American Professional P vs Vintera 50s P

[Kukulkan61]

Money is very tight for me lately, and I already have a very nice Warwick, so I bought and fixed up this: Tokai Hard Puncher, MIJ P bass copy upgrade stage 2

The end result is sort of close to an AO 50s.

Came out nice

 

[REV]

Regardless of what one you eventually buy, you will probably play another one down the road and you will like it better and want it. Welcome to Talkbass. Enjoy the Journey.

 

[bassbourne]

Wow lol my bad. In that case you have to keep in mind that part of that cost factors in a hard case that run 200-300 dollars so if thats important to you, keep that in mind. I stand by what I said in terms of maple appearance on the Pro as well. I'm a sucker for aged looking maple. In my personal experience with the american standard line from a few years back they are GENERALLY better than their mexican counterparts. However, I would take an excellent mexican example over an average american example.

I think the most enticing feature is the upgraded rods for next stability. I will however attest to the fact that my Vintera neck is incredibly stable and hasn't changed at all since I set it back in December. I feel like the higher mass in the neck accounts for some of this but I'm no expert. The Professional has a 1.625 width vs the 1.75 width of the professional. Not sure if the 63 neck contour is thicker or thinner but my guess is thinner.

That's a good point. The case (although a very nice extra) won't play any part in my decision.

Also a good point about the fat Vintera neck being stable. That was my thinking too. No need for rods when you have a tree trunk for a neck .

I'm currently leaning more towards the Pro simply because I have settled for the cheaper option in the past purely to save money and then wished I'd gotten the American, but yeah, those Vinteras look and sound soooo good .

Gonna sleep on it.

 

[bassbourne]

I'd go with the AmPro or AO and be done with it. One and done.

Yeah, that's my thinking at the moment. Get the Am Pro so this buying/selling thing is out of my system and then make some music.

 

[bassbourne]

Regardless of what one you eventually buy, you will probably play another one down the road and you will like it better and want it. Welcome to Talkbass. Enjoy the Journey.

Yep, been on that journey a while now (unfortunately for my wife).

 

[finfrocka]

I'm currently leaning more towards the Pro simply because I have settled for the cheaper option in the past purely to save money and then wished I'd gotten the American.

This right here is your answer then. Don't cut corners and go for exactly what you want otherwise you'll always wonder.

 

[bassbourne]

This right here is your answer then. Don't cut corners and go for exactly what you want otherwise you'll always wonder.

Yeah, I think you're right! If I had the money I would buy both as I love them for different reasons. But yeah, I don't, so best to get "the one".

 

[Slaphound]

Yeah, that's my thinking at the moment. Get the Am Pro so this buying/selling thing is out of my system and then make some music.

Which color combo are you liking?
I love my MIM Classic Series 50s Precision and I'm digging a Vintera jazz to add to my small collection.
Either way, your gonna have a very nice bass.

 

[bassbourne]

Which color combo are you liking?
I love my MIM Classic Series 50s Precision and I'm digging a Vintera jazz to add to my small collection.
Either way, your gonna have a very nice bass.

I was originally looking at the sea foam green Vintera, but I'm really into the blonde (with ash body) now. Which is weird as that was my least favourite at first. And for the Am Pro, I'm not really that picky. If they all cost the same, I'd either go for the candy apple red/rosewood or the sunburst/rosewood or maple or white/rosewood.

 

[Tubehed]

Do you have to order one now or can you wait until stores are open again? The nice thing about your choices is that, under normal conditions, you should be able to try a bunch out before you decide. Fender is just about everywhere and those are both popular models.

 

[rhopper]

My American Standard Precision I bought in 2010 is a forever bass. It has a maple neck with rolled edges that is absolutely perfect. There is absolutely nothing on it that needs replacing (except for the stock rounds strings). I plan on gigging her as long as I can and eventually passing it on to my son. I would get the Professional if you can afford it, the American Standard (now American Pro seem to hold their value well). Just my 2 cents.

