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Best slim neck profile Fender Precision Bass

K

kneedriver

Sep 6, 2013
12
0
#1
Hi all!

I am looking to compare some basses for extensive touring and recording work I do.

I am in love with some of the 1970s Fender Precision basses with the slightly slimmer neck profiles. I don't want a Jazz neck, but just a slimmer profile of P bass neck. I also like a rosewood fretboard.

The issue I have is that many of these actual 1970s basses are getting harder and harder to find in good condition, and they are out of the question now budget-wise for me, whereas 10 years ago it was a realistic goal. I have been playing MIA Precision basses my entire working life. My main recording bass is an American Standard Precision bass from 2016. Neck is just slightly to thick for playing long concerts on tour night after night.

I have been touring for years with a 2011 Fender American Special Precision bass which I've modded with custom shop '62 pickups that sound fantastic. I love the thing. This particular bass has a slightly crooked neck though, and I'm looking at other similar options.

I'm mainly trying to weight the following out:::
- getting a (better) used Fender American Special Precision bass (with slim C neck profile)
- getting a used Fender CIJ or MIJ PB-70 Precision bass (I am super intrigued by these, but don't know how to spot the best years / what to look for)
- getting a Fender MIM Nate Mendel Precision bass (i'm not keen on signature models, but I thought about refinishing it just to be original. slightly concerned about MIM quality)

I am looking for this slightly slimmer neck, but the utmost quality. Budget anywhere under $2000.

- Fender's current offerings seem to lean thicker and more 60s style for their Precision basses. They DO offer a "modern C" neck profile in their MOD SHOP. Would this profile fit the "slimmer" bill?

What do you all think about the pros and cons of these options? Also open to other suggestions.

Thanks!!
 
#3
Find another American Special Precision bass. Prices have gone up a bit over the last couple of years, but, as you know, they are very well-made instruments. The only upgrade I really wanted on mine was a set of more precise tuners. Drop in your favorite electronics and…done!
 
#4
Thanks! I've played one of the American Special P basses in a store and that's definitely the neck feel I'm going for! Not in love with the P/J design though. I just want a traditional P. I could just disengage the J pickup or swap out for a traditional body I suppose.

How do you all think the Am Performer/American Special compares to the MIJ PB-70 in terms of quality? I am not as concerned with pickups and electronics and tuners as those can all be easily swapped out and upgraded. The MIJ PB-70 looks so cool, but I've never played one, and don't know how the quality compares to MIA. Especially for rigorous touring/recording/abuse.

Another question: On the current Fender website, they describe the American Performer P bass neck as a "Modern C" -- on the Mod Shop portion of the site, they also offer a "Modern C" p bass neck profile. Do you think this is the same neck (with different frets)? If so, I guess I could do a Mod Shop P bass?

Thanks!
 
#5
I have Fender Ultra Precision with D profile; been playing Precisions since 1975 and this is by far the most comfortable neck for playing long hours on; very 'Fast' also Satin finish never sticky under any circumstance and new body contours are great.

Has 1.625 nut [I would rather 1.7+]
 
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#6
kneedriver said:
Thanks! I've played one of the American Special P basses in a store and that's definitely the neck feel I'm going for! Not in love with the P/J design though. I just want a traditional P. I could just disengage the J pickup or swap out for a traditional body I suppose.

How do you all think the Am Performer/American Special compares to the MIJ PB-70 in terms of quality? I am not as concerned with pickups and electronics and tuners as those can all be easily swapped out and upgraded. The MIJ PB-70 looks so cool, but I've never played one, and don't know how the quality compares to MIA. Especially for rigorous touring/recording/abuse.

Another question: On the current Fender website, they describe the American Performer P bass neck as a "Modern C" -- on the Mod Shop portion of the site, they also offer a "Modern C" p bass neck profile. Do you think this is the same neck (with different frets)? If so, I guess I could do a Mod Shop P bass?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I just turn off the Jazz pickup 99% of the time. That works well for me. As for comparing to that specific MIJ bass I can’t do that for you. However I’ve been very impressed with the Boxer and Aerodyne necks. The electronics have been good imo. Generally the MIJ have very good build quality.

As for the mod shop, I would email Fender and ask. That description is fairly generic.
 
#10
Most of the pbasses out there have the same nut width as the B series 70's necks. I think that the chief difference is that most of the 70's necks were thicker from the board to the back of the neck. I have a small micrometer to take some measurements on the sly. But while they're the same width 1.62" or 41mm the modern C feels wider because there's less depth to them.
 
#11
Nebadon2000 said:
I have Fender Ultra Precision with D profile; been playing Precisions since 1975 and this is by far the most comfortable neck for playing long hours on; very 'Fast' also Satin finish never sticky under any circumstance and new body contours are great.

Has 1.625 nut [I would rather 1.7+]
Click to expand...

Strongly advise you to follow Nebadon2000's advice. I LOVE thin necks so there was more chance of me marrying Taylor Swift than, one day, eulogising about a Precision bass. I love my Precision so much I almost don't miss Taylor! Okay so skip the creepy bit - the preamp is great too. If you find one with an ash body send it straight to me if you have to but don't pass it up. Good luck.
 
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#15
I would say the American Special , is what you would try to get, it has a very comfortable neck, another bass you might look at, it the second series of the Highway One basses, seems to be very similar, best part of the American Special & the Highway One basses, they make excellent upgrade platforms
 
#16
+1 to @bmusic regarding the 75th anniversary P. I have one, and it's J counterpart, and they are some of the best necks from Fender I've ever played. However, finding one for under $2000 might be tricky, as they aren't usually up for sale used, and I think the major retailers are out of stock for new ones.

If you like your current bass, I'd say try to find a Fender Jazz neck to swap with, or spec out a Warmoth neck to your liking, since they are a licensed Fender replacement builder.
 
#19
I’m going to echo one
sentiment above: here’s Warmoth’s replacement P necks. Is the “slim taper” back what you mean? Couldn’t you replace this on the bass you already love, and save lots of $$?

I made a Warmoth fretless neck for my P-bass V. The quality and looks are awesome (it’s now 10 years old and still perfect). I will say the 10” vs. 9.5” Fender radius might not be exact apples-to-apples.

23F1EF4B-CB44-40B2-A039-ABB09890A4E7.jpeg
 
#20
If you can find one of these from 2016, they're really cool--I love mine, it's ash but only weighs 8.5 pounds. The neck is not chunky at all (despite what some of the ad copy says for them). It's actually on the slimmer side for a P: Invalid Link Removed
 
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