I was really hoping to get a new vintage Fender, but I was afraid that the nitrocellulose finish would not last in my care. I think that I chose this bass to be my main bass for it's universal appeal, sound, looks, and durability. As I get back into playing regularly, and start to develop a new taste in style, I may pick up a bass w/ active electronics or partial hollow-body or even a bass w/ humbuckers. But for a "first" bass I don't think that the Fender Standard American Precision Bass can be beat.
Model Year: 2005
Price: $999.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Musician's Friend
This is the American Standard Precision bass. It has a black body w/ a black pickguard and a maple neck. It has the standard 20 frets and 4 strings. This model has a tone and a volume knob that includes the S1 switch. It has the split single-coil pickups and the S1 switches the circuit from series to parallel. Using this switch seems to allow one to get a bit of a Jazz bass sound from the P-Bass. I have only used it a few times, but it seems to be a great option. The pickups are passive. This model Fender has the strings-thru-body bridge arrangement and standard chrome tuners.
This bass came with a strap, truss rod adjustment tool and a hardshell case.
The only thing I needed to do to this bass when it arrived in the mail, was tune it. I suppose that I could adjust the neck to lower the action for the frets closer to the body, but I have been playing this guitar for a couple of weeks and I am not so sure that it is even necessary. The maple neck on this bass is beautiful. The whole guitar is solid, and well-balanced. It is a huge step-up from my old MIK Squier which is pretty solid in it's own right. I think that the materials used in this bass are clearly of a high quality.
I have always played P-Basses. The Precision Bass is the classic bass sound we know and love. It is perfect for the punk, blues and alternative style music that I like to play. I think that the S1 switch may actually give this bass a dimension that I have not had at my disposal before. The pickups are nice and clean.
The only modifications I am considering are adding a Hipshot D-tuner and some new strings.
This bass is very solid. The woods used are clearly of a high quality. I think that this bass could survive anything. I am notoriously hard on gear, and I don't think this bass has much to fear.
Did not go out and try other basses, just had a couple of friends that had them. i read a lot and i have questions about the possibility of different pickups all though it really doesn't need them, more curios about sound. would i ever replace this bass? of course it's a fender.
Price: $0.00
Where Obtained: cousin as a gift
My cousin played in a group when he was younger and still has his Fender (1964-5)stored away. he learned that i was learning to play bass (i have a Kona Jazz Bass)and informed me he had something to give me and it turned out to be a fender p bass. needless to say i was very happy to now own a fender bass. it needed a little work so i replaced the pickguard and tuners and put a bridge cover on it. it has a white finish on it with a couple of small dings, but nothing major. it cleaned up really nice and i sent him a picture of it and he was really impressed. it has a maple neck with mahogany fretboard, one volume and one tone knob. passive pickups, and by the way it is a 4 stringer, 34" neck.
I have not fooled with the action on it for i find it right for me. i like the neck on it. it seems narrow compared to others that i have had a chance to try.
I have an older Yamaha amp, which gives it a really nice full sound. i am a beginner so i use it pretty much for practice at home. i have played my jazz bass which has flatwound strings on it and gives a warmer sound than the fender which has roundwound strings. a while back i also purchased a digitech bp50 so i fool around with the sound once and awhile using that.
So far i have done nothing except to readjust tuning once and awhile. everthing is working fine on it, so for now i will let it be. i live in upstate n.y. so we get different climate changes, but it has not affected it at this point. if i were playing out i beleive this would fit the bill with no problem.
I didn't look at many other basses because the bass selection at most major music store chains is really limited and I was only in seventh grade at the time. My favorite aspect is the look. The sunburst finish is really cool. I would probably not buy this bass again. P-basses are really clunky and don't get the modern sound I am looking for. I'm only keeping now as a back up bass and because I'm hoping it will be worth more in ten years than right now.
Model Year: 1998
Price: $750.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Mars Music
I got a new American precision bass back in the seventh grade and it was the only thing I played until about two months ago when I bought a Schecter Elite 4. It's got all the american precision features, 4 strings, p-bass passive pickup, volume and tone knobs, 20 frets. The one I got has sunburst finish with a white pickguard which in my opinion is unnecessary and the bass, though it looks awesome now, would look better without it, but then there would be nothing to hold the pickup. It stays in tune very well and I almost never have to adjust it.
