08 American Standard Precision & Marcus Miller Jazz

I've never had a Precision before, so this is a real departure for me! Quality is lovely on mine, but I was lucky that Dave at Electro had ordered two. The first had terrible half finished lacquer on the back & a barely finished neck. This one is much better! Another interesting thing - The bass I rejected also weighed significantly more than mine. The '08s are generally quite lightweight feeling, but the other one was definitely much much heavier!

The new 3-tone sunburst is a lot nicer than the old yellowy-brown affair, with more red than brown. The new bridge seems a lot sturdier & the glossed fingerboard adds a touch of class to the whole bass. Pity the back of the neck isn't glossed as well like on my Marcus Miller Jazz. That one feels truly special! Soundwise, the Precision is traditional P with a touch of something a little more modern. Could be the strings I've put on, but it has all the classic thump with a slightly more modern 'twang to it!

I've been experimenting with my Sadowsky preamp/di pedal on these two & the results are astounding!

 

Hey DJShawn47, the MM didn't come with a case, no. I had to buy a $100 hard shell but no real pain there (apart from UK prices!)

Yes, the Miller does have a great growl, but try it through a Sadowsky pre and it becomes something else altogether! The sound is a lot warmer, with loads more output as well. All in all makes my jazz the first competitor sound-wise and output-wise to my Status basses.

 

Which do I prefer? Well, weight-wise it's the new Precision. The 08's are so light & it packs a serious punch through the Sadowsky preamp pedal. But playing wise & sound I much prefer the Miller. It's got such a distinctive sound for a jazz, probably the ash body & glossed maple neck, but a really nice bass all in all.