Which FENDER P to buy?

[Element Zero]

I would buy a custom shop late 50’s P Bass reissue with a maple fretboard in either 3 tone sunburst or aged blonde finish with a gold anodized pickguard. Either pristine brand new or lightly relict. Throw a Fralin 5% overwound 60’s pickup in it and call it a day.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

No love for Ultras? Nice deal on one just posted in the classifieds.

My Ultra II Jazz is fantastic. IMO, an Ultra J makes more sense than an Ultra P.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

Personally /if it were me, I'd look in this order:

A Fullerton Vintage Reissue if you can find one for custom shop pricing / low $3000s, (Long shot, but they do pop up at this price or less - but disappear quickly)
Custom Shop
American Vintage II
Standards have a good rep.

 

[One Way]

I voted American Professional II. My 5 string has been excellent and has surprisingly good B string tone.

 

[Nedmundo]

Am. Pro. II for me. I don't like the vintage 7.5" fretboard radius on several models, so that narrows it down. Frankly, I'm not crazy about the 9.5" radius either, but Fender usually doesn't offer anything flatter.

So, between the American Pro Classic and American Pro II, I'd go with the Pro II for the high mass bridge and five-bolt neck attachment. (I'm trusting the pickup would be to my liking, but who knows.) I've had a few basses in predecessor series (Am. Series and Am. Std.), including one with the high mass bridge, and they were generally excellent. I still have my 2003 J.

But, if you come across a 2012-16 American Standard in good condition, consider that too. They had Custom Shop pickups, and that American Standard generation was typically very good. Some of them were fairly light. My 2008 Jazz V was lighter than my fours.

 

[96tbird]

The thing is, there is almost zero chance that this bass would move to the top of my P list. Currently at the top are my Nash PB-63 PJ and a Mexican Frankenfender with an Aguilar Hot P that was put together by Nino Valenti and is spectacular. But I want a pure bred Fender and the ones that have been really intriguing me lately are the Vintera II nitros, really love a good nitro finish. But, I must not be 00% sold since I have not pulled the trigger yet.

Yeah, I have the forerunner of vintera line, Classic 50s P, plain poly. It’s great. I played a RW classic 50s nitro (SB) and it was one notch up from there. It was the package. If you can handle the big fat nut width and tight radius, I’m sure you can’t go wrong and save a bit of cash over the MIA stuff. Mine has kinda closed the door on GAS going on a decade. Nice to see at the top of the list, although it would be cool if you could get all your picks together and do a shootout.

 

[mdogs]

Frankly, I am a little shocked over the lack of love for the Vinteras, I think these are probably the best value Fender has going right now. I have a Vintera neck on one of my jazz basses and it is one of the best necks I own. I wonder if this is due to people not being able to try them out first hand?

 

[bassdude51]

IMO................a used Custom Shop (if you can afford it).

IMO again, the 2013 to 2017 Fender AVRI line was EXCEPTUAL! The best Fenders made. Just about equal to Custom Shop.

Good luck on your decision and buy!

 

[scuzzy]

Frankly, I am a little shocked over the lack of love for the Vinteras, I think these are probably the best value Fender has going right now. I have a Vintera neck on one of my jazz basses and it is one of the best necks I own. I wonder if this is due to people not being able to try them out first hand?

if you ask folks to spend your money, they are gonna spend the top dollar.

 

[DTF]

Frankly, I am a little shocked over the lack of love for the Vinteras, I think these are probably the best value Fender has going right now. I have a Vintera neck on one of my jazz basses and it is one of the best necks I own. I wonder if this is due to people not being able to try them out first hand?

theyre awesome , custom shops are awesomer

 

[DTF]

if you dont mind going used on a non cs model , the classic '50s lacquer is an incredible value, I think they go for 800-1100

 

[Lowbrow]

Frankly, I am a little shocked over the lack of love for the Vinteras, I think these are probably the best value Fender has going right now. I have a Vintera neck on one of my jazz basses and it is one of the best necks I own. I wonder if this is due to people not being able to try them out first hand?

well people had a choice, right? Makes sense that a US Vintage, CS choice might edge out the Vintera given unlimited funds.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

If ...money....isnt...an...issue.
I live in a world where money is always an issue. For folks that have plenty of it, it makes sense that the very best made model is the way to go. The best is..well...the best!
If my lively hood depended on my Pbass, I'd want to spend whatever it took to have the best tool for the job. For those of us who don't rely on it to pay the bills, It will be the best one we can afford .
Its not like the less expensive models don't work.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Frankly, I am a little shocked over the lack of love for the Vinteras, I think these are probably the best value Fender has going right now. I have a Vintera neck on one of my jazz basses and it is one of the best necks I own. I wonder if this is due to people not being able to try them out first hand?

They play and sound great but I’m not used to the vintage specs yet.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

Take your pick based on your budget. My experience is they will all do the PB thing, and the more you go up in price expect more refinement. Just like buying cars.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

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.

About 99% percent of us have a price element that affects their decisions, and if you're the 1% that doesn't that's awesome for you. Since I'm in that 99%, I choose a Player II Precision Bass on the basis of well-built, quality components, a range of different colors and fretboard materials and lastly, you guessed it: PRICE. And since you have to look at the thing you're buying, find a model that is made in colors you like IF you can afford it.

 

[slowjam98]

I went through the “which P” dilemma many years ago. I had functional, aesthetic, and budgetary requirements and ultimately landed on the Fender Mike Dirnt Road Worn. I’m so happy with it. Love the sound, the feel, and the neck has a quirky perfection.

Best current Fender Precision Bass series?

My brother has an American Elite (not to be confused with an Elite or an American Professional). It’s worth adding to your list of considerations.

 

[Swerve]

Frankly, I am a little shocked over the lack of love for the Vinteras, I think these are probably the best value Fender has going right now. I have a Vintera neck on one of my jazz basses and it is one of the best necks I own. I wonder if this is due to people not being able to try them out first hand?

The one's I tried the neck width was too much for me, iirc 1.75", more a fan of 1.62". Also I refuse to buy a bass without easy access truss rod adjustment.

American Performer's hit that P bass sweet spot for me, just wish they'd get rid of that silly greasebucket tone circuit. I haven't tried the Am Pro Classic yet but they look like a winner.

Am Pro's have features I don't want or need like string through body or high mass bridge.

My ideal P is the meat and potatoes vintage look but with easier truss rod access, slightly slimmer neck, and medium jumbo frets. The new Indonesian Standards fit that bill.

 

[MIJ Fender Guy]

I've owned them ALL in multiple variations: Player/Player II, American Pro/Pro II, American Standard, American Special, Performer, AV / AVII, AO, AND Custom Shop. The Custom Shop blew them all away, no debate. So that is my vote.

And so does the MIJ Heritage 60s Precision, which is what I currently play.

 

[MovingPitchers]

The one's I tried the neck width was too much for me, iirc 1.75", more a fan of 1.62". Also I refuse to buy a bass without easy access truss rod adjustment.

American Performer's hit that P bass sweet spot for me, just wish they'd get rid of that silly greasebucket tone circuit. I haven't tried the Am Pro Classic yet but they look like a winner.

Am Pro's have features I don't want or need like string through body or high mass bridge.

My ideal P is the meat and potatoes vintage look but with easier truss rod access, slightly slimmer neck, and medium jumbo frets. The new Indonesian Standards fit that bill.

Indonesian Standards or the Player I/Player II will fit that bill then. One thing I love about them is the headstock truss rod access. The Player series stock pickups are actually really good; punchy, loud, and lots of growl (whatever that may mean to you).