Fender AM Standard P vs. AV '62 RI

crispygoat · #1 12-14-2010, 12:33 PM

I'm quite aware of the differences of both basses, neck, pickup, hardware, etc. But thing is, I am more comfortable on a the American Standard than the '62 AV RI, however, I want a vintage sounding P bass.

With this being said, would changing the pickups of an American Standard to something "vintage sounding" come remotely close to the AV '62 sound?

seungkoo · #2 12-14-2010, 12:59 PM

you can change it but to get it closer to the sound but i believe theres more to that 'vintage' sound. Your amp rig has a big part and the I think the older vintage bodies tend to resonate better from age (there were some dud vintage basses I played though)

BillMason · #3 12-14-2010, 01:05 PM

I never saw anything wrong with the tone of the American Standard.

crispygoat · #4 12-14-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillMason

I never saw anything wrong with the tone of the American Standard.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the tone of an American Standard, I just like the tone of vintage a P better, but don't like the neck of the 'AV 62 at all...

kernel666 · #5 12-14-2010, 01:36 PM

I guess changing the pickups to the ones the RI comes with could help, right?
Anyways, what's wrong with the RI neck? Bigger? More curvature? Just curious..

seungkoo · #6 12-14-2010, 01:37 PM

Jason Lollar pick ups are vintage sex

crispygoat · #7 12-14-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kernel666

I guess changing the pickups to the ones the RI comes with could help, right?
Anyways, what's wrong with the RI neck? Bigger? More curvature? Just curious..

It's bigger and the curvature makes it quite hard to play... I'm sure someone with big hands wouldn't have any problem with it, and I'm sure one could adapt to it, but coming from someone who has used modern jazz basses exclusively for the past 4-5 years, It's quite something. It's definitely a bass you want to try before purchasing.

Quote:

Jason Lollar pick ups are vintage sex

Thank you, I'll make sure to check those out!

Jonyak · #8 12-14-2010, 02:09 PM

I have both a 62 reissue and an american standard.

the 62 RI is lighter and tighter feeling, has more of a vintage sound. the neck is much wider, yet thinner.

The STD's neck is thinner, and doesn't really cop the vintage vibe very well. its a heavier bass as well. its a very nice bass and sounds like a P should.

I was actualy surprised how different they both were. I was going to sell my std when I got the 62, but I think I am going to keep both.

SJan3 · #9 12-14-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispygoat

It's bigger and the curvature makes it quite hard to play... I'm sure someone with big hands wouldn't have any problem with it, and I'm sure one could adapt to it, but coming from someone who has used modern jazz basses exclusively for the past 4-5 years, It's quite something. It's definitely a bass you want to try before purchasing.

Thank you, I'll make sure to check those out!

..I'd stick with what you play best. I'm sure there's some tonal difference between the 2, but you are still in the same "arena" and I'd much rather be comfortable with the neck's playability.
FWIW, I agree that the American Standard is a more playable neck and a well thought out P Bass. I think the pickups are pretty damn good too. I'd try some TI Flats or another flatwound string to get you closer to the vintage vibe.

crispygoat · #10 12-14-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonyak

I have both a 62 reissue and an american standard.

the 62 RI is lighter and tighter feeling, has more of a vintage sound. the neck is much wider, yet thinner.

The STD's neck is thinner, and doesn't really cop the vintage vibe very well. its a heavier bass as well. its a very nice bass and sounds like a P should.

I was actualy surprised how different they both were. I was going to sell my std when I got the 62, but I think I am going to keep both.

When you say "vintage vibe," you mean feeling, or tone wise as well? I wasn't around back then, nor have I ever played a vintage P, so as long as the American Standard feels better, it's fine with me. Do you think putting the AV '62s pickup in the AM Standard would get a similar tone?

I have a $1,500 credit at my local music store and I've asked about getting an AV '62 in, but the guy told me they tried ordering a AV '62 earlier this year, but Fender wasn't really cooperating. He told me they are trying to push their newer stuff forward, and trying to the past behind. The store had ordered an AV in January of 2010 for a customer. The customer decided to cancel his order when it hadn't arrive by June. So I decided not to bother about it.

