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Precision bass questions

#101
Good choice, Joe! Congrats. Like I said, I love mine. I did swap out the pickguard; but other than that, it feels and sounds great.

Back in 2008, somebody who worked at a GC posted that they were having a blowout price on Blizzard Pearl American Standards. I went in to my local GC and lo and behold, they had two Am. Std. Jazzes in that color. Similar to your story, I played them both and found that I clearly preferred one over the other; so that's the one I snagged. Nice when a plan comes together, huh?! ;)
 
#102
Another congrats! I just pulled the trigger on one of these as well. Twas the same price at North Portland GC, $699 with a gig bag. I absolutely love it. They had two hanging on the wall, both played about the same but I picked this one for its body grain and the darker finish. This thing is resonant, the unplugged volume is like no other fender I've played. Warm and fuzzy's for sure

The setup was atrocious but I was able to set the action low with no buzz. I'm at 4/64" at the 17th fret on all 4 strings. The build quality is nice, but most importantly, it sounds great!... Perhaps due to the crap 08-12 pickups?? I have no plans of any mods, the mex hardware seems plenty good for me. Here she is in black..

0ec94596-e86e-4eda-9d7b-72657ad70117_zpskvkbldpe.jpg
 
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#103
goodformetal said:
Another congrats! I just pulled the trigger on one of these as well. Twas the same price at North Portland GC, $699 with a gig bag. I absolutely love it. They had two hanging on the wall, both played about the same but I picked this one for its body grain and the darker finish. This thing is resonant, the unplugged volume is like no other fender I've played. Warm and fuzzy's for sure

The setup was atrocious but I was able to set the action low with no buzz. I'm at 4/64" at the 17th fret on all 4 strings. The build quality is nice, but most importantly, it sounds great!... Perhaps due to the crap 08-12 pickups?? I have no plans of any mods, the mex hardware seems plenty good for me. Here she is in black..

0ec94596-e86e-4eda-9d7b-72657ad70117_zpskvkbldpe.jpg
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Never see the nitro version whith a black pickguard, looks great!
 
#109
Tbone76 said:
The American Special uses the same hardware as the MIM standard basses, and the bridge is not string-thru-body. The tone pot is Fenders Greasebucket version, which rolls highs off without adding lows. Some people love it, some don't notice it, and some people hate it. The American Specials also have graphite support rods in the neck, rolled fretboard edges, and the Slim-C profile, which is thinner front-to-back. The nut width is the same, however, as a modern P bass (1.625").

Pickups are the same as the pre-2012 American Standards. I personally love the feel of the Slim-C profile, but others don't. FWIW, if you check GC, the Nitro Satin Honeyburst is an American Special without the Greasebucket tone control (although randomly, some do have it), and a nitro finished body. It's also less than the American Special. I had one and shouldn't have traded it. Hope this helps.
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I have been researching, pondering and trying to decide what P bass I wanted next. Just bought the new Sandblasted version and of course can't play it until I get home from Afghanistan. Fro what I am reading here the American Special seems to be a pretty good choice with some mods to go along with it! I was contemplating a vintage, vintage reissue or Std model. I built a Warmoth Jazz and also have a Fender MIJ jazz reissue and the sandblasted P bass. Now I want a vintage looking with maple board. Contemplated another Warmoth build, but the necks are heavy and thick as well as the bodies. This American Special has caught my attention big time! I will invest in the Geezer Pups and and do some mods to my sandblasted version! (Ordered a new pickguard a few minutes ago!) I really like that Honeyburst model which they discontinued! (Typical Fender)
 
