fender 50s classic precision vs American vintage 57

[THIRSTYGUMS]

has anybody any experience with both of these? i want the two tone sunburst one badly but would be very sceptical about paying twice to three times the price for the american vintage 57 vs the mexican 50's classic precision- What do you think? have any of you compared the two? fit and finish? pickups? are the necks different? Is the nitro better than the poly? do any of you have any photos?
Thanks for your replies!

 

[THIRSTYGUMS]

another thing occured to me do any of you know anything about the made in japan model - mij pb57-us 2t?[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[CLMSHQ]

I can tell you. I have had the Fender 50's P for a year now. I can't put it down. It is lighter than my MIA Jazz, and sounds great. It took me a little while to get used to the thicker neck after playing Jazz Basses for yrs, but now I am enjoying it.

FWIW there have been many comparisions between the 57 RI and the 50's and people agree that saving about $600 and going with the Classic 50's is well worth it.

 

[THIRSTYGUMS]

I apreciate the reply, searching for "av" "50's" and "57 p" etc is a real pain!

 

[MtManiac]

I played several Classic 50s and Roadworns in stores, they are nice for the price. I love the feel of the roadworns, I did a P bass taste test in a store once and found the Roadworn I was using felt better and sounded better (IMO) than the others I tried - including a Classic, a Highway One, a Squier Classic Vibe, and even my own 2008 American Standard. My American Standard was stolen shortly after, and I really did not want the Fiesta Red Roadworn, despite how awesome it felt and sounded, so I got them to bring in a Sunburst model. It left me feeling "meh." An opportunity came up to buy a '57 AVRI sight unseen, and I went with my gut and bought it, knowing I could re-sell it for what I paid if it didn't work out. It is awesome too - and less than $1000. Pretty much the same awesomeness of tone that the Fiesta Red Roadworn I'd tried had, different feel due to the neck not being worn. I liked the worn neck. My AVRI is ash, not Alder... does that matter? I don't think so.

Don't know if Nitro vs Poly really makes that big of a difference to me, for some it does.

All in all I'd love to have my stolen American Standard back. Black on black with maple... mmmm MM! For a brief period I had a 2010 model that I returned when I got the AVRI. The AVRI kicked butt over the particular 2010 model I had, but my 2008 was great.

Every P bass will sound like a P bass, and every one will sound subtly different and play different. You have to play them, and judge for yourself, really. They're all individuals, and only you can judge whether the individual one you have is worth the asking price.

Having said that, the Classic 50s tend to be great bargains, but so too are used AVRIs...

 

[Sleeq]

You could buy the Classic and put some vintage spec pickups and you will be very close.

Only put off for me is the glossy neck. I prefer the feel of the AMST necks.

 

[THIRSTYGUMS]

interesting, theres nowhere to go and play the americans in my country unfortunately, ill have to take a leap of faith either way.

 

[Xavier Zed]

I have both basses. The 50's P neck is on T-bird body and its body used as parts supply. The AV57 RI sits in its tweed case like a king. The AV57 fit, finish, wood, electrics are all borderline custom shop. Hands down one of the best non CS basses Fender produces. And, to conclude, if you held both these bass, you would only take home one (AV57RI) but if you pockets are thin you could convince yourself the the Classic 50's P is just as good.

 

[Jeff K]

I've owned both, and currently have a Classic '50s. I bought the AV '57 off of ebay about 5 or 6 years ago. Beautiful, and well made. Mine was the White Blonde with ash body. I did not like the raised pole pieces under the A string, but that was a very minor thing to complain about. I did find it to be extremely bright, even when rolling off the tone knob. I ended up selling it rather quickly. In retrospect, I probably should have held onto it and tweaked it until I got it right.

I got my Classic '50 used at a fantastic price. I think it's gorgeous, and is a tone monster. Probably the best bargain I ever got on a bass. I really like it a lot. My only minor complaint with it is that I personally prefer the 1.625" width at the nut (found on Am. Std. P's and lots of others) more than the 1.75" on the Classic. But that's a moot point when comparing the Classic and the AV since they both have the 1.75". And I really don't mind it. It's just that given a preference, I'd rather have the 1.625".

Both of those basses are very nice. You'd be happy with either one. If money is a concern, I don't think you'd be at all unhappy with the Classic.

 

[DTF]

Both great, id personally try and score an AVRI used , if youre buying without playing first Id spend the extra few hundred on a used AVRI , theyll likely be more consistent

 

[lpdeluxe]

I own both, a fiesta red Classic '50s with a Basslines Quarter Pound and a standard AV '57 in sunburst. Both have Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats.

Bang for the buck? Classic '50s, no question, especially since I bought it prior to the price increase ($630, + a Fender Vintage tweed case). Best? The American Vintage.

