Best Fender Precision currently in production?

[awilkie84]

but the thread title begs the question, and the Pino is the "best" answer.

But...why? What makes it so much better than an AVRI or Classic series (that has essentially the same features)?

Are you saying 1/4 sawn maple necks are only for looks or that 1/4 sawn maple is an "exotic" wood? That doesn't make sense. I have about 14 MIA basses of various brands and I can tell you that 1/4 sawn maple necks definitely make a noticeable difference in neck stability and feel. They are definitely of higher quality, but I don't see how they are exotic wood.

I did not mean to imply that a 1/4-sawn neck was exotic. When I refer to exotic woods in that post, I mean only the flaming, quilt, birdseye, etc available on that model.

As for stability, that's questionable. I've owned over 15 basses, and played quite a few more than that. I currently have 2 basses with 1/4 sawn necks (both 1-piece maple), and 2 standard fender flat sawn necks, also have a Spector 3-piece neck. I've yet to notice any stability differences in any of those necks, and only the Spector has reinforcing rods. Feel-wise, I don't see any difference...and I don't know how you could. It's sanded smooth & finished in poly or nitro. You can't feel the wood at all. That's all in the neck shaping (and you can get the same shapes out of either production type).

 

[decentbassbreh]

if you dont wanna spend over a 1,000 $ try a road worn they are sooo sick! i love the tone on them

 

[denton57]

1963 RI is the best new production P I've ever owned.

 

[Twangster101]

I have a 63 AVRI p bass still in the box from Sweetwater in 3 tone sunburst. Saturday is my birthday and I can't wait to open it. I hope you are right !

 

[MingusBass]

I own a '63 American Vintage P in Seminole Red. It's an incredible bass. I have a feeling I'll be hanging on to it for years.

 

[huckleberry1]

I purchased an American Standard P5 last year and, it's not bad; sounds okay to me.

I have this bass & love it!

 

[Fencing Fan]

Hands down the Nate Mendel P-Bass- I made it my main gigging bass. Plays sweet, has a really great tone with no mods. Not a bad weight either. I'm loving my MIM!

I didn't read through the entire thread, so I may be repeating or off-topic, but we just did 10 songs on the weekend in a very good studio, and I used the Nate Mendel for the entire set. Two mikes on an SVT and a direct signal. Even the early mixes sound really good. I love the tonal character, and the sustain is amazing. I don't know what the 'best' bass would be, but the Nate is way better than I ever expected it to be. A great bass regardless of price.

 

[Rip Topaz]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned one of these!

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The 60th Anniversary bass I had was light, incredibly resonant, had a tone control to die for, and looked great. There may even be new one or two still hanging on the wall somewhere. I kick myself daily for getting rid of it (I was hankering for a Lakie HB at the time and had a trade opportunity to snag one).

+1000. You beat me to it.

The 60th Ann P's are (to me) the best P I've ever heard or played.

 

[Lowbrow]

You're asking about current production-line Ps; I've owned American Standard, Squire CV 60s, Squire CV 50s, Road Worn & Classic 50s. Out of those the Road Worn was/is best. I try to use the Classic 50s as much as possible, though, because I like the way it looks better .

Note that I'm primarily talking about feel because I usually swap pickups obsessively until I'm either satisfied or tired out. And as far as that goes, the Classic 50s has the best stock pickup, IMO, which has stayed in place. The Road Worn probably came equipped with the same pickup, yet it has since had a Model P DiMarzio, Curtis Novak something-or-other, Aguilar 4P-60, and currently has an EMG GZR (I'm satisfied now). The Aggie and the EMG were probably comparable, the GZR a little more bottom.

 

[LoTone]

I have this one: Invalid Link Removed

I've modded it a bit with '62 pup's and a BAII bridge. I also removed the Greasebucket tone circuit and put a .047 orange drop cap in it.

The reason I bought it is because of the light weight (<8Lbs), great finish and the American Special neck is magical...

Are you sure that this bass has the Greasebucket circuit? I have bought one as well, and to my ears, I cannot tell the difference with a standard tone pot.

 

[BearCave]

If money is not an issue, then hands down it's the Pino.

 

[SteveC]

2 for sale in Classifieds right now, too. So tempting but I have to play one first.

 

[bluesdogblues]

...TB can be very good for information but often most people are telling you to buy what they already own and not necessarily what best for "you". Only you can answer the question of what is the best P bass for you.

Personally, aside from it's price and color, I think it's Pino Palladino signature Fender Custom Shop Precision Bass. IDK if it's still in production currently or not tho, but it can be easily found to be bought anywhere

@Artobass :
Actually I never have any Fender Pino. But I dare to recommend it to the OP as the Best Fender P-Bass currently in Production, based of what I see, hear and try. I have the strong feeling that it's the answer.
I agree with this part your statement tho:
"Only you can answer the question of what is the best P bass for you"..

 

[adamsmatthewj]

It seems strange, but I've been most impressed with the tone of the Squier VM precision of all the P's I've played, which include the American standard, special, and MIM. It barks with the tone up and warmly sings with the tone down. I suppose that's the nature of any pbass but they really hit a home run with the Squier.
Right now I prefer jazz basses, but if I wanted a p, I'd get the VM.

Oddly enough, my "Squier vm 60's Pbass" is my main player right now (chosen over my two MIA Fenders)
It cost me just under $400 new, Threw some flats on and it rocks! I did put Aguilar pickup and Emerson pots/wires/tonecap in it (not that I needed to, the original pup was sweet, but I couldn't resist!)
I mean, a Squier probably won't stack up to a Sadowsky, but I really love playing mine!

Best case scenario, I would have come up with $4,000 for a Fender CS Pino Palladino signature bass, but for a grand total of :
$400 bass
$20 strings
$150 Aguilar pup
$40 Emerson electronics
$10 rosewood finger-rest
$20 rosewood knobs
I think you can do pretty darn good!

Honestly a new pickguard should happen, this fake tort is pretty sad lol! But it's so bad it's verging on "awesomely-bad", so I'm gonna stick with it for now

 

[bluesdogblues]

Your bass must be a superstar among other basses... drinking starbucks coffee while receiving hair treatment and agree to give her fans to took one shot photograph LOL

 

[adamsmatthewj]

LOL

I'm a barber, slow day so I'm runnin scales and playin along to the radio

 

[MoeTown1986]

Compared to sadowsky, factory fenders will feel like squier. Custom shop is probably the way to go.

I feel like you're going to get verbally beat by the Squire-heads in the near future.

But, I agree that just about any Fender made in a line, regardless of what country it's made in, will not compare to a Sadowsky.

 

[DigitalMan]

I picked up a new AmStd P during the 2013 Best Buy close-out for $725 out the door. Played and sounded like crap. Put on new strings and spent about 30 minutes giving it a good setup and it is a world class instrument now.

 

[SteveC]

strings and set up - what a difference it makes.