Fender Deluxe Precision V, 2002, opinions?

Asomodai · #1 01-20-2011, 03:56 PM

Hey guys.

Looking at picking one of these babies up, a 2002 model, black, maple and gold scratchplate.

What are peoples genuine opinion of them? I have the matching Deluxe Jazz 5, which is a great bass.

Can the P cop the MM tone with the double jazz pup? How does the P sound on its own? What was the weight like?

Is there any replacement pickups and preamps people recommend me?

Asomodai · #2 01-21-2011, 09:29 AM

Bump!

Dr. Cheese · #3 01-21-2011, 10:01 AM

Buy it! This is one of the best basses Fender ever made, period!

BEKyle · #4 01-21-2011, 10:14 AM

I've seen a few used. They play great, but tend to run on the heavier side. If you're looking for a set of pickups Nordstrand makes the best 5-String Precision pickup we've come across.

Dr. Cheese · #5 01-21-2011, 11:06 AM

The bridge pickup sounds nothing like a MM to my ears. It is too close to the bridge to get the real MM sound.

Asomodai · #6 01-21-2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

The bridge pickup sounds nothing like a MM to my ears. It is too close to the bridge to get the real MM sound.

Sort of like a fat jazz sound i guess?

Anyone got any clips of bigtime acts playing them live? I have seen the Megadeth Rude Awakening clips and anything i can find via googlevideo search, but not much comes up.

tnickk · #7 01-21-2011, 12:10 PM

Buy this bass. if you don't like it, you will have no problems selling it.

tnickk · #8 01-21-2011, 12:11 PM

If you don't like it, sell it to me.

dogofgod · #9 01-21-2011, 12:43 PM

I could see this bass being everything I would ever need.

**ShoeManiac** · #10 01-21-2011, 01:11 PM

I had one of these but sold it. In fact, it was in the exact same finish that you've described. And while it was a cool bass, it wasn't quite my sound.

First off, I'm not really a maple fingerboard guy. The maple looks REALLY good with this finish and pickguard, but I prefer a rosewood fingerboard from a tonal standpoint.

The electronics are definitely versatile, and the onboard EQ is pretty powerful. The sweepable midrange control is handy. The bass and treble controls give you loads of tone shaping ability. And there's also a pickup pan pot.

The split neck pickup does a classic P bass sound really well. But the bridge pickup is a bit different. And while it could leave you with the impression that it might be able to get a Stingray style tone, it's a completely different animal. It's a humbucker, but it does not have that aggro Stingray midrange. It's a much smoother sound, but can give you some grinding pickstyle tones. It might be a little reminiscent of a G&L. But the closest bridge pickup sound I can equate this to is a Fender Roscoe Beck 5 string's bridge pickup in humbucking mode.

So why did I part with mine? I just wanted a P-Bass to be a P-Bass. So I sold this one and got myself a Fender American Standard P-bass 5 string with a rosewood board. The passive electronics work for me. Especially since on my Dlx P-Bass 5 I was almost ALWAYS using the neck pickup alone with a more thumpy tone setting. BUT, I think that this bass is on par with the Fender Roscoe Beck 5 string, which is easily the finest 5 string Fender has ever produced.

Jamie_Funk · #11 01-21-2011, 01:14 PM

Very cool bass - as Dr. Cheese mentioned, it won't sound like a Music Man (at least not a Stingray), largely since that humbucker is too far back.

If you NEED/want a Stingray tone, don't bother. If you want a great bass with a wide variety of tones that to me all sound good, then give it a try.

As others mentioned, these basses sell FAST here on TB, so you likely wouldn't lose any $$$ if it isn't your thing.

May not have been popular with the masses, but those who like them like them a LOT.

J

Asomodai · #12 01-21-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShoeManiac

I had one of these but sold it. In fact, it was in the exact same finish that you've described. And while it was a cool bass, it wasn't quite my sound.

First off, I'm not really a maple fingerboard guy. The maple looks REALLY good with this finish and pickguard, but I prefer a rosewood fingerboard from a tonal standpoint.

The electronics are definitely versatile, and the onboard EQ is pretty powerful. The sweepable midrange control is handy. The bass and treble controls give you loads of tone shaping ability. And there's also a pickup pan pot.

The split neck pickup does a classic P bass sound really well. But the bridge pickup is a bit different. And while it could leave you with the impression that it might be able to get a Stingray style tone, it's a completely different animal. It's a humbucker, but it does not have that aggro Stingray midrange. It's a much smoother sound, but can give you some grinding pickstyle tones. It might be a little reminiscent of a G&L. But the closest bridge pickup sound I can equate this to is a Fender Roscoe Beck 5 string's bridge pickup in humbucking mode.

