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Want to buy a Fender precision

G

guillaume91188

Nov 27, 2012
14
4
#1
Hi, a few months ago I decided to buy a fender precision especially to use it in the studio and keep my musicman for live.

I want the best but in my city there is only the professional precision and it does not seem to be unanimous. Reviews here are mixed.

I want your help to choose the best and I Don’t want to be wrong.

First, for those who own the Professional precision do you like it and did you do studio with ? I want your feedbacks! Will you suggest it to me?

And what do you think it’s the best precision bass? I cannot try other pbass than the professional but I can shop online or wait for a used model.

Thanks!
 
#2
i know this isn't much help but the "best" one is the one that feels good in your hands and sounds great to your ears. Of the hundreds of thousands of P basses built since 1951 it's impossible to say which one or which model is the best. That's an individual's decision. Go play the one or ones you can and if you like it, buy it. If you don't, keep looking.
 
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#8
Yahboy said:
Roadworn P.
Click to expand...

I second that. Though they vary a bit in quality, a used Roadworn P might be just about the best bang for buck (they seem to be in the $700-800 range). I have one that is light and resonant with a very solid neck. I replaced the stock pickup with a Lindy Fralin, which was a very worthwhile upgrade. Though it doesn't sound quite as rich and complex as a real late 1950's P, it comes pretty close.
 
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#9
The feeling is important for sure, but I can be comfortable on any basses. For the studio I will prioritize the sound quality and the fiability of the instrument. I had a jazz bass, a stingray and a sterling but the sound that i like the most on records is with Precision. For live shows, I will continue with my sterling.

If y buy the professional I want to be sure that is a right choice for recording because there are lot of bad reviews. If not, I can wait to buy a used model or online for a sure value!

Thanks all for help!
 
#11
I've owned a American Professional P and sent it back to sweetwater after about a week of ownership. I didn't care for the new neck shape. It just didn't feel right in my hands. I do own 2 warmoth p basses that are amazing!!! They have the wider neck profile (1 11/16) which feels great in my hands. I would look around at different p basses form different manufacturers. You never know what you might fall in love with.
 
#12
alack said:
Both good and bad P basses can be found in the new and used markets and at all price points. As already stated it all depends on what feels and sounds good to you. You know a good one when you play it. A good setup is key. I have a Squier that plays as good as any Fender I’ve owned thanks to a comfy neck and a setup that makes it easy to play.
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Agreed. My older Cv 60s fiesta red P with the vintage 58 pickup sounds incredible.
 
#13
It could be a Peavey Fury, or a pre-CBS heirloom. The most subjective (perhaps) of basses. Mine has the magic neck, and if the pickups fade, I’ll just drop or rewind to keep “that” feel. Something about a P’s tone and the feel works in tandem.
 
#15
You’re asking a question it isn’t really possible to answer in the way you want it answered.

I’ve never found two PBs that sounded or played exactly the same regardless of the price, age, model, or place it was manufactured.

There’s no magic formula. The only way to find an exceptional PB is to try as many as you possibly can until you find yourself holding the right one. You'll know it when you find it.

Sometimes you get lucky and find it right away. Other times it can take longer. It’s not unusual to hear stories of someone who looked for their ideal PB for years (or in some cases even decades) before they found “the best” PB.

That’s the best answer I can give you.
 
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#17
If you are not adverse to doing a little research and buying used consider a Fender Japan P. They are IMO great quality, not rare and are still affordable. Mine is a '90 62 reissue and is very close in feel to those era basses. They make others like a '57 or
IMG_2690.JPG
'70 with different specs. You can probably guess it's the one on the right. I see them $800 and under.
 
#18
ahc said:
i know this isn't much help but the "best" one is the one that feels good in your hands and sounds great to your ears. Of the hundreds of thousands of P basses built since 1951 it's impossible to say which one or which model is the best. That's an individual's decision. Go play the one or ones you can and if you like it, buy it. If you don't, keep looking.
Click to expand...

This.
 
#20
I shopped for, played a bunch and purchased an American Standard Precision. I noticed the builds were all very good from bass to bass. Yes, there were slight differences and I picked the one that spoke to me most.
Point is, I think you can't go wrong with a late model Fender. I love the American Standard and its a keeper. Solid with a very playable neck.
Also own a Fender Road Worn Precision. Less expensive than the Standard, Original and Professional but is easily as good or better and light, resonant and just kills.
 

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