Thanks. Out of curiosity why to 2012? I was looking at some between 2012 and 2016 when the Pro series took over. I read somewhere else that they were a prime run for the American PBasses.
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Help Me Target a Year and Model of Precision (PBass)
- Thread starter TroyK
- Start date
The 1995 was the first year with the graphite rods in the neck. I'd start there, not 1999. Those 4 years are the same build spec.
You might be interested in some of the info in this thread if you haven't already seen it: Fender American Standard Precision Bass Year To Year Differences
For me, P basses are first and foremost about neck feel. A Mexican Standard feels very different in my left hand than an American Standard or Pro or Pro II or American Vintage/Original or American Deluxe/Elite/Ultra. I can and have swap pickups all day long, and get the right combo of pickup and strings, and it will sound amazing.
The necks that do it for me are in ascending order American Standard, American Pro, and American Pro II. Each of them feels exceedingly comfortable in my left hand, and each of them has differences from each other. I have owned many American Standards, and currently own at least one of each of these. First is the 1.62” nut width, second is the rolled fretboard edges. Third is the finish on the back of the neck - I *greatly* prefer satin versus gloss. Then frets - the Pro and the Pro II have tall narrow frets versus medium jumbo, and while I’m fine with both, the tall narrow frets give me an experience of “this thing plays itself.” The Pro and the Pro II both have the 63 profile which also feels great, and the Pro II has more rounded edges and a lighter satin finish. I’m happy with any of these necks, but my clear preference is the Pro II.
My advice is shop with your hands first, not specs. The reason why I’m so particular about necks is when playing gigs, I’ve found hand fatigue matters to performance. The less fatigued my left hand is, the better I play all night. Your hands obviously are likely very different from mine since you’re a different person, so my advice isn’t buy one of those three basses, it’s try some out and see what fits your hand best.
Don’t worry too much about pickups, as you said, they can be swapped out easily. Lots of inexpensive used ones in Talkbass classifieds that can make you happy.
Then when you know what your hand prefers, start shopping for a used one of whatever that is.
Buy used. I’ve owned somewhere between 15-20 different Fender P basses, and only two of them were bought new - one was stolen and one was returned out of disappointment for not being the one that was stolen. The rest, all used, most of them close to mint, and apart from the 5 that I currently own, the rest were sold for at least what I paid for them, and in some cases hundreds more. Buy used.
If a Fender, aim for a 2008-current. The 2001-2008s aren’t bad, but they have the S1 switch which is just dumb. Don’t let it be a show stopper, but don’t get sucked in and if you ask me, plan to replace that pot and knob. Otherwise, the necks are virtually identical to the 2008-2016 American Standards. The 2008-2016s have a glossier finish in the front of the neck/headstock, but otherwise the necks are the same. The 2012-2016 come with a Custom Shop 62 pickup, which is a pretty reasonable general purpose P bass pickup - I have not swapped mine out of my 2014 and don’t plan to. The 2017 VMod is generally regarded as pukey. The later VMod II in the Pro II is better, and you may have good luck with it; I’ve not swapped mine out but am considering it. The 2001-2011’s use the same pickup, generally known now as the American Standard pickup - it’s ok. Not terrible, but it’s also not gonna get you terribly excited, I’ll bet.
Good luck! Please post your choice in this thread, with pics!!
The necks that do it for me are in ascending order American Standard, American Pro, and American Pro II. Each of them feels exceedingly comfortable in my left hand, and each of them has differences from each other. I have owned many American Standards, and currently own at least one of each of these. First is the 1.62” nut width, second is the rolled fretboard edges. Third is the finish on the back of the neck - I *greatly* prefer satin versus gloss. Then frets - the Pro and the Pro II have tall narrow frets versus medium jumbo, and while I’m fine with both, the tall narrow frets give me an experience of “this thing plays itself.” The Pro and the Pro II both have the 63 profile which also feels great, and the Pro II has more rounded edges and a lighter satin finish. I’m happy with any of these necks, but my clear preference is the Pro II.
My advice is shop with your hands first, not specs. The reason why I’m so particular about necks is when playing gigs, I’ve found hand fatigue matters to performance. The less fatigued my left hand is, the better I play all night. Your hands obviously are likely very different from mine since you’re a different person, so my advice isn’t buy one of those three basses, it’s try some out and see what fits your hand best.
Don’t worry too much about pickups, as you said, they can be swapped out easily. Lots of inexpensive used ones in Talkbass classifieds that can make you happy.
Then when you know what your hand prefers, start shopping for a used one of whatever that is.
Buy used. I’ve owned somewhere between 15-20 different Fender P basses, and only two of them were bought new - one was stolen and one was returned out of disappointment for not being the one that was stolen. The rest, all used, most of them close to mint, and apart from the 5 that I currently own, the rest were sold for at least what I paid for them, and in some cases hundreds more. Buy used.
If a Fender, aim for a 2008-current. The 2001-2008s aren’t bad, but they have the S1 switch which is just dumb. Don’t let it be a show stopper, but don’t get sucked in and if you ask me, plan to replace that pot and knob. Otherwise, the necks are virtually identical to the 2008-2016 American Standards. The 2008-2016s have a glossier finish in the front of the neck/headstock, but otherwise the necks are the same. The 2012-2016 come with a Custom Shop 62 pickup, which is a pretty reasonable general purpose P bass pickup - I have not swapped mine out of my 2014 and don’t plan to. The 2017 VMod is generally regarded as pukey. The later VMod II in the Pro II is better, and you may have good luck with it; I’ve not swapped mine out but am considering it. The 2001-2011’s use the same pickup, generally known now as the American Standard pickup - it’s ok. Not terrible, but it’s also not gonna get you terribly excited, I’ll bet.
Good luck! Please post your choice in this thread, with pics!!
I am playing as many as I can.
If/when my Warwick sells it will be go-time!
If/when my Warwick sells it will be go-time!
I have two Am Standard Ps from the mid-90s. One fretted, the other fretless. Fender made a fretless American Standard P for a few years.
They work great, although one is a little heavy. Of course I’ve swapped out pickups on both, not that they needed it, but just exercising the normal upgrade mentality that pickup builders love do much.
I also have an old one, 68, but you’re not interested in that one. I use the Ps to play big band, and they are perfect for that.
They work great, although one is a little heavy. Of course I’ve swapped out pickups on both, not that they needed it, but just exercising the normal upgrade mentality that pickup builders love do much.
I also have an old one, 68, but you’re not interested in that one. I use the Ps to play big band, and they are perfect for that.
I get it, but no I don't. If I felt like I did, I would probably keep the Warwick as my rounds bass.
Still no real interest in the Warwick somehow, so I may either consign it or just get over it for a while.
Nah, you don’t really. Just a comment on how different Ps with flats and Ps with rounds are. That goes for any electric bass, but I think more for the precision. What I have is a P with brighter flats, a P with dark flats, and a fretless P with tapewounds.