New MIA P's vs. New 70's P's - a few concerns

[electracoyote]

But that neck on the '70s P...my oh my. You know how that GAS hits you.

The blocks and binding are the main reason I bought my 70s MIJ P. And frankly, it's kind of silly in a way. It's purely aesthetic. Aside from the blocks and binding, the MIJ 70s P is really not that much better than a well-made MIM Standard. I have two 2010 MIM Standard P basses that play and sound about the same as the MIJ 70s P.

You can get a custom made P neck with blocks and binding from places like Warmoth.

I have MIA Jazzes, but like you I'm playing P Basses a lot more these days, so I suppose I'm going to have to break down and pick up a contemporary AM Std Precision.

 

[meatwad]

3 bolt necks are fine, the problem is when the pockets are badly cut and then you could use 6 bolts and it would still be unstable. Musicman and G&L used 3 bolt necks for years and they are solid. Modern Fender reissues with 3 bolt necks are solid too.

I agree with this 100%. My point is that the "Fender CBS Absolute Low Point Award" goes to putting 3-bolt necks on a Jazz Bass. The way the G-string almost always rode the edge of the fingerboard of those basses still gives me nightmares. Runner up prize goes to the pot metal tremolo blocks used on the Stratocaster, but that's for another forum altogether.

Disclaimer - Sorry if I have offended anyone or their prized bass, my opinion is based on the several examples I have previously owned, and all the others I have personally played. IMHO. YMMV. Ect.. Ect...

 

[meatwad]

Lots of replies; this is great! Thanks a lot, guys. I do appreciate all the suggestions of different models. I've got to check them out carefully though as a lot of the RI-types have very narrow radius FBs. I.E. like 7.5" or so. I can't play those types of necks. The Fender 9.5" standard is as narrow as I can comfortably play. I have a Warmoth Jazz that I built and it has a straight 10" radius. It's a pefect neck for me.

I'll check out all the suggested Ps. Thanks again.

I'm with you all the way about the radius thing, and the AMSTD's overall neck profile is what primarily attracted me to it over the '62AVRI.

 

[P. Aaron]

Bought my 2002 MIA Precision new from GC. Didn't know any better, but it's a fine bass. Have a new (in 2010) Precision V. Very nice.

The 70's Precision you posted looks great. Go with your gut & ears.

 

[Bernin]

Essentially, I want to ensure that the "good money" I'm looking at spending doesn't wind up wasted.

Then my best advice would be to buy an American Standard (preferably after 2008) used from the classifieds. Spend $750-800 now, it will sell for exactly the same price down the line.

 

[fenderazor]

Can tell us someone who has a 70s, how is the bass when he came from the store ? He has a classic Fender Precision Bass sound ? Can someone tell us who has played with the 70s AND the American standard, what difference in sound ? The 70s are more treble than the american st ? are more middle ? The Bridge and the pickup of 70s are not doing their job ?

 

[Batmensch]

The term "Standard" can apply to instruments made in either Mexico or the USA. You have to designate them as such i.e. "Fender MIM Standard" or "Fender MIA Standard."

AFAIK , the official nomenclature for the two lines are "American Standard" for the MIA's, and just "Standard" for the MIM's. So it's safe to say all "American Standards" are MIA, and all "Standards" are MIM.

 

[electracoyote]

AFAIK , the official nomenclature for the two lines are "American Standard" for the MIA's, and just "Standard" for the MIM's. So it's safe to say all "American Standards" are MIA, and all "Standards" are MIM.

That may be true, but for the sake of clarity on a message board such as this, it would be good to know for certain which "standard" you are referring to.

 

[fenderazor]

Can tell us someone who has a 70s, how is the bass when he came from the store ? He has a classic Fender Precision Bass sound ? Can someone tell us who has played with the 70s AND the American standard, what difference in sound ? The 70s are more treble than the american st ? are more middle ? The Bridge and the pickup of 70s are not doing their job ?

I'm asking something difficult ?

 

[Jim Carr]

The 1970's model is new. I think very few people have played them.

 

[Johntheson]

I gleen from your posts, that you seem to think that MiM basses are "a waste of money", or "money not well spent"; well I've been playing for 49 years, as of this year, and own almost all flagship model guitars, and basses; but I bought a MiM classic 60's bass this past year, and it's one heck of a bass; worth every penny. I would assume the MiM 70's bass is as good. I understand that you might want a USA made bass, but don't think that these MiM classic 60's and 70's basses aren't a good buy also. This is my first MiM purchase, and it's really changed my opinion about instruments other than those MIA. Good luck with your purchase.
John Sr.

 

[AMJBASS]

The classic series basses(MIM) from Fender are terrific. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I was looking for a more vintage styled bass. The 7.25 radius doesn't bother me at all, but maybe that comes from my backround as an upright player. It really doesn't take a lot of time to get used to the radius IMO.

 

[schmig]

Played exactly the same 70s Precision as pictured in local music shop last week. Might be my imagination but it reminded me a lot of my Geddy Lee Jazz...neck finish similar and quality felt about the same, I can't qualify that, but that was the feeling. Sounded a bit clangy to me but who knows what the strings were. I have a recent MIA precision which, in my opinion, feels more balanced/well constructed..I do prefer the satin neck finish too.

 

[pgbassman]

Can tell us someone who has a 70s, how is the bass when he came from the store ? He has a classic Fender Precision Bass sound ? Can someone tell us who has played with the 70s AND the American standard, what difference in sound ? The 70s are more treble than the american st ? are more middle ? The Bridge and the pickup of 70s are not doing their job ?

