Pending NBD: Am Pro I Fender Precision Bass

[MovingPitchers]

I want to get y’all’s thoughts in 2026 on this bass. My wife wants to get me a nice bass for finally getting a job after 2 years of searching (and her wedding gift to me) so she told me to do some research and let her know which one I want within a 2k range. My first thought was a used AMPROII P but in Canada I can’t find any for that price range.

I had several options:

1. Mike Dirnt RW Precision in blonde and maple
2. 2011 60th Anniversary P (yes. That one) but three hours away
3. Antique olive green AMPROI P
4. Geddy Lee Jazz MIM

I eventually decided on option 3; I’ve never owned an American Fender and my wife was like “we should change that then.”

From what I can gather, the V-Mod I pickup is hit or miss and a lot of people tend to swap it out for something else.

No carve neck heel which kind of sucks but I’ll manage.

What else should I look out for?

 

[MIJ Fender Guy]

It wouldn't be my first choice. I find them a bit vanilla and generic (I've owned 2 of them). IMO, the best P out there for the price (if you like a vintage spec) in the Made in Japan Heritage 60s Precision. It's their top of the line model, similar to an American Vintage II.

This is a great seller if you find yourself interested: Heritage Precision for sale | eBay - VERY easy transactions, exactly the same as a USA retailer. NO risk whatsoever.

Other precisions I like:
- Fender Limited Vintera II Road Worn '60s Precision Bass (Sweetwater has a really nice one right now)
- Vintera II 50s Precision
- American Professional Classic Precision
- Nate Mendel Precision (used, new price is absolutely obnoxious)
- MIJ Hybrid II precision
- MIJ Traditional 70s precision (amazing bass for cheap!!!)

For me, I have to know the weight and won't buy over high 8lbs.

 

[MovingPitchers]

It wouldn't be my first choice. I find them a bit vanilla and generic (I've owned 2 of them). IMO, the best P out there for the price (if you like a vintage spec) in the Made in Japan Heritage 60s Precision. It's their top of the line model, similar to an American Vintage II.

This is a great seller if you find yourself interested: Heritage Precision for sale | eBay - VERY easy transactions, exactly the same as a USA retailer. NO risk whatsoever.

Other precisions I like:
- Fender Limited Vintera II Road Worn '60s Precision Bass (Sweetwater has a really nice one right now)
- Vintera II 50s Precision
- American Professional Classic Precision
- Nate Mendel Precision (used, new price is absolutely obnoxious)
- MIJ Hybrid II precision
- MIJ Traditional 70s precision (amazing bass for cheap!!!)

For me, I have to know the weight and won't buy over high 8lbs.

Sweetwater doesn’t ship to Canada, I believe otherwise I’d be all over it.

Even MIJs would be tough because the shipping fees are insane

 

[Gervais Cote]

I heard an Antique olive green AMPRO 1 P played through two Ampeg PF 115 cabs in a large restaurant and it sounded awesome for rock, blues and folk.

I asked the bass player about the bass and he told me it was all original. Sometimes, the bass players (including myself ! ) are just overthinking about our sound, just saying……..

 

[MrAB4003]

I want to get y’all’s thoughts in 2026 on this bass. My wife wants to get me a nice bass for finally getting a job after 2 years of searching (and her wedding gift to me) so she told me to do some research and let her know which one I want within a 2k range. My first thought was a used AMPROII P but in Canada I can’t find any for that price range.

I had several options:

1. Mike Dirnt RW Precision in blonde and maple
2. 2011 60th Anniversary P (yes. That one) but three hours away
3. Antique olive green AMPROI P
4. Geddy Lee Jazz MIM

I eventually decided on option 3; I’ve never owned an American Fender and my wife was like “we should change that then.”

From what I can gather, the V-Mod I pickup is hit or miss and a lot of people tend to swap it out for something else.

No carve neck heel which kind of sucks but I’ll manage.

What else should I look out for?

I would look for a 2008-2015 era American Standard P or go with Option #2. Any bass worth keeping long term is worth driving for. The V Mod pickups (versions I and II) in the Am Pro series aren't good IMO.

If you really want to go with Option #3, I would look into a pickup replacement. I replaced the V Mod II pickups in my Am Pro II P Bass with EMG Geezer Butler pickups. They're soldlerless and they sound a lot more balanced tonally than the V Mod II pickups!

You could also try and find a used Rickenbacker 4003...

 

[MIJ Fender Guy]

Sweetwater doesn’t ship to Canada, I believe otherwise I’d be all over it.

Even MIJs would be tough because the shipping fees are insane

You can still be under budget even with the shipping. Check out the Traditional 70s Precision. That bass feels so good. And you can later upgrade to some boutique / high end pickups - or DIY Geezers.