Playability:
The playability of this thing is horrible. I only played it for so long because I didn't know what else was out there. The strings are very far apart and the fat neck makes playing really clunky and awkward compared to more modern basses.
Sound Quality:
I have used many different amps with it but it still sounds pretty much the same. The tone knob allows for a small variation in the sound but it is not enough in my opinion. The sound is very dark and does not come through very well on stage compared to other basses. It isn't punchy at all but instead is rather bland. I play a lot of funk, ska, reggae and it just doesn't get the sound I need. It's good if you like a vintage sound, but that same sound can be achieved on my Schecter by changing the preamp settings (and the Schecter is easier to play too).
The p-bass is really durable (and heavy/clunky) and will hold up to steady live playing. It held up eight years of high school jazz band and lots of live gigs. In the time that I've had it I've only needed to adjust the truss rod once and the hardware is holding up pretty well too. It handles the climate in florida pretty well too especially in the winter where it will go from cold and dry to insanely humid in two days.
Awesome instrument, just missing a J one now :P
Model Year: 1999
Price: $899.00 Canada (new)
Where Obtained: Archambault Musique
2nd bass I owned, was at the time THE reference for me in feel&sound.
Big frets will make your hand soooo strong...
U can Slap, Pop, play with a pick or with your fingers this bass will deliver!
Fender bass paint finish scratches by itself.
I looked at about every bass made in the 1500 dollar and under range, and I chose this for the classic P-bass sound and simplicity. I have an Ibanez SR 500 when I need the active side of things. I would replace this in a skinny minute if it were stolen. My favorite aspect is the sound and playability. As i sit and practice with this bass, I find myself somewhat in awe of the ease of playing it. Stuff I just couldn't play before is now within my ability.
Model Year: 2003
Price: $849.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Down Home Music Sop
Fender American...Maple neck w/ rosewood fretboard. Passive split P=bass pickup. Very basic P-bass controls that give it the absolute "growl" that has been laying down the deep end for 50 years !
String through body, with 20 frets. Huge difference between this American & the Mexican I traded in.
I had the action set up medium/low & it plays itself....as long as I hit the root note, it takes over (it seems). The bonded neck & extensive fretwork make this a dream to play. Feels broken in already. very smooth. I have found no flaws yet. I put a set of flat wounds on & there is virtualy NO fret noise & it's smooth as silk.
I play this through a Peavey Firebass 700, with a peavey 4x10 cab & a Peavey 1x15. Both are 4 ohms so I get the full 700 watts. I get a great low end without being muddy, and some well defined mids and highs. With the flat wounds it is a very mellow, warm, well rounded sound. I am still learning, but want this for the blues & old rock, as well as southern rock. This is not the set up for metal and punk. Ok by me.
I had this set up when I bought it by a great bassist with 30 years experience. These fenders have been reliable forever, and it's made tougher than a bag of rocks !
If you want to own a little piece of modern music history than you should own a Fender Precision.
The improvement in tone of the American Series over the MIM Standard is subtle but definitely there. There is an openness to the sound and clarity of the plucked note that the Standard MIM P-bass gets very close to but the American series just nails it. It has the vibe. Playing the "P" is fun. I "test-drove" a Hot Rod Precision in the transparent orange. That is one beautiful guitar, but I liked the simplicity of the single split pickup Precision better.
It's comfortable, so you can play it for a long time. I prefer 5-strings over 4-strings because the extended scale makes them so versatile, but I wanted to own at least one 4-string, so I made it a Fender Precision.
Model Year: 2001
Price: $775.00 Cdn
Where Obtained: Private Sale
Made in USA passive American Series, hi-gloss natural blonde ash finish with parchment pickguard and maple neck with rosewood fretboard. Big old "elephant ear" tuners and string-thru body. This definitely has the old-school look and the old-school vibe.
Regular American series split pickup and single volume / tone controls.
The previous owner took immaculate care of the instrument and only used it occasionally in his studio. I'll probably bang it around a bit more because this guitar is definitely a player not a collector's piece.
