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best Fender Bass?

Personally, I would only buy a passive Fender. I wouldn't even buy one that can go both passive and active. For me, the only real benefit is to get the traditional Fender passive sound. If I'm going active, there's a ton of brands I'm selecting before Fender. That's just me.

Also, you didn't say what your budget is, but some people have mentioned Fender Custom Shop basses. Personally, once I'm spending that kind of money, I'm getting a Lakland USA Joe Osborn, Bob Glaub or Duck Dunn, not a Fender CS. Again, that's just me.
 
Over the past 26 years, I've owned 5 Fenders - '81 P Special, '84 P Elite II, '90 HM, '00 P Special Deluxe, and '04 Dimension. Tone wise, the P Special and P Elite are pretty similar, full and rich. I think the Elite has just a little more oomph. My favorite player is the Dimension. Really easy playing. Body's a little thinner. Fretboard sits pretty high above the body. Makes it great for slap/pop.

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