Fender American Special Precision Bass - Greasbucket Tone Circuit

[de@n]

Hi!
I have recently bought Fender American Special Precision Bass guitar.
I love her playability, looks, build quality, superb neck but....
I had a problem because I could not dial in the classic Precision sound. No matter what I tried (different amps, cabs, strings...) that was just not it. Something was missing!?!
Needless to say that I was not very happy.
I have changed PU for Fender original vintage PU,... not good, still same lifeless sound.
In the moment of despair I took everything apart, took my soldering iron and unsoldered complete electronics.
I found service diagrams on Fender support page and soldered everything back again following schematics for '62 American Vintage precision bass.

And miracle happened....
Bass literally became alive. Sound is full, round, rich, punchy,... in short... perfect precision sound (to my ears at least).
Happy end at last.
Greasbucket circuit is BIG, I mean HUGE construction mistake in my opinion.

Maybe someone will find my experience usefull...

[parsons]

I like the greasebucket in my am spec P. It sounded just fine stock. Sounds even better with a spb-2 and some flats.

[IronLung1986]

ya i love the sound of my american special p and mine is 100% stock. i've even continued putting fender factory strings on it! to me, whatever difference the greasebucket makes is a good one.

[atomicdog]

This is all interesting. I A/Bd a AM Sp and an AM Std and went with the Standard. But I'm thinking seriously of going back and exchanging for the Special.

[atomicdog]

Originally Posted by parsons

I like the greasebucket in my am spec P. It sounded just fine stock. Sounds even better with a spb-2 and some flats.

OK, what's a spb-2?

[SirRolfe]

Seymour Duncan SPB-2 Hot Precision Bass Pickups

[atomicdog]

Gracias.