Is there any substantial difference between the Fender Standard (MIM) P bass and the American Special P? Specs seem to be pretty much identical?
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The American Spec doesn't have a gloss neck and the neck is slimmer and faster. Plus the 70's logo and the satisfaction of buying American!
Well, "Special" in the name of a P bass usually indicates that it has a jazz pickup at the bridge position in addition to the regular P pickup (unless I'm mistaken).
You might want to provide some links to what you're looking at to clear up any confusion.
They're both American![]()
The American Spec doesn't have a gloss neck and the neck is slimmer and faster. Plus the 70's logo and the satisfaction of buying American!
Well, "Special" in the name of a P bass usually indicates that it has a jazz pickup at the bridge position in addition to the regular P pickup (unless I'm mistaken).
You might want to provide some links to what you're looking at to clear up any confusion.
No, this is an American Special.
Invalid Link Removed
You sir are absolutely correct. From Canada all the way down to the south of Chile everything manufactured in that huge geographic span is American. The diference between the basses is that one is made in Mexico and the other is made in the United States of America
The last part means squat...
Oh, "Deluxe" is what I was thinking of then. My bad.
Not if someone prefers to support US labor and environmental standards. However given the OP's question, I doubt that's a concern of hers/his and obviously yours.
Nah, even the Deluxe P bass has a regular P neck. The Precision Special is what you were thinking.

I was actually just trying to find the name of the P basses with a J in the bridge. I thought they had a special term...
And seriously, are we bringing up environmental standards in a forum where the primary topic of discussion is an instrument made out of *gulp* trees that have been killed?
That's about as ludicrous as discussing animal rights in a barbecue forum.
Std. has better hardware and definitely a slimmer neck. I think the Spec. neck feels like a Louisville Slugger in comparison IMHO.
How much of your US labor comes from immigrants? I'm all for keeping currency local, but we're talking a multi-million dollar a year business, here. Not some mom & pop. Besides, Mexico's covered under NAFTA, so they're essentially the same economy as the US & Canada now for the consumer. We're so intertwined that the only thing that defines the areas is the taxes & state/provincial laws.
Environmental Standards...Yeah, cuz the US environmental standards are ever so superior to the rest of the world. lol
What's your main source of power and your most lucrative business? Where does the US stand on the Kyoto protocols? How much advancement have you made towards clean energy compared to the rest of the world?
/ends rant
It's about labor standards in first world countries.