So why did I part with mine? I just wanted a P-Bass to be a P-Bass. So I sold this one and got myself a Fender American Standard P-bass 5 string with a rosewood board. The passive electronics work for me. Especially since on my Dlx P-Bass 5 I was almost ALWAYS using the neck pickup alone with a more thumpy tone setting. BUT, I think that this bass is on par with the Fender Roscoe Beck 5 string, which is easily the finest 5 string Fender has ever produced.

I much prefer maple so it could suit me a little better! Not looking for a musicman sound as such, it just would have been nice! Honestly i am looking at it as it has a P pup for some grindy rock. I like quite a bright tone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie_Funk

Very cool bass - as Dr. Cheese mentioned, it won't sound like a Music Man (at least not a Stingray), largely since that humbucker is too far back.

If you NEED/want a Stingray tone, don't bother. If you want a great bass with a wide variety of tones that to me all sound good, then give it a try.

As others mentioned, these basses sell FAST here on TB, so you likely wouldn't lose any $$$ if it isn't your thing.

May not have been popular with the masses, but those who like them like them a LOT.

J

I am well aware of how fast they sell! Especially the montego black with jazz board versions!

Heres my jazz before i installed SD quarter pounders and J-Retro!

I already know i will be getting it, just wondering what other people liked about it!

RickenBoogie · #13 01-21-2011, 05:19 PM

My favorite Fender bass ever, and they discontinued the 5 string version a while back, so it's even better. Though that fat humbucker does not sound like a StingRay, it does sound awesome, (to me). I normally run mine with the blend slightly favoring the HB, and leave the eq mostly flat, (slight mid boost), and my bandmates rave about the tone.

lowfreqguy · #14 01-21-2011, 06:40 PM

I have one of these and quite like it. All of the comments above are spot on. The only reason mine doesn't see more stage time is my 1991 Modulus Q5 with EMGs has God's own B string. Glad you're joining the club.

**jlepre** · #15 01-21-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asomodai

Can the P cop the MM tone with the double jazz pup? How does the P sound on its own? What was the weight like?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

The bridge pickup sounds nothing like a MM to my ears. It is too close to the bridge to get the real MM sound.

+1 It sounds nothing like the MM tone.

The P on it's own sounds like a P should.

Mine was a very reasonable 8.7 pounds. I sure miss that bass...

Griff · #16 01-23-2011, 04:41 PM

I have an American Deluxe P 5 string in butterscotch with a maple board, and the bridge humbucker has quit working. I can't find anyone who makes an aftermarket replacement for it. I also have an Aguilar obp3 I want to put in it. suggestions?? Rewind the pickups??

pasta4lnch · #17 01-23-2011, 04:51 PM

I used to have the butterscotch Deluxe P V . . . fwiw I didn't like it at all. I'm not really an active guy but I wanted to like this bass. the tone was too round and sophisticated (best way I can explain it) for my tastes. . .

fwiw I sold it and got a reg MIA J V (around the same year) popped 1/4lb's in it and love it to death!! ymmv

Asomodai · #18 01-23-2011, 05:17 PM

Well i didnt manage to get the one i was after, I assumed £740 would be enough to bag it! The last one i saw went for £600, this one went for £801.

Oh well i have my eye on another now

bongomania · #19 01-23-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Griff

I have an American Deluxe P 5 string in butterscotch with a maple board, and the bridge humbucker has quit working. I can't find anyone who makes an aftermarket replacement for it. I also have an Aguilar obp3 I want to put in it. suggestions?? Rewind the pickups??

Rio Grande makes a fairly close replacement. Otherwise, since it's a Bill Lawrence design, maybe Bill or staff could repair it.

Also, just to counterbalance the love a bit

the ADPV does tend to have a bit of noise or hum in some environments, so it is well worth your while to shield the pickup cavities and control cavity.

Griff · #20 01-24-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Rio Grande makes a fairly close replacement. Otherwise, since it's a Bill Lawrence design, maybe Bill or staff could repair it.

Also, just to counterbalance the love a bit

the ADPV does tend to have a bit of noise or hum in some environments, so it is well worth your while to shield the pickup cavities and control cavity.

+1 noisy in some situations. Shielding is a priority with this rebuild! The first time I installed the OBP3 it hummed like a NYC substation! I thought to myself, "yea...I should probably have shielded this thing before I did all that work.".