NBD! Fender AVRI 63 Precision Bass

[commonplayer]

Anyone using these as their only Pbass/main player, particularly in rock band? I have one in sonic blue that I would love to slide in as my main player, but also have some concerns about neck size. I can get around it ok but not as well as my 70s reissue.

 

[pbassnut]

Nice! I think those AVRI '63 Ps are the best (and most authentic) reissues Fender has ever put out.

 

[bassliner50]

Gorgeous. Absolutely.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Anyone using these as their only Pbass/main player, particularly in rock band? I have one in sonic blue that I would love to slide in as my main player, but also have some concerns about neck size. I can get around it ok but not as well as my 70s reissue.

Have you tried swapping the neck? If you can afford it, you might even like buying a different neck and

Thanks! I tried it with a different pickup. American Pro also a nice bass, comfortable neck and light in weight, also looks very nice in appearance. Somehow i couldnt like it, i also tried different strings and setups, couldnt be able to form a connection with it as i did with this one.

Good stuff, I didn’t realize you tried all that. I do find it funny how the neck on the Pro is marketed as a ‘63 profile, yet it’s so different from the neck on the ‘63 reissue...

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

You could probably trade the 63 neck with someone who has a 64 jazz AVRI neck.

 

[skaine]

Have you tried swapping the neck? If you can afford it, you might even like buying a different neck and


Good stuff, I didn’t realize you tried all that. I do find it funny how the neck on the Pro is marketed as a ‘63 profile, yet it’s so different from the neck on the ‘63 reissue...

Nothing surprises me anymore about Fenders anymore. Indeed both necks are very different each other in every aspect. Maybe American Original has the correct one, they dont sell them here so i couldnt had the opportunity to see if it is so.

 

[CallMeAl]

Yes i put the American Pro on sale. The shop didnt accept refund because there isnt a functional defect with the bass and i havent bought it online.

Nut width is 1.74" (44.19 mm) with the bass, so its a C neck, wider than most of the standard P basses. Thats why i dream of a 70s P bass with an A neck

I pluck the strings generally over the pickup, sometimes between the neck and the pickup depending on situation, i like the tone i get there. I removed the pickup and bridge covers.

Well, they say it takes 2 months to built a new habit. I would give it that long to see if you adapt. If you still don’t like it, seek out a J neck. I’ve told you before- my J neck-P is an absolute dream to play!

I mostly play over the Pickup, but do slide up towards the neck if I need a mellow tone for a ballad. Never play any closer to the bridge. I had a bridge cover on mine for a bit, but got sick of removing/replacing it for setups. So I totally support your removal of both

play the heck outta that Chief!

 

[CallMeAl]

Nothing surprises me anymore about Fenders anymore. Indeed both necks are very different each other in every aspect. Maybe American Original has the correct one, they dont sell them here so i couldnt had the opportunity to see if it is so.

Just curious: if you bought a Jazz bass, could you sell the J body and P neck? Or put em together and sell it as a whole bass? Just wonder what the parts market is in Turkey....

 

[skaine]

Just curious: if you bought a Jazz bass, could you sell the J body and P neck? Or put em together and sell it as a whole bass? Just wonder what the parts market is in Turkey....

Almost no one does that here. Once i thought about putting my MIM SH signature P neck to MIJ SH signature P body. Then i decided to take no risk and put them for sale seperately.

People only do easier modifications which are mostly reversable, such as changing the bridge, pickup, tuners and etc. The bass loses its resale value if you do a bigger modification such as swapping necks. Also even you modify a MIM bass all with original American parts completely, it still sells for a used MIM bass.

I havent seen a body or neck being sold seperately both in second hand market and stores. Actually you cant even find a specific bridge or tuners in stores. Same also goes with the strings. You have to order seperately so they bring your order with the next shipment, which is at least couple of months. Paypal is not working here also, so you cant order a part just like that.

 

[CallMeAl]

Almost no one does that here. Once i thought about putting my MIM SH signature P neck to MIJ SH signature P body. Then i decided to take no risk and put them for sale seperately.

People only do easier modifications which are mostly reversable, such as changing the bridge, pickup, tuners and etc. The bass loses its resale value if you do a bigger modification such as swapping necks. Also even you modify a MIM bass all with original American parts completely, it still sells for a used MIM bass.

I havent seen a body or neck being sold seperately both in second hand market and stores. Actually you cant even find a specific bridge or tuners in stores. Same also goes with the strings. You have to order seperately so they bring your order with the next shipment, which is at least couple of months. Paypal is not working here also, so you cant order a part just like that.

It’s all very interesting! I’d say even in the states “upgrades” don’t fetch much in value, most take a bath on resale. There is however a big market for used parts, especially on talkbass!

hope you adapt to the neck and don’t have to go through the hassle!

 

[jj4001]

Anyone using these as their only Pbass/main player, particularly in rock band? I have one in sonic blue that I would love to slide in as my main player, but also have some concerns about neck size. I can get around it ok but not as well as my 70s reissue.

