Fender American Performer Precision Bass- thoughts?

[FloydianAnimal]

So the Fender American Performer basses have been out awhile now and I’m wondering what anybody who owns one thinks. In particular, I’m thinking of the P bass in blue. It seems they must be pretty good as none have popped up used yet? But yea, how the P balances with the J pickup, tone descriptions, hardware quality, frets and neck feel, etc. would all be awesome to hear about.

 

[Sean150]

I haven’t played the P but I did play the Jazz with a maple fretboard. I was highly impressed by the quality feel and sound which surprised me because I am a fan of the player series. I think the P would be a great bass as well. The only problem I had was that it is close in price to the American Professional which I thought player a little bit better and came in Candy Apple Red

 

[Shadoof]

I don't own one but I played one at the local Sam Ash pretty extensively. If I hadn't already committed to a #1 and backup I would be crazy tempted to pick one up. The jazz pickup balanced very well with both full on it's still predominantly a P tone, but with a little more sparkle and clarity. No noise that I noticed from the single coil but i wasn't playing at high volume so that would have been a factor. Neck is a middle of the road C shape, very comfy. Fretwork on the one I played was good and I didnt see any issues with hardware but admittedly I'm not super picky.

If I had to complain, i would say that the neck is a bit thinner than I'd like (don't take that to mean it's a skinny neck - I just like baseball bats). But really, I've been annoyed for years that I couldnt find a P/J with a P-spaced neck and now it exists. I should put my money where my mouth is but I've doubled down on G&L and just don't need another bass.

 

[FloydianAnimal]

Thanks man! That’s good information.

I’m also considering a used EBMM Caprice but yea- been gassing for a nice PJ.

 

[FloydianAnimal]

This review is pretty positive:

Fender American Performer Precision Review | Premier Guitar

 

[Hypercaffium]

I'm thinking about getting an Am. Performer P bass. Since I already have an Am. Pro P bass, I wonder if the Performer fits the Pro's hard case and the Pro fits the Performer's gig bag. A stupid question probably, but better be safe than sorry. Thanks.

 

[FloydianAnimal]

Well I finally got a chance to try one of these precision basses. It sounds and plays great! I’d say it’s next on my list when I free up some funds.

 

[kwdhsk]

Glad I found this thread and the link to the review! Very informative. I'm interested in the P/J configuration and am always trolling for a new bass Maybe one of these "APP"s will be next.

 

[Tad]

Glad I found this thread and the link to the review! Very informative. I'm interested in the P/J configuration and am always trolling for a new bass Maybe one of these "APP"s will be next.

I had an American Special Precision and an American Professional Jazz. I wanted an American PJ, so I picked up one of these after playing one at a local music store.

I’m glad that I did.

 

[jd56hawk]

I had an American Special Precision and an American Professional Jazz. I wanted an American PJ, so I picked up on of these after playing one at a local music store.

View attachment 3489562

I’m glad that I did.

Sure beats black, white or this or that burst!
They look even better in real life.

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

I prefer a straight P or J and thus tend to eschew any fender that has a combination of both P and J pickups, but I must say, these look rather good

 

[Hypercaffium]

I ended up taking the J home, not the P.

 

[kiripunk]

I had an American Special Precision and an American Professional Jazz. I wanted an American PJ, so I picked up one of these after playing one at a local music store.

View attachment 3489562

I’m glad that I did.

Can you please measure the spacing (pole to pole) in between the two pickups? THX.

 

[Tad]

Can you please measure the spacing (pole to pole) in between the two pickups? THX.

Measured from the inside edge of each pole,

On the treble side, G & D strings, 62 mm,

On the bass side, A & E strings, 90 mm.

 

[kiripunk]

Measured from the inside edge of each pole,

On the treble side, G & D strings, 62 mm,

On the bass side, A & E strings, 90 mm.

Pardon, I asked the wrong question: the correct being, is that a '60s style routing (the space between the two pups) or a '70s one?

 

[Basso Elettrico]

If any of you folks wouldn't mind indulging me: does a P/J combo like this one make you LOSE anything TONE-wise? in other words, is it "less than a P Bass" when you have a a P/J PU combo like this? I never owned a P bass but I'm GASing for a P bass now...
I own a J (2007 Fender American Vintage Jazz 75 RI)
---> Price being the about the same comparing an American Series and this Am Performer which one would you pick?

 

[mdogs]

If any of you folks wouldn't mind indulging me: does a P/J combo like this one make you LOSE anything TONE-wise? in other words, is it "less than a P Bass" when you have a a P/J PU combo like this? I never owned a P bass but I'm GASing for a P bass now...
I own a J (2007 Fender American Vintage Jazz 75 RI)
---> Price being the about the same comparing an American Series and this Am Performer which one would you pick?

People are going to tell you that the P pickup sounds different because there is a J pickup in the circuit. Please ignore this, utter nonsense. I just bought a P/J Performer and I really like it a lot.

 

[Basso Elettrico]

People are going to tell you that the P pickup sounds different because there is a J pickup in the circuit. Please ignore this, utter nonsense. I just bought a P/J Performer and I really like it a lot.

interesting take

 

[Hypercaffium]

I'm loving my Performer Jazz so much that I'm REALLY thinking about getting the P too. I already have a PJ bass (EBMM Caprice) and a "classic" P bass (Am. Pro) but I think this one would sound and feel different. I'm sure it's very light, I like the Greasebucket circuit and above all... I really adore the raw satin neck (on both sides of the fingerboard). Neck profile should be narrower compared to my P ('63 C) and a pleasure to play.
The addition of the bridge pickup (which must be identical to the one I have on my Performer J) should offer a wider tonal range.
I'm really tempted, guys. I think I'm gonna play a couple of them at my local store during the weekend and see what happens.

 

[murphy]

I'm loving my Performer Jazz so much that I'm REALLY thinking about getting the P too. I already have a PJ bass (EBMM Caprice) and a "classic" P bass (Am. Pro) but I think this one would sound and feel different. I'm sure it's very light, I like the Greasebucket circuit and above all... I really adore the raw satin neck (on both sides of the fingerboard). Neck profile should be narrower compared to my P ('63 C) and a pleasure to play.
The addition of the bridge pickup (which must be identical to the one I have on my Performer J) should offer a wider tonal range.
I'm really tempted, guys. I think I'm gonna play a couple of them at my local store during the weekend and see what happens.