To choose a Precision precisely for 1000$

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I can't find it with rosewood neck there, only maple. What about you?

Email them and ask about getting one in. Brandt told me when I bought my 08 P5 that they've been moving through almost as fast as they get them, so putting your name in the hat couldn't hurt. Like I said, the service is stellar, and they'll do all they can to get you what you want.

 

[EricF]

The vintage ones often go for 1500-2000, according to eBay's completed listings; that is a bit depressing.

Depending on what year it was built, you might need to add another 0. I recently purchased an all-original '68 Fender P-bass for the bargian price of just a bit less than $5k.

Here's a good option...used MIJ Fender P. That'll leave you some money left over for a black pickguard (if that's what you want) and an amp, too.

 

[savit260]

The one on the left is a brand new American Standard. I paid $800 for it with the case and case candy after some negotiation. Well under the $1000 you've budgeted, and it holds it's own pretty well against its Vintage stable mate. The new ones are the best stuff Fenders produced in 40 years (required IMO)

 

[king_biscuit]

I've had the chance to play at least a dozen of the 08 Fenders. IMO, they are great instruments, but pretty much the same thing Fender has been doing for at least 10 or 12 years. I want to know what has changed, really. The high mass bridge? gimmic! Rolled fretboard? been there for at least 5-6 years. Same pickups, same woods, same poly finish, same, same, same! It does give the former Fender haters a chance to buy a Fender now under the excuse that the new ones are different! This includes the heretofore vintage snobs...

I think a lot of the percieved quality differences are because the 08s haven't been sitting around GC for years getting beat by nasty teens. They have good setups and new strings, and sound great the moment someone picks them up. Most of the pre 08s are just as good with a good setup and new strings! I'm not going to change this tidal wave, though, and I'll probably get flammed for this post.

 

[smalesti]

The one on the left is a brand new American Standard. I paid $800 for it with the case and case candy after some negotiation. Well under the $1000 you've budgeted, and it holds it's own pretty well against its Vintage stable mate. The new ones are the best stuff Fenders produced in 40 years (required IMO)

Thanks for clearing this up! Now I'm even more certain that a new one is better. Is there anything more beautiful than this?

 

[smalesti]

Email them and ask about getting one in. Brandt told me when I bought my 08 P5 that they've been moving through almost as fast as they get them, so putting your name in the hat couldn't hurt. Like I said, the service is stellar, and they'll do all they can to get you what you want.

Done. Fingers crossed. Seems like a best buy. Are they the only store with a discount/voucher code on my bass? They can't be, but the others seem to be hard to find.

 

[savit260]

I've had the chance to play at least a dozen of the 08 Fenders. IMO, they are great instruments, but pretty much the same thing Fender has been doing for at least 10 or 12 years. I want to know what has changed, really. The high mass bridge? gimmic! Rolled fretboard? been there for at least 5-6 years. Same pickups, same woods, same poly finish, same, same, same! It does give the former Fender haters a chance to buy a Fender now under the excuse that the new ones are different! This includes the heretofore vintage snobs...

I think a lot of the percieved quality differences are because the 08s haven't been sitting around GC for years getting beat by nasty teens. They have good setups and new strings, and sound great the moment someone picks them up. Most of the pre 08s are just as good with a good setup and new strings! I'm not going to change this tidal wave, though, and I'll probably get flammed for this post.

Don't interpret this as a flame post. Just a clarification.

This is most definitly a different finish on the new basses. It's still poly, but no nearly as thick. Definitly more lively feeling. Also not as heavy as previous models, which implies to me that Fender is picking better timbers.

The feel of the neck is much improved IMO. I've played s-1 and American Statndards back to back a number of times. The new ones feel better IMO. The older ones felt stiff in comparison.

FRET WORK much better on the new stuff. Practicaly every American Series bass I've played over the past few years had sub standard fret work, IMO. Many with enough fret sprout to make me groan out loud. This seems to have been corrected in the new AS line. I've played many many American Standards, and it's no longer an issue.

I honestly figured the new stuff was just a gimick until I actually got my hands on one. Keep in mind, I played my first new AS well before there was any hype here on TB.

There really is a difference. There's no way in hell that I would have gone out and bought one if they were the same as the stuff Fender has been cranking out for the last 7 or 8 years now.

Keep in mind, I formed this opinion BEFORE the hype hit, and I've played Fenders my whole life. This is the new Fender I've been waiting years for.

I had been planning on putting together or custom ordering some kind of Super Precision when I bought my A.S. Yeah, it's that good. (required IMO)


The new bridge? Can't really say how much this contributes to anything, but it is a nice quality piece.

I had actaully singled out a "REALLY GOOD" 07 American Series at a local store. I even commented at the time (before the Ameican Standards where out) that this was the "best" American Series bass I'd ever played. Well, when the American Standards came out, this same bass was still in the store. I played them back to back. No contest. I had also played numerous other 08's by this point in time. I could have got an even deeper discount on the 07, but it was't worth it to me. The American Standard was that much better IMO.

 

[savit260]

Done. Fingers crossed. Seems like a best buy. Are they the only store with a discount/voucher code on my bass? They can't be, but the others seem to be hard to find.

Usually, if you want a discount, you just have to ask.


No ask, no discount.

If you ask, the worst thing that will happen is they say no, and then you take your business elsewhere.

 

[smalesti]

Usually, if you want a discount, you just have to ask.


