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Fender PB-62 vs Am/Std or Am/Sp

Hold out for AmSt/AmSp or go for PB 62

  • Total voters
    9
Adam York

Adam York

Nov 24, 2017
30
3
Kansas City, MO
#1
So I’m itching to get a Fender P bass with a budget of around $900 (plus or minus $100 or so) and I’ve got my eye on the American Standards or American Specials. However, the AmSt seem few and far between and the AmSp even more so. I have seen quite a few PB 62s though but I’m not sure if this would be a considerable drop in quality compared to the other two. I wanted to avoid a basswood body which I thought is what the PB 62 was.

Thoughts? Should I hold out for an AmSt/AmSp or go for a PB 62?
 
#4
There's a few versions of the PB-62. Look for one with large tuning key basses, those are Alder and have US pickups also.

The necks are what everyone loves about them and every Japanese fender is nice and light with very easily playable necks.

The AM STD will have a flatter fingerboard profile, so take that into consideration. The AM STD will be finished slightly nicer and have better electronics but the PB-62 is a sweet machine in its own right.

The Specials aren't as nice, i'd rank them below the PB62 followed by the AM STD
 
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#5
stefanb said:
There's a few versions of the PB-62. Look for one with large tuning key basses, those are Alder and have US pickups also.

The necks are what everyone loves about them and every Japanese fender is nice and light with very easily playable necks.

The AM STD will have a flatter fingerboard profile, so take that into consideration. The AM STD will be finished slightly nicer and have better electronics but the PB-62 is a sweet machine in its own right.

The Specials aren't as nice, i'd rank them below the PB62 followed by the AM STD
Click to expand...
No kidding?? I had heard people like the specials as much as the standards.

What do people love about the pb62 neck?
 
#6
Adam York said:
No kidding?? I had heard people like the specials as much as the standards.

What do people love about the pb62 neck?
Click to expand...

The specials don't have as nice hardware and finishing IMO

The Japan necks fit really nicely in the hand, they are like 2/3rd a regular US neck in thickness and material and have the nice round radius that I find a bit easier to play...all preference though!
 
#7
#8
Blizzard Pearl is a really nice finish, looks better in person but personally not a fan of the feel of the American Standards, mainly because I only play the selections at various GC or SAm Ash locationss. I usually play a bass unplugged for a while before I plug in. Some go right back up on the rack. As far as standards go, one of my basses is a standard MIM silver mist, and for the price, added (upgraded) to a Lollar pickup and d-tuner and got more bass for less money.

I've played only a couple of MIJ or CIJ and they are solid, much more vibe and character unplugged and they all sounded like a P Bass should. Here are a few more that caught my eye:

Fender Japan Precision Bass Q Serial Electric Bass RefNo 3266 | Product-value | Reverb
1990 Fender Japan PB-62 Precision Bass Electric Bass RefNo 3269 | Product-value | Reverb
Fender Japan PB70-70us Precision Bass Olympic White | N.package's Shop | Reverb


As an alternative, if you like more of the vintage vibe, I highly recommend - for a little extra money than a new Am Standard -- find the American Vintage Reissue Series (aka AVRI). Back when I was shopping for my bass (i only had a fretless at the time and was starting to jam again) I drooled and coveted the Olympic White '62 AVRI, I mean like seriously on a quest. I was in Village in Manhattan with family and stopped into Matt Uminov's and they had the AVRI '62 and AVRI '57 along with a true all original real deal vintage '59 sunburst worn to absolute perfection (ala Stevie Ray's Strat) This bass was waaaay out of my budget (but absolutely magic). But after playing the 59, I listened to the sound of it and it became a frame of reference I will never forget. I found, even though the 57AVRI had a maple neck it had more of the sound of the 59. I also liked the wider fretboard of the 57. The 62 was amazing too, it was nice to play both. I wound up getting the 57 in White Blonde, she's a beast. I saved-up $ for a few months and while in a great small shop in Tarrytown NY called Rock Island -- Paul told me he could get one, ordered it for me direct from Fender and I waited a while (may have called every other day for a few weeks). I kept saying, if I dont like it I'm not buying it, but he maintained, you are going to love it... man he was right!

look for Fenders 60's series, I think you will be happy with them
 
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#9
Adam York said:
No kidding?? I had heard people like the specials as much as the standards.

What do people love about the pb62 neck?
Click to expand...

I have couple of standards from different years, and also owned a AVRI 62.
AVRI'62 has a thin neck profile but a larger width at the nut 1.75" (44.5mm) compared to Standard 1.62" (41.3mm), and a Special 1.69" (43mm). To me, that was very important. I loved my AVRI'62, but sold it because of the nut width.

Hope it helps :)
 
#10
I picked up an American Performer precision (PJ) for $900 recently. Was brand new basically and still had the stickers on the pick-guard. I've owned AS and AP, and I like this a lot better. It looks a little mroe vintage than those and I love the neck. About to upgrade with Aguilar matched pickups and a CTS pot kit.
 
#11
This is the AVRI 57 model that I was referring to. 1.75 nut but thiner C shape extremely comfortable for me but not for everyone
2006 Fender American Vintage '57 Precision Bass Ash Blonde w/ Tweed Case, Tags | Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar | Reverb

This is the 62 version, had a similar neck to my real vintage 1966, maybe slightly fatter depth buth same width, it was a while back but the nut width was not an issue for me. i prefer more space between the strings i suppose, not a Jazz guy in general but not at all being critical
Fender American Vintage ‘62 Precision Bass 2011 - Modified | THE GAS STATION | Reverb
 
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