I have gigged regularly with both basses, but the '57 "feels" better somehow. Each has the smaller frets that I like and the reverse tuners.

If you want the better one, get the '57. If you want to save money, get the Classic '50s. They are very popular around TB.

 

[Sparkdog]

I tested both side by side and ended up buying the 50's P. The 57RI was really nice, but heavier, and the feel and tone was so similar between them I couldn't justify spending more than twice as much for the RI.

If money was no object I would have gotten the RI...wait, no I wouldn't. If money was no object I would have found a REAL 57 like my friend who I plan to burglarize one of these days.

 

[Lowbrow]

... If money was no object I would have gotten the RI...wait, no I wouldn't. If money was no object I would have found a REAL 57 like my friend who I plan to burglarize one of these days.

 

[THIRSTYGUMS]

I tested both side by side and ended up buying the 50's P. The 57RI was really nice, but heavier, and the feel and tone was so similar between them I couldn't justify spending more than twice as much for the RI.

If money was no object I would have gotten the RI...wait, no I wouldn't. If money was no object I would have found a REAL 57 like my friend who I plan to burglarize one of these days.

HAHA! i know the feeling! and speak of the devil... http://cgi.ebay.com/1957-FENDER-P-BASS-RARE-2-TONE-RARE-/200572707753?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2eb310a3a9

 

[seungkoo]

I want to try out the classic series. I just cant justify to pay $1000 for the roadworn. I bought my MIA 57' for $1250 brand new shipped from GC with the 20% coupon. For what its worth I think the extra money was well worth it compared to payin $1000 for the roadworn

 

[THIRSTYGUMS]

AVRI american vintage 57 or 50's classic precision - im in the market for either of these by the way, feel free to PM me if you have one looking a new home!

 

[BassDudeSA]

I have been looking at finding a nice used AVRI '57 for a while now. Why? I used to only be a Jazz guy. I had tried a few Ps through the years (have played over 35 years) only to put them back down or sell them as I just liked the Js better. I bought two Road Worn J's and liked them so much that I bought a Road Worn P as well, heck, one more chance with a P. I now own an American Standard J, American Standard P-5, CS J-5 and several other Fenders including some that have been sold, and hands down the best Fender I have ever owned is that Road Worn P. So I bought a 50s P and it is 90% as good. I just want the AVRI '57 since I am hoping maybe it could even beat this best ever Road Woorn P that I have, just as a challenge.

But whoever said above that each P sounds like a P, but is also an individual is 100% correct. It is impossible to just say this is better or that is better, not to mention our own individual tastes, the current setup if trying at a store and so many other variables. I actually probably won't buy the '57 because who knows, I may not get a good one, or just an average one. It is just fun to look and think about this stuff. Really doesn't even matter, not like the differences are that much in any case or that even one person in any audience is going to know the difference between these anyway.

 

[BabyBoyShafe]

I would definitely go with the classic over the Road Worn or the 57 Reissue. The road worns are nice but they pretty much sound identical to the classic execpt they're beat up and what not. The 57 reissue is a killer bass for sure but its pretty overpriced if you ask me. Now the classic is sooooo nice for the money i cant get over it. It rivals any MIA or MIJ basses and you cant get a nicer P bass for the money. Just throw in some better pickups and you'll be one happy camper

 

[lpdeluxe]

The 57 reissue is a killer bass for sure but its pretty overpriced if you ask me.

An AV '57 goes on the internet for $1499.99. The Classic 50s is $749.99; a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound will add $64.95 and a tweed case, $149.99, for a total of $964.93.

What does the extra $535.06 buy? Alder or ash body instead of mystery wood, nitro finish instead of poly, and pickup and bridge covers and a retro strap, all with a case that's a bit nicer than the "vintage tweed" one. (Of course, the fact that the Classic '50s is MIM versus MIA for the '57 means the price will be higher -- but that's not part of the debate, and, in fact, I've owned several MIM Fenders and each one has been a gem.)

This is not an academic exercise: I gigged with the Classic '50s for a long time before its slick finish finally turned me off. Once I got my hands on the AV '57, the Classic '50s never left its case again, and is here only because I'm waiting on payment from a buyer. As I said before, the Classic '50s is my favorite bang-for-the-buck P, but that doesn't make the A '57 overpriced: you get what you pay for. The superior feel of the '57 is well worth the extra amount -- and, you'd be hard pressed to find an equivalent bass elsewhere for the price.

 

[king_biscuit]

The American Vintage Fenders are very very nice! I can't believe that with the prices of the various Fender clones -- some of which are made in Malaysia or Indonesia and cost as much or more than the AVs -- people are complaining about the $1400.00 price of the American Vintage Fenders.