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Help with picking a P

#21
Thanks for all the tips, some really useful info in there. I'm not really into modding my guitars (4 kids & a day job means just enough time left to play) & signature basses ain't my thing so I've narrowed it down to the used Am Std or Classic 70s if I can stretch to it.

After years of playing active V J's I can't wait to have the option of 4 flatwounds & just two dials to play with...sweet!
 
#22
roceci said:
Thanks for all the tips, some really useful info in there. I'm not really into modding my guitars (4 kids & a day job means just enough time left to play) & signature basses ain't my thing so I've narrowed it down to the used Am Std or Classic 70s if I can stretch to it.

After years of playing active V J's I can't wait to have the option of 4 flatwounds & just two dials to play with...sweet!
Click to expand...

It really is liberating when you don't have to spend time twiddling EQ knobs on your bass. I really enjoy being able to get the different tones out of my bass with just a tone knob and finger position.
 
#23
Classic '70s MIJs can still be found in the retail pipeline but the remaining Japanese production was moved to Mexico a few months ago IIRC. The few MIJs still out there are commanding full price. By all accounts the MIM instruments are every bit as good; my impression is that the MIJ version will hold its value a bit better. A few used recent-production MIJ '70s Precisions have been sold on the TB Classifieds in the last couple of months, well below sticker price.

Your two finalists sound like winners to me!
 
#25
ShowLow said:
Classic '70s MIJs can still be found in the retail pipeline but the remaining Japanese production was moved to Mexico a few months ago IIRC. The few MIJs still out there are commanding full price. By all accounts the MIM instruments are every bit as good; my impression is that the MIJ version will hold its value a bit better. A few used recent-production MIJ '70s Precisions have been sold on the TB Classifieds in the last couple of months, well below sticker price.

Your two finalists sound like winners to me!
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I bought an MIJ 70's model earlier this year (my first ever Precision) and I can't say enough good about it. It's got a great punch to it, no real noticable dead spots, it practically plays itself and it's light in weight.

While I'm totally happy with it, just lately I tried out a few 2012 Am Std P bass models as well...the maple fretboard models and all I can say it WOW!!! I don't see how you could lose with one of those.
 
#26
+1 on Made in America, passive P. That is the top of P Mountain. Anything else is a variation that takes away, or at least distracts, from the "P-ness".

Adding a string and active electronics to a J are fine and worthy upgrades. One could even argue that a J needs those things (though I personally feel that my passive, 4-string, fretless J is just fine like it is).

But, a P will not be made better by adding those things. Different? Yes? Still just AS good? MAYBE. But, definitely not better.

Revel in your 4-string, two-knobness!! :D
 
#27
Ok I might have to sell the the kids to get a 2012 Am Standard, really sold on those now. & to think, up until a couple of months ago I'd always thought P's were the tool of the ignorant! Now I'm craving the simplicity. Getting older & wiser I guess...or sloppy...hehe.
 
#29
Nope, decided child trafficking was just one step too far...

Ended up pulling the trigger on the Precision Special FSR Seafoam Green. One came up on ebay practically brand new at reduced price & I took it as a sign. Couldn't resist the finish & I love neck blocks (even on a P). Figured as well it may gain in value as it's part of a limited run.

It does a fair P sound in full neck mode & gets a great slap tone with a 50/50 blend even with flats - honestly! My only problem is it feels so light & the neck feels so thin at the nut that it's like a toy after playing my Jazz V. Wondering now if MIMs are generally lighter than MIAs?
 
#30
awilkie84 said:
Or the MIJ 70s model? That thing is GORGEOUS and plays/sounds just like the originals!
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I think these are all gone, unfortunately.

All other things being equal, I'll take a MIJ over *any* other production Fender.

the Am Spec is cheaper because it uses a cheaper bridge
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The low-mass traditional bridge is part of the vintage sound. I'm fine with it. I hate the oxymoronic "vintage high-mass" bridge (remember when words used to actually mean something?) on the American Standard.
the truss rod adjusts at the head instead of the heel.
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The neck profile is different, not the configuration.

