(According to Dave it was NZG day!)
I was running these all through an Ampeg Vintage style fridge set up.
I tried an 08 New American Standard P Bass. Nice tone, smooth neck, higher action than I like but that's a personal thing, string through body.
Price $2399. I liked it but not enough to buy; it was still a ho-hum as a bass and it didn't feel quite as nice as I'd hoped. Solid though.
Next, I thought "Let's go to the top"; it was a 62' RI P Bass. Warmer, vintage tone, thicker glossy neck, gorgeous sunburst/tort combo, played a lot nicer than the Standard. It was definitely a better feeling bass than the Standard but it didn't feel $2k different to me. Must be for those who are chasing the vintage dragon.
Price $5200ish. It had a sticky neck as well because of the gloss which made it quite annoying to play at certain spots. Best tone of the lot though.
Finally, Mexican P Bass. By far the best playing of the lot; the neck was matte but smooth, and it felt as though it might have even been slightly smaller widith-wise. Very fast neck, I thought the action might have been slightly lower but didn't look it.
Price $1199. The tone was a bit lacking on this one, it wasn't as clear as the other two but it made up with how nicely it played.
If I had 6k that day i would have bought this one, some 62 pickups and laughed heartily or bought the 62, used some fine steel wool on the neck purely because I LOVE sunburst/tort combo.
'62 RI P Bass; best sounding, best look, neck stickiness prob sorted with steel wool.
08 New American Standard; middle of the road but great quality.
Mexican P Bass; best playing, best feel, best value <----my pick overall
