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P-Bass: 2008 vs. early 2000s - difference?!!

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by mborok, May 30, 2009.

  1. May 30, 2009 #1
    mborok

    mborok

    May 8, 2009
    I was checking out an American Standard p-bass made in 2000 and it sounded rather thin, then compared it to a new 2008 model which sounded really good, thicker, more bottom, more punch. I noticed that the pickups looked different; the salesman told me that the pickups (and everything else) on the 2000 were original equipment.

    Is there really a significant difference in the MIA Precisions over that time period? If so, why, and when did they start getting worse and when did they start getting better? Based on this experience, I'm afraid I'll have a hard time finding a good used p-bass, and might have to spring for a new one.

    Comments?

    Thanks.

    Mike
     
  2. May 30, 2009 #2
    andymcclure

    andymcclure

    May 10, 2008
    Minneapolis
    2008 was a breakthrough year for Fender. They basically went back to making the instruments they should have been making all along, with a few refinements. There are plenty of great Fenders out there prior to 2008, but they definitely stepped up the whole line last year.
     
  3. May 30, 2009 #3
    Ric5

    Ric5 Inactive

    Jan 29, 2008
    Colorado
    I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
    Did the 2000 have the s1 switch from series to parallel?
     
  4. May 30, 2009 #4
    mborok

    mborok

    May 8, 2009
    There was no switch - just the usual two knobs, vol and tone.
     
  5. May 30, 2009 #5
    funkout5

    funkout5 Guest

    May 19, 2009
    Suburbia, USA
    ya fender made many changes to thier j and p basses in 2008

    that is why a 2007 MIA will sell for 300 bucks less then a 2008
     
  6. May 30, 2009 #6
    mborok

    mborok

    May 8, 2009
    So - 2008 was the point in time for the change. Any idea what specifically changed that would explain the difference in sound? Pickups?
     
  7. May 31, 2009 #7
    vespasian1

    vespasian1 Guest

    Feb 20, 2009
    South Jersey (near Philly)
    Could it be the HMV bridge?
     
  8. May 31, 2009 #8
    vespasian1

    vespasian1 Guest

    Feb 20, 2009
    South Jersey (near Philly)
  9. May 31, 2009 #9
    Nedmundo

    Nedmundo Supporting Member

    Jan 7, 2005
    Philadelphia
    The main advertised changes are the high mass bridge and thinner finish that supposedly promotes resonance. I don't think the pickups changed. However, I believe Fender is using better wood, which probably accounts for much of the change. The 2008 models are lighter on average, and a Fender rep told me this when I asked about the tonal improvement on the Jazz basses. He said the pickups were the same, and attributed the change to better woods.
     
  10. May 31, 2009 #10
    mborok

    mborok

    May 8, 2009
    per vespasian1 link to Fender site, does this mean that pre-2003 all pickups were the original precision model?