Fender Precision American Pro 2: best modern pbass?

[Smooth_bass88]

What makes it modern? Is it active?

It's Fender's current model Precision Bass. it's passive

what makes it 'modern' is the neck, tuners, pickup, bridge and finish, plus the neck joint, also the manufacturing process.

 

[Phaidrus]

Thought exactly the same when I bought my Am. Prof. I some time ago. Then I recently replaced the V-Mod I pup with an Original 62 and saw the light.

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

I will agree that they are super nice and do have a more "modern" sound. I have two and the sound is very useful. I have more vintage voiced Precisions but these have a place. It took me a minute to get used to looking at the pickups but they sound great and a very well made bass I must say.

 

[ToddB1963]

Dave

Yours is a beautiful bass and I've often been tempted to get one myself ( I LOVE the Am Pro II in Miami blue) , but the thing that puts me off is the string-through body (STB). The last new American Fender I bought had an STB and every time I changed the strings, the @#$% ferrules fell out. So what's the big deal? Well, I shouldn't have to glue the ferrules on a brand new $2000 bass.

Thoughts?

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Definitely agree that this is probably the best 'modern' Fender Precision Bass. These have the '63 AVRI neck profile, right? I love what they've done with these.

No, it's a completely different neck to the AVRI 63. Narrower nut width, different profile, different fretboard radius, different truss rod access. Basically different EVERYTHING. Fender just call it "63" for marketing reasons. It's nothing like an AVRI '63 neck or an actual '63 P-bass neck. I like it though.

As for being the "best" modern P-bass I guess that would depend on personal taste. Personally In think it would have been one of the best currently manufactured P-basses in the sub $1000 price range. At it's current price there are far better options IMO.

 

[wintoid]

I love mine. I find the neck extremely comfortable and the whole thing feels classy.

Curious to know whether anyone has found it necessary to change the pickups on the Pro II, and if so how that went?

 

[Real Soon]

I don't know jack about the history of P basses, tbh.

I own a 1960-vintage Fender Precision bass with a Novak PB-V pickup in it. Also, I own a 50s Classic (reissue) Precision bass. Both are sweet instruments.

After a point (also having an offset-series Mustang PJ bass kitted with EMG Geezer Butler pickup pair), I'm not sure that "best" means much beyond specific goals and preferences. Goals mainly being pickup(s)/tone/output, preferences being first neck profile AND, at least for some, pickup(s)/tone/output.

I'm adaptable where neck profile is concerned. I might prefer my 50s Classic's baseball bat neck to the original 1960 neck by a small margin, as it works well with my wrist position when playing standing up, and I think the Mustang's neck is just a lil bit weird... but I can get used to it.

Ultimately, when it comes to sound, I'll think about pickups first, esp when recording. Then I'll think about neck profile if the sound is a given. Whichever bass that makes me pick up (incl three other non-Fender active basses!), well, THAT's the best bass.



That said, I played on a Fender American Pro II at a brick & mortar store not too long ago when shopping for another bass, and it felt and sounded pretty damn nice. Trying to remember what finish whilst in a glut of basses there, but yeah. For a brand new one, you could most def do worse.

 

[Enzo88]

I have the 2017 Pro, once i replaced those useless pickups with the antiquities 2 that bass sounded like some Precision from the late 60'... and played through my svt-cl it has that holy grail Pbass tone

 

[BaltoNealio]

I don't feel qualified to compared the Fender with other modern P-Basses, but I definitely like the Fender. Also, I prefer the Pro II over the Pro I. I really dislike the Pro I pickups. Don't know what they did in terms of tweaking, but I feel the Pro II pickups have more vintage warmth.

Petsounds—love your handle btw, with my Angora cat’s typically blase’ approval—I totally agree with your assessment of the Pro I pickup. After trying nearly
EVERYthing the market offers (several of which were disappointing when playing at home, in rehearsals and during gigs, ultimately returning them) I hesitated to try out Fender’s newest P bass, the American Pro II. It sounded even BETTER (than I anticipated) during gigs at a variety of clubs/venues. I really didn’t have the “scratch” to afford one, but since it sounded so close to the old P I cut my teeth on, and had a similar feel to the neck, I bit the bullet. I’ve included two pics, with a pearlescent pickguard replacement (since I’ve never been a fan of torties).

 

[Bluesrock]

Have one and it's currently my favorite bass. However, the best p-bass is entirely subjective.

 

[Basically Bob]

Dave

Yours is a beautiful bass and I've often been tempted to get one myself ( I LOVE the Am Pro II in Miami blue) , but the thing that puts me off is the string-through body (STB). The last new American Fender I bought had an STB and every time I changed the strings, the @#$% ferrules fell out. So what's the big deal? Well, I shouldn't have to glue the ferrules on a brand new $2000 bass.

Thoughts?

Although the ferrules in mine were loose, they did not fall out. I simply pulled the ferrules out, dropped a small dot of white glue in each hole, inserted the ferrules and it is no longer an issue. I use flats and do not use the STB option. I actually forgot about it until you posted this.

I do agree that this is something that Fender should not find acceptable for a bass of this quality but the bottom line is that I am extremely happy with the bass and love playing it. Frankly, I have no desire to play my other basses, now.

 

[Hounddog409]

Hi guys, after months of heavy use and having had so many precision models in the past I have to say that in my opinion these new Fender Precision American Pro 2 are the best modern pbass in circulation. They are quality instruments, with a hybrid sound between vintage and modern and with various modern solutions that make it the perfect evolution of the pbass. This is my model in the mercury finish ... and what do you think of this bass?View attachment 4749224 View attachment 4749226 View attachment 4749227

I have an American Pro II Jazz and an American Elite Jazz. The Pro is not better than the Elite, so that disqualifies your statement.

 

[dave84]

I have an American Pro II Jazz and an American Elite Jazz. The Pro is not better than the Elite, so that disqualifies your statement.

Here we are talking about passive Precision and not Jazz with active electronics

 

[Shrubber]

I would really like to see a comparison review between this guy and the MIJ Hybrid II......

 

[dave84]

I am pleased to read all the comments and it is obvious that the opinion is subjective, but it is also true that among the Fender precision models this model is really one of the best that can be found on the market today. Feel the rich and full sound that I got in this cover (without using effects) for example played with my Pro 2. It is not just a question of feeling but above all of sound and this bass sounds just (in my opinion obvious) like a real pbass must sound!

 

[FirewalZ]

What else is different between the Am Pro 1 and 2, other than pups?
A couple of years back I bought a Am Pro v1, directly from Fender, one piece body, 3TB and added tort pg. It’s a great p bass, I love the neck feel, but really disliked the v-mods….one set of SPB-1’s later and it’s a keeper for sure

 

[MotorCityMinion]

and what do you think of this bass?

Probably was the most bestest electric bass in the early 60's, no doubt.

 

[jlo95]

what do you think of this bass?

Haven't played one, but I'd like to. The rounded neck joint is the only thing I notice as a potential concern. I'm worried the bass sacrifices neck joint integrity for the ease of playing high notes. Not a worthwhile trade for me.

Again, have never played one. Anybody/OP who has experience, please enlighten me.

John

 

[fishdreams]

I played one in a store for some time a while ago and I agree if an American made Pbass for all seasons is what you want and need. These play great, sound great, and are very well made.

 

[Bikeguy57]

Hey...Mikey likes it!