Fender American Professional Series

[tombowlus]

Shame you did not get the Jazz 5ver to try also

Well, I figured one 4-string, one 5-string, make one a J and one a P, and make one fretless. Since they only make one fretless (a 4-string Jazz), that kind of dictated the second choice. I did play the Jazz 5, though, and to be honest, it has a neck shape which I find to be a bit more comfortable.

 

[Bluzman99]

The neck on the Precision V does not feel super slim, but it's not too chunky, either. It's in the ballpark of the American Standard Precision V I tried some years ago and the Precision Deluxe V I owned for a while, but I have not tried a more recent American Standard Precision V. Regarding the pickups, they are brand new, with different alnico blends on the lower strings versus higher strings (I think it's alnico 5 on the B, E, A and alnico 3 on the D and G). The goal is to make the response and feel from string to string as even as possible. So far, I feel like they did achieve this goal, nicely.

To help clear up the magnet layout I used alnico 2's on the B E & A and alnico 5's on the D and G.

 

[joel the bass player]

Anyone noticed abnormal rattles emanating from the neck on these? I got a Jazz and after playing for a couple weeks and tweaking the relief a little it had a terrible noise on an open E string. Tried replacing strings and it was just as bad. Tech went over it and couldn't get rid of it, so they swapped it out for another bass. Haven't had any time on the second one but it sure didn't have the same rattle on a quick test.

Just wondering if anyone else had a similar problem and if they found a fix.

 

[chris_b]

Just wondering if anyone else had a similar problem and if they found a fix.

Sounds like loose graphite or truss rods.

 

[Type-55]

Sounds like loose graphite or truss rods.

I had a used 2012 jazz bass that had a truss rod rattle.
How could QC miss this?
Lucky I was able to return the bass.

 

[TMARK]

I had a used 2012 jazz bass that had a truss rod rattle.
How could QC miss this?
Lucky I was able to return the bass.

I think it's easy to miss in QC if at the time it was checked the rod was in a position where it didn't rattle. A later adjustment could reveal the rattle.

 

[Type-55]

I just got a Am Pro P bass from GC to try out, where do I begin?

Fret sprout, mile high action,
nut slot a A string cut to low
buzz on open string. This is a brand new bass. I think with Fender you have to be careful even buying new.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

The have released new colors for the 2017 models. Nice.

 

[slagheap]

I just got a Am Pro P bass from GC to try out, where do I begin?

Fret sprout, mile high action,
nut slot a A string cut to low
buzz on open string. This is a brand new bass. I think with Fender you have to be careful even buying new.

damn right. you absolutely do.

 

[Thuddy Waters]

I just got a Am Pro P bass from GC to try out, where do I begin?

Fret sprout, mile high action,
nut slot a A string cut to low
buzz on open string. This is a brand new bass. I think with Fender you have to be careful even buying new.

But fret sprouts are really good in pita bread.

 

[Pbassmanca]

I truly do want to get excited over Fender releasing a new line, but I just can't. At the end of the day, this line is just a marketing update.

I agree. All I want is to see medium to lightweight basses with great sounding pickups and a beautiful feeling neck coming from fender. American standard were very nice and I don't see why changing the name is much of a big deal. New pickups though ,so curious to hear how they sound.

 

[Type-55]

But fret sprouts are really good in pita bread.

I knew they were good for somthing.

 

[tminus10]

I just played an alder body maple board jazz at GC. Really nice! Best in the American Standard class yet. Great feeling neck. Excellent, versatile tone. Truly professional grade. I know it's a little vain but I really liked that the pickguard was an off white instead of bright white. Anyways, easily as good as basses costing much more IMO

 

[JamesFoxBass]

I finally got to play the Professional Precision bass yesterday and, well, it left me feeling really cold. I'm REALLY GASING for a new P currently so I thought I'd at least give the new changes a go.

The neck profile was easily the best bit about the bass. The tall narrow frets were utterly disgusting under the fingers, I don't see what they add to the bass, little articulations and slides no longer sounded or felt good with those tall frets. The pickup sounded very lifeless, and the tone pot seemed to have a volume bleed on it as well.

All in all I'm very disappointed with the Professional series, especially after buying an Elite Jazz V last May which was, and still is an out of this world bass! Once again Fender keep up their inconsistencies.

 

[123Nil]

Can someone, explain to me.. What tall narrow frets feel like. Vs my 50's series road worn p bass ? Thanks

 

[Pbassmanca]

Can someone, explain to me.. What tall narrow frets feel like. Vs my 50's series road worn p bass ? Thanks

I played an American professional Jazz earlier this week. Frets felt "weird" under my fingers. Didn't like it at all. Plus, I thought the classic vibe J bass next to it had more lively and organic sounding pickups.

 

[Blunder]

I like the frets. I don't really notice them.. I don't have a low action either but yeah I don't see problem

 

[JamesFoxBass]

Can someone, explain to me.. What tall narrow frets feel like. Vs my 50's series road worn p bass ? Thanks

I'm not trying to sound condescending, but they feel tall and narrow. I noticed it most in fast passages, and when sliding between notes, or playing a 'squiggle'/trill. To me it just felt like they hadn't crowned the fret properly and they sort of just left it too tall.

 

[bass71]

That's it, Fenders are all about their classic vibe.

Agree so why don't they just stop tinkering and instead produce a high quality no frills traditional P.

ie,
Alder body with 60's smooth contours and dimensions.
Duncan SPB-I PU.
Current MIA neck, tuners.
Go back to the excellent 60's tin bridge and get rid of the strings through body bull and do it in a range of traditional colors in a thin poly finish and all weighing in at 8 and a bit pounds.
I'd bite, heck I'd buy two on the same day.

I just think they need to stop trying to modernise the P. P's dont have to"move on"..they are what they are, that is, very, very good at what they do..leave the modern innovations to the boutiques who do what they do very well too.
0.2$

 

[Midak]

+1.
I think the vintage-spec'd Fenders are the way to go.