Fender Am. Prof. II Precision vs Player Precision

[Phaidrus]

In the final analysis, it's probably a subjective personal judgement whether it is worth making the extra investment for a new Fender American Professional II Precision bass (€1800 / $1870) instead of a new Fender Player Precision bass (€870 / $905)*.

That said, what do my fellow TBers think - is it worth it to stretch the bank and go for the expensive one?

* Prices where I live.

 

[atquinn]

I just bought a Pro II Precision. I think the choice is completely subjective, but I could afford both and I appreciated the various "upgrades" vs the Player (bridge, sculpted heel) and preferred the Pro II neck. But I think it would be hard to objectively argue that the Pro II is better.

 

[Phaidrus]

I just bought a Pro II Precision. I think the choice is completely subjective, but I could afford both and I appreciated the various "upgrades" vs the Player (bridge, sculpted heel) and preferred the Pro II neck. But I think it would be hard to objectively argue that the Pro II is better.

How's the V-Mod II pickup? I have an Am. Prof I Pbass, which I really like (fast neck!), but didn't like the V-Mod pup and replaced it with an "Original" for a more in-your-face tone with the appropriate set of rounds.

 

[Tad]

They’re both good basses.

It really all boils down to whether are not you want an American Fender and are willing to pay the difference to have one.

 

[Phaidrus]

They’re both good basses.

It really all boils down to whether are not you want an American Fender and are willing to pay the difference to have one.

With the Player, is the truss rod adjustment done on the headstock side with the same Allen key as with the American made model?

 

[Moving Pictures]

How's the V-Mod II pickup? I have an Am. Prof I Pbass, which I really like (fast neck!), but didn't like the V-Mod pup and replaced it with an "Original" for a more in-your-face tone with the appropriate set of rounds.

I’ve played the Pro I and II and in my opinion the V-Mod II is a better pickup. To me it sounds more balanced and, while a modern precision pickup, is not really hifi but still well within precision pickup territory. I really liked how it sat in the mix on the hard rock material we play. The Pro II is the bass the band likes the most.

 

[sleepingEB0]

In the final analysis, it's probably a subjective personal judgement whether it is worth making the extra investment for a new Fender American Professional II Precision bass (€1800 / $1870) instead of a new Fender Player Precision bass (€870 / $905)*.

That said, what do my fellow TBers think - is it worth it to stretch the bank and go for the expensive one?

* Prices where I live.

Right now, given fenders quality output I think it’s going to depend on each example of the bass you get. Quality is all over the place from both Mexico and US.
May opt for G&L or Suhr or another smaller builder tbh

 

[Moving Pictures]

I just bought a Pro II Precision. I think the choice is completely subjective, but I could afford both and I appreciated the various "upgrades" vs the Player (bridge, sculpted heel) and preferred the Pro II neck. But I think it would be hard to objectively argue that the Pro II is better.

I would agree with this and while I also prefer the Pro II the Player is a solid bass with a decent neck and good sounding pickup. I prefer a reinforced neck due to living in a winter climate. I really enjoy the feel of the neck on the Pro II.

I would never say no to the Player series. They are quite giggable and like the quote above it is all subjective anyway.

With the Player, is the truss rod adjustment done on the headstock side with the same Allen key as with the American made model?

yup!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

In the final analysis, it's probably a subjective personal judgement whether it is worth making the extra investment for a new Fender American Professional II Precision bass (€1800 / $1870) instead of a new Fender Player Precision bass (€870 / $905)*.

That said, what do my fellow TBers think - is it worth it to stretch the bank and go for the expensive one?

* Prices where I live.

No.

You can still buy the player, upgrade the electronics, and get the neck dressed and leveled for less than the stock pro with the factory pickup.

 

[Phaidrus]

I would agree with this and while I also prefer the Pro II the Player is a solid bass with a decent neck and good sounding pickup. I prefer a reinforced neck due to living in a winter climate. I really enjoy the feel of the neck on the Pro II.

I would never say no to the Player series. They are quite giggable and like the quote above it is all subjective anyway.



yup!

