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Torn. American Pro II Precision V or 1974 4 Bolt P?
- Thread starter rawchuck
- Start date
A Pro II in Mercury and dark rosewood board but with four strings …
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Prices on 70s Fenders have gone insane IMO. It's not that long ago 70s Fenders were considered junk. Of course not ALL of them are junk but the 70s wasn't exactly Fender's best period. Just because something is old and has a Fender logo doesn't mean it's any good. Personally I'm shocked at the prices people are paying for 70s Fenders. Of course everyone will tell you they got "a good one", which is of course impossible when considering all the junk Fender shipped out the doors in the 70s. The REALLY good vintage Fenders hardly ever come up for sale. And that includes the ones from the 50s and 60s.
Even though Fender's current QC isn't exactly the best in the business they still make more consistently good instruments now than at ANY point in their history. You may not like the V-mod pickup in the Pro (lots of people don't) but a pickup can be replaced. In every other respect the Pro is most likely a FAR better instrument than the '74, even if the '74 is in GOOD condition for it's age. Of course you won't know unless you try both of them but the odds are stacked against the '74, that's for sure!
Do you want a musical instrument or something to show off as a "vintage" Fender?
Unless you can test the '74 and get it at a REALLY good price (like less than half the price of the Pro which would be fair for an old, used, worn instrument if you think about it) I would get the Pro. They may not have the status of a "vintage" Fender but it will most likely be a far superior instrument.
Even though Fender's current QC isn't exactly the best in the business they still make more consistently good instruments now than at ANY point in their history. You may not like the V-mod pickup in the Pro (lots of people don't) but a pickup can be replaced. In every other respect the Pro is most likely a FAR better instrument than the '74, even if the '74 is in GOOD condition for it's age. Of course you won't know unless you try both of them but the odds are stacked against the '74, that's for sure!
Do you want a musical instrument or something to show off as a "vintage" Fender?
Unless you can test the '74 and get it at a REALLY good price (like less than half the price of the Pro which would be fair for an old, used, worn instrument if you think about it) I would get the Pro. They may not have the status of a "vintage" Fender but it will most likely be a far superior instrument.
I'll take a brand new Fender any day over a vintage one. I've never owned a vintage one and I've never played one, but the newer Fenders are some of the best I've come across. I'm not a 5 string player, but I find the low B on the American Standards and Pro's to play great. I just prefer the 4 string neck size and shape.
I'm also curious about the Metrolines, but if price is equal, I'd take the Fender.
This would be an easier call with pics.
I'm also curious about the Metrolines, but if price is equal, I'd take the Fender.
This would be an easier call with pics.
Well, I'd roll the dice on the '74 because I've been fortunate with '70's Fenders. If it stinks you can always sell it. The next person might love it. You won't lose your shirt and it's worth a shot. New basses will always be available. The '74 P had a four-bolt neck, TV logo and old style pickups (before they used the brittle sounding ones in '76).
Along with several others here, I'd take the AM Pro 5-string.
But I would choose the 5-string for what's right about it, not because of what might be wrong with the '74 4-string.
And although the Fender P5 I had several years ago had a decent B string, a Nord NP5 Vintage made everything sound better. No bridge pup needed.
But I would choose the 5-string for what's right about it, not because of what might be wrong with the '74 4-string.
And although the Fender P5 I had several years ago had a decent B string, a Nord NP5 Vintage made everything sound better. No bridge pup needed.
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In May I picked up up the AM PRO II Jazz V and I was playing a 77 Pbass. The pbass is great, I can't say anything about the 70's basses being duds because mine is amazing. For about a decade I've put it through its paces professionally and it's still going strong.
As much as I love the pbass the jazz is an amazing instrument. Build quality is great, sounds amazing and where it truly wins over the pbass is that it's incredibly light.
I've not done a direct comparison but it's easy half the weight of the P.
It's even lighter than a guitar playing friends AM Ultra Strat which blew all of our minds. Come to think of it, it might even be lighter than my 4 string MIM jazz
I'd say you can't go wrong with either bass. I'd give the vintage bass a shot first to make sure it's as good as it looks but you are in a win win situation.
As much as I love the pbass the jazz is an amazing instrument. Build quality is great, sounds amazing and where it truly wins over the pbass is that it's incredibly light.
I've not done a direct comparison but it's easy half the weight of the P.
It's even lighter than a guitar playing friends AM Ultra Strat which blew all of our minds. Come to think of it, it might even be lighter than my 4 string MIM jazz
I'd say you can't go wrong with either bass. I'd give the vintage bass a shot first to make sure it's as good as it looks but you are in a win win situation.
You may have heard the saying "It's an island. If you don't bring it with you it won't be found here".
So, is MOJO to be found in an overrated period bass, Nope. You have to bring it with you too.
If you're looking for a good musical instrument, absolutely buy the new 5'er.
If you're looking to reclaim some of your misspent youth (and said youth was in the mid 70's), the 70s P is what you want - nostalgia is why those things fetch more than a few hundred bucks. Beware that its likely quite heavy and probably needs some work to be a decent player. The 70's was Fender's worst period in terms of quality.
If you're looking to reclaim some of your misspent youth (and said youth was in the mid 70's), the 70s P is what you want - nostalgia is why those things fetch more than a few hundred bucks. Beware that its likely quite heavy and probably needs some work to be a decent player. The 70's was Fender's worst period in terms of quality.
I started playing in 1990 and you couldn't give away 70s fenders back then. My dad got my my first bass (MIJ P Copy that appears to be a rebranded Aria Pro II) for 175 and then offered to swap it if i wanted something else if I wanted. So we went back to the shop. They had a blocked and bound Fender Jazz for 225 (presumably 75-79 or so). We both agreed the P copy played and sounded better so I kept that. That J is probably work 3 grand now
