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Fender American Professional II Series

#323
I got new AM Pro 2 V yesterday. First I installed same strings as have on my 2008 AM standard V jazz bass to make reasonable comparison. Strings in both are 45, 65, 85,105 and 160 D'Addario XL (Nickel rounds wounds) - tuning Drop A.

IMG_20210623_075449.jpg


Strings and routing:
  • AM Pro 2 was able to use standard 160 string via normal routing but no change getting more than 5cm/2" through body - tapered does not make difference here.
  • 2008 AM std can use tapered 160 via both routings but fatter standard end string not at all.
After adjusting the bass for my style (neck, string height, pickup height) I started sound tests directly to Darkglass B7K v2 and to interface. I'm using some distortion and playing with pick with heavy attack and didn't see much difference. 2008 model had bit more highs or high mids and feel of sustain for B string but had less focused lows. Am Pro 2 had bit less dirty clank/clang or highs/high mids but bit better lows. Overall they are so close and when playing higher strings I heard less and less any difference between them. Actually the difference is in B string only.

I don't know if this helps anybody as I'm playing metal music and want certain type of sound with dirt and clank/clang, but not overly distorted like in some reviews typically with DG. I have found my sound with Fender AM V jazz and single coils 15 years ago and now needed second one for home/demo use. Big question is which one will be ending into next record :). I like both but time will tell. By the way B string in 2008 model gets boomy in rehearsal if not being careful with bass tone control. I'm feeling that Am Pro 2 may be easier in that sense because it is somehow more even between the strings.
 

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#328
Ian774 said:
160 for Drop A? I know it’s down to personal preference, but a 135 or 145 is more than enough….
Click to expand...
For me, it's not enough. I'm using 135 for standard B tuning and tried 145 for Drop A and it was fair but bit sloppy for my heavy picking style.

By the way, these V-mod II pickups started to bother me and I may need to go and find out replacements for them. They are fine in most strings, maybe lacking some glossy highs/high mids and attack but B string is not only missing that but also piano like sound and sustain - which is there acoustically. Located in Nordic countries I have less choices for pickups and basically need to choose between the selection at Thomann:
  • Aquilar AG 5J-HC (noise cancelling)
  • SD Apollo J-Bass 5 67/70 (NC)
  • Fender ultra noiseless J-Bass V (NC)
  • Lollar J-Bass 5S (single coil)
  • No SD QP for me thanks - I don't like the big staring magnets
I like highs and sparkle so I wonder going with Lollar. My reference is AM jazz std. V 08 that I like a lot more than V-mod II. Any comments?
 
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#329
paskisti said:
For me, it's not enough. I'm using 135 for standard B tuning and tried 145 for Drop A and it was fair but bit sloppy for my heavy picking style.

By the way, these V-mod II pickups started to bother me and I may need to go and find out replacements for them. They are fine in most strings, maybe lacking some glossy highs/high mids and attack but B string is not only missing that but also piano like sound and sustain - which is there acoustically. Located in Nordic countries I have less choices for pickups and basically need to choose between the selection at Thomann:
  • Aquilar AG 5J-HC (noise cancelling)
  • SD Apollo J-Bass 5 67/70 (NC)
  • Fender ultra noiseless J-Bass V (NC)
  • Lollar J-Bass 5S (single coil)
  • No SD QP for me thanks - I don't like the big staring magnets
I like highs and sparkle so I wonder going with Lollar. My reference is AM jazz std. V 08 that I like a lot more than V-mod II. Any comments?
Click to expand...

I have the first version. I replaced mine with Lindy Fralins and love them. Also I put in the emerson pre wired control (Volume Tone) system with treble bleed. Love the changes.
 
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#332
anthony w Jaber said:
34inch scale with a 160 for drop a sounds really nice and tight. I wish fender would at least extend the scale length on there 5 strings to like 35-35.5 or even try multi scales 37/34.
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Personally I’d like to see Fender do a 34.5 inch scale on their 5 strings like my Fbass BN5, just long enough to tighten the B string a tad without going the full 35+.
 
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#333
anthony w Jaber said:
Lollar all the way!
Click to expand...
Lollar ordered. In the end only other choice was Duncan QP but the look, super hot output and maybe too big mid scoop was things turned me to Lollar.

I don't like too vintage or too modern so let's see what I'll have in the end. Probably V-Mod II won't be the winner anyway - even My Squier MV V no-name-pickups had better low end but upper harmonics were lacking. I assume Lollar has at least equal low end and it really shines in the highs.
 
