Fender Precision American Performer vs Fender Precision American Pro II

[dave84]

Hi guys!

Which do you prefer between the two? Would you prefer a more versatile pbass but with a old style and classic construction or a less versatile Precision but with modern costruction and a little more premium features?

I'm curious what you think!

 

[mdogs]

Specifically, what do you believe are the construction differences between the two?

 

[dave84]

Specifically, what do you believe are the construction differences between the two?

The real difference is that the Performer does not have the bridge with the strings passing through the body that the pro does.

 

[mdogs]

The real difference is that the Performer does not have the bridge with the strings passing through the body that the pro does.

Yes, that is about it, I find about the only thing this does is put unnecessary bends in strings.

 

[Warpeg]

Personally, I prefer the Performers over the Pros. The Performers remind me a bit more of the old school, stripped down Fenders from the 60’s and 70’s. The lower price seals the deal for me.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I find the Performers a little cheap-feeling for a $1500 bass. Also the Greasebucket tone circuit is a no-go for me. Ymmv.

 

[Bald-N-Bassy]

I was looking at both options as well. I chose the American professional II. Only bc I wanted white with a maple FB. The tinted neck also looks really nice.
Both basses are great choices.
Had they offered more color choices with a maple fingerboard. I’d went with the performer.

 

[80jazz]

I would do the Pro II because I am not a PJ guy.

If that is your thing, this is an easy choice.

 

[SleepyShark]

I'm a sucker for rolled fingerboard edges, which the product page of the American Performer series doesn't mention. It's not a deal breaker though.

The pickups are also different, so you may want to find comparison videos.

 

[dave84]

I forgot to mention that I own a Performer and have a great time (I love the PJ pick up setup). I think it has nothing to envy to the american pro, it is simply a different bass with different characteristics but the quality is on the same level as the pro. I was just curious what your preferences are between these two basses and I realized that there is no objective preference only on the pro as I actually thought!

PS: this is my sound test of performer!

 

[DoctorZee]

I A/B tested them recently and walked away with a Performer. I enjoyed the finish, neck, and fretwork better than the Pro. However, I could imagine it turning out differently with a different two basses, so your mileage may vary.

 

[StudioGC]

I've had both and I must say that the American Perf. PJ bass takes the cake. The neck shape is just IT for me. Plus, I got mine used for a real bargain. The American Pro series are great as well though, but the necks on both are fantastic.

 

[bobdabilder]

What color blue is that?

I forgot to mention that I own a Performer and have a great time (I love the PJ pick up setup). I think it has nothing to envy to the american pro, it is simply a different bass with different characteristics but the quality is on the same level as the pro. I was just curious what your preferences are between these two basses and I realized that there is no objective preference only on the pro as I actually thought!

PS: this is my sound test of performer!

 

[dave84]

What color blue is that?

Satin Lake Placid Blue

 

[bobyoung53]

I find the Performers a little cheap-feeling for a $1500 bass. Also the Greasebucket tone circuit is a no-go for me. Ymmv.

The name for the circuit is the no-go for me, I don't care how good it sounds.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hi guys!

Which do you prefer between the two? Would you prefer a more versatile pbass but with a old style and classic construction or a less versatile Precision but with modern costruction and a little more premium features?

I'm curious what you think!

I would have to A/B test them before recommending them.

 

[sonojono]

Performer over AM Pro any day!

 

[Basically Bob]

I have not A/B’d them but the neck & fingerboard on the ProII fits me like a dream. The finish is perfect in every way. The lines and curves are perfect and I honestly can not find one fault with this bass. I absolutely love it.

 

[Clark W]

Hi guys!

Which do you prefer between the two? Would you prefer a more versatile pbass but with a old style and classic construction or a less versatile Precision but with modern costruction and a little more premium features?

I'm curious what you think!

In Oct of 2020, for the price of a Pro, one could buy a Performer and put the pups they wanted in it. And if you wanted a P/J your only choice between them was the Performer. But I'm not a fan of the Yosemite pups and greasebucket tone circuit, or the fact the J pup is not 60hz cycle hum proof.

But I bought one anyway and I installed Aguilar's hum cancelling Aguilar AG 4P/J-HC 4 pup set into it. I got a new control set made and shipped to me as well, no more greasebucket tone circuit. And since I had to have it open anyway to install everything, why not a new pickguard?

For me, the build quality and playability of this bass was never in question, it's fantastic. I sat down with it in a store knowing I wasn't too keen on the "shellacked pups / greasebucket circuit". But I had to know how the bass itself felt. It felt good enough to convince me to buy it and make it my own.

 

[Fretbuzzard]

When I was looking for a P bass I tried everything I could get my hands on and ended up with a ProII. For me, vs the performer, all of the subjective factors favored the ProII: neck shape and feel, pickup (P/J is not a dealbreaker for me, but I don’t have much use for the Jazz pickup, and I preferred the ProII P pickup), hardware, finish. On the objective side, I also like the graphite reinforced neck and the hard case with the ProII.