go with a P-Bass and get a kraaaazy custom paint job. It'll certainly attract some attention.
If you're thinking Fender, get the Jazz. It's got a faster neck, and the two pickups make it very versatile. If you want the P-bass sound, you can turn down the bridge pickup, and you'll be very close (but not exact).
-Laz
I guess the pickups are probably badly potted. You might just replace those, if you like the feel of your current bass.