Neck is only .125" wider than the Godin Freeway 4 I traded (1.5" nut like the Jazz) but I can really feel the extra width. It's a bit "slower" than the narrower Jazz-style necks.
However the neck is beautifully finished. The fretwork is nicely beveled and finished, as are the edges of the fretboard. Whatever satin-finish lacquer they use on the neck makes it very smooth, silky, and easy to move around. The neck is definitely one of the nicest features of this bass. It may not be as "fast" as the Jazz because of the slightly greater width, but I felt comfortable with it right away.
The guitar is noticeably neck-heavy so wear a wide strap and it will balance. It's weight is comfortable.
It has that "P" tone alright. It doesn't do much in the way of tonal variation, but what it does do, it does very well, delivering that "meat-and-potatoes" Precision sound. A nice woody bark comes through with strong fundamentals on the notes which makes for great articulation in the mix.
The original pickups are true to the sound of the guitar. There is a purity to the tone that is honest and genuine.
It came strung with the original Fender SuperBass roundwounds with the taperwound E-string and they really compliment the tone. I replaced them with Fender 9050M flatwounds. Aside from fairly high string tension, these ultra-smooth strings allow you to play all over the neck with slides and such just like a fretless while keeping the "precision" of the fretted neck.
I've only had the guitar for 9 months but it seems very well built and solid.
Overall, don't let the word "standard" get in your way. no matter how many pickups you have, no matter how good it looks, no matter how much it costs, Fender is the company that created the bass, and since that time the precision bass has been the forefront of all music types and is the most played bass in the world. I think every serious bassist should have this bass (even as a backup). good work fender!
Model Year: 2003
Price: $600.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Music Store
Even though its "standard" it doesnt make it a bad instrument. it gives the quality and tones i need, at a great value. maybe its not very versatile (1 split-coil pickup) but it packs the punch.
No flaws... the neck is very comfortable and i feel my hands sliding over the neck easily. compared to my old samick bass (which had fret buzzes the moment i purchased it, needing to higher the action) this is a dream. i don't think i'll be needing a new bass anytime soon.
I play jazz and blues... and it fits like a glove with this bass.
So far i've only had it for 2 months... didnt even change the strings yet. played many live gigs and it works great and since i have it in a hardcase it keeps it safe from rust etc.
I love the look and feel of this bass. Its definately different from what I'm used to, but its slowly becoming my favorite!
Model Year: 1978
Price: $650.00
Where Obtained: Used
American Made P-Bass, 4 strings, original pickups, tobaco sunburst. Has the pickup cover and thumb rest.
Very smooth to play. I find it very comfortable and just don't want to stop! The right hand positioning is different than my other bass so I tend to pluck too hard, but I've gotten used to that!
Sounds Great! Smooth sound, not overly bright which is good since I prefer a more thunky sound.
I've only had it a short time, but so far so good!
I couldn't have a higher opinion of this bass. it's good to learn on, good to play on, and many bassists make a living with this bass. the design has been around since the early 50's and will be around for many many more years.
Model Year: 1998
Price: $640.00 (new)
Where Obtained: ebay
Made in america.
maple neck and fretboard w/ graphite stiffening rods. ash body. 20frets, jumbo, med jumbo? something like that.
1volume knob, 1 tone knob.
1 passive split humbucker.
black finish.
it's a p-bass. has a p-bass body.
string-thru body bridge.
non-locking heavy duty tuners.
I can get any action i want on this. super low to crazy high. the neck mildly affects my playing as it's fairly chunky and i have small hands. it doesn't really bother me, as i don't play anything over the top or flashy. i wouldn'y even call it an inconvenience. it's flawless as far as i'm concerned.
I play this thru a sansamp bassdriver into an ampeg b2r. i play noisy rock music on this and really couldn't imagine using a different bass for it. this is the most versatile bass around, you can play anything on it.
this sound can get any tone, in my opinion. high and bright, warm and punchy, nasal and growly, dark and rumbley, it does everything.
as compared to my jazz bass it has a more even tone. more midrange b/c of the humbucker. so from string to string there isn't much change in the brightness or darkness of the sound. very even. as far as modifications go a heavier bridge would do wonders. as far as noise goes the pickup is quiet and only feeds back when overdriven and too close to the cabs. it works well on stage or in the studio.
only one problem, same problem i've had w/ any p-bass. for some reason the middle C# is always slightly dead. i don't really care though.
