Fender American Standard Precision or American Vintage '63 Precision Seminole Red

gwangi · #1 03-01-2013, 09:29 AM

I'm really trying to make up my mind on which one to get between the Fender American Standard Precision or a Fender American Vintage '63 Precision in Seminole Red.
I like the idea on the American Standard with the graphite support in the neck and the Custom Shop '60's pickups but then again the '63 Precision in Seminole Red would be killer too, tough decision.
Would any of the fellow TB folks give me direction on which one would be the better bass of the two.

StrangerDanger · #2 03-01-2013, 09:31 AM

I think it comes down to nut width, fretboard radius and price. And what you are comfortable with in all three.

lpdeluxe · #3 03-01-2013, 12:28 PM

The American Standard will have medium jumbo frets and the AV will have small ones. Personally, I love the small frets, but each one has his own opinion.

Dan55 · #4 03-01-2013, 12:59 PM

C neck vs. B neck. Vintage frets vs. medium jumbos.

A-Step-Towards · #5 03-01-2013, 01:04 PM

Thats a pretty big price difference as well.

uOpt · #6 03-01-2013, 01:47 PM

Why would you want the graphite strips if the neck is in the right place either way?

pacojas · #7 03-01-2013, 01:57 PM

i would get the AV!!!

graphite rods seem like a marketing gimmick, IMO. on the other hand, those CS 60's pups are killer!

Worshipbass12 · #8 03-01-2013, 02:03 PM

I just bought a 2012 American standard pbass and I absolutely love it, perfect neck for me, great pickups those cs 60's really have some midrange punch!!!! Can't speak for the vintage except that they sure do look good haven't played one yet

gwangi · #9 03-01-2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uOpt

Why would you want the graphite strips if the neck is in the right place either way?

The positive side with the graphite is it helps with not having dead spots.

P. Aaron · #10 03-01-2013, 02:06 PM

I like the AM Standards. Haven't really tried out any of the RI lines.

When it comes to fret gauges, I prefer the bigger ones.

ShoeManiac · #11 03-01-2013, 03:44 PM

I finally played an American Standard Precision with the custom shop pickups last week. And I was seriously impressed. The neck felt great to me, and I usually have a bit of an issue with the size of P-Bass necks. And the tone was fantastic. I think the Custom Shop pickups have really helped the American Standard basses in a big way.

I haven't had a chance to play any of the new American Vintage Series basses. They sound great in the demo videos that Fender has posted online. But the proof is always in the playing.

superflybass · #12 03-01-2013, 03:49 PM

go with the american vintage they are a whole different level over the american standard

the Seminole red look great we got one in thursday

http://davesguitar.com/products/fend...recision-bass/

pghjeeper · #13 03-01-2013, 04:00 PM

I have a 2012 American standard with maple neck ad it's absolutely the best bass I have ever owned. It's got a great sound and is very versitile. The graphite stiffening rod seem to work because I have pulled my bass out of the case in the middle of winter and took it into a hot practice session and it was perfectly in tune. I wouldn't trade my bass for anything else, it's that damn good. I have 4 p basses including an 84 and 78 and the 2012 is by far my favorite.

pghjeeper · #14 03-01-2013, 04:00 PM

I will say I wish they did some better colors and even a burst

sanderic · #15 03-01-2013, 04:59 PM

I own an Amercan Standard Precision (2001) and previously owned an 86 AVRI. They are both great basses, you simply cannot go wrong with either one that you pick. However I do think the American Standard is a better bass for these reasons:
1) the neck is slightly smaller with rounded edges, much easier to play.
2) the neck is stiffer due to the graphite reinforcement rods.
3) string through body bridge.
4) the moulded case is easier to carry than the rectangular case.
5) aftermarket parts allow you to easily change the looks of the bass ( I'm about to change to a gold anodized pickguard.
6) the American Standard probably cost less.
Keep this in mind though, used American Standards are all over the place, but I don't see that many used AVRI s, so if the price on the vintage model is low, you might grab it, knowing that you can pick up an AS later on down the line.

Laurent · #16 03-01-2013, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan55

C neck vs. B neck. Vintage frets vs. medium jumbos.

+1. To me it's all about the neck. I have a standard US and a 62 US RI precision and they are both nice necks but very different. Flowing nicely on a neck is of paramount importance the rest is secondary. Try these instruments if you can.

I would not get too focused on the pickups. They are easy to change should you not like the one that comes with the bass.

jbednarski · #17 03-01-2013, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurent

+1. To me it's all about the neck. I have a standard US and a 62 US RI precision and they are both nice necks but very different. Flowing nicely on a neck is of paramount importance the rest is secondary. Try these instruments if you can.

I would not get too focused on the pickups. They are easy to change should you not like the one that comes with the bass.

+1. I have a AVRI 62 P and just got an American Standard P and they are two entirely different instruments. The necks are the biggest difference, then the pickups. The AM STD sounds different than the 62. I started playing a 1.75" neck when I was in my teens so I don't mind the wider neck on the 62 but the AM STD neck is just a dream to play. You can find AM STD models used but basically brand new (which is what mine was) for about $850. That's a lot of bass for the price.

denton57 · #18 03-01-2013, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superflybass

go with the american vintage they are a whole different level over the american standard

the Seminole red look great we got one in thursday

http://davesguitar.com/products/fend...recision-bass/

Wow. I thought I wanted the Sonic Blue until I saw this picture of the Seminole Red.

sigmafloyd · #19 03-01-2013, 07:50 PM

Great pics!
http://davesguitar.com/products/fend...recision-bass/

gwangi · #20 03-02-2013, 07:50 AM

Everybody has great points, as far as neck widths, the main bass I play is a Modulus Q6, so neck width to me is no bigga deal, I've been steering towards the American Standard until Davesguitars.com sent a link with those pic's of the American Vintage '63 precision in Seminole Red and holy S#%T did that bass look KILLER, I can get a great deal on both basses I'm not concerned as far as price but once I've purchased one I want to make sure it's the one I want to keep.