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When did American P basses get so good?

Jim C

Jim C

I believe in the trilogy; Fender, Stingray, + G&L
Supporting Member
Nov 29, 2008
15,870
14,110
Bethesda, MD
#1
Played an Fender American Special Precision Bass at GC last week to try out an amp.
Fantastic intrument, better than most 70's, 80's, and at least early 90's Fenders I have owned / played.

Was there a particular year that the manufacturing, QC and set up got perfected? This bass was THAT good and assume that it wasn't a fluke.
 
#4
Wow. This is so hard to believe. It's been a long, long time since Fender bass guitars were uniformly that good. I haven't personally owned a Fender anything since 1985, and just haven't had any interest in one either.

The other day I was scrolling through the photos at BassCentral.com...and spied one of the new American Deluxe Precision Basses, maple board, natural ash body, black pickguard - and that was all it took: Fender GAS.

Now I hear that the new Fenders are among the best ever...and suddenly I'm jonesing for both an American Deluxe Precision and an American Deluxe Jazz.

Curses! And I was doing so well too... :D

MM
 
#5
It is generally acknowledged that the 2008 - up basses changed greatly in quality. I don't know the reason - new equipment or manufacturing techniques, new Quality Control procedures or just hiring a new factory manager - but the difference is amazing.

I bought a 2008 USA P after reading about this, and every time I hold it in my hands I am just amazed - it feels, plays and sounds SO GOOD! Kudos, Fender.

THEN - they did the same thing with the Squier VM and CV lines - just WOW!
 
#6
Took a bit of a gamble and ordered a brand new USA standard P from the states over ebay (i'm in new zealand. I could use this thing for 2 years then sell it for more than what I bought it for here if I take good care of it thanks to local retail prices jacking everything up)

Bloody fantastic bass. Can't get a bad sound of it. Can't believe the price I paid for a bass like this brand new. Looks very nice too (olympic white, the uhhh.. red pick guard I forgot the wood, and a maple neck)


My other bass is a warwick and i'd never owned a fender before this so i'm not some sort of crazed fender nut
 
#10
badboyb said:
Agreed.

From what I have played, 2008 onwards have all been fantastic.

I have a 2008 MIA Standard P bass, which is just spot on.
The feel, sound and playability are great.
Click to expand...

That's what I have. Just lucked out. I have a few other basses.....my G&L L2500 is just massive tone wise, but when it's time to play for money its always the P. Just right for what we do.

Every note is spot on.
 
#13
Since '08 when Fender figured out they shouldn't apply a inch thick poly finish......
Actually it's more than that, they've made some other nice improvements. The one thing I noticed is the necks on most all the newer Am Stds and Specials that I've played have been very nice flat sawn maple. Good stuff.
 
#18
Jim C said:
Played an Fender American Special Precision Bass at GC last week to try out an amp.
Fantastic intrument, better than most 70's, 80's, and at least early 90's Fenders I have owned / played.

Was there a particular year that the manufacturing, QC and set up got perfected? This bass was THAT good and assume that it wasn't a fluke.
Click to expand...

Hey another person discovered that the myth that "old basses are better" just isn't true.
 

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