Is the Am. Pro neck reinforced while the Player neck isn't? I'm planning to string the bass with some heavy tension strings, like the Fender 9050M (230lbs). Will this be OK with the Player?

 

[Hounddog409]

In the final analysis, it's probably a subjective personal judgement whether it is worth making the extra investment for a new Fender American Professional II Precision bass (€1800 / $1870) instead of a new Fender Player Precision bass (€870 / $905)*.

That said, what do my fellow TBers think - is it worth it to stretch the bank and go for the expensive one?

* Prices where I live.

Yes.

Well, I assume that the P follows the J.

I have a AmPro II and an AmElite Jazz. Both are head and shoulders above any mexican jazz I have owned or played.

Its not even close.

Every Mex Jazz I have owned had issues at some point. The last one l, the tone pot stopped working, and I could turn down both V to zero, yet still hear it.

Replaced all pots and jack. Since i was in there, i added Quater Pound pickups.

Sounded much better then. But if you need to replace pots and pickups to equal spound of the AmPro......just get the Pro.

 

[atquinn]

No.

You can still buy the player, upgrade the electronics, and get the neck dressed and leveled for less than the stock pro with the factory pickup.

If you want something with the specs of the Pro II, you still won't have it after doing that. That's why it's subjective. If you don't value any of that stuff, then the mod approach could work. I also wanted something that I could buy and start playing without feeling there was a single thing I would "need" to upgrade and the Pro II fit that criteria for me.

 

[Moving Pictures]

Is the Am. Pro neck reinforced while the Player neck isn't? I'm planning to string the bass with some heavy tension strings, like the Fender 9050M (230lbs). Will this be OK with the Player?

The reinforcement just helps the neck stay stable. The Player doesn’t have the graphite reinforcement rods. A Player series should be able to handle the tension with a proper setup.

 

[CallMeAl]

I found the Am Pro neck was finished a little nicer, smoother, nicely rolled. BUT the Player has a nicely finished neck in its own right and I’m one who doesn’t mind doing a little rolling/rounding on a neck myself. I thought both basses sounded great, and balanced on a strap about the same too. Very similar slim c profiles (idk if they’re marketed as “slim” but both felt similarly slim to me.)

In the end I concluded I was happy with my own basses, but I woulda got the player if I was in need.

 

[Phaidrus]

Very similar slim c profiles (idk if they’re marketed as “slim” but both felt similarly slim to me.)

Given my limited experience, I'd call the neck of the Am. Pro "slim" for a Pbass. I own an Am. Pro I (2017) and an Am. Std (2008) and the neck of the Pro feels considerably thinner and faster, to which feeling contribute the narrow-tall vs the medium-jumbo frets. I like them both.

 

[Bodeeni]

I went through a bunch of both at Sam Ash NYC the other day. I really liked the players. They were typically lighter weight and I liked the way they played

 

[Phaidrus]

I went through a bunch of both at Sam Ash NYC the other day. I really liked the players. They were typically lighter weight and I liked the way they played

Did you notice sloppy fretwork or similar QC issues? Any marked differences between the two types of pickups?

 

[aero58]

I have a pair of AmPro II precisions (both sunburst, one w/rosewood fb, one w/maple fb), and had a Player series precision (w/maple fb). I prefer the feel of the neck on the AmPro II, and I definitely prefer the tone of the AmPro II.

 

[Peter - Oregon]

I own a Player Jazz and the American Professional II Precision. There is clearly a difference between the two. To me the Professional is a a much nicer instrument to play. I got that last May from GC for 30 percent off, making it a lot more affordable. Like everyone always says, you really have to play the instruments to evaluate what is for you.

 

[Relsom]

I've never held a Player, so I can't make an objective comparison. There's lots to like about the Pro II, however I was not so sure about the neck profile, which is slightly chunkier than my Am Standards (my all time favorite), but the satin finish on the back is very nice. I dig the sculpted heel too, though I'd be perfectly happy without it. I was skeptical about the V-Mod II initially, but can't really say anything bad about it other than it's aesthetics are off.