p-bass vs jazz question

[psychedelicrelic]

I want to pick up a bass. theres two on craigslist locally; a p-bass for $125 and a 5 string jazz for $250.(both really fender, not squire)

im tight on cash but the jazz is more appealing. but the pbass is totally affordable right now. i could not buy all the extra little shit i spend cash on and not drive anywhere but to work and save on gasmoney(gass is $4.40 a gal here)to afford the jazz.

If im playing with just fuzz on the bass, would it make a big difference in which i got?

[Zounds Perspex]

P-basses rule. Get that.

[D.o.S.]

post this on www.talkbass.com

They've never seen that Q before.

[MEC]

P-basses rule. Get that.

[Deltaphoenix]

post this on http://www.talkbass.com

They've never seen that Q before.

+100000000000
The debate will rage for a month

[Fuzzy Fred]

i'd say go with the jazz, but i'm not a fan of 5 strings so i guess go with the p bass because that price is titular

[Toonster]

Fender's with those prices, I would've bought both..

[cheesecats]

the 5-string would give you some awesome lowdown fuzz tones.

[Toonster]

I say P-bass by the way, once did a comparison with a 1200 euro jazz and a 400 euro P-bass, the P sounded way better in my ears..

[jrmy]

It all depends what you like. I prefer Jazzes, but for that price, the P seems awfully tempting.

[the_carl]

Can't really go wrong with a P. I've never liked the string spacing on 5's for fingerstyle playing, and for things that I would want a 5 string, I can just use heavier strings and downtune. But... a non-Squier, actual Fender P for $125? That can't be right...

[sanfordandsonny]

It may say fender on the front but what you are looking for is the "made in _____" to give you an idea if you are paying fair price.
I feel on inexpensive basses you are paying for the name so you might get more quality less hype with a lower-shelf-name like Memphis samick etc
There are a million ways to look at this but if you don't know the difference I say pay less and if you change your mind down the line you don't lose as much if you trade in.
And Squire II made in Korea can sometimes sound better than Aaaaaalot of things.

[psychedelicrelic]

But... a non-Squier, actual Fender P for $125? That can't be right...

You would be incredibly surprised at the prices people sell their gear for on this little island. the music scene here is pretty small. i just bought a blackheart little giant head+cab for $180 about a month ago. I'm trying to work a deal with a guy for a Martin 000M for $200. and it appears the p-bass was sold today. the listing was removed

[Grrface]

Bogus. I love the sound of a P type bass through fuzz. My Jazz is nice and all, but P bass with a pick through fuzz is about as good as it gets.

[Achtane]

In my heart I'm more of a P person. Of course they each have their own toans, but whenever I'm playing a J-style bass I only either use the neck alone or (occasionally) the bridge alone. I don't like them both on.
And a J neck does not sound like a P played towards the neck. Although each sounds good at different times.
I just don't like the scooped kinda sound with both pups on, nor do I like the thin and trebly bridge alone all that often. For all-around playing I'd get the P.

Actually I just read that post and hey man that Jazz sounds right up your alley!...man!

5-string would be neat.