The one I tried was from two years ago in Toronto, and that's when I felt the neck wasn't doing it for me at all...

crispygoat · #11 12-14-2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJan3

..I'd stick with what you play best. I'm sure there's some tonal difference between the 2, but you are still in the same "arena" and I'd much rather be comfortable with the neck's playability.
FWIW, I agree that the American Standard is a more playable neck and a well thought out P Bass. I think the pickups are pretty damn good too. I'd try some TI Flats or another flatwound string to get you closer to the vintage vibe.

I've ordered some D'addario Chromes seeing the La Bellas retailed at $100... hopefully that will help on the vintage tone!

9mmMike · #12 12-14-2010, 02:37 PM

IMHO, the flats will get you closer than any other changes to the bass itself.

SJan3 · #13 12-14-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispygoat

I've ordered some D'addario Chromes seeing the La Bellas retailed at $100... hopefully that will help on the vintage tone!

That will make a BIG difference! When I put flats on my '04 P Bass, it totally transformed the tone; much more vintage sounding IMO. Don't forget that no 2 basses sound exactly alike so if you're pleased with your tone, what else is there?

Jonyak · #14 12-14-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispygoat

When you say "vintage vibe," you mean feeling, or tone wise as well? I wasn't around back then, nor have I ever played a vintage P, so as long as the American Standard feels better, it's fine with me. Do you think putting the AV '62s pickup in the AM Standard would get a similar tone?

I have a $1,500 credit at my local music store and I've asked about getting an AV '62 in, but the guy told me they tried ordering a AV '62 earlier this year, but Fender wasn't really cooperating. He told me they are trying to push their newer stuff forward, and trying to the past behind. The store had ordered an AV in January of 2010 for a customer. The customer decided to cancel his order when it hadn't arrive by June. So I decided not to bother about it.

The one I tried was from two years ago in Toronto, and that's when I felt the neck wasn't doing it for me at all...

Well mine is definatley not as bright as the STD. I guess thats what I meant by vintagey.

I don't know if the pickups would do it really, never tried anything like that.

I found mine used.

I thought I would have issues with the 62's neck but I think I have actualy come to perfer it. its definatley spaced wider at the nut, and it took a bit to get used to it. also the neck tends to get gummy after playing ti for a while, I have heard thats the nitro paint.

newbold · #15 12-14-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonyak

I have both a 62 reissue and an american standard.

the 62 RI is lighter and tighter feeling, has more of a vintage sound. the neck is much wider, yet thinner.

The STD's neck is thinner, and doesn't really cop the vintage vibe very well. its a heavier bass as well. its a very nice bass and sounds like a P should.

I was actualy surprised how different they both were. I was going to sell my std when I got the 62, but I think I am going to keep both.

Great...another gear slut!

Jonyak · #16 12-14-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbold

Great...another gear slut!

rob you know I am a gear slut.

crispygoat · #17 12-14-2010, 04:35 PM

Out of curiosity, would it be possible to add pickup covers to the american standard?

Willicious · #18 12-14-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungkoo

Jason Lollar pick ups are vintage sex

+1

+ good paper-in-oil .1 cap

+ flats (TI's, LaBella Jamersons)

+ orig. Fender style heavy foam mute under bridge cover

Willicious · #19 12-14-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispygoat

Out of curiosity, would it be possible to add pickup covers to the american standard?

Yes.
Pickup cover will work for sure.
Size of AS bridge looks similar to vintage bridge, so you're very likely okay there, too. Maybe someone else has done this mod and can chime in.

crispygoat · #20 12-14-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willicious

+1

+ good paper-in-oil .1 cap

+ flats (TI's, LaBella Jamersons)

+ orig. Fender style heavy foam mute under bridge cover

Are you implying that Chromes won't give me a vintage tone? Or were you just giving a couple of examples? And what exactly are paper-in-oil .1 cap? Where could I get a Fender foam mute? Would a typical piece of foam do the job?