Best Fender Precision under $1,000 USD

[WES JETT]

Forgive me if there's already a thread going about this - There are way too many posts about P-basses for me to scroll through. I'm curious to hear some perspective from the rest of y'all about the best Fender P's available on the new and used markets for <$1K and why you think these are good options, and at the least, we can get a nice discussion going on this.

I'm a firm believer in the idea that there are plenty of import-made Fenders that are of equal or greater quality than some USA models. I've owned and played some USA Fenders that were quite underwhelming...and on the flip side, some of the Mexican-made stuff is really great, especially the vintage reissue models. Not to knock the many great USA fenders out there, but in my price range, those are mostly out of the question.

I've been collecting basses for about 15 years (more actively in the last 5 or so) and have owned many great pieces - some of which I held on to, others come and go, or get traded for new gear...The one bass I've always tried to acquire is that perfect P bass...I've owned 3 or 4, everything from Squier, to Mexi Std., Mexi Reissue, and USA Std., but somehow, none of them were really the right fit for me, for various different reasons. I'd love to have a great P bass in my arsenal, but I think it'll be the kind of thing that I will have to keep searching for...

 

[Gorn]

Mid to late 80s Fender Japan jazz bass specials. Every bit a P if that's what you want plus so much more. Going used nowadays for significantly more than a few years ago but still well under a grand.

 

[WES JETT]

Mid to late 80s Fender Japan jazz bass specials. Every bit a P if that's what you want plus so much more. Going used nowadays for significantly more than a few years ago but still well under a grand.

I am a fan of the Japan-made Fender stuff - probably the most consistently high quality instruments from fender from my experience - they're getting harder and harder to come by these days!

 

[capnjim]

G&L SB-1

 

[Johnny Alien]

Under $1000....used Fender American bass.

 

[Fenderon]

Check craigslist Dallas, TX. There is a 2012 American Standard P bass. Sunburst/maple neck for sale $950.00. New/Old Stock.

 

[WES JETT]

G&L SB-1

good point - I tend to forget about G&L - I just don't see a lot of those for sale around the Dallas area...I wish I had more opportunities to try those out, i always liked the mechanical improvements they have over the standard fender stuff

 

[mdogs]

You can buy a used American Standard for under $1000 no problem. I love the Japanese Fender stuff as much as anyone, but the AS from the last few years are better, especially the pickups.

 

[Gorn]

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I searched precision in the GC used site and these are all <$900 American standards that can be easily returned to your local store if necessary. The ones I posted are just from the first page of results.

 

[WES JETT]

Check craigslist Dallas, TX. There is a 2012 American Standard P bass. Sunburst/maple neck for sale $950.00. New/Old Stock.

nice find - I've played a few of that particular run with the 60's style CS pickups - Fender nailed it with those. It'd be a real funk machine with a good set of flats.

 

[WES JETT]

Throwing this one out there...What are your thoughts on the Road Worn 50's P? I love vintage reissue stuff - and i think these are particularly nice looking. I've only played one in person...the frets are a little small for my taste (true to 50's), but other than that, love the fat neck profile, vintage-style hardware, and low output level of the pickup.

I'd been waiting for one of these to come up on the used market for a while - they tend to go fast when they do come up used. I came back to the shop the next day with the intent to take it home, and it was already gone

 

[WES JETT]

the other problem I find a lot with mass produced basses, like many of these Fenders - each one plays a little differently. I've probably played 50 or more USA std basses throughout the years, most of them brand new, and found that some are real dogs, and others are incredible. It seems like with each model, there is a certain run of each that tends to be more desirable than the others

 

[Gaolee]

Throwing this one out there...What are your thoughts on the Road Worn 50's P? I love vintage reissue stuff - and i think these are particularly nice looking. I've only played one in person...the frets are a little small for my taste (true to 50's), but other than that, love the fat neck profile, vintage-style hardware, and low output level of the pickup.

I'd been waiting for one of these to come up on the used market for a while - they tend to go fast when they do come up used. I came back to the shop the next day with the intent to take it home, and it was already gone

That one looks so pristine! Mine is now truly worn. I don't know what they are new now, but probably under $1100. Used, I would expect them to go for $600 or so, but I don't follow markets much.

 

[WES JETT]

That one looks so pristine! Mine is now truly worn. I don't know what they are new now, but probably under $1100. Used, I would expect them to go for $600 or so, but I don't follow markets much.

The one I saw at my local Sam Ash store was listed at $799 used - granted, they notoriously mark up used equipment, but they are also more receptive to haggling than the Guitar Center up the road...

the quality on these seems really nice to me - the one I played was pretty light - not the most thumping P bass I've ever played, but charming in its own right.

someday i'll get my hands on one of these...I really dig the Fiesta Red model in particular.

 

[Gaolee]

That might be the right price. I really don't know. I like mine a whole lot, and ironically, it's the only bass I own that was bought new. I think I got it in 2010 or 2011.

 

[lfmn16]

In Dallas, TX I would imagine you have a lot of music stores. Go and play them. As you pointed out yourself, each one is different.

 

[WES JETT]

In Dallas, TX I would imagine you have a lot of music stores. Go and play them. As you pointed out yourself, each one is different.

There was a time when we had some really nice, locally owned shops that carried more vintage and specialty gear. Unfortunately, many of those have been run out of business by Guitar Center and Sam Ash

 

[JJR58]

Throwing this one out there...What are your thoughts on the Road Worn 50's P? I love vintage reissue stuff - and i think these are particularly nice looking. I've only played one in person...the frets are a little small for my taste (true to 50's), but other than that, love the fat neck profile, vintage-style hardware, and low output level of the pickup.

I'd been waiting for one of these to come up on the used market for a while - they tend to go fast when they do come up used. I came back to the shop the next day with the intent to take it home, and it was already gone

A good choice indeed, to bad it sold before you could get to it.

 

[Jefff]

I have a 95 that I bought for 500.00 in 03.

I added a Fralin and a jazz neck, a top load bridge and ultra light tuners so I have maybe 900.00 in it and it kicks ass.

it helps that it has the BEST tone pot ever, usable over the entire range. One day that pot will die and I will be sad.

 

[Tim1]

the other problem I find a lot with mass produced basses, like many of these Fenders - each one plays a little differently. I've probably played 50 or more USA std basses throughout the years, most of them brand new, and found that some are real dogs, and others are incredible. It seems like with each model, there is a certain run of each that tends to be more desirable than the others

Much of this boils down to setup. Not many mass produced basses get much beyond a cursory setup if that, plus then you have to factor in personal taste. Shops that bother to take the time to setup a new bass decently tend to shift stock quicker IME.