 

[Bassist30]

The Pro P's is a very good bass. I have one and a big fan of their pro series. I had it adjusted when I first got it and the neck has not changed. Some complain about the low output but live it cuts and sounds great.

 

[bassbourne]

Do you have to order one now or can you wait until stores are open again? The nice thing about your choices is that, under normal conditions, you should be able to try a bunch out before you decide. Fender is just about everywhere and those are both popular models.

Where I am there sadly aren't that many music stores around anymore and the few that still exist have very limited choice (like one MIM Jazz bass and a 5 string Am Pro and the rest is all Ibanez and Yamaha etc). I'm always jealous of the stores in the US (I visited one near Vegas once) and the size difference is crazy. Same goes for second-hand here. Right now, for example, I can't find a single Am standard or Pro for sale online in the entire country.

I have played an Am Pro and Am Original (similar neck and style to the Vintera) once though, so I sort of know what to expect.

 

[bassbourne]

My American Standard Precision I bought in 2010 is a forever bass. It has a maple neck with rolled edges that is absolutely perfect. There is absolutely nothing on it that needs replacing (except for the stock rounds strings). I plan on gigging her as long as I can and eventually passing it on to my son. I would get the Professional if you can afford it, the American Standard (now American Pro seem to hold their value well). Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the tip.

That's my thinking too. A lifetime bass that I would pass on to my son. Think I'll go for the Pro.

 

[Tubehed]

Where I am there sadly aren't that many music stores around anymore and the few that still exist have very limited choice (like one MIM Jazz bass and a 5 string Am Pro and the rest is all Ibanez and Yamaha etc). I'm always jealous of the stores in the US (I visited one near Vegas once) and the size difference is crazy. Same goes for second-hand here. Right now, for example, I can't find a single Am standard or Pro for sale online in the entire country.

I have played an Am Pro and Am Original (similar neck and style to the Vintera) once though, so I sort of know what to expect.

Oh, I see. I guess I'm spoiled that way living in Southern California. Overcrowding and traffic, but a lot of good music stores!

 

[bassfreakah]

which one will get more chicks???

 

[Bassist30]

which one will get more chicks???

The bass that the Sharp Dressed Man has.

 

[Real Soon]

Hate to break it to you.. but the 50s Classic line (one of which I own) and likewise the Vintera line, they may be less expensive, but they're not cheaper. heh...I know I'm not making the decision any easier.

The American Professional line are really nice basses. The Vintera line are really nice basses. I went for the 50s Classic for exactly the same reasons as you're looking at a Vintera, and the only disappointment I have is the honey blonde finish is SO durable that it'll look pristine no matter how many hours I put on it. It absolutely bleeds class and I want to wear a suit whenever I pick it up to play. Also it's got a huge and woody tone and loves flats and rounds and likely everything in between.

Admittedly, I've got a total of maybe one hour play time on any MIA P basses, and hundreds of hours on the 50s, so my point of comparison's a bit skewed. But I don't look at any other contemporary* P and lust after it for its build or sound.


(*contemporary vs the 1960 pre-CBS Precision I somehow scored by a miracle a couple years ago. That doesn't count even though it does slay haha. That said, the 50s sits on my shoulder longer w/o discomfort than the 1960 and that is important)

 

[bassbourne]

Where I am there sadly aren't that many music stores around anymore and the few that still exist have very limited choice (like one MIM Jazz bass and a 5 string Am Pro and the rest is all Ibanez and Yamaha etc). I'm always jealous of the stores in the US (I visited one near Vegas once) and the size difference is crazy. Same goes for second-hand here. Right now, for example, I can't find a single Am standard or Pro for sale online in the entire country.

I have played an Am Pro and Am Original (similar neck and style to the Vintera) once though, so I sort of know what to expect.

Oh, I see. I guess I'm spoiled that way living in Southern California. Overcrowding and traffic, but a lot of good music stores!

Haha, well at least there's no overcrowding and traffic now (or music stores ). Every cloud...

 

[bassbourne]

which one will get more chicks???

I'm married so I need the most repellent one. Although I could always just get the lighting guy to put a spotlight on my face the entire gig. Problem solved.