No ask, no discount.

If you ask, the worst thing that will happen is they say no, and then you take your business elsewhere.

You're right, of course. Seeing as this is quite an expensive item, even bigger stores may offer a discount. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[smalesti]

Not that it matters much, but I thought I'd update possible readers and contributors to this thread that I may have, or are about to, change opinion about esthetics and favour the Blizzard Pearl with maple neck.

James Jamerson might have blurred my eyes earlier; it was all about rosewood and sunburst.

Now, I've set my eyes on Blizzard Pearl with maple neck. IMO it has a more clean and pure overall look.

 

[smalesti]

I bought this one: http://www.sweetwater.com/guitargallery/bass/all/sZ8093190/

Thanks for all your help, lads. Much appreciated!!

 

[EagleMoon]

Great choice! Blizzard Pearl is my favorite color of the new Fenders.

 

[Jeff K]

Not that it matters much, but I thought I'd update possible readers and contributors to this thread that I may have, or are about to, change opinion about esthetics and favour the Blizzard Pearl with maple neck.

James Jamerson might have blurred my eyes earlier; it was all about rosewood and sunburst.

Now, I've set my eyes on Blizzard Pearl with maple neck. IMO it has a more clean and pure overall look.

I've been looking at that one as well. (Don't worry, I'm not going to bid on it!) I love the Blizzard Pearl. If I were to get one like that (maple board), I'd probably put a black p/g on it. If I got it in rosewood, I'd put a brown tort guard on it. Either way, I think they look great.

 

[gmstudio99]

I love the blizzard pearl/maple...that's exactly what my 97 Inca Silver/Maple looked like before it turned all green....:scowl:

 

[savit260]

I bought this one: http://www.sweetwater.com/guitargallery/bass/all/sZ8093190/

Thanks for all your help, lads. Much appreciated!!

How much of a discount did you get out of them?

 

[joebingo]

I bought this one: http://www.sweetwater.com/guitargallery/bass/all/sZ8093190/

Thanks for all your help, lads. Much appreciated!!

congrats on your new bass! you're gonna love it

 

[smalesti]

How much of a discount did you get out of them?

Ca. 12%. Depended on shipping address (NJ) and paying method (VISA).

 

[ThierryA]

What are you guys doing to this poor guy? I mean, seriously?

1. He's been playing guitar for "too long", but doesn't know the difference between a rosewood and maple fretboard. Seriously?

2. All he wants is a fender that looks like the one in the picture.

Does he really need to spend his entire budget on a brand new professional grade fender when he probably couldn't tell the difference between a Squire, MIM, or MIJ. Does he gig?
Does he have an amp or is he going to play his new MIA through his old guitar combo? Is he going to quit after his hands start hurting while trying to learn?


3. Why hasn't anyone told this guy to go to a decent guitar store and actually try these guitars and maybe some alternatives before dropping a grand?

I hope I haven't offended anyone, but this advice is pretty basic; stuff my old guitar teacher told me for free, before I even started lessons.

Smalesti, get yourself a sunburst MIM, with the fretboard you like, maybe replace the pickguard if you want and then use the extra cash on a decent combo amp. When your playing starts to pay for itself, buy a used 2008 from one of the previous posters. They'll be on ebay at a discount right about the time the 2009's come out.

 

[smalesti]

What are you guys doing to this poor guy? I mean, seriously?

1. He's been playing guitar for "too long", but doesn't know the difference between a rosewood and maple fretboard. Seriously?

2. All he wants is a fender that looks like the one in the picture.

Does he really need to spend his entire budget on a brand new professional grade fender when he probably couldn't tell the difference between a Squire, MIM, or MIJ. Does he gig?
Does he have an amp or is he going to play his new MIA through his old guitar combo? Is he going to quit after his hands start hurting while trying to learn?


3. Why hasn't anyone told this guy to go to a decent guitar store and actually try these guitars and maybe some alternatives before dropping a grand?

I hope I haven't offended anyone, but this advice is pretty basic; stuff my old guitar teacher told me for free, before I even started lessons.

Smalesti, get yourself a sunburst MIM, with the fretboard you like, maybe replace the pickguard if you want and then use the extra cash on a decent combo amp. When your playing starts to pay for itself, buy a used 2008 from one of the previous posters. They'll be on ebay at a discount right about the time the 2009's come out.

Thanks for the down-to-earth post, critic and concern. However, I think I'll be OK, and at the time being I could easily afford the bass (which I already have bought). I've been playing in different bands earlier, some times even on bass guitar, though seldom. You could argue that I should have been more patient, actually tried out different basses and done proper research. That being said, the Precision was recommended by several and I haven't really been in much doubt about that ever, i.e. in regards to looks and rep. Now, let's hope it won't just turn out to be an expensive item in the livingroom ;-) but the source of much joy and so forth

 

[savit260]

Thanks for the down-to-earth post, critic and concern. However, I think I'll be OK, and at the time being I could easily afford the bass (which I already have bought). I've been playing in different bands earlier, some times even on bass guitar, though seldom. You could argue that I should have been more patient, actually tried out different basses and done proper research. That being said, the Precision was recommended by several and I haven't really been in much doubt about that ever, i.e. in regards to looks and rep. Now, let's hope it won't just turn out to be an expensive item in the livingroom ;-) but the source of much joy and so forth

Don't worry, having a good high quality Fender Precision Bass around is never going to be a bad thing.