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Fender American Professional Series

#741
Aaron Houts said:
View attachment 2934132
Q: What has two thumbs and never has to buy another bass again?
A: This guy!!!

Just to report back: that pickup is perfect for my purposes. SO clean. Even the B string through my little Roland Micro Bass sounds as clean and clear as I’d hoped. I will definitely not be changing the pickup. It’s one of my MANY favorite things about this bass. Now I just need the M-81...
Click to expand...
Cool - Todd Packer is a TB’r.
 
#742
Aaron Houts said:
View attachment 2934132
Q: What has two thumbs and never has to buy another bass again?
A: This guy!!!

Just to report back: that pickup is perfect for my purposes. SO clean. Even the B string through my little Roland Micro Bass sounds as clean and clear as I’d hoped. I will definitely not be changing the pickup. It’s one of my MANY favorite things about this bass. Now I just need the M-81...
Click to expand...
Cool - Todd Packer is a TB’r.
 
#744
I’ve grown to love my pro p iv. I think about changing the pickup as I don’t turn it past 1/4 open.. but with the tone rolled off it’s still punch and articulate so it’s like.. why change it if it ain’t broken. Very comfortable neck, best neck I’ve ever felt on a fender. Paint chips easy and it was expensive but overall I love this bass
 
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#745
Blunder said:
I’ve grown to love my pro p iv. I think about changing the pickup as I don’t turn it past 1/4 open.. but with the tone rolled off it’s still punch and articulate so it’s like.. why change it if it ain’t broken. Very comfortable neck, best neck I’ve ever felt on a fender. Paint chips easy and it was expensive but overall I love this bass
Click to expand...
You know what they say:
no pics, no bass.
 
#747
NitroBass said:
I recently bought the Am Pro J. Love it. Neck is ultra comfortable, straight as an arrow. Now, I'm in the market for a new P. Played the new Pro P at GC, and the neck was so horribly bowed, it was actually totally unplayable; I couldn't even get an idea of the neck proportions. Seriously, it made me wonder if there is actually graphite in there. Amazingly, no other dealers in town have one at the moment. I own a 63 AVRI P, and the 1.75" neck is a bit wide for me for extended gigs/practices so I am hoping the Pro series P basses have a less chunky neck like the previous Am Standards. Can any Pro P owners comment further on the stability of the neck, and shape compared to the previous Standards? I am seriously contemplating getting an MIM and just modding it, since the neck is a comfy 1.62" wide and perhaps not as chunky?
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I have a Pro P and J.... I first got the P and the neck wasn't to bad but I had it professionally set up and the thing is a beast. Neck is straight and no buzz... Not sure why there was a bow in the neck you tried but they are repairable... tell them about it and see if they do anything. If not order one from Sweetwater as you can see the weight of each bass. They also set it up pretty good from their tech before sending it out.
 
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#748
NitroBass said:
I recently bought the Am Pro J. Love it. Neck is ultra comfortable, straight as an arrow. Now, I'm in the market for a new P. Played the new Pro P at GC, and the neck was so horribly bowed, it was actually totally unplayable; I couldn't even get an idea of the neck proportions. Seriously, it made me wonder if there is actually graphite in there. Amazingly, no other dealers in town have one at the moment. I own a 63 AVRI P, and the 1.75" neck is a bit wide for me for extended gigs/practices so I am hoping the Pro series P basses have a less chunky neck like the previous Am Standards. Can any Pro P owners comment further on the stability of the neck, and shape compared to the previous Standards? I am seriously contemplating getting an MIM and just modding it, since the neck is a comfy 1.62" wide and perhaps not as chunky?
Click to expand...


I usually don't reply 2x's to the same quote, but yesterday I was at the GC and you are right the fenders had a big bow in them. In fact there were a few other makes with the same problem. I wonder if they are changing the temp drastically from cold to hot when they open and close the store. Its been pretty cold here in New York this year. But I was surprised they don't have a tech to look at each one at least bi-weekly. After the initial adjustments after I first bought my Pro P there isn't a neck problem... Still no buzzes and love the feel and sound. After, if you do get one, have it professionally done. The p I did not get it from Sweetwater. My J I did. They did a great job but I will bring it to a tech near me soon. It can be better.
 
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#749
Cool, thanks for the reply. I ended up going with an MIM P bass from MF. I got lucky and the one they sent me gas a great neck, straightens out really nicely. The badly bowed Pro P I encountered was probably just an aberration; they are usually really solid instruments, but all basses need some maintenance which is tough to do in busy stores. I don't regret going with the MIM so far, I like the old school vibe and sound of a simple bridge. I replace the pups with Seymour Duncan Steve Harris. The stock pups were pretty good, however.

I will probably keep my '63 AVRI P bass too, since it sounds great with flats.
 
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#750
NitroBass said:
Cool, thanks for the reply. I ended up going with an MIM P bass from MF. I got lucky and the one they sent me gas a great neck, straightens out really nicely. The badly bowed Pro P I encountered was probably just an aberration; they are usually really solid instruments, but all basses need some maintenance which is tough to do in busy stores. I don't regret going with the MIM so far, I like the old school vibe and sound of a simple bridge. I replace the pups with Seymour Duncan Steve Harris. The stock pups were pretty good, however.

I will probably keep my '63 AVRI P bass too, since it sounds great with flats.
Click to expand...


Good Luck with it.
 
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#752
I just got a Professional Jazz. I have a 97 Am Standard and a 2012. Standard. I like the new Jazz neck profile much more than the 2 previous ones, it feels flatter and more comfortable in my hand. I play with the thumb on the back of the neck and flatter feels like a more restful place for it. I always preferred the Precision version because of that, I felt like the thin nut width Jazz with a round back makes it feel like I am holding a broom handle. Now a minor gripe, do you guys feel that the new rosewood boards on the Professional smells funky. To me it smells like fountain pen ink, but much stronger. My 97 and 2012 have almost no smell.
 
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#757
joebar said:
I've had my P5 pro for about four months now and a few gigs under my belt.
I will say the Vmods are the least mid/ganky P PU's I've ever heard/used. I find the tone is good but very neutral.
There are times when a ganky P isn't wanted; a few weeks ago, I was asked to sit in on a P& W service and play six songs cold. I found the tone to be perfect in this setting. The neutrality of this P may make it a one stop bass for all music.
My only complaint is why fender also made them very quiet; you have to turn the amp up when using this bass.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean the output is less and many are turned off by it. I like it. The tone is clean and I would not change it.
 
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