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P-bass: new AS or AVRI'57?

W

williamk

Apr 2, 2008
871
28
#1
I'm on the market for a p-bass, a real one.
I've narrowed it down to either an american standard (which I would buy new for 1080$) or a used but mint condition american vintage reissue '57 for 950$.
I've tried both and my impressions were these; the AS had a more comfortable neck (finish, thickness,...) and a great sound, and the AVRI sounded very vintage-y (which I love!) but the bass definitely needed a setup (high action, impossible to slap...) so it's hard to judge. The main reasons why I like that one is because of the vintage sound and the great deal I get (and also it looks damn hot).
So I know it's all subjective, and that anyways whichever I choose I can't go wrong, but I need your advice on which one of these will perhaps be more versatile, a better idea on the long run (better built quality perhaps?). I love that the AS has a stronger graphite neck and the string-thru body bridge.
Should I take the AVRI because of the amazing deal?
Which one sits more comfortably in a mix (I play fingerstyle pop/funk).
Anything I should know about these that makes one of them a better bass than the other overrall?
thanks!
 
#2
Both great basses. I've owned both. I'm with you in that I find the neck on the AS more comfortable with the 1.625" nut width vs. the 1.75" on the '57. I also like the rolled edges on the AS. But that shouldn't be a deal-killer. They're not THAT different, and you'd get used to the neck real quickly. I have P's with both widths, and transition back and forth with no problems whatsoever.

Price-wise, they're not that far apart; so I'd just go with whichever one you like better. Can't lose either way, IMO...
 
#4
I'd hands down go for AVRI. I far prefer the vintage specs of the AVRIs, the 1.75" nut width, 7.25" radius, the very shallow C-profile, and the nitro'd neck. I've tried some AS, and they're great instruments as well, but I'm not a fan of the modern C shape, the medium-jumbo frets, or the 9.5" fretboard radius. Those are really the only differences, so it's a matter of preference, but the AVRIs are fantastic in quality, close to CS (although I actually prefer my AVRIs to many CSs I've played).
 
#6
Yep, it's a good deal. I've got an AS, a 57' AVRI, and a 62' AVRI. I love all three of them, but the AVRI's usually get the gigs. The 57' is in my gig bag for tonight, speaking of which I need to head out.

You honestly can't go wrong with either one, so get the one which speaks to you more.
 
#7
Urgent question:
Ive tried 2 avri's so far and both had poor setup; high action and slack/sloppy strings...
Is this due to poor setup or are they always like that? I like low action and tight/stiff strings. All AS's ive tried were like that and im wondering if its always the case...
 
#8
williamk said:
Urgent question:
Ive tried 2 avri's so far and both had poor setup; high action and slack/sloppy strings...
Is this due to poor setup or are they always like that? I like low action and tight/stiff strings. All AS's ive tried were like that and im wondering if its always the case...
Click to expand...

No, you probably just ran into two that were setup by a schmuck. My first AVRI, a 62 Precision, I bought off the wall from a Seattle GC 5 or so years back. Walked out the door with it and haven't adjusted the way it plays since. The action on mine is medium, which I like for my aggressive playing style, but it's just what I've grown used to as it was that way when I bought it. My newest AVRI, a 62 Jazz, I bought online from Sweetwater (who are great, btw), and they do their own setup before they ship any instrument, and upon arrival it plays great, nothing I'd change about it. Lower action than my Precision, but I'm totally fine with that (I guess action doesn't bug me unless it's really high). Anyways, point being, their are no inherent setup flaws with the basses, it's just how they've been treated and by who.
 
#10
Go for the AV '57. I have one and it's incredible.

Mesa-BoogieWalkaboutScout1x15.jpg
 
#17
williamk said:
I'm on the market for a p-bass, a real one.
I've narrowed it down to either an american standard (which I would buy new for 1080$) or a used but mint condition american vintage reissue '57 for 950$.
I've tried both and my impressions were these; the AS had a more comfortable neck (finish, thickness,...) and a great sound, and the AVRI sounded very vintage-y (which I love!) but the bass definitely needed a setup (high action, impossible to slap...) so it's hard to judge. The main reasons why I like that one is because of the vintage sound and the great deal I get (and also it looks damn hot).
So I know it's all subjective, and that anyways whichever I choose I can't go wrong, but I need your advice on which one of these will perhaps be more versatile, a better idea on the long run (better built quality perhaps?). I love that the AS has a stronger graphite neck and the string-thru body bridge.
Should I take the AVRI because of the amazing deal?
Which one sits more comfortably in a mix (I play fingerstyle pop/funk).
Anything I should know about these that makes one of them a better bass than the other overrall?
thanks!
Click to expand...

If you play pop/funk, you may prefer the AMSTD. Med jumbo frets and a more modern neck profile may add a little more zing when needed for the pop/ funk.
Also you can easily adjust the neck on the AMSTD if needed right on the gig. I find this very handy if I end up playing some wedding and the a/c has the room freezing. I do love both versions but I think you can get just a little more practical flexibility out of the AMSTD. Plus, I prefer the 1.625 nut.
 

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