It is a very good alround guitar no matter what type of music you play.
Model Year: 1999
Price: $700.00 pounds sterling (new)
Where Obtained: Sound Control
US made with a maple neck, 4 string. volume and tone controls with passive electronics. Metalic dark red almost black finish. String through body style bridge.
I would not recommend this bass for people with small hands as the neck is quite thick but feals ok in my hands. I use the factory standard action as it produces the least fret buzz. I found it surpriseingly easy to play and am unable to find any flaws with it.
I use the p-bass with an Ashdown AMB 500 amp which gives me exalent control over the tone and punch of the guitar. The p-bass is the definative bass sound which all other are measured by. It has a very warm sound which can can realy punch when needed. I play blues, soul, fun and rock and it sounds great with all of them.
Generaly regarded as indistructable. I have droped it a couple of time and it didn't even go out of tune. I have never had to make any adjustments to the guitar.
Overall, a very good bass. Strong bottom end and well balanced. Very easy to play and has excellent sound quality.
Model Year: 2001
Price: $650.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Musicians Friend
Made in America with an Ash body, Maple neck with 20 medium frets, 4 Fender 8250M strings, 1 volume and 1 tone control. Has what Fender calls Vintage Spec split pickups. String through body bridge.
It is perfect for the rock,blues and country I play on it. The neck is flawless and smooth. I currently do not have any other basses right now and I don't intend to aquire any more.
Right now I just use my practice amp which is a Squier BP-15 with no effects. The sound quality of this bass is to me incredible. Such a bottom end to it and very well balanced.
This bass seems to be very solid. I have had no problems with it at all.
I would recommend this bass to anyone. Even you die hard BC Rich guys. The fretwork on these basses is beautiful. No buzz, dont have to be as exact on placement as to not get any clankers.
Model Year: 1999
Price: $650.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Mars Music
American Standard Precision Bass. I am a die hard BC Rich bass player. Have been playing since 16 and am 38 now. I own 8 different BC Rich basses and never thought I would have a Fender. Also have a Jackson, an old Westone Rail and a few Epiphone basses. The Fender looks plain compared to the rest of my collection.
This bass plays like I have had it 20 years. Easy to hold down, nice sound and almost perfectly balanced.
Sounds as good as my $3000 basses. Stays in tune unlike my Jackson. Has a nice rich sound.
Seems pretty tough. Not alot of electronics to get screwy on me.
I mean I love this bass. It could have some thing to do with the fact that its mine and I had to pay for it. But I've played other bass's and this is my faverit. I've been very pleased with it. I haven't really had any problems. And I love the way it sounds. What more can you ask for?
Model Year: 1999
Price: $950.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Sam Ash
I love my bass. Its was made in the U.S. Its got ash wood boady with a maple neck. Its has 21 frets and a volume and tone controllers. Its got a natural finish. Its got a string-thru body bride.
This bass is a blast to play. I love the way they coated the neck. Its very smooth. I think the fender p-bass's are lighter than most, but that could be just the way they feel to me. It doesn't really have any flaws except for the nobs keep falling off. The screws get lossened when I move the nobs and they work them selfs out.
I've got a fender bass man 100. Its pretty nice. I play punk/ska mostly so the p-bass is great for that. Some times I wish I had a jazz bass but I'd pick the p-bass over a jazz for punk. I like the way fenders sound of Erine ball music mans.
Its still in pretty good shape after me playing it for atleat 4 hours a day. The only problem I really have is with the nobs falling off.
Before I was playing on a Ibanez, for me it was like night and day. Fender is a lot more stable in every ways... If you're looking for a pure sound, no electronic modification, go with the Precision Bass. But before, take a look at the Hot-Rodded and UrgeII (though it has active electronic), you can get more tone from these model...
Price: $1150.00 Canada (new)
Where Obtained: Garage musique
It's a US model. 4 string of course. It's all passive (I prefer passive), a nice wood sound...