As stated in an earlier post I do own a 70's classic I just bought it a few weeks back on CL in Boston for $550...it was brand new, seller didn't like the feel of the neck. I also own a 76 & and a 67 P so I was able to compare tone. While it has several similar tone traits as my 76 I wouldn’t exactly say it was identical. Both are strung with flat chromes, the 76 by virtue of is age and years of gigs has a more organic mid growl and much more presence in the low end. The classic P is a reasonable facsimile in tone but doesn’t quite have the full body tone of my 76. The PU’s were a little noisy on the classic so I shielded the cavities but couldn’t eliminate it completely and sent it to my tech for a look. I also gave him an 80’s Seymour Duncan reverse P to install in place of the stock PU that came with the bass. The reverse P always seemed to have a great classic P tone on whatever I put it into, I can’t wait to hear it when I pick it up tomorrow. I hope to use the classic P to gig with as I'm always concerned about damage or theft to my vintage P's and use them for recording and special gigs.

 

[VWbug]

I'm considering an American Special P over the present American Standard. I'm at odds with the apparent majority of posters.
I have MIA, MIM and MIJ basses for background.

Poly finish - I like it. I dont give much weight to it being bad for sound and it being an invitation for the demons of deadness to possess my bass. I have an older pre-08 that
I've had for years and sounds great and still looks almost new except for the pickguard. Saw a guy on the Cls' selling his new American Standard and lamenting that his small child already had put in a few good dings in a short time. That thin finish is not something I want . I like my basses to be protected and look good for a LONG time.

Stiffening Rods- Yup, want them, it's on both.

Slim Neck - Felt better to me than the seemingly thicker front to back American Standard.

String through/top load bridge - Seemed like a good option and all the talk about better vibration etc. When I got my older American Standards But I frankly cant hear a differnce with my other Fenders without it.

Tuning machines - As long as I get one thats on the light side and they keep the bass in tune and theres no real neck dive I'm happy.

Greasebucket - Easily ditched if I dont like it.

Hardcase - Don't need it, dont like it. For a hardcase the older smaller SKBs were easier to negogiate hallways if I wanted one. I spent good bucks on quality Gig Bags that protect and are not so cumbersome to carry. They can Keep that giant box of a case.

All thats missing is peers not dissing my American Special because it's not the Standard and I'd feel great about maybe geting one....

 

[mikeddd]

Played exactly the same 70s Precision as pictured in local music shop last week. Might be my imagination but it reminded me a lot of my Geddy Lee Jazz...neck finish similar and quality felt about the same, I can't qualify that, but that was the feeling. Sounded a bit clangy to me but who knows what the strings were. I have a recent MIA precision which, in my opinion, feels more balanced/well constructed..I do prefer the satin neck finish too.

Thanks for posting this. It's good to hear an actual experience. The internet says my local GC doesn't have any 70s P's, but we all know that online inventory system isnt exactly reliable. Will try to get to GC tomorrow.

I'm still really up in the air.

Love the look of the 70s P, hands down
But the Amer Stand P has all the modern amenities. Stiffening rods, HMV bridge, rolled FB edges, etc. And of course resale value. Wish I could afforf both!

 

[Dostradamas]

I just got my 70's Precision on Friday (the actual one in the op.) Cleaned, shielded, & set her up & WOW. I was looking to get a "classic" sounding P bass new... I got it. Finish is sweet. Neck is slick. Great balance & weight. I have seen some debate on the blocks & binding being painted on. I looked alot & cannot find any indicators they are painted. I am no expert but they look inlaid to me. Good smooth CTS size pots. I was planning on going to town with mods but after getting this in my hands..... I think Fender Japan has produced a great bass as is. I have a Hot Rodded Precision with the Graphite rods in the neck to compare necks. The MIA (HRP)neck has a more ridgid, solid feel than the MIJ (70's.) I absolutely love this 70's neck. Plays as good as it looks & wow what a looker!

 

[ejor31]

Fender, like any large company, has to innovate to stay alive and relevant. Its reissue range was a great marketing ploy to sell more guitars and basses. It has worked for them and for other companies like Gibson, etc. Its output is globalised, with production in the US, Mexico, Japan, China, etc. The player has a huge choice and all instruments are good, because they HAVE to be.
Regarding the Japanese reissue 70s P-Bass, there is no question as to its quality. I have 57 (USA), 62(USA and 75 (Japan) Precisions. None of them is exactly period-correct nor are they meant to be, neck-profile being the main area of divergence.Build quality,playability and sound (irrespective of where they were made) are all top-notch and on a par with basses from those exact periods. I know this as I have gigged them all. It's great to see Fender Japan back with a product to match IMHO the quality of my early 80s Squier JV-series P.
Country of origin is nowadays irrelevant as regards quality, an entry-level feature for any market. It's in the market positioning of the product, i.e., how customers perceive it. If you add a TSA hard-case to the 70s bass you're in USA Std territory price-wise. No-one need worry about the overall quality of the Japanese 70s P reissue. It's one great bass. I agree with other bloggers- you pays your money and you takes your choice. Look at it another way, the 'USA' DELL PC I'm writing this on is made in Poland, my 'USA' iPhone, in China, etc, etc. That's the world today.

 

[Russell L]

I'm having the same dilemma looking at a new 60s Jazz and comparing it to a new MIA Jazz. The 60s Jazz has a 7-1/4" fingerboard radius that I love, but would I miss the graphite reinforcement, better hardware, and better electronics of the MIA Jazz? I have an '01 MIA Jazz that is nice, but it has a dead spot.