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Fender American Special vs. Standard???
- Thread starter JeffplaysBass
- Start date
The sole advantage to through-body is that a Fender E string will actually be the right length, instead of too long as it always is with a top-loader.
Through-body is merely a historic holdover from initially being the cheapest way to anchor strings without structurally loading the very lightweight original two-saddle bridge unintended for the task.
It makes absolutely no difference in sound, sustain or anything else -- and that info is from the design guys at FMIC.
For the record, I strongly dislike the machines, bridge, finish and case on the late American Standards.
I regret buying mine, and wouldn't do it again.
I regret buying mine, and wouldn't do it again.
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
I too have the Hipshot Extender on my American Special Jazz. It works really nice and keeps it's tuning when used.
The American Standard bridge is nice looking and should do a good job.
I have an AMS Jazz Bass I picked up on closeout new for $700 + tax. Although I like my MIM Geddy Lee better, the AMS has a lot of growl and the electronics are pretty hot, and I prefer the thinner neck too... I need to find a really good setup tech to get it down *low* action-wise as I would prefer. I've thought about swapping out the bridge for a Leo Quan Badass II - I really like the feel of those bridges better. Otherwise, no complaints, its a solid bass.
Funny, I just "upgraded" my am std precision to the deluxe bent plate bridge. I don't see how a two piece bridge that needs a two different hex wrenches to adjust it is better, just my opinion. FWIW it didn't make a big difference, it does sound just a bit more open, slightly less focused maybe, or not, no one will probably notice but me. I like the vintage look better though and it's lighter.
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That would make achieving low action a little bit harder since the BadAss' base is thicker and it would probably require shimming the neck to prevent the saddles from bottoming out
I also think the finish a little bit better on the Am Std. The Special's finish scratches easy seems like and is not as hard, which might be a plus for some.
A student of mine recently bought a new Am St vintage style P - and it's wonderful - I think it was around $1500.
I recently picked up a used 2012 Am Sp J here off a TB'er - and it's really nice too - plus I got it for half the price.
No regrets, really like the bass. However, I could see eventually making any number of the upgrades that were mentioned including cleaner pups, better bridge & tuners, etc.
At this point, it's set up with Roto flats (45's) and I use it in a tight R&B / Soul band - so it's a great sonic & visual match for the gig.
Good bang for the buck I'd say.
I recently picked up a used 2012 Am Sp J here off a TB'er - and it's really nice too - plus I got it for half the price.
No regrets, really like the bass. However, I could see eventually making any number of the upgrades that were mentioned including cleaner pups, better bridge & tuners, etc.
At this point, it's set up with Roto flats (45's) and I use it in a tight R&B / Soul band - so it's a great sonic & visual match for the gig.
Good bang for the buck I'd say.
Am I the only one who actually prefers the Am Spec to the Am Std? I like the vintage style bridge & open tuners...and the Greasebucket tone control. 
The black one I bought was a REALLY thin finish, too. I could almost see the wood grain through it if I looked under the right light.
The black one I bought was a REALLY thin finish, too. I could almost see the wood grain through it if I looked under the right light.
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
I had a 2011 Oly white American Special Jazz. Loved the neck and it's stability. Pickups were excellent. The only 2 things I did not like were the thin bridge and the tuners that were ruff to turn just like the 1964 Fender Precision I once had. I put a BabicZ bridge and Hipshot tuners on it. Loved it and hated to get rid of it but I needed a 5 string and wife pressured me to sell something. I know I will regret that someday but oh well.
Am I the only one who actually prefers the Am Spec to the Am Std? I like the vintage style bridge & open tuners...and the Greasebucket tone control.
You're not the only one. Money wasn't an factor for me, and I still bought a honeyburst Special because I preferred the neck profile/satin, body finish, and old school bridge on the Special over the Standard. The tuners and Greasebucket work as intended. Sound is subjective, but I found the Special to be very close to than the Standards I played with while making my selection. I did eventually upgrade the pickup to Bill Lawrence P-46, which made every note bit more distinct, took some harshness out of the highs, added a little grit across the spectrum, and evened out the volume across the strings - all subtle but good changes. It's now my favorite bass.
Some update about the comparison between the alnico stock pickup and CS 60 pickup ?
I found the stock pickup harsh ( even with flats)
I found the stock pickup harsh ( even with flats)
I own a 2014 American Special and a 2014 American Deluxe
As stated previously the tuners and bridge are not the same as on the Standard and based on my situation not the same as on the deluxe.
The bridge on the Special is not as 'beefy' and the tuners are geared differently. However, my American Special is a limited edition sandblasted and I got it because of eye candy lust
As stated previously the tuners and bridge are not the same as on the Standard and based on my situation not the same as on the deluxe.
The bridge on the Special is not as 'beefy' and the tuners are geared differently. However, my American Special is a limited edition sandblasted and I got it because of eye candy lust
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