Long scale strings are what I’ve bought for all the 34” basses I’ve ever owned. The TI flats I have just fitted are described as Long Scale 34”
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Fender P bass 2012 US standard advice
- Thread starter Craig Williams
- Start date
IIRC, the 2007-2012 came with the worst Fender pickups ever (according to @JimmyM). I put in a Curtis Novak PB-90, and that was a huge improvement. The stock pickup sounded okay, but lacked definition and guts. Apart from that, it's a solid vintage. Great playing, solid hardware, well constructed.
From 2012 they fitted the highly rated Custom Shop 60s pickup
I really want this one but I want the guy to knock another $100 or so off it, he's playing hardball lol. Been advertised for a couple of weeks now and basses here very hard to sell so it's probably a waiting game. Really like the bass though my just about perfect spec....maple neck P bass, like the vintage look of it too. I am probably being a tight a$$ but will be buying it sight unseen (I live remotely) and I always like a bit of wiggle room
2012 was the first year for the custom shop pickups. Here's what Sweetwater says about those pickups: "The Fender Custom Shop '62 Precision Bass Pickup has been heard in the American Standard series since 2012 and is a faithful reproduction of the famous pickups from the '60s. To achieve this vintage tone and feel, Fender's craftsmen use period-correct materials, including enamel-coated magnet wire, flush-mount pole pieces, a fiber bobbin, and cloth output wire. This split-coil pickup creates a smooth, warm tone with an even string response."
Also many people noted an overall quality improvement beginning in 2008... But yes, the pickups of that period were not the best.
Actually at one point in the '90s Fender American Standards were factory equipped with '62 pickups...per Fender catalog.
The '90s we're some of the best years for Fender American Standard Basses. The quality set back a little in the 2000s but reportedly was back up in 2012.
The '90s we're some of the best years for Fender American Standard Basses. The quality set back a little in the 2000s but reportedly was back up in 2012.
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The American Standards have had bridges that allow string-through or too load since…sometime in the 80s? The 2012 model is also the first year with the Custom Shop ‘62 pickup. Lots of people love it. My preference is a Seymour Duncan SPB-1, but my 2014 still has the stock CS62. It’s versatile, if a little on the polite side.
If there’s nothing mechanically wrong with it such as the truss rod, and the price is in line with the cosmetic condition, it’ll be a great bass.
If you want to string-through, any current standard 34” scale string will accommodate it. Back in 2008 or so, I think it was Chromes that left some of the silk wrap on the nut when you did string through, but one of my current MIA P basses has Chromes strung through and there’s no issue.
I don’t perceive any benefit at all to string through, for me there’s no difference in tone or sustain or harmonics or anything, but other people don’t have my ears, so ymmv.
If there’s nothing mechanically wrong with it such as the truss rod, and the price is in line with the cosmetic condition, it’ll be a great bass.
If you want to string-through, any current standard 34” scale string will accommodate it. Back in 2008 or so, I think it was Chromes that left some of the silk wrap on the nut when you did string through, but one of my current MIA P basses has Chromes strung through and there’s no issue.
I don’t perceive any benefit at all to string through, for me there’s no difference in tone or sustain or harmonics or anything, but other people don’t have my ears, so ymmv.
In a 2012 model there's probably a 50% chance of a CS pickup then, possibly more. Anyway, the rest of the instrument is top notch, and even the crappy pickups are quite alright. I would say jump on it if the price is right. Worst case you can replace the pickup, but there's a good chance you end up with the CS-pickup.
Those weren’t the Custom Shop ‘62s, those were the Original ‘62s. They were ok. Kinda scooped, and quite polite. Good for playing with a pick.
34” is considered long scale, and is standard on bass guitars. Some have a longer scale, some are short or medium scale.
This is incorrect. String-through is made for regular long scale 34” scale strings.
Putting extra long scale strings on is a bad idea.
No, @JimmyM doesnt like the ones that shipped between 2007-2011, the 2012 run included the CS62 from the get-go. Some late 2011’s may also have it.
Not sure when that 2008 era pickup started being used, seems to me my 1994, my 2003, my 2006, my 2008, and my 2010 all had the same pickup.
I don't play with a pick and my '97 sounds really good.
We accept the '60s were good Basses, the '70s hit or miss and heavy, the '80s were the dark years for Fender and trying to keep up with the trends didn't help the Basses any. But in the '90s Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nirvana, and the like playing Vintage brought a resurgence of Fender to the front again. Fender went back to designing what brought them there in the first place. Quality, classic, tradition, and that's why the '90s are some of the consistently best quality American basses you can find in any Decade.
Have one (2008) and have replaced the stock pickup with a PV63 pup, strung with Dunlop flats. Nice fat tone for reggae. Have another one (2017) with stock V-Mod pickup, strung with Pyramid pure nickel rounds. Juicy rounds tone for funk. Both solid construction and value for money.
The original AmStds (both Ps and Js!) had string through only bridges, at some point the bridge design was changed to allow either string through or not at the player's choice. Both types were shipped from the factory strung through the body. Unless there are some special Precision models I may not know about, once the shift to the split coil pickup (1957?) the original string through design was abandoned and not brought back until the AmStds. The AmStd was the first time string through was offered on Js as far as I know.
I agree... I didn't see or own any 70's and 80's string-thru Precisions. All of mine top loaded.
The American Standards between 2012 and when the American Professional were introduces in what, 2018...2019?... were IMO some of the best Fender ever made.
My PB is a string through. I’ve also played through PB that aren’t. Frankly, I noticed np appreciative difference.
I will add this, those saddles with the additional notches will definitely make a difference in your sound properly used. Looks like from the picture, you may want to make some adjustments.