They have the usual 61276/7 pickup set, which is fine, and the absurd Greasebucket nonsense (which is a 6¢ guitar mod, not a bass circuit).
 
#31
roceci said:
Ok I might...get a 2012 Am Standard, really sold on those now.
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I'm personally not a fan of these for numerous objective reasons I've gone into many times before.

I realized in 2011 that Fender didn't make a MIA bog-standard Precision I thought was fit for the name any more. :hmm:

Fender marketing is so obsessed with pointless and counterproductive change-for-change-sake that they're constantly trying to dig themselves out of a hole.

I think the American Special comes closest, but it misses on a few points.

Now I'm craving the simplicity. Getting older & wiser I guess.
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I've never really seen any need for anything but a Precision. Having lots of other basses just reinforced that impression.
 
#32
roceci said:
Nope, decided child trafficking was just one step too far...

Ended up pulling the trigger on the Precision Special FSR Seafoam Green. One came up on ebay practically brand new at reduced price & I took it as a sign. Couldn't resist the finish & I love neck blocks (even on a P). Figured as well it may gain in value as it's part of a limited run.

It does a fair P sound in full neck mode & gets a great slap tone with a 50/50 blend even with flats - honestly! My only problem is it feels so light & the neck feels so thin at the nut that it's like a toy after playing my Jazz V. Wondering now if MIMs are generally lighter than MIAs?
Click to expand...

For the weight, is it maybe made if basswood or something?

I like a nice, light bass, but I don't like the level to be too narrow. I generally like the neck to be fairly slim, front-to-back, but on my Am. Std. P5, I like the chunk, just because I see it as part if the P magic. I think the J and P 5s have the same neck, don't they?

Anyway, I think you'll be happy with that bass. It sounds lovely. And of course: no pics, no bass.
 
#33
Yeah I was actually wanting a chunky neck to get the proper feel but I knew this was a Jazz neck. Just been so long since I played a Jazz 4 that it feels tiny.

Anyway, took her for her first outing thru the big rig yesterday in rehearsal. WOW. What a thump on full neck pup, cut right through the band. Loving that. This might not be THE authentic P sound but it'll do me fine...for a while at least.

Here's Olive:

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#35
roceci said:
Yeah I was actually wanting a chunky neck to get the proper feel but I knew this was a Jazz neck. Just been so long since I played a Jazz 4 that it feels tiny.

Anyway, took her for her first outing thru the big rig yesterday in rehearsal. WOW. What a thump on full neck pup, cut right through the band. Loving that. This might not be THE authentic P sound but it'll do me fine...for a while at least.

Here's Olive:
Click to expand...

Hm, I notice that your two Fenders 'match.' Nice.

Outside of TB, true 60s-homage 'authenticity' isn't really worth a whit. My P has the new bridge, a B string and whatever the 2008 pickup is. Thing still sounds like a P-- especially once you add a band, a room and amplification into the mix.
 
#38
Must fight the gas.............must fight the gas........why haven't we got a gas mask smiley thing on here? Surely it'd be the most used emoticon across the whole of TB.

Seriously tho, thanks y'all for your help on this matter. It was resolved most satisfactorily. I just need to find a new band to do it justice now, cos my current one is doing my nut in. Oh well.
 
#39
Okay, bumping this thread looking for opinions on the best overall value to be found in a new Fender Standard Precision bass...

So, which of the following is the best value & why?:
* New American Standard with HSC - $1150
* New American Special with gig bag - $900
* New Standard MIM (no case?) - $530

Thanks much.
 
#40
I'd go for the Am Std, personally. For the $250.00 price difference you have listed its a better deal. The Special is a very nice bass, but there are a few differences to factor in, most notably hardware & pickups. Plus the HSC over a gig bag is another thing.

But as its always said on TB - play them all if you can & whichever one "speaks" to you the most is the one that you choose.
 

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