I don’t care what you think about Fender or their pricing. I don’t want to hear about other brands, they are irrelevant for this poll. I want a Fender that I will leave 100% original, all the ones I have now have something that has been changed.
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Which FENDER P to buy?
- Thread starter mdogs
- Start date
I would never by a bass with looks being my primary concern.
A lot to do with your price point, closer to 1k or 2k would really steer the ship in a particular direction.
In this case where you're asking about which version of P bass to buy, I think looks work out to the best way to reduce your options.
Because if looks don't matter to you, then just buy whichever one is at but not over your budget limit.
I voted Am Pro lol, but if I could find a 2008-2012 used and un-touched, that’s what I’d buy.
The budget has been set by the range of basses that I listed. Also, these basses all look exactly the same from more than 5 feet.
This one’s brother or sister:
$4k new at GC. Well worth it, and if you can get one used all the better.
I would go to all the shops and try them. Buy the one that makes you smile. It could be any of those.
The problem with (and evil genius of) Fender churning out the same basic product, decade after decade, with seemingly small - yet significant - changes, is that once you buy one, you're very quickly start rationalizing buying more: because, well there are some differences, which might be important.
This is something I managed to avoid completely, for almost 35 years, until Fender finally made a Precision (Am Pro II) that ticked all the boxes for me...
And now I find myself often thinking "maybe I do need a vintage style, with flats..." SHUT UP! Stupid Medulla OblonGASa!
I guess if I were going to get another, it would be an AV late 50's style, but eventually I'd probably get drawn into also owning an early 50's style: it's a slippery slope.
The new American Professional "Classic" range looks intriguing, and fun (I'm not sure if they're sort of positioned as a kind of modern Highway One), but I have a question for the group :
The vast majority of Sunburst basses made throughout Fender's history have had three piece bodies, and the joins are clearly visible (sure, two piece bodies aren't all that uncommon, making the join less visible. There are even one piece bodies, but most use three pieces).
Every American Professional "Classic" that I've seen photos of, appears to have a one piece body - or presumably perfectly book matched joins (haven't seen any in real life, as my local new stock retailer, GAK, went under a while back).
Does anyone know if the American Professional "Classic" actually uses front, and back veneers; or are they actually one piece bodies?
This is something I managed to avoid completely, for almost 35 years, until Fender finally made a Precision (Am Pro II) that ticked all the boxes for me...
And now I find myself often thinking "maybe I do need a vintage style, with flats..." SHUT UP! Stupid Medulla OblonGASa!
I guess if I were going to get another, it would be an AV late 50's style, but eventually I'd probably get drawn into also owning an early 50's style: it's a slippery slope.
The new American Professional "Classic" range looks intriguing, and fun (I'm not sure if they're sort of positioned as a kind of modern Highway One), but I have a question for the group :
The vast majority of Sunburst basses made throughout Fender's history have had three piece bodies, and the joins are clearly visible (sure, two piece bodies aren't all that uncommon, making the join less visible. There are even one piece bodies, but most use three pieces).
Every American Professional "Classic" that I've seen photos of, appears to have a one piece body - or presumably perfectly book matched joins (haven't seen any in real life, as my local new stock retailer, GAK, went under a while back).
Does anyone know if the American Professional "Classic" actually uses front, and back veneers; or are they actually one piece bodies?
I have a used Custom Shop - 100% stock and it's amazing. A '59 P - it's shimmed and that's it, and that's pretty par for any Fender style bolt on. Wonderful relic finish on the back of the neck, the pickups are great, and it's inspiring to play.
Also I have a Pro II 5-string and an American Performer P-4, along with a Tony Franklin signature fretless. They're all great but I felt the need to slightly modify some things. I wasn't crazy about the looks of the Performer, the tone of the Pro II pickups (V-Mod II's), and the pickup controls on the Tony. All personal stuff that probably wouldn't translate to other players.
Also I have a Pro II 5-string and an American Performer P-4, along with a Tony Franklin signature fretless. They're all great but I felt the need to slightly modify some things. I wasn't crazy about the looks of the Performer, the tone of the Pro II pickups (V-Mod II's), and the pickup controls on the Tony. All personal stuff that probably wouldn't translate to other players.
I have a few Fender CS. One Masterbuilt and one on the way. I just picked up a used CS 66 Jazz for the price of an American Vintage II and it may be the best sounding and playing bass I own.
Pro II's have always been nice. No disputing that. I suppose a Custom Shop is better but I can't part with that kind of money for just ONE bass. Now that Pro Classic (Green w Rosewood) shocked me at how good it was. Maybe I just got a good one, I dunno..... For the money, it's probably the best you can buy. Sound, looks, feel, price..... that's pretty good. Mine had great weigh and balance as well. Ya can't ask for much more.
Do what I did a few weeks ago and look for an American Standard from 2012-2016. That era is arguably one of the best in Fender's modern era all across the board.
If money isn't an issue then go Custom Shop.
If money isn't an issue then go Custom Shop.
The only ones I would be interested in would have medium jumbo frets. Pretty sure that would be the Player II, Am Pro Classic and the Standard. Tried a Player II at GC. It was OK. I have a Pro Classic. Great neck but I don't like the pickup. Seems undefined and I can't deal with the slightly raised poles. I have a few '08-'12 Standards. That would be my recommendation. Great necks and my favorite pickup. Slightly scooped but great lows and hi's.