First of all, late to the party, but beautiful bass, OP! That Seminole red is a stone cold stunner.

To allanmac, I have this same bass. It’s been my ride or die closing on on 200 gigs now. Before that a CIJ PB62-US with a 1.62” nut. Switching to the American ‘63 reissue was an adjustment so I tried looser-feeling strings. That seemed to help make the transition easier. After a while, I realized the wider neck wasn’t more difficult to play. Instead, it just forced me to be less lazy with my left hand technique. It wasn’t nearly the frustration breaking in those new flatwounds turned out to be.

 

[4-fingers]

Anyone using these as their only Pbass/main player, particularly in rock band? I have one in sonic blue that I would love to slide in as my main player, but also have some concerns about neck size. I can get around it ok but not as well as my 70s reissue.

I’ve been using one of the four in my earlier photo since 2010 when I picked up the white 57 AVRI. They all wear flats of one kind or another, and we play classic rock and country mainly. We also do some more recent dance tunes and they work. I say jump in!

I would probably buy a sonic blue 63 if the opportunity came along. Love that colour, even a Jazz in SB would be irresistible.

 

[taylor16]

Falling in love with my AVRI 63 (again). How does it compare to the newer AO Precision Basses?

 

[AngelCrusher]

Falling in love with my AVRI 63 (again). How does it compare to the newer AO Precision Basses? View attachment 3779679

I’m not sure anything can touch the AVRI. I have not played any Fender P that’s grabbed me like my AVRI did and continues to.

I am looking to put new flats on mine. Ive been using the Fender ones that came with it for years. I need to track down what gauge they were, I dont even remember. The Fenders remind me of Chromes and they get a little brittle or wooden sounding when I play above the 12fret. I am thinking either Labellas for a big smooth sound or the Dunlop flats for a nice balance. It’s a tough call - any of you all using Dunlop flats on your 63?

 

[taylor16]

I’m not sure anything can touch the AVRI. I have not played any Fender P that’s grabbed me like my AVRI did and continues to.

I am looking to put new flats on mine. Ive been using the Fender ones that came with it for years. I need to track down what gauge they were, I dont even remember. The Fenders remind me of Chromes and they get a little brittle or wooden sounding when I play above the 12fret. I am thinking either Labellas for a big smooth sound or the Dunlop flats for a nice balance. It’s a tough call - any of you all using Dunlop flats on your 63?

I have the Dunlop’s on my two Olinto bssses and prefer them greatly over the Fender strings. I just have kept the Fender flats on this bass since I first got it and don’t have the heart to change.

 

[AngelCrusher]

I have the Dunlop’s on my two Olinto bssses and prefer them greatly over the Fender strings. I just have kept the Fender flats on this bass since I first got it and don’t have the heart to change.

Yeah, I need to track down some Dunlop flats. They seem to be sold out everywhere.

 

[skaine]

Falling in love with my AVRI 63 (again). How does it compare to the newer AO Precision Basses? View attachment 3779679

Havent tried one yet, they still dont sell the AO Precision bass here. On the other hand, all the people that i asked for a comparision on the forum told me that AVRI ones are much better than the AO basses.

 

[EmaTheMirror]

Congrats, I love the look of those AVRIs. FYI, after changing the pickup in my American Pro, it’s like a totally different bass.

I was wondering if those V-mod pickups are going to be short lived in the end... I've read quite a good bunch of mixed reviews, or people falling out of love after a while.

To the OP: those AVRI pickups are available from Fender, IIRC, how about putting one on the Am Pro for a different neck feel?

 

[bassclef112]

Congrats! These are beautiful basses. If you can handle the nut width you can't do much better, not even with a "real" one IMO.

I'm kinda half in and half out with you on mine....
Some years ago i had a '62 AVRI P and it was IMO like owning a brand new '62. Amazing bass in every respect - build and in particular, tone.

But frankly that authentic 1 3/4" nut vs my small hand...if I had to do several busy tunes in first position, I was hurting. Had to flip it only because of that, though the plus was I got to put one of those '62 CS (at the time) pickups into my '76 P and it will never leave.

I wanted another pure P, so I bought a '63 AVRI Seminole Red parted out body from Stratosphere, added a brass PG and a slim profile J neck (Rosewood on Maple) from Warmoth, and it is just perfect for me now. I did go with an Aguilar '60's P pickup on this one and I just love it.

These AVRI's are pretty amazing! Enjoy yours!!!

 

[skaine]

I was wondering if those V-mod pickups are going to be short lived in the end... I've read quite a good bunch of mixed reviews, or people falling out of love after a while.

To the OP: those AVRI pickups are available from Fender, IIRC, how about putting one on the Am Pro for a different neck feel?

I agree with you about the V-Mod pickups, i am not a fan of them either. In my case it was the particular wood of the bass that made me put Am Pro on sale rather than the V-mod pickup really. The Am Pro sold long time ago so cant do anything related with it now.