NBD - 2008 MIA Standard P

goldenglory18 · #1 02-14-2013, 07:43 AM

Not the best deal in the world, but it was good enough to jump on....

2008 MIA Standard Fender P
Black with black guard and maple board
$719

This has to be one of the best necks I've ever felt and it is FLAWLESS. Smoooooooooooth finish and not a single buzz to be found, AND it still needs a set-up.

A few issues I noticed right away:

The E tuner post is a little loose, but only when down tuning. Example, when tuned to E, it's fine. Drop it a few notes and it's noticeably loose. Oh well, there will probably be a hipshot on there eventually anyway.

The pickup is significantly more quiet than I remember stock MIA PU's being. Now, I was playing through settings that were catered to SPB3's so that could be the difference, but it was a BIG difference. Time to start searching for another SPB3....

The body is a little roughed up. Front looks fine, but the back has a lot of dings and scratches. Looks like plenty of light buckle rash but that doesn't bother me a bit. After it's dialed-in and set properly, this should be a GREAT gig bass.

Pics to come later...I was tired once I got home.

Pet Sounds · #2 02-14-2013, 08:00 PM

Congrats! Sounds like you got a good price on a fine instrument. What's not to like?

goldenglory18 · #3 02-15-2013, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet Sounds

Congrats! Sounds like you got a good price on a fine instrument. What's not to like?

So far, it just isn't doing it for me.

Tonally, it sounds pretty flat. Not a ton of punch like a P-bass should. It plays like a dream, but it's not very resonant and again, is very generic sounding.

I'll fiddle around with it for a few weeks. Worst case scenario, I take it back.

P. Aaron · #4 02-15-2013, 05:13 PM

I found this on pg.2 of the Basses thread...no pics probably.

bassgod0dmw · #5 02-15-2013, 05:50 PM

For the tuner, just tighten it up.

If you like everything about it but the sound, why not just swap the pickup.

goldenglory18 · #6 02-16-2013, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P. Aaron

I found this on pg.2 of the Basses thread...no pics probably.

I've been unexpectedly swamped the last few days. Pics today after work, I promise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

For the tuner, just tighten it up.

That's the next step (besides pictures.) Besides at the store, I think I've played MAYBE four measures on this thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

If you like everything about it but the sound, why not just swap the pickup.

That's step four on my list. (Pictures, tighten tuner, new strings, PU swap.)

I have a few homeless SPB3's laying around. If the new strings help at all, I might just throw a Duncan in there and see if she opens up. If new steel round-wounds don't help, she will probably go back.

goldenglory18 · #7 02-19-2013, 07:48 PM

I finally got a chance to play around with this for a bit, clean it up a little and snap some pics.

I put some Medium ProSteels on there and tightened all the tuner posts. It plays a lot better now and holds tune no matter how hard I play. I also threw in one of my spare .25lber PU's and it sounds MUCH better. Tons of growl and snap. THAT is the P bass tone I love.

One thing I will say...I have owned four MIA basses now and played dozens more. This is by far, the best built Fender I have ever played. Tightest neck pocket I've ever seen, flawless fret work, clean electronics route.....absolutely wonderful gem of a bass.

As of now...it's not getting returned.

mcm · #8 02-19-2013, 08:43 PM

08 is the year

JimmyM · #9 02-19-2013, 08:52 PM

I so want a black Precision with a black guard and maple neck! Nice score!

tbplayer59 · #10 02-19-2013, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I so want a black Precision with a black guard and maple neck! Nice score!

Phil Lynott, right?

sethlow3 · #11 02-19-2013, 10:41 PM

Phil liked mirror pick guards IIRC.

Im_telling_tim · #12 02-20-2013, 12:55 AM

2008 was a great year for Fender Precisions I have two of them a 4 and a 5. When I went to go pick up my 5, I had a hard time choosing between the white with a rosewood fretboard or the black with maple fretboard I must have took an hour of going back and forth so I decided I was gonna go by the year and the white turned out being the one. As for my 4 string p bass it's my favorite bass I own I have ten basses (p's, jazzes, grabber and a wal) if I could only keep one it'd be my 2008 P.

mazdah · #13 02-20-2013, 01:43 AM

Great score man!
And I think It may be newer than 2008...

It has additional A string retainer on the tunning key and as far as I know the first one was with 60th anniversary P.

Looks like it's either slightly modded - and MANY people were asking me where to buy that A string retainer (but I can't see any additional retainers on recent Fenders photos, apart from Deluxe series)...

Well, that little thing makes it a better instrument

JimmyM · #14 02-20-2013, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbplayer59

Phil Lynott, right?

Roger Waters

davidjackson · #15 02-20-2013, 06:08 AM

I would wait until you have played it with a band before worrying about it sounding flat or less than perfect. For me, the magic of a P bass it what happens when you are in that situation. My P bass (MIJ Steve Harris signature) sounds pretty dead on its own but rocks when I'm with the band. My beautiful 2012 MIA Jazz is the exact opposite! Sounds gorgeous on its own, but...

**mjac28** · #16 02-20-2013, 06:21 AM

Great bass I love the color and neck congrats.

sigmafloyd · #17 02-20-2013, 06:32 AM

I have an 08 black and maple P as well, great bass. Congrats!

Outsider · #18 02-20-2013, 06:35 AM

Wow. Looks stunning!
I have a black P, J and SR in my collection. The black pickguard on maple looks great!

soxhats · #19 02-20-2013, 07:06 AM

I have an '09 MIA P (oly white, RW board). And -- somewhat irrationally -- I've been thinking lately about getting '12 MIA P (probably black/maple and I'd put a gold PG on it). The 2008-and-beyond American Standard P's are fantastic. And quite the value if you wait for a good deal on a used one.

Rip Topaz · #20 02-20-2013, 07:13 AM

Have you tried raising or lowering the pickups? It can make ALL the difference. If your bass is sounding flat, give it a shot.

Also, you are correct. The 60th Ann P was the first to feature the "strong arm" string retainer. If Fender ever makes it available, it is going on ALL of my basses.

AFAIK, it hasn't been used on other models.