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#112
jp8848 said:
I have been researching, pondering and trying to decide what P bass I wanted next. Just bought the new Sandblasted version and of course can't play it until I get home from Afghanistan. Fro what I am reading here the American Special seems to be a pretty good choice with some mods to go along with it! I was contemplating a vintage, vintage reissue or Std model. I built a Warmoth Jazz and also have a Fender MIJ jazz reissue and the sandblasted P bass. Now I want a vintage looking with maple board. Contemplated another Warmoth build, but the necks are heavy and thick as well as the bodies. This American Special has caught my attention big time! I will invest in the Geezer Pups and and do some mods to my sandblasted version! (Ordered a new pickguard a few minutes ago!) I really like that Honeyburst model which they discontinued! (Typical Fender)
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The sandblasted models are crazy looking (in a good way!). From what the specs are showing, the sandblasted models are spec'd the same as the Honeyburst (including the neck), with the exception of the ash body. It also looks like the sandblasted models are a limited-edition. Depending on when you return, I bet you'll be able to find a Honeyburst when you get back. I love how the Geezer pups sound in my American Standard, but I may hold off putting them in the Honeyburst, because they sound good to my ear. I have a rehearsal coming up this week, so I'll wait till then to decide.
What pg did you go with?

On another topic:
Watch your a$$ over there and get back safely.
 
#116
Its all pretty good over here. We are up in the northern part of Afghanistan near Mazar e Sharif. Working the Fire Dept at Camp Marmal for the German Base! Very quiet here, but sure miss my basses and not being able to play! Ole Tbone was watching it snow that day my wife snapped the pic of him! He is rotten like no other!! He is a mommas boy!! But I found a Honeyburst and watching it closely and also found a MIM 50' reissue as well Im watching. Im sure the Honeyburst price will skyrocket int he next few days! But I may bid on the MIM model! Looked really good plus I can mod it too! I really like your set up too! Really nice and the rw looks darn good on your HB model! Sweet!
 
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#117
jp8848 said:
Its all pretty good over here. We are up in the northern part of Afghanistan near Mazar e Sharif. Working the Fire Dept at Camp Marmal for the German Base! Very quiet here, but sure miss my basses and not being able to play! Ole Tbone was watching it snow that day my wife snapped the pic of him! He is rotten like no other!! He is a mommas boy!! But I found a Honeyburst and watching it closely and also found a MIM 50' reissue as well Im watching. Im sure the Honeyburst price will skyrocket int he next few days! But I may bid on the MIM model! Looked really good plus I can mod it too! I really like your set up too! Really nice and the rw looks darn good on your HB model! Sweet!
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Thanks! I was a dummy and traded the honey/rw combo. I did just buy a new honey/maple and I'm keeping it, though. I've never played the 50's MIM, but there's a ton of positives on here about it.
 
#119
filler83 said:
How does the Nate Mendel compare to the US?
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Build quality was the same between the 2. The premium MIM models are really on par with the US ones, imo. The quarter-pounder pup is really aggressive compared to stock P pups, to the point where I'd have to re-eq my amp if I swapped between that P and my American Special. It did sound great with roundwounds, though.
 
#120
Dbassmon said:
Joe - congrats on very good decision to expand your arsenal to include a Pbass. Its about time, don't you think?
Regarding the standard P bass neck profile, here is what I have found FWIW.... The caveat here is that you have solid technique and good hand position but the Pbass neck is actually easier on the hand because it is actually less fatiguing to not have to close your hand as far as say the jazz neck. This makes for a more relaxed hand position. That may take a while to get comfy but let me know if you don't agree after you get used to it.... just one bass players opinion of course.

Mexican vs American, pre 2012 etc... At the end of the day, variations in pick up windings and tone circuits will effect the sound minimally, split coil pick in the Pbass position is gonna sound like a Pbass. Quality amplification in the hands of skilled player, its gonna sound awesome!
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Dbassmon nailed it on the neck. I thought it was just me and my hands problem after surgery but, that wide neck is more comfortable because my hands do not have to close as tightly as on a Jazz (IMHO).
I just picked up an AVRI neck (1.74" wide) and I am home :bassist:

You need to find a way to play a wide P neck for longer than in the store. Best way is to do a few gigs and see for yourself (YMMV).
I may be too late on this if you already bought one.

Cheers!!
 
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