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2012 American Special P Bass (HoneyBurst)

#182
Don't have a picture ATM. But I managed to pick one of these up on jan. 31st. Last day of the sale. Appears to be a 2 peice body! But the best part is at 699 the guy couldn't figure put how to ring up the gig bag so when he rung it up he said man your getting a great deal cause we are knocking 40$ off because of that. Then I go wait minute, pull out the GC email coupon and had him scan it: another 100$ off! Walked out with it for just over 600$.
 
#183
JellinWellen said:
Don't have a picture ATM. But I managed to pick one of these up on jan. 31st. Last day of the sale. Appears to be a 2 peice body! But the best part is at 699 the guy couldn't figure put how to ring up the gig bag so when he rung it up he said man your getting a great deal cause we are knocking 40$ off because of that. Then I go wait minute, pull out the GC email coupon and had him scan it: another 100$ off! Walked out with it for just over 600$.
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Quite the score for a sought-after bass, congrats.

I have not yet located my favorite luthier to change the nut on mine (A slot is over large), yet with higher gauge strings the buzz is gone and she plays nice. Comfy neck, light weight, great tonal range for a P, and easy on the eyes. What's not to like?
 
#189
Exemonium said:
Lots of people say tort. Unless you get an orange tinted tort, I think it might look odd. I guess maybe with a rosewood board its doable.
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I had this tort guard on mine for awhile but it just looked too "busy" against the woodgrain, plus the maroon-ish tort clashed with the honeyburst.

Now it has a black guard and I like it better...it fits with the late '70's vibe that these basses have.

DSCN1065.jpg
 
#191
WoodyJ said:
I had this tort guard on mine for awhile but it just looked too "busy" against the woodgrain, plus the maroon-ish tort clashed with the honeyburst.

Now it has a black guard and I like it better...it fits with the late '70's vibe that these basses have.

DSCN1065.jpg
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Sorry Woody, but I think you made a mistake! ;) That tort looks perfect with that combo. Especially since you put a rosewood board neck on it. On the original maple board that came stock on those, my favorite is the white pearl guard.
 
#194
Why do the regular American Specials get such a not so great rap and these get all the love? Thinking of grabbing an AmSpecial for my next purchase. My only concern is the neck. I've tried a couple and thought they were comfy...the neck felt almost like a J neck. Has anyone experienced any "ski jump" on these necks or are they pretty stable? Can't seem to pin down wether they have support rods or not...
 
#195
The neck is great (for me), not too skinny but not chunky, either. Neck profiles are a very subjective thing and some players prefer big fat baseball bat necks, some like 'em skinny like a Geddy or a Mosrite and some go for the in-between ones. The Am Special is "slightly skinnier than in-between", if that makes sense.

Yes, the Am Special has the graphite support rods.

Mine has TI flats which are lower tension than most. I loosened my truss rod a quarter turn.

I believe the honeyburst ones get more love is because the super thin finish allows the body to resonate more, plus it just looks freaking cool. It is a lot of bang fior the buck, especially considering it's a USA built Fender. It ain't fancy, but it works.
 
#196
WoodyJ said:
The neck is great (for me), not too skinny but not chunky, either. Neck profiles are a very subjective thing and some players prefer big fat baseball bat necks, some like 'em skinny like a Geddy or a Mosrite and some go for the in-between ones. The Am Special is "slightly skinnier than in-between", if that makes sense.

Yes, the Am Special has the graphite support rods.

Mine has TI flats which are lower tension than most. I loosened my truss rod a quarter turn.

I believe the honeyburst ones get more love is because the super thin finish allows the body to resonate more, plus it just looks freaking cool. It is a lot of bang fior the buck, especially considering it's a USA built Fender. It ain't fancy, but it works.
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Thanks for the neck info. I'm not so concerned with the finish as I'm not super keen on the FSR (although it sure is purty!) but I'd really like to gussy up an Oly white with a tort guard...but I'm probably in the wrong thread for that!
 

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