best Fender Bass?

[ggvicviper]

My Fender American Standard P5 and the Geddy Lee J. The P is awesome in just about every way, but the Geddy J was just there the first time I picked it up. I also only tried it once.

[XUSMC1775x]

well i see i have alot of options and basses to try haha, thanks everyone.

[Bassamatic]

Originally Posted by Smallmouth_Bass

I really like my 2008 American Standard P-Bass.

I also had a Roscoe Beck V that was really great sounding bass. I sold it because of the heavy weight and the neck was a little thicker (front to back) than I like, but I could have gotten used to it. It was a great bass though.

I also have an '08 American Standard P, with LaBella Flats, and I can't imagine a better sounding bass, especially when I hear recordings of our performances. I have even tried changing out the the pickups to Fralins and others, and keep coming back to the originals. In addition to the sound, the fit, finish and feel of the bass is exceptional. I would only have one wish for it - a J type neck.

[sven kalmar]

the best sounding Pbass ive played is my roadwornP. I like everything about it. The neck the pu , the hardware. I normally roll off the tone a bit and it makes a rich, warm woody classic tone. Id love a 59 or 62, but the RW gives me THE tone and feel. they had two in the shop, and they were very different, so try before buy i guess.

[sensei_steve]

Easy choice if price is no object:

Fender custom shop 2012 closet classic p bass pro

http://products.fendercustomshop.com...tno=0157410805

[Malak the Mad]

I gotta stump for the Aerodyne! It's purely my opinion and all, but I seriously dig the whole package.

On the technical front;
*P/J configuration for tonal variety plus (of which I'm a big fan)
*A super-smooth jazz neck with a tighter-than-normal radius (very quick action)
*Lighter than most thanks to the carved top and slim contour (check the gallery shots on Fender's website)

Visually, it sits apart from the majority of what Fender has to offer;
*No pickguard
*No dots or inlays on the fretboard, just side-dots (nice and clean)
*Stratocaster-style output jack
*Glossy black with a matching headstock and cream binding
*Smoked Chrome hardware

Put it all together…tres sexy!



Let us know if you get a chance to try one.

[XUSMC1775x]

Originally Posted by Bassamatic

I also have an '08 American Standard P, with LaBella Flats, and I can't imagine a better sounding bass, especially when I hear recordings of our performances. I have even tried changing out the the pickups to Fralins and others, and keep coming back to the originals. In addition to the sound, the fit, finish and feel of the bass is exceptional. I would only have one wish for it - a J type neck.

how are the LaBella Flats? i been meaning to try them out because thats what James Jamerson used :P

[Not yet]

Have a 96 P that's been played out thousands of hours

Not bout the money but using what it was made for. Never understood owning 100s of guitars just to stick in a warehouse.... But that's me

Think it cost $250 from a pawn shop

[XUSMC1775x]

Originally Posted by Not yet

Have a 96 P that's been played out thousands of hours

Not bout the money but using what it was made for. Never understood owning 100s of guitars just to stick in a warehouse.... But that's me

Think it cost $250 from a pawn shop

good stuff

[lowphatbass]

Best Fender Bass?

The one that you could afford, got the job done and didn't complain or break.

[Marton]

Mine is my 07 American Deluxe J, with the preamp removed and 60s CS pickups instead of the stock ones.

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by 9mmMike

"Off the rack" - the American Vintage RI's are a good deal and are being discontinued (so I've read) and there are some good deals out there.

What? What did you hear Mike? I knew they were blowing them out but thought that was for newer models and colors coming out for 2013 (e.g., black was one new color I saw on an ebay listing).

[JimmyM]

The best Fender? It's the one(s) you have.

[zazz]

sort of cheating but it does have the word fender on the headstock.....the jaco pastorius custom shop!!

[Hobobob]

My own personal Jazz bass. If you really want the best Fender I have ever played, I will be willing to part with it for $5000US.

[deeptubes]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

The best Fender? It's the one(s) you have.

There it is. The perfect answer.

[Jeff K]

Totally subjective. Everybody will have their own opinion. That being said, I've owned quite a few Fenders. The AV Reissues are indeed very nice. I've owned the '57 & '62 Ps, and a '75 Jazz (which I still own). All very nice.

But as opinions go, here are mine:

Jazzes - '08 > Am. Stds. Great tone and comfort.
'75 AV Reissue

Precisions - Classic '50s P (but it does have the 1.75" nut width, so if you like thin necks, you probably won't like it.)

Road Worn P. I personally don't care for the RW concept, but they sure do sound great. (These first two are probably the best bang for the buck.)

The AV Reissue '62 or '57 P. Great basses.

'08 > Am. Std. Ps.

[Mike M.]

Differant strokes of course, but for me it's my two American Standard Jazz basses. I have a 5 string model that I bought in December of 2011 and my new 2012 4 string model that I just bought about three weeks ago. For me and for the way I play they are both perfect players. When I bought them the only "setup" they needed was a new set of strings. You can't beat that!

So yes, the best Fender basses I've found are two that are mine!

[Kmonk]

The best bass I ever played was a friend's 1965 Jazz. I have owned many Fenders over the years. The best playing 1972 Precision, 1974 Precision, 1978 Jazz, 2008 Precision and 2011 Jazz Deluxe.

The worst were my 1976 Precision and a 1979 Telecaster.

[M.R. Ogle]

Owned a bunch, but I only really GAS after a Roscoe Beck now. The few times I've test-drove one of those, I was quite impressed.

Past that, I'd choose a G&L as my "Fender."