Cowpoke P-bass in the house!

[Denis]

I've been looking around for Fender P-bass to go along with the Dano and T-bird but didn't want one of the more commonly seen ones. Friday I saw an interesting looking P-bass on eBay and sent a photo of it to a friend who told me it's what was often referred to as a "Cowpoke" bass. It's sunburst and looks like it's been around the block a couple of times but it's definitely high on the unusual-looking P-bass category. I understand they were made only for a few years in the early '90s.

What do you guys think of them?

[Dave W]

The Cowpoke is a Fender P-Bass Special made in Mexico in the mid 90s, downsized body, '51 style pickguard, P/J with a preamp. They sold for about 450-500 new, a few years back they were going used in the 300 range, don't know about now. They seemed to change hands a lot.

A friend of mine gigged regularly with one for a couple of years in the late 90s, always sounded good to me and she seemed to like it. But when she got married, her husband gave her a new Stingray and Ampeg stack for a wedding present. After that she used her new gear.

The Precision Special name has been used and reused over the years.

[Denis]

Thanks for the info, Dave. This one's coming to me for about $300 so that's probably fair. Do they have J-bass necks on them?
I'm curious to see how I like it.

[Dave W]

Yes, the necks had a typical J type profile.

[Pilgrim]

I've read a number of discussions about them - the impression I gathered is that they're a well-made bass and they definitely have a fan club.

[Denis]

Cool, sounds like there's hope yet!

[Dark Storm]

Lovely looking basses, great sound too, I'd be very happy to land one.

One of the best things to come out of the Mexico factory, if not the best, for sure.

[Denis]

Sounds like as uncommon as they are they seem to have a pretty good reputation. When it shows up, I'll post pics!

[Barklessdog]

Did the "Cowpoke" name get coined in the old Pit and by whom?

[Denis]

I'd be interested in learning how far back the term goes.

[Dave W]

It was coined on the original Pit about 2002-2003 by Dave Fitch. Jack W. (bovinehost) had bought one, Dave was not familiar with the '51 style guard and thought it looked something like a vest a cowboy would wear. The name stuck.

[pamlicojack]

There's a bit of trivia I didn't know...

[Denis]

It's much nicer than the pics the guy posted indicated. It's freakin' sweet!

[Dave W]

You got a real nice one. IIRC the sunbursts were less common than the blond and black.

[Pilgrim]

oooooOOOOOOOooooooo...that's very nice!!!!

I agree, the 'burst ones don't turn up often.  That's a NICE find!