Fender honeyburst p-bass

[sxaxsx]

I looked at one of these awhile ago and really liked it but when I went back to Gc hoping to buy it both of them were gone.I have been checking frequently for them to have one,didn't really want to order one because they had two when I looked at them and one felt great,the other kinda meh.Now I see that Fender doesn't have them on their site anymore! Does this mean that they are discontinued? GC still has them on their site but Musicians Friend no longer shows them.

I have one. I bought it used from GC for $650. You can search their used inventory on their site and then either get it shipped to your home, or the nearest GC to you.
I lucked out too, mine came with a Steve Harris pickup installed and a tweed Fender case.
It's the only P bass I ever owned so I can't really compare to others, but I do like it. The only small complaints I have are:
1. It's light which is a good thing, but it also has considerable neck dive because of it. I usually use slippy nylon straps, but for this one I got a cotton strap so it would grip my clothes more and that helped a lot to cure that.
2. The original capacitor was terrible, since I bought it used I don't know if it was the original or something the previous owner put in, and I don't know what the value of it was, but I found the tone control mostly useless. I installed a .047 Orange Drop that I had laying around and it is far more usable now, and rolls off more high end.

 

[Chico Ruger]

I guess I'll see if my local store can have on brought in from another. Have any of you guys got one? How do you really like it?

Sent you a PM.

 

[tinman 1967]

I remember seeing these and playing a few at GC. They are great instruments ! I just loved the neck! A few times they were on sale for 699.00.. Was always going to grab one but just never did.. What a dummy.

 

[Jayhawk]

Looks like there's one on the KC CL right now ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]) @Rusty2867. It's been on there awhile so, if it's still available, the seller may be willing to deal. Worth checking out since you're in the area.

 

[mpdd]

i've been to three gcs and 2 local fender dealers in the last two weeks, wish i had seen one to help you out

 

[bassstrangler]

I saw one last year at the Ft. Collins, CO GC. It was new but beat up, really beat up, they were going to knock off $50. No thanks.

 

[StudioGC]

I was beat to the Honeyburst with tort guard pic.....but here's another to make you drool. Great bass (if found for under $650 (in my opinion).

 

[osonu]

I was at a GC that had 3 of these a while back. Unfortunately, all 3 had fairly serious QC issues, so make sure to check it out really well when you get it. Also, when I did a side-by-side with my MIM P everyone there (2 other customers and 2 salesman) agreed my MIM had better tone- though that may have been because it has flats. I really liked the finish on those and they were lighter than my MIM (10.5 lbs.) which is why I spent so much time shopping them, but just couldn't find the right one. Hope you have better luck!

 

[sxaxsx]

Oh and by the way, some love for them in other threads:
My new Fender Amer Nitro (Satin) P-bass
fender USA nitro p bass

 

[FirewalZ]

I picked one up back in March from a GC for $699 and that was a steal of a deal IMO.....It has a lightweight two piece body, great looking finish/stain and the neck is super comfortable. The MIM hardware is perfectly fine, the tuners are always spot on and IMO the stamped bridge works better on a light body with a thin finish. The stock pickups were a tad scooped so I dropped in the Fender "Originals", it sounds and plays great. At 8.5lbs vs. my 77 Jazz which is like 12+lbs, its now my #1. Anyone wanting a great P bass for under a thousand, I would point them to one of these. (Black pickguard with the logo looks totally 70's).

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I looked at one of these awhile ago and really liked it but when I went back to Gc hoping to buy it both of them were gone.I have been checking frequently for them to have one,didn't really want to order one because they had two when I looked at them and one felt great,the other kinda meh.Now I see that Fender doesn't have them on their site anymore! Does this mean that they are discontinued? GC still has them on their site but Musicians Friend no longer shows them.

What's stopping you from getting one through Guitar Center's used inventory? I bet there are 3 or 4 on there right now.

 

[VWbug]

I have one, and it's my favorite bass, by far. The American Special neck profile (slim-C) is the most comfy for me, but some people don't like it. Mine also weighs in at a hair under 8lbs. I did swap the pup for a set of Geezer Butlers, but the stock pups are good. My advice is, get one while you can.

They have the posiflex rods don't they? I seem to remember reading that somewhere but it did not list that on the GC site.

 

[FirewalZ]

They have the posiflex rods don't they? I seem to remember reading that somewhere but it did not list that on the GC site.

Yes and mine was a 2014 and had the standard tone circuit (no greasebucket)as well.

 

[VWbug]

Thanks!
Do you know if the reissues that folks take great joy in also come with the posiflex rods?

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Thanks!
Do you know if the reissues that folks take great joy in also come with the posiflex rods?

My reissue '62 P Bass that I take great joy in does not (it's from 1991). I'm 99% certain that the USA AVRI basses don't have this feature.

 

[Yawsbass]

I've played a handful of basses over the years, but this is the first one that ever truly felt like "my bass." Great look, great neck, great sound, and a great value. Hopefully you can find one.

 

[Tbone76]

Thanks!
Do you know if the reissues that folks take great joy in also come with the posiflex rods?

As posted above, the American Special neck has the posiflex support rods. I believe the spec sheet for the sandblasted models say this, and the original spec sheet for the American Specials also listed it.

As far as I know, the AVRI models do not have the posiflex rods, and the same for the older American Vintage models.

 

[Rusty2867]

What's stopping you from getting one through Guitar Center's used inventory? I bet there are 3 or 4 on there right now.

There are 6 of them on their used list ranging from $599 to $674.I Just got home from GC and the salesman said they had them in the warehouse new,it was just on a flash sale for $699 but I could not get in there.I figure before Christmas they will be on sale again,if not and they run out then I will look for used.If they put them on sale again I will just do it online if I can't make it to a store!

 

[FirewalZ]

I've played a handful of basses over the years, but this is the first one that ever truly felt like "my bass." Great look, great neck, great sound, and a great value. Hopefully you can find one.

100% agree, it's unique enough that you don't see many others like it and it's sort of become my signature bass.

 

[Fielding]

I got a 2013 model in mid-2014. As others have said, they're pretty light, and the neck is what I like most. It like the slim (front to back) neck with its satin finish. I just picked up a set of Custom Shop '62 pickups to try in this. I usually am a fan of tort pickguards, but the black pickguard I am using does me proud (its in my avatar).