NBD: BEST DEAL on MIA P Bass I've ever found

[smcd]

$700 for that MIA Pbass is a smoking deal.

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by meatwad

OP's new bass with these upgrades would be perfect!

That bridge would be a step back from the original "vintage" on the Special if you are interested in a traditional bass sound. I wouldn't have a high-mass bridge on a Fender as a gift.

A noted builder here specializing in Fender designs stated a while back that the basic, thin-plate vintage bridge (as on the Special) was the the best of the Fenders, and I'm inclined to agree with him if we're talking about toploaders.

I also don't see the point in changing out the machines. If the "Standards" are properly installed and lubricated at the shoulder bearing surface, they're as good as anything else. I hadn't had anything with them on it until I got a matching P & J set of Highway Ones in that incredible (backordered) blowout in 2011. I immediately stripped them of those disgusting boat-anchor BAIIs which I sold for a shocking amount of money and figured I'd spend some of the dough on a machine "upgrade" -- but I could find absolutely no reason to after using them a bit.

[audioglenn]

Its a beautiful bass! Congratulations!

[exidor]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

That bridge would be a step back from the original "vintage" on the Special if you are interested in a traditional bass sound. I wouldn't have a high-mass bridge on a Fender as a gift.

A noted builder here specializing in Fender designs stated a while back that the basic, thin-plate vintage bridge (as on the Special) was the the best of the Fenders, and I'm inclined to agree with him if we're talking about toploaders.

I also don't see the point in changing out the machines. If the "Standards" are properly installed and lubricated at the shoulder bearing surface, they're as good as anything else. I hadn't had anything with them on it until I got a matching P & J set of Highway Ones in that incredible (backordered) blowout in 2011. I immediately stripped them of those disgusting boat-anchor BAIIs which I sold for a shocking amount of money and figured I'd spend some of the dough on a machine "upgrade" -- but I could find absolutely no reason to after using them a bit.

Ouch

[JoeWPgh]

A very sweet deal indeed! I would have snarfed it up in a second. But I'm pretty happy with the deal I got on my 2012 American Deluxe Jazz. $1170, with all the goodies and the protecive film and tags still on it. It has a grinding treble pot, which made it 'blemished'. It makes no noise, but you can feel it. So for another $10 for the new pot, I'm still under $1200, or 25% off street price. Other than the pot, the quality of this bass is far beyond anything I've ever played from Fender.

[exidor]

Originally Posted by meatwad

OP's new bass with these upgrades would be perfect!

I agree

[Jeff K]

Originally Posted by ShowLow

One thing to note, which was a surprise to me...if you like natural finishes and happen to be comparing this FSR American Special in honeyburst with the FSR American Standard in ash with amber stain (also a matte finish)...the FSR Am Std does not have the Custom Shop pickup that was introduced in 2012 on the regular Am Std line.

Yeah, my FSR Am. Std. (Wine Red Stain) has the "older" pickups (like the '08-'11s), even though it's a 2012. But that doesn't bother me at all. I have an '08 Am. Std. Jazz that I think sounds awesome, so I actually like those pups. I also have an '11 Am. Std. Jazz, but that one's wearing DiMarzio Area J's.

Anyway, that's a great-looking bass, OP!

[Megas3300]

I diddled with one at my local GC, kinda dug the finish, and at the price I wanted it. One week later, they sold it, but they ordered one in for me, at an even better deal than $699

[millsbass5]

Nice. Really nice. Love the satin finish. This is a bit off-topic but, how old is that bedroom suite & nightstand in the pic? I just love old furniture. I'm about 75% there on have my whole house furnished with antique furniture & rugs. The legs look like somethin' Carl Thompson would widdle up. Sorry. It just caught my eye.

[meatwad]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

That bridge would be a step back from the original "vintage" on the Special if you are interested in a traditional bass sound. I wouldn't have a high-mass bridge on a Fender as a gift.

A noted builder here specializing in Fender designs stated a while back that the basic, thin-plate vintage bridge (as on the Special) was the the best of the Fenders, and I'm inclined to agree with him if we're talking about toploaders.

I also don't see the point in changing out the machines. If the "Standards" are properly installed and lubricated at the shoulder bearing surface, they're as good as anything else. I hadn't had anything with them on it until I got a matching P & J set of Highway Ones in that incredible (backordered) blowout in 2011. I immediately stripped them of those disgusting boat-anchor BAIIs which I sold for a shocking amount of money and figured I'd spend some of the dough on a machine "upgrade" -- but I could find absolutely no reason to after using them a bit.

Congrats. You certainly have your preferences down pat. So do I. Isn't the internet wonderful?

[Lo-E]

Nice score! There's one of these at my local GC, and I was very, very tempted to grab it. I'm not crazy about matte finishes, so I controlled myself (also, I'm gassing for some other things right now), but it's definitely a killer deal. Enjoy!

[Lo-E]

Originally Posted by millsbass5

The legs look like somethin' Carl Thompson would widdle up.

Just bumped into Carl at the local diner on Saturday. Only thing he was "widdling up" was a waffle and a side of sausage!