Need Advice from Fender Precision players

[Session1969]

My Roadworn P will blow away anything.

 

[ShirazBop]

I recently got a Precision V. Other than the extra string, it's simply a P bass. USA made, burst tort and all. I can't wait to see the reaction from some of the Nashville guys I play with from time to time. They are always giving me crap about getting a P bass but I only play 5s these days. So, now I have a stinking P bass 5. I wonder if it will pass the smell test. Maybe if I put some flats on it?

+1

 

[Tbone76]

I also think the American Special honeyburst is a beautiful instrument. I traded my Reggie Hamilton standard in on a used honeyburst about a month ago, and I loved the RH. The honeyburst is lightweight and sounds great. I don't believe mine has the greasebucket tone control (mine only has 1 cap on the tone pot), but the previous owner could have changed that for all I know. The Reggie Hamilton is a formidable bass, also. The P pup is in the sweet spot, and it has an active/passive switch. The only thing it doesn't have is a passive tone control, unless you buy the cusom shop model.

 

[Old Fart]

I'm gassing for the blonde P-Deluxe, which has the P/J pup configuration.

 

[AMJBASS]

My Roadworn P will blow away anything.

I think there are a lot of players still a bit skeptical when they see these, but I agree. There are some real gems if you keep your eyes and ears open in this line of basses. I have had 2 that were as good as any vintage Fender I have owned or played.

 

[One Drop]

An American Standard post ''08, or any era AV RI, 57 or 62, or a Roadworn are three high quality option that will give you the P sound straight up in a playable comfortable instrument that will last a lifetime.

I own at least 5 Ps including some very fine vintage examples, that I ended up with by buying and selling used ones. If I needed an out of the box guaranteed killer passive P tomorrow I'd order a Roadworn and be confident I'd receive a killer P that is gig and studio ready.

 

[Gbass75]

Though I just sold mine to pick up an AVRI '63; the 2012 American Standard that I had was a fantastic bass. It was light (but not TOO light)... it had sustain for days... great neck... and the "custom vintage" (or whatever they're calling 'em... I can't remember) pickups sounded really, REALLY good...

I'm just obsessed with the AVRI models... That's just me.

 

[JMacBass65]

I picked this up for 1k recently. Pup swapped out for a Dimarzo and everyone's favorite 70's mod the Badass II bridge. Great player vintage prices are down I bet you could find a real nice 70's Precision for $1,200-$1,500.

This. I just picked up a 78 Fretless P for $800 bucks @ GC. Stock except for the BAII bridge. Conventional wisdom states that the 70s were bad for Fender, but there are some good ones out there. Try before you buy.

I also agree with the early 80s suggestions, they improved QC quite a bit during this time, when they were rolling out the first AVRIs.

The Mexican 50s classic series (or whatever they call 'em) and the road worn series are also good, AFAIC.

 

[petrus61]

An American Standard post ''08, or any era AV RI, 57 or 62, or a Roadworn are three high quality option that will give you the P sound straight up in a playable comfortable instrument that will last a lifetime.

I own at least 5 Ps including some very fine vintage examples, that I ended up with by buying and selling used ones. If I needed an out of the box guaranteed killer passive P tomorrow I'd order a Roadworn and be confident I'd receive a killer P that is gig and studio ready.

Also the Classic 50's...same as a RW minus the wear. They now make it in a nitro finish (black) too, that includes the hard shell case for under a grand. All good options.