"New" Fender P Bass . . .

[NickDG]

I online purchased an American standard P bass from a music store in Texas (yes, I know, not the best way to buy a bass) thinking I'd be getting a current production model. Two days later (can't complain about that) I opened the case to find a brand new 2011 Anniversary model. At first I was a bit disappointed as it wasn't what I was expecting but after playing it for a while I fell in love with it. And it's definitely new, with no fret marks, or scratches and scuffs anywhere.

My bass playing is just on the intermediate side of horrible but even I can tell this bass sounds great. And I know it and I will only get better over time. I paid about the same as a current model would cost and I contacted the store and they were responsive and seem willing to exchange it less the shipping of course.

My question is has there been any major improvements to U.S American Standard P basses since the 2011 model year? I'm really leaning towards keeping the one they sent me, unless someone here tells me 2011 was a bad year and the neck is going to fall off . . .

 

[homie]

I'm in similar situation looking to find a deal on American standard. If the price was right I'd keep it.

 

[bobm2112]

Its not uncommon to buy a "new" bass only to find out its a few years old. A lot of places buy their inventory in bulk and they sit until sold. I bought my Musicman SR5 in 2007 only to find out its production year was 2005.

If you are feeling it and you are happy, dont worry about the year. Its only a number

 

[xshawnxearthx]

Is it the bass you wanted? It plays really nice? I think it would be cooler to have the anniversary model. Maybe see if they will refund you $100 or maybe give you an online store credit since it's not as described.

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

The only real difference between the two is the custom shop 60's pickups introduced in 2012 to the American Standards. If you love the bass then keep it. For my money, the older pickups sound better, anyway.

 

[aproud1]

If you like it. Keep it and rock it.

When you find a really good P bass that works for you, hang onto it. it doesn't matter the year or what ever anyone else says.

 

[hover]

Maybe see if they will refund you $100 or maybe give you an online store credit since it's not as described.

How so? He himself said it was brand new, no marks no scratches or what have you and in the first line stated "thinking I'd be getting a current production model"....the only way it was not as described is if the bass was declared a 2014 model in the ad. OP...was it?

 

[D. Gallis]

What OutToPlayJazz said, I think the only thing between 2011 and post 2011 (2012-2014) is that 2012 and newer get Fender's Custom Shop '60s pickups as the standard option... and maybe the colour combinations

 

[bassrich]

Nice, love the maple neck. Seems to be the norm mine was listed as a 2000 but turned out to be a 98. No biggie unless there is a quality difference

 

[ShoeManiac]

Is it the bass you wanted? It plays really nice? I think it would be cooler to have the anniversary model. Maybe see if they will refund you $100 or maybe give you an online store credit since it's not as described.

I would only be in agreement with this if the retailer explicitly advertised the bass as a 2014 model. The OP hasn't stated that either way. Yes, this bass appears to be NOS (New Old Stock). But keep in mind the N in NOS does mean NEW, as in the instrument has not been played. So if the bass was advertised as an NOS or 2011 piece? Then I think the responsibility would lie with the buyer.

The only real difference between the two is the custom shop 60's pickups introduced in 2012 to the American Standards. If you love the bass then keep it. For my money, the older pickups sound better, anyway.

I've played some Fender American Standards that were from the 2008 - 2011 period, and some from the 2012 - present era. Personally, I prefer the new Custom Shop pickups in the later models. And it has also come to light that the thickness of the finishes on these more recent instruments has also been decreased.

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

I've played some Fender American Standards that were from the 2008 - 2011 period, and some from the 2012 - present era. Personally, I prefer the new Custom Shop pickups in the later models. And it has also come to light that the thickness of the finishes on these more recent instruments has also been decreased.

That's interesting - They thinned the finish in 2008 too, apparently. Maybe I just played a couple of bad examples of the new ones. I am tempted to go for the new model for the fretless, though.

 

[west al]

You got a new one, it still has the protective tape on the tuning keys, pup, and protective film on the PG. The current Am. Std. has the CS60's pups, some have a slight variation to the tuners, (the top of the gear casing is partially cut away, exposing some of the gearing) and some come in a hardshell Fender case in place of the Fender/SKB molded case. Nothing wrong with your 2011 Precision. It has the Anniversary neck cover plate on it. Play it and have fun with it. CONGRATS man!

 

[Gasman]

If you're happy, then keep it, but what I'm going to say will bug you.

I have both a 2010 and 2013 Am Std P. Stock, I think the models from 2012 and later are better due to the pickup. Everything else is the same, but that 62 pickup is awesome.

My reason for commenting is that I too was kinda burned by a very reputable bass dealer who's name I won't mention. I specifically asked for a new, 2012 (at the time) Am Std P. They even made me wait about 6 weeks before shipping me a 2010, which I still have but, like an idiot, didn't pay attention to the serial number when I got it. I had already swapped the pickup when I finally noticed. My bad, but their fault too in that they specifically stated they were shipping a 2012 model. Live and learn.

Just my opinion

 

[aetheldrea]

The case you received is much nicer IMO than the new Pro-Style cases (or whatever they call it) that the new ones are shipping in. The new cases have the look of the classic cases but are lighter and feel flimsier to me.

 

[west al]

This is the new tuner on the some of the 2013's and up. You can see the cut away across the top of the tuner casings. The newer hardshell (G&G) cases I received lately weighed more than the SKB style, and were solid. They are lighter than the G&G Fender Deluxe cases though.

 

[klejst]

None the less that is a very nice bass you got there, rock it!

 

[Pet Sounds]

What's the benefit of the new tuners?

 

[west al]

What's the benefit of the new tuners?

I would guess to slightly lighten the over all weight of the head, and a slight variation in the model. The same I guess in the different case. Some thing different, or cheaper to go with, in place of the previous vendor.

 

[Mike M.]

Things do tend to get "lost" in inventory from time to time and this was the case with my American Standard Jazz bass that I bought at my favorite music store. I first saw it in October of 2012 and stalked it until December of the same year when I finally bought it. Not one ding, scuff or scratch on it anywhere and I thought it was brand new. Didn't even think of looking at the serial number until the day I bought it and discovered it was a 2009 model! Made no difference to me because it played and sounded so good.

That's a nice looking bass you got there. Same color scheme as my Jazz bass. If it agree's with you then I also say keep it.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I'll join the keep-it-if-you-like-it crowd. Nothing wrong with the bass you have. I had a 2013 with the custom shop pups and didn't like it as much as my 2010, which I still own.