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#334
paskisti said:
Lollar ordered. In the end only other choice was Duncan QP but the look, super hot output and maybe too big mid scoop was things turned me to Lollar.

I don't like too vintage or too modern so let's see what I'll have in the end. Probably V-Mod II won't be the winner anyway - even My Squier MV V no-name-pickups had better low end but upper harmonics were lacking. I assume Lollar has at least equal low end and it really shines in the highs.
Click to expand...
Very nice! The bassist from thrice loves Lollar picks ups and tunes just as low as you at times. You won’t be disappointed with them. Great bottom and the mid range is out of this world.
 
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#335
Just picked up a new American Pro II Jazz this week and it feels great, but I’m noticing a pretty huge volume jump between strings. The E and G are WAY louder than the A and D. I’m more of a P Bass guy and am used to being able to adjust the pickups to the fretboard radius, but this still seems a bit drastic even for the flat Jazz pickup. I’ve owned other Jazz basses in the past that didn’t seem to have this issue, so I’m a bit confused. I was under the impression that the V mod II pickups were supposed to be even more balanced string to string than normal, so this is a bit odd.

I basically pulled the bass straight out of the box and to a gig, so it hasn’t been set up, but I don’t really see how that could fix this issue. Has anyone else had a similar experience with these basses?
 
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#336
lm183902 said:
Just picked up a new American Pro II Jazz this week and it feels great, but I’m noticing a pretty huge volume jump between strings. The E and G are WAY louder than the A and D. I’m more of a P Bass guy and am used to being able to adjust the pickups to the fretboard radius, but this still seems a bit drastic even for the flat Jazz pickup. I’ve owned other Jazz basses in the past that didn’t seem to have this issue, so I’m a bit confused. I was under the impression that the V mod II pickups were supposed to be even more balanced string to string than normal, so this is a bit odd.

I basically pulled the bass straight out of the box and to a gig, so it hasn’t been set up, but I don’t really see how that could fix this issue. Has anyone else had a similar experience with these basses?
Click to expand...

Checking action couldn't hurt. What if the A and D are much higher relative to the radius?
 
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#337
lm183902 said:
Just picked up a new American Pro II Jazz this week and it feels great, but I’m noticing a pretty huge volume jump between strings. The E and G are WAY louder than the A and D. I’m more of a P Bass guy and am used to being able to adjust the pickups to the fretboard radius, but this still seems a bit drastic even for the flat Jazz pickup. I’ve owned other Jazz basses in the past that didn’t seem to have this issue, so I’m a bit confused. I was under the impression that the V mod II pickups were supposed to be even more balanced string to string than normal, so this is a bit odd.

I basically pulled the bass straight out of the box and to a gig, so it hasn’t been set up, but I don’t really see how that could fix this issue. Has anyone else had a similar experience with these basses?
Click to expand...
Considering this is a ‘Pro’ model which infers its to used by a professional player that’s pretty sad and I imagine it’s not Harley Benton money. I should send it back and ask for your supplier to look at it and if need be ask Fender about it.
I should think you’re pretty p*$$*d about it.
 
#338
paskisti said:
Lollar ordered. In the end only other choice was Duncan QP but the look, super hot output and maybe too big mid scoop was things turned me to Lollar.

I don't like too vintage or too modern so let's see what I'll have in the end. Probably V-Mod II won't be the winner anyway - even My Squier MV V no-name-pickups had better low end but upper harmonics were lacking. I assume Lollar has at least equal low end and it really shines in the highs.
Click to expand...
Lollars installed, easy job for person who has soldered ever and fit was perfect for 5 string AM Pro II Jazz. I liked the first impression and here is some thoughts.
  1. Better B string than V-Mod II pickups had. No more lack of lows or generally dull feel (all strings).
  2. Raised pole pieces limits a bit adjustments. Pickups need to be installed lower than others I have tested to avoid chorus effect for A string (string too close to magnet). Of course relative string height matters too.
  3. Raised pole pieces increase the volume of E, D and A strings. This makes Lollars sound very balanced and all the strings are pretty equal in terms of output. If you like thunderous lows for B string compared to others you may need to consider something else.
  4. Lollars are bit louder than V-Mod II which is good because V-Mod II was too quiet or low output.
Generally I'm happy for upgrade and AM Pro II Jazz is now what I was searching. Quality Jazz bass has now quality pickups. If Fender wanted really balanced sound for jazz bass why they didn't do it that way...
 

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