Blacktop Basses

Stuart · Post by **Stuart** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:54 am

I'm actually in the market for a bass, slowly thinking things over not going to rush out or anything. If I get chance I'll try the blacktop Jazz but isn't putting Pbass pickups in it a bit like putting two strat pickups in a tele? That is to say what is the point? if I want a precision I'll get one. Or am I missing something? I started out as a bass player in my first punk rock band but was super ignorant back then and haven't really kept up with bass stuff since that band ended years ago.

Rox · Post by **Rox** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 9:48 am

I'd love to try the jazz bass. That's a pretty cool configuration . I'm sure the purists are loving these Blacktop basses already.

I for one like em .

James · Post by **James** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 9:59 am

Stuart wrote:I'm actually in the market for a bass, slowly thinking things over not going to rush out or anything.

These aren't selling well at the moment so you could pick up an absolute bargain. It's the same sort of quality as an MIJ Fender but at less than Squier prices. You can't go wrong with that. The only really weak part is the pickups.

ebay link 1

ebay link 2

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 1:13 pm

Stuart wrote:I'm actually in the market for a bass, slowly thinking things over not going to rush out or anything. If I get chance I'll try the blacktop Jazz but isn't putting Pbass pickups in it a bit like putting two strat pickups in a tele? That is to say what is the point? if I want a precision I'll get one. Or am I missing something? I started out as a bass player in my first punk rock band but was super ignorant back then and haven't really kept up with bass stuff since that band ended years ago.

They are completely different sounding pickups than jazz bass pickups, a jazz bass body feels completely different than a p bass body, and so does the neck. Combining different features from both basses is definitely a good idea.

StevePirates · Post by **StevePirates** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:31 am

Billy3000 wrote: They are completely different sounding pickups than jazz bass pickups, a jazz bass body feels completely different than a p bass body, and so does the neck. Combining different features from both basses is definitely a good idea.

Late 90's Squier pro-tone PJ Bass, matching headstock, P style body, J style neck, one pickup from each. Great little bass for cheap.

Squier Pro-Tone

That said, these Blacktop Basses look like solid basis for the money.

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:34 am

StevePirates wrote:
Billy3000 wrote: They are completely different sounding pickups than jazz bass pickups, a jazz bass body feels completely different than a p bass body, and so does the neck. Combining different features from both basses is definitely a good idea.

Late 90's Squier pro-tone PJ Bass, matching headstock, P style body, J style neck, one pickup from each. Great little bass for cheap.

Squier Pro-Tone

That said, these Blacktop Basses look like solid basis for the money.

Cheap?!? I wish! Those pro tones are really nice, but I've never seen them go for anything I would call cheap. The seem to sell for $300-$400 and up. I suppose that since it's a squier there are some people out there that might not know what they have and could foolishly let them go for cheap, but I always see them going for pretty high prices.

StevePirates · Post by **StevePirates** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:45 am

Billy3000 wrote:
Cheap?!? I wish! Those pro tones are really nice, but I've never seen them go for anything I would call cheap. The seem to sell for $300-$400 and up. I suppose that since it's a squier there are some people out there that might not know what they have and could foolishly let them go for cheap, but I always see them going for pretty high prices.

Oh, I didn't know they had held their value that well. I would totally have been one of those foolish people.

Edit: Wow, this guy is selling the Pro Tone PJ for E600. That just seems excessive.

Guy Selling Stuff For Lots Of Money.

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:43 am

StevePirates wrote:
Billy3000 wrote:
Cheap?!? I wish! Those pro tones are really nice, but I've never seen them go for anything I would call cheap. The seem to sell for $300-$400 and up. I suppose that since it's a squier there are some people out there that might not know what they have and could foolishly let them go for cheap, but I always see them going for pretty high prices.
Oh, I didn't know they had held their value that well. I would totally have been one of those foolish people.

Edit: Wow, this guy is selling the Pro Tone PJ for E600. That just seems excessive.

Guy Selling Stuff For Lots Of Money.

Yea it's definitely become more common knowledge that the older japanese squiers, The JV series, the SQ series, Vista series, etc are nice quality instruments, and they hold their value, and seem to keep increasing. Even the Korean and Mexican ones seem to be selling for the same prices and even in a few instances that I've seen, higher than the Fenders made in those same countries.

wwrrss · Post by **wwrrss** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:51 pm

Think I'd happily own either, I'm not a fan of thin necks though, so more likely the P Bass.