Fender Honeyburst AM Special P-Bass, lightly modded - Page 2

ShowLow · #21 12-03-2012, 11:11 PM

I went to GC today to see one of the few in stock. Great tone and resonance. The body, however, was a 4-piece! Not even well matched grain. Maybe some don't care about that, but I much prefer the one in the photos!

**WoodyJ** · #22 12-04-2012, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShowLow

I went to GC today to see one of the few in stock. Great tone and resonance. The body, however, was a 4-piece! Not even well matched grain. Maybe some don't care about that, but I much prefer the one in the photos!

Yikes...the one I bought has a 2-piece body, not bookmatched, but it looks good front and back. Considering this is isn't a Custom Shop piece, I wasn't expecting bookmatching but a 4-piece body on a see-through finish would have been a deal breaker for me as well.

Awhile back I was in the market for a goldtop Les Paul Studio '60's Tribute guitar with P90's that was a short run item on sale for $850. The few that I found locally had 3 piece bodies where the pieces were different widths. The painted front looked great but the backside looked awful. I had seen some pics posted on a Gibson forum from proud owners that showed 1 and 2 piece bodies. I guess Gibson ran out of larger pieces of mahogany for their less expensive models. Now, the current ('60's) version only comes with a "darkback" (dark brown paint) back and neck finish - obviously to mask cheaper multipiece wood. I'm no longer in the market for one.

You would think that Fender would only use the 3 & 4 piece body wood for USA instruments that are painted a solid color....yet another reason to buy and test drive at a store instead of online! While a great buy at $699-799, these things list for nearly $1300 and there is no excuse for cheaping out at that price point.

I'm assuming that the GC you went to didn't have another one in the warehouse. If not, perhaps they can order another one for you.

ShowLow · #23 12-04-2012, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodyJ

You would think that Fender would only use the 3 & 4 piece body wood for USA instruments that are painted a solid color....yet another reason to buy and test drive at a store instead of online! While a great buy at $699-799, these things list for nearly $1300 and there is no excuse for cheaping out at that price point.

I'm assuming that the GC you went to didn't have another one in the warehouse. If not, perhaps they can order another one for you.

This particular location is a big store, but there are only a tiny handful of these basses in SoCal. I may order online and have it delivered to the store. Therefore if the sample they send is suboptimal, I can return it on the spot.

This is complicated by the fact that I just picked up an Amber American Standard via another GC location that had one in stock. I thought I could live with it, but it's going back. Probably in favor of the honeyburst. The amber bass plays and sounds terrific, but my daughter's first reaction when she saw it was the same as mine.

"It's too orange!!"

DwaynieAD · #24 12-04-2012, 09:27 AM

I've always preferred the feel of a maple board but danged if that rosewood doesn't look great.

**WoodyJ** · #25 12-10-2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaLowEndTheory

Looks great. Although, I think a tort guard would look amazing.

Well, I have one on the way so we'll see how it looks. Not 100% sure I'll like it better but there's only one way to find out...

M.R. Ogle · #26 12-10-2012, 12:10 PM

I LOVE that subdued finish. If I were to buy a new P-Bass, that would be the one. Beautiful!

IPA · #27 12-10-2012, 12:15 PM

Looks great! I just picked up an Am Special myself, couldn't ask for more out of a P-bass.

**WoodyJ** · #28 12-10-2012, 12:15 PM

Thanks for the kind words. It resonates like crazy with the super thin finish. Even the stock pickup sounds fine and while neck profiles are a matter of personal opinion, this one is perfect for me as I don't have long skinny fingers.

Lemoore-on · #29 12-10-2012, 02:46 PM

I picked up one of these Honeys this weekend. Mine is a two piece body. I put a black PG on it and replaced the bridge & hardware with black. I love this bass!!! its light also.

ShowLow · #30 12-10-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemoore-on

I picked up one of these Honeys this weekend. Mine is a two piece body. I put a black PG on it and replaced the bridge & hardware with black. I love this bass!!! its light also.

Sounds great but...

No pics, no bass! C'mon, let us see it! Pretty please.

**WoodyJ** · #31 12-12-2012, 02:22 PM

For those of you who suggested the change to a tort pickguard. It gives the bass somewhat of a John Deacon vibe.

Not sure I like it better this way but it's easy enough to change it back to the parchment one if I don't bond with the current look.

tomydacat · #32 12-12-2012, 02:42 PM

I like that look kind of gives it a grungy look to it ..leave it and I love the rosewood neck you chose too... GREAT LOOK and sound too...

Buster Brown · #33 12-12-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShowLow

I went to GC today to see one of the few in stock. Great tone and resonance. The body, however, was a 4-piece! Not even well matched grain. Maybe some don't care about that, but I much prefer the one in the photos!

Whoa! Mine is a 2 piece and matches up really well. Don't blame you in the least...a 4 piece body is a non-starter for me, too.

Jeff K · #34 12-12-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodyJ

For those of you who suggested the change to a tort pickguard. It gives the bass somewhat of a John Deacon vibe.

Not sure I like it better this way but it's easy enough to change it back to the parchment one if I don't bond with the current look.

Sweet! I really like the tort with the rosewood. With the original maple board I prefer the parchment.

mellowinman · #35 12-12-2012, 10:29 PM

I hate to be the weirdo on this thread, but so far, every single configuration of neck, pickguard, etc on this bass are identically awesome. You really can't go wrong with any combination of tort, parchment, maple or rosewood on this thing. I'm going to guess there are probably quite a few pickguards that would look great on it. A great bass is a great bass.

A pickguard is a piece of plastic.

Not to be obvious, or anything.

Sleeq · #36 12-13-2012, 12:07 AM

I don't usually like white pearl 'guards, but I feel it might work on this bass.

Awesome axe either way

M.R. Ogle · #37 12-13-2012, 06:21 AM

The tort guard sinks back a bit visually and the beautiful wood grain figuring in the fingerboard and body show up more, IMO. It now really looks more vintage-y. Love it!

**WoodyJ** · #38 12-13-2012, 08:00 AM

Thanks, guys, I appreciate the comments. I'm starting to like the new look better. It looks "meaner" now where it was "prettier" before the changes. A black PG would probably look good as well and would go nicely with the '70's headstock logo.

Here's a full frontal shot. Sorry about the crappy lighting, the finish isn't nearly as dull as it looks here.

two fingers · #39 12-13-2012, 08:07 AM

I hope you don't mind if I copy cat you cuz that is the best looking P bass (to me). I like everything about it. Enjoy!

(Now, to find a rosewood board neck......)

ThaLowEndTheory · #40 12-13-2012, 08:17 AM

It looked great with rosewood and parchment, now it looks perfect. I love it. Tort was the right choice.