I would like some honest feedback on the Fender American Vintage 63 Precision Bass. Is it worth it?
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Fender American Vintage '63 Precision Bass
- Thread starter milleritaly
- Start date
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
I liked the one I had. The things that drove me to sell it was the body dented super easy,more so then the other reissue series I had did, the 57 and 62s. Also while I like big necks, this neck was to big for me which makes me feel one should try these before buying.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
I own one and it's a fantastic instrument.
Note: you must like big wide necks: it's 1.75' and it's one of the chunkiest P bass I have played.
Highly recommended but pay one first to make sure you flow on that neck.
Note: you must like big wide necks: it's 1.75' and it's one of the chunkiest P bass I have played.
Highly recommended but pay one first to make sure you flow on that neck.
My '63 is, hands down, the BEST precision bass I've ever played... and I've played MANY.
I got mine used... but, even at full price, I'd feel it was worth every penny. This one will NEVER be let go.
Yes... it's true... I've OD'd on the Fender kool-aid...
But, all kidding aside, it's a fantastic Fender. I feel they got it right with this one.
I truly believe you'll love it.
I got mine used... but, even at full price, I'd feel it was worth every penny. This one will NEVER be let go.
Yes... it's true... I've OD'd on the Fender kool-aid...
But, all kidding aside, it's a fantastic Fender. I feel they got it right with this one.
I truly believe you'll love it.
Last edited:
Twangster101
You gonna pull them pistols or whistle Dixie?
I have 3........ I say yes they are worth it. There are 2 in the classifieds for 1300 and under right now. A great deal if you want one.
Holy moly!!! You can say THAT again, D! Those are SCREAMING deals!!!!
Last edited:
Twangster101
You gonna pull them pistols or whistle Dixie?
Yeah Gil those are screaming deals. Just to clarify those 2 in the classifieds aren't mine. I'm keeping mine!
I love my '63 Vintage P Bass, the attention to detail on the replica is second to none. My favorite part of the bass is the neck, the rosewood looks really good. I've got big hands so the bigger neck has been perfect, i love the "c" shape to the neck. I didn't realize that i would be a fan of the "astray pickup cover". I will play with it on and off. It makes you play the bass different, great for helping practice different positions.
I did have an issue with mine. I bought my P'bass brand new and couldn't never get the action right. The G string was so low it was resting not the pickup. I took it to a guitar tech and he had to fix the neck and refret it. I put stainless steel frets on it and it plays great now, so wasn't a big deal.
I did have an issue with mine. I bought my P'bass brand new and couldn't never get the action right. The G string was so low it was resting not the pickup. I took it to a guitar tech and he had to fix the neck and refret it. I put stainless steel frets on it and it plays great now, so wasn't a big deal.
I'm glad you love your bass, and I agree that Fender did a great job replicating the originals, (I have a white blond 58AV) but you had to refret and have the neck fixed? Please explain as this sounds like an expensive repair for a new bass, and personally I would have asked for an exchange or refund. Am I missing simething?
yeah good point, probably should give more details. I bought it online, it was new when i bought it. I didn't realize there was an major issue until i took it to my tech about 6 months later. I thought about returning it but my tech fixed it for $200. Figured that was easier than shipping a bass back, plus needed to get the bass set up for me anyway. Blame it on laziness, but only took a few days to fix and got it set up for me. Plus i like stainless steel frets better. Its my favorite bass now.
My tech did say he has dealt with this issue from Fender many times before with guitars. Sometimes the necks are not right coming out the factory. In Fenders defense, he is perfectionist on this stuff so he notices every minor imperfection
My tech did say he has dealt with this issue from Fender many times before with guitars. Sometimes the necks are not right coming out the factory. In Fenders defense, he is perfectionist on this stuff so he notices every minor imperfection
I see... I am curious what was not right? Sorry to ask so many questions, but you would think for 2k it would be right..
By the way its gorgeous!
By the way its gorgeous!
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
I've found that since about 2008, the quality of Fender's fret work has risen to a very high level. I have carefully examined at least a dozen MIA P-basses and Jazzes in the last 4 or 5 years. I think they are competitive with Lakland and Sadowsky.
Agreed. My new 58 AV is perfect, and was setup perfect for me straight out of the box. I did change the strings using the flats that came with it, and the truss rod needed no adjustment, but the D&G string needed slight intonation adjustment. I prefer medium high action though.
I also am in love with my '63. I had played jazz basses for about the last 10 years and though the switch to a P neck would be difficult, but found that I prefer them to jazz necks. I also got one with the gold Fender logo, so it feels special.
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Good lord this photo makes me queasy. Hope there was a safety net on the other side of the ledge.
Been eyeing up one at my local store in this colour, feels and sounds great. Can't go wrong with "Man City blue" either.
