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best Fender bass???
- Thread starter ovialexm
- Start date
The best Fender I've played is my number #1 player. It's got "that thing" that only some have - I know that it sounds like a cliché, but it's just so highly resonant. Even playing unplugged on your lap, it just sings.
It's an '05 HWY 1 Precision upgraded with a BAII and a SD 1/4 lb. p/up. I string it with D'Adarrio XL Nickel round wounds. It does the P thing quite well, with ridiculous amounts of punch and sustain. THE best bass I've personally played. Stays in tune, stays set up, plays like butter. The tone fits right in with my rock band. I feel fortunate to play it every day.
It's an '05 HWY 1 Precision upgraded with a BAII and a SD 1/4 lb. p/up. I string it with D'Adarrio XL Nickel round wounds. It does the P thing quite well, with ridiculous amounts of punch and sustain. THE best bass I've personally played. Stays in tune, stays set up, plays like butter. The tone fits right in with my rock band. I feel fortunate to play it every day.
The best Fender I've ever played? I walked into a guitar show about 5 ago and there was a 65 Sunburst P bass for sale. It had an A Precision neck from the factory (same as an old J neck, 1 1/2" at the nut) had the original covers, even still had the foam under the bridge cover which was pretty much useless it was so old. I plugged it into an old V4-B amp he also had, the thing sounded great and played great. He wanted 1500.00 for it believe it or not. I got his number and told him I wanted to think about it a little and would call him that night, I did and he said it had been sold 15 minutes after I had walked away from the table, grrrr! I also had a 68 P bass with a 66 Jazz neck on it for more than 20 years that bass also played great. I like the J necks but like the P sound better.
That's easy! My American Deluxe Jazz FMT......Followed by my Victor Bailey Jazz Fretless!
Wow, a pair of beauties. That FMT is the first one I've seen that looks better than mine. To the OP, I'll go with the Fender American Jazz FMT V and Fender Roscoe Beck V.
Stay away from the rather new Deluxe Jazz 24. It crapped out on me almost right away. Had to have the electronics replaced. And the frets came unleveled. So terrible. It's tempting for only 750 but stay away. I'm so glad I got rid of it. You've been warned.
A mid-'90s American Deluxe Jazz with a maple 'board in Candy Tangerine. I found excuses to hit GC ever week (and at least 1/2 the time multiple visits) as that bass was such as great-sounding, easy-playing bass. There's also the fact that the orange/red/gold "flip-flop" color "spoke to me" in an "I'm so eye-catching you must purchase me!" way.
She's gone now (at the time I has issues about wanted a 4-string, nevermind one in that color) but I'm actively putting ca$h away for one on the used market, on the active look-out for one, and if one never pops up it's be my first "Invalid Link Removed".
She's gone now (at the time I has issues about wanted a 4-string, nevermind one in that color) but I'm actively putting ca$h away for one on the used market, on the active look-out for one, and if one never pops up it's be my first "Invalid Link Removed".
My 1966 P-bass is my all time favorite.
But the Fenders I play out most with are.
My 51-Reissue P-bass, and a Marcus Miller V.
In 1988 I bought a Japanese P-BASS. Assembled by a friend at the fullerton factory with a hand picked neck. It was good. I put in a Duncan 1/4 pounder pickup cranked up a little too close for that natural chorus. Jumbo frets with a real dressing, and a Badass bridge. Set it up my way, real low, maybe a little buzz from 12 and up.
Set the tone dial at 8'ish (sweet spot), volume at 8 with a couple left for boost, and it sounds awesome. I'm so used to it that nothing else comes close.
It's been through hell and back.
Set the tone dial at 8'ish (sweet spot), volume at 8 with a couple left for boost, and it sounds awesome. I'm so used to it that nothing else comes close.
It's been through hell and back.
A 1999 MIA P-bass. The sweetest bass I've ever played. Felt great, sounded awesome and looked cool (midnight wine).
This one isn't bad, either. It's a '94 American Jazz Deluxe Plus V with Kubicki electronics and Lace Sensor pickups.
My teacher's '62 Precision. Had that great worn in feeling and looked like its been played everyday for 45 years.
Probably the J, with two pickups.What's more versitle? P bass or J bass?
But the P sound will fit in almost anywhere without tweaking.
I've owned several P and J basses and all had excellent tone. I'm liking the 51RIP at the moment, that bass has about as aggressive a tone as any Fender I've ever played.
I have a 2000 MIA jazz that is the best playing Fender I've ever had and the tone sounds so sweet, even through the cheapest amp. It has these subtle nuances and overtones that sound wonderful, but with the band, the finesse is covered and it sounds alot like a bass!
I have a 2000 MIA jazz that is the best playing Fender I've ever had and the tone sounds so sweet, even through the cheapest amp. It has these subtle nuances and overtones that sound wonderful, but with the band, the finesse is covered and it sounds alot like a bass!
I bought an American Standard back in 1996 that sounds and plays as good as any 4 string bass. The fit and finish is flawless too.
I got an '02 Am Deluxe P that I liked so much, I traded a '77 Ric 4001 straight up for it. I never cared for P basses before, had a couple of Jazz's, but this one is just incredible all the way around.
J is more versatile due to the pick up configuration. For example, harmonics are easier to hear with a bridge pick up than with out one, listen to Jaco. He plays a J. You can also solo each pick up.
The J neck is also slimmer than a fat P Bass neck. But, the P is famous for simple grooving, per Jamerson. Or rockin', per Steve Harris.
The J neck is also slimmer than a fat P Bass neck. But, the P is famous for simple grooving, per Jamerson. Or rockin', per Steve Harris.
I also vote for the American Deluxe series basses, I like both the P and J, but I ended up with a J (and a fretless J too), I hope I can add a sienna sunburst P some time. I also like the smaller sized bodies and 22 frets. I haven't heard the Am Dlx Zone basses though, I guess they have a more midrangey sound than the others.
