Ok, it's advice time. I'm going to buy a p bass, but I need to decide which one. As it is right now, I could buy a Classic 50s precision (the Mexican ones that kick ass). I played one, and it was heavenly. OR- I can save up for a while and get an American Original Precision. I know that I'd be more than happy with the Classic 50s, but is it worth the extra money for the AO bass? Will I regret not saving for it?
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Classic 50's vs. Mike Dirnt Roadworn
- Thread starter _HunterB_
- Start date
There's not one song you can play on the American Original that you can't play on the '50s P bass, so...
What kind of tone are you going for, specifically? As I just mentioned in another thread, PBasses are so ubiquitous and relatively simple to customize, that they can be treated as modular. Define the tonal characteristics you want, neck style, and color (I’ve sold killer basses just because they did not stimulate the eye). Go from there. If you are unsure, that’s fine. You’ll need to try both.
Tonally, I'm just looking for a good vintage P sound with some thump. I'd like some of that breathy quality, and I need some great rock tones when I use a pick. I dislike Fenders modern P pickups like on the Professional. I'm a stingray guy, so I can deal with a thicker neck. Color wise, I equally love the black classic 50s and the LP blue Original.
Sounds like you're going to playing with the tone knob above zero, which is not a place where I have a ton of experience on a P
. I have used the 63 pickup before, and if I recall correctly, it has quite a bit of high and low end presence, but is a bit scooped. Maybe someone who has played one more recently can explain better. I do remember thinking it was a huge and nice sound. The stock p/u on the Classic is ok (I had the Road Worn), but I think an upgrade is definitely worth exploring. With the price difference, you can afford to try a few, including the relatively cheap PV 63 from the AO. Another difference is the fingerboard radius. The Classic is vintage-correct at 7.25, but the AO is modernized to 9.5. You'll have to decide if you have a preference. I slightly prefer the former, but it's not a huge deal for me.
Hey Buddy
I'd definitely go for the Classic 50's provided you like the fretboard radius and width at nut -- the board is big and rather flat (just the way I happen to like 'em).
Honestly -- and I say this as a P bass fanatic -- there is so little to the buggers that "superior" really comes down to weight, balance, resonance unplugged and above all else, the feel of the neck (which would include ability for the bass to accept your preferred setup). If the 50's is doing all that for you, get it. Again, this assumes you are good with its maple neck and fingerboard.
Even if you spend $100 later for a pickup swap, you'll still be a 1,000 ahead - dough you can put toward your new rig.
Now, if you aren't happy with the maple neck on the 50's and want a rosewood fingerboard with the dimensions of the AO, that's a different story.
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I like the vintage tint on the MiM version. Some think it’s too orange looking but I really like it. The AO necks feel kind of generic to me. I just reconnected with these basses after thinking I didn’t like them for a few months. Picked up a white and a black one, loving them. They disappeared from the US Fender website too so who knows what the future holds for these.
I own an
I think for what it is, the American Original is over priced. Played a few, the workmanship is nice, but I would play my Mexi all day long.
- American Elite Precision
- American Professional Precision (modded with a 920D Custom tone pot, SD QP, and Babicz bridge)
- American Standard 5 Precision
- Mexican Standard Precision(modded with a might might rosewood neck with blocks and a Bad Ass Bridge)
I think for what it is, the American Original is over priced. Played a few, the workmanship is nice, but I would play my Mexi all day long.
I have the Classic 50s Lacquer - it compared very favorably versus an AVRI ‘57 that I owned so much that I sold the AVRI and kept the Classic. Pickups are same/similar as the 2008-2012 American Standard pickups, which many consider “polite”, weak, or scooped depending on who you ask, but I’ve replaced them with SPB-1s, and it’s awesome. I would have a hard time explaining to myself why I bought an expensive American bass if I didn’t like the pickups, but I don’t have that issue with a MIM.
If you can’t play them both first, go for the Classic 50s.
If you can’t play them both first, go for the Classic 50s.
Good advice here. I’ve had several and swapped pups, etc. I like the big ole neck on the 60s original and kept that, but you can’t go wrong.
Thanks for all the help everyone! Sounds like the Classic 50's is gonna be the right choice for me. I may do a pickup swap, but I wont be sure until I can use it with my amp. Thanks again!
So I'll throw another contestant into the ring- the Mike Dirnt Road Worn P. This is the bass I've wanted since I've started playing, so Im having second thoughts about getting anything else. Both it and the Classic 50s are MIM, but the Dirnt seems to have better hardware and I LOVE the pickup. The Tele body is badass too. I know it comes down to preference in the end, but does anyone have an opinion?
Not sure this really matters to you, but one interesting comparison I uncovered is that the road worn basses list their neck finish as “Road Worn Urethane” while the 50s classic lacquer necks have nitro on the necks. Sometimes I see people advertising the RW necks as nitro and that doesn’t appear to be what they have.
A few years ago I went to the store for a roadworn 50s p bass. It looked awesome, played good and sounded good. I've tried every p bass in the store but decided to buy the American p-bass which sounded very good too but it's a different bass and the playability was so much better for me. So my advice is, try the American p bass, compare it and you'll know what to do.
I have a stock classic 50's p-bass in fiesta red. I put on some flatwounds and to my ears and hands, it sounds and plays as good or better than any american Fender P that I've ever touched. I considered switching the pickup, but after a few months gigging it, I just stuck with the stock one as it has plenty of thump for my taste. If you do decide on a new pickup, you're still getting a ton of value for the price of the 50's P.