The finish was perfect, a real nice blue. It has a volume and tone control (maybe missing something here)... The setup was OK, had to adjust it a bit (personnal maybe...)
The neck of the precision bass is a bit chunky. But for me, it has no effect on my playing, maybe a bit slower than the jazz bass.
The sound, this is the sound you can hear on a lot of recording. Let me tell you this, in a studio, direct in the mixer and the sound comes out perfectly.
On stage, it's missing a bit of presence...
This bass fits all style, but you need to make the changes on your amp. I would like to have more tone control (like the hot-rodded or the UrgeII)... but hey, it's a Precision Bass and that's why I bought it, to get the sound of that babe...
I live in Quebec and God knows that the climate here change a lot (makes me think of you guys in the US...lol)
and this bass is always straight as it's possible. Had to adjust the neck 1 time in 5 years, not bad...
The strap lock were OK.
You can trust it, it won't let you down, you'll let her down before she does...
I played and owned a few different basses,Jap Jazz,legend,columbas,and this is the bee`s knee`s.
I would buy it again with out a dout,the thing`s i like about the bass are the sound and the look.
Model Year: 1969
Price: $400.00 sterling
Where Obtained: freind
It was made in usa,it has a maple neck,full scale nack,
volume& tone controls,original pickups,
I have a low action,i find the neck easy to play on,
i have owned a jap jazz,legend,columbas, it beat`s them all hand`s down, you can tell the difference with a well made bass.
The amps i play through are,session 100,with four ten`s,and a ohms loaded with a 15 inch, i play blue`s & classic rock, The bass as a excellent sound for the types of music,It as a warm tone.
It is a very reliable bass for live playing,All the hard ware is orginal and still going strong, change in climate does`nt seem to afect it.
I have owned a Steinburger, and I had a Kramer Focus 8000, my first, an Ibenaez, and several cheap ones. This is far and above the best. If it was gone, I dont't think I would enjoy playing as much until an equal was found.
Model Year: 1988
Price: $400.00
Where Obtained: Local music store
An american precision 4 string, 21 frets, 3 pickups with a 3 position selector switch and a boost. Slate grey in color with a white pickguard. A fender bridge with fine tuning pegs on it, I have never seen this on a bass before. Very simple controls, volume and tone knobs only and the afore mentioned boost button. The tuning pegs are also Fender, and they keep it in tune very well.
I prefer my action on the low side and it is easily set with this bass. Jsut 2 allen screws per string and thats it. It has a great tone, but the sustain could be a little longer, though if I raised the action, that would help I am told. I have played many other basses, but I am biased towards this one, I love it to much to get another, though I would like to get a fretless someday.
I have an ancient Peavy TNT 100, with a scorpion 15" driver, and a Boss BE-5B mutli effects pedal board, which is also old as dirt, but very nice. I do want a stero amp in the future. The sound is very adaptable, going from bright to dark to full to contained. I am thinking about adding a hipshot d-tuner but haven't yet.
I do get fretbuzz, but I do like the action low, so i have to deal with it.
Playing live is something I don't getto do very often, but it prefoms perfectly. The truss road has only been adjusted once or twice in aobut 10 years. Strap locks are a mustin my opinion. The climate doesn't seem to bother it to much.
Overall, this bass is something that I would never give up. I have had this base for 2 years and my father had it for many years before that. The best aspect of this bass is the unique sound. The worst aspect would be how heavy this is.
Model Year: 1971
Price: $2.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Father
It was made in The us and the neck is maple. It has 20 frets, its a 4 string. It has a volume and tone control. It has a the orginal P-bass pickups. It was orignally a sun-burst but my father stripped it to a natural finish. It is a Percision bosy style.
The neck is think and dosent allow extremely fast playing but is very comfertable. For playing blues and rock it is perfect, but for funk and jazz it is not as nice as my Ibanez SR590.
I use a Peavy 80 for an amp. I play Blues, modern rock, classic rock, and alternative. This bas is well suited for these styles. This bass provides a full meaty sound. This has the best sound out of all the basses I have played.
I would say that this bass is the most rugid bass I have ever handled. I have never noticed any problems with climate changes, and I live in Vermont!
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