 

[ok-djmiller]

If you’re set on a P bass, I’d suggest a used G&L LB-100 made in the last 10 years. Definitely less than $2k and will blow away almost any Fender in your price range.

In general, spend your $$$ on a gently used USA bass over a new MIM.

 

[trothwell]

I had an American Professional Jazz Bass (I think from 2018?) that I thought was just exquisite. Curiously well-shielded from the factory, sounded great, played great. (Why did I sell it? To get something I thought even more exquisite... as always, mixture of happiness and regret!) But then I recently played an American Professional Series II Precision Bass that I thought was just ... okay. Probably different pickups would have made it sound fine, but I guess when trying out a ~$2000 instrument, I would like it sound good without modifying it.

But the point being, I would think the American Professional worth a try. See if you like it before ruling it out, especially if you can easily demo it.

 

[lowendrachel]

EBMM Stingray? Good luck!

 

[gwangi]

My honest opinion would be a Fender American Professional ii Precision bass.

 

[MovingPitchers]

My honest opinion would be a Fender American Professional ii Precision bass.

The used prices for those in Canada are ridiculous. Not even close to a decent deal.

 

[MovingPitchers]

I would look for a 2008-2015 era American Standard P or go with Option #2. Any bass worth keeping long term is worth driving for. The V Mod pickups (versions I and II) in the Am Pro series aren't good IMO.

If you really want to go with Option #3, I would look into a pickup replacement. I replaced the V Mod II pickups in my Am Pro II P Bass with EMG Geezer Butler pickups. They're soldlerless and they sound a lot more balanced tonally than the V Mod II pickups!

You could also try and find a used Rickenbacker 4003...

Yep! I have the GZRs in my Player P and they’re amazing.

I might put them in the AMPROI if I do end up buying it and using the wiring harness from it to install PV63s into my Player one.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Yep! I have the GZRs in my Player P and they’re amazing.

I might put them in the AMPROI if I do end up buying it and using the wiring harness from it to install PV63s into my Player one.

Some Fender Pure Vintage 63 pickups in a MIM Player one sounds very good and won’t break the bank. More than good enough for many people.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I have owned both the Pro I and Pro II Precisions. Personally I liked the Pro II more. However, structurally both are solid basses. I tend to agree with most about the vmod I pickup. It is unbalanced. The vmod II is much better.

The physical playability of the Pro I will be good. The neck is fine. The biggest thing missing is the sculpted heal. But it is a quality bass.

If you want the Pro I I would plan to probably replace the pickup. The Geezers or the PV63 or PV60 would be more than fine.

 

[logdrum]

My wife bought me strings only. You are lucky

I second the American Standard 2008 - 2014 when they used CS-62 pickups. There is something about those batches of pickups made for that run. I am not sold on the MIJ re-issues. Great craftmanship but really nothing special, specially if they are Crafted in Japan rather then Made in Japan. If you want a Fender Japan bass, go for the different designs, like 80's Jazz Specials or Aerodyne, Boxer bass or Japanese market only editions. Otherwise you will be pining for an American Fender. There is also the AVRI series if you would like a re-issue bass. The 08-14 standards are best bang for the money and really a solid no frills Fender Precision. Just the right output level and tonal balance on those pickups.

 

[gwangi]

The used prices for those in Canada are ridiculous. Not even close to a decent deal.

Oh I didn't realize, what about the Fender American Professional Classic Precision bass:

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[BobKos]

I'm going to buck the trend here and say the BEST P-Bass I have ever owned is a Squire Matt Freeman model. If you have the opportunity to audition one, it deserves your attention.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Some Fender Pure Vintage 63 pickups in a MIM Player one sounds very good and won’t break the bank. More than good enough for many people.

My top 2 pickups have to be the GZRs and the PV63s.

 

[MovingPitchers]

My wife bought me strings only. You are lucky

I second the American Standard 2008 - 2014 when they used CS-62 pickups. There is something about those batches of pickups made for that run. I am not sold on the MIJ re-issues. Great craftmanship but really nothing special, specially if they are Crafted in Japan rather then Made in Japan. If you want a Fender Japan bass, go for the different designs, like 80's Jazz Specials or Aerodyne, Boxer bass or Japanese market only editions. Otherwise you will be pining for an American Fender. There is also the AVRI series if you would like a re-issue bass. The 08-14 standards are best bang for the money and really a solid no frills Fender Precision. Just the right output level and tonal balance on those pickups.

Yep that’s my dream bass, a 2012-16 Am STD P in OW and maple. Just really hard to find any rn because everyone else thinks they’re great as well!

 

[MovingPitchers]

Oh I didn't realize, what about the Fender American Professional Classic Precision bass:

Invalid Link Removed

I tried one out recently and it didn’t feel that comfortable.