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Fender AV '62 P players: How's that neck?

MicG

MicG

Gold Supporting Member
Jan 2, 2006
1,100
279
41
Garden City, Michigan
#1
I mean in terms of comparison to an American Standard Precision? What would I notice if I switched from the modern neck spec:
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"
Nut Width: 1.625"

to the vintage neck spec:
7.25” Radius
1.75” Nut Width

I understand one has graphite support while the other does not. I also know the AV has a nitro finish.

Given that you had the opportunity to do it all again or you had an American Standard and had the opportunity to pick up a NOS AV '62, but were able to only keep one...

See where I'm going? Thoughts?:hiding:
 
#3
I know this is a very subjective thing. I don't have any stores around me at the moment that carry the AV series.

I've been curious for some time about how these differences might translate i.e. "flatter" feeling neck experience? Thicker? "Harder to play" experience? etc.

I've been told I've got longer "pianist" fingers.
 
#9
You will notice the different neck width. I don't have an American Standard, but I have a Squier CV 60s Precision with 1.625" at the nut and a similar profile as the AmStd.

The AVRI 62 feels much wider. The difference is only 3mm, but that's a lot. In a good way, at least for me. The other differences might be a little less noticeable.
 
#11
I had a AV 62 p-bass and did not like the neck.

Everyone focuses on the nut with and the radius,,, but there seems to be no measurement for the neck profile. The circumfrence. The necks on the 62 are wide, and flat. The modern necks are not only smaller at the nut, but have a more round profile.

The 62 p bass was actually causing me physical pain when I played it. I tried and tried to like it, but had to sell it.

I have found that the 62 shares a similar neck with the 50s re-isue basses. The modern basses are more along the lines of the 70s p basses but smaller at the nut.
 
#12
So just to make sure, I went to one of my three local GC's and they happened to have the new '13 model AV Precision in red.

I immediately picked it up and felt at home. Wow, the difference a few specs can make. The "stickyness" factor was there but I wouldn't see that as being too limiting.

I've got a Fender custom shop Pup in my current MIA P but for some reason this AV felt and sounded more beefy. More rich. I'm sure there was some "hearing what I want to hear" crazy psychological stuff going on but WOW...
 
#13
My personal favorite neck. The AmStd neck is really uncomfortable to me, too deep. They call it a modern C, but it feels more like a D or U. The profile is way shallower in the 62, and i think that's more important than the width, as i also really like the 62 Jazz neck. People will also complain about the nitro on the neck, but I actually prefer it to a satin finish, it can get a bit slippery, especially if you keep it polished.
 
#14
MicG said:
The "stickyness" factor was there but I wouldn't see that as being too limiting.
Click to expand...

It'll go away, the nitro still needs to fully cure. Once it's been played it's "faster" feeling than a poly gloss finish IMO. If you end up buying a used one it may not even be an issue.

I guess I'm the only one that doesn't think the 62' RI pickup is anything super special. It's nice, but there are better pickups out there IMO. I ended up swapping mine out with a Duncan. Now, the 57' AVRI pickup with the raised A poles that everybody seems to hate...I love! :)
 
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#16
Yea the trouble with all this is; I have both Fender P and J, MIA, solid instruments. It would take selling both of them to get me into the ball park of what one of these costs. I had thought of doing that but would probably end up missing and wanting a Jazz bass again sometime soon.

I had considered buying just the neck of a AV Precision and replacing my Modern American Standard Precision neck with that but the trouble is- those necks don't come up for sale that often.

To be content or shake things up a bit and try something new...choices...hmmm
 
#20
I play in a cover band. We play "Panic Switch". I had a 62 AVRI and I have now a Jazz width CS Precision. That is the only song where I noticed the difference. The "stretch" on the AVRI was noticeable, but it made me more "disciplined" and tight even - it made my playing go from the sub-conscious to being very cognizant - just for a little while. That's how I would describe it - if that even makes sense...
 

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