NBD: Pro II Precision (vs AO '60s)

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Well, I did it! Got my hands on a Fender American Professional II Precision Bass in mystic surf green finish. I couldn't let it go, so it had to come home with me.

Overall, this is a high quality no-nonsense P bass; which doesn’t have any dissatisfying properties. A good choice for customers looking for good looks, comfort and (alleged) USA quality. Especially if you are looking for a warm sounding bass.

Having owned an AO '60s Precision for a long time, I'd like to subjectively compare them; hoping that it would turn useful for some fellow bassists. Note that those factors might change from bass to bass as well.

• Weight: Pro II is much lighter than AO.
• Neck: Pro II has a narrower neck, which is much more comfortable on lower frets. AO has a moderate neck dive too, while Pro II does not.
• Sound: Pro II is a low-mid oriented instrument with a tight bass response, has more bark available but less treble. AO is more bassy, has more treble available but less bark.
• String balance: Pro II has better string balance. On the AO, D-G differs from E-A more.
• Color: Pro II has eye-catching sparkly options. AO has classic options.
• Bridge: Pro II has a modern bridge with string-through-body option. AO is through-bridge only.
• Wood resonance: Body of AO is slightly more resonant.
• High fret access: Pro II has easier high fret access due to its contoured heel.

Due to its weight, neck comfort and string balance; I prefer the Pro II over the AO at this time. But I don't want to sell the AO either. Hmm...

Anyway, here is the mandatory photo.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Well, I did it! Got my hands on a Fender American Professional II Precision Bass in mystic surf green finish. I couldn't let it go, so it had to come home with me.

Overall, this is a high quality no-nonsense P bass; which doesn’t have any dissatisfying properties. A good choice for customers looking for good looks, comfort and (alleged) USA quality. Especially if you are looking for a warm sounding bass.

Having owned an AO '60s Precision for a long time, I'd like to subjectively compare them; hoping that it would turn useful for some fellow bassists. Note that those factors might change from bass to bass as well.

• Weight: Pro II is much lighter than AO.
• Neck: Pro II has a narrower neck, which is much more comfortable on lower frets. AO has a moderate neck dive too, while Pro II does not.
• Sound: Pro II is a low-mid oriented instrument with a tight bass response, has more bark available but less treble. AO is more bassy, has more treble available but less bark.
• String balance: Pro II has better string balance. On the AO, D-G differs from E-A more.
• Color: Pro II has eye-catching sparkly options. AO has classic options.
• Bridge: Pro II has a modern bridge with string-through-body option. AO is through-bridge only.
• Wood resonance: Body of AO is slightly more resonant.
• High fret access: Pro II has easier high fret access due to its contoured heel.

Due to its weight, neck comfort and string balance; I prefer the Pro II over the AO at this time. But I don't want to sell the AO either. Hmm...

Anyway, here is the mandatory photo.

View attachment 4669054

And the Pro II has easier truss rod access. That Mystic Surf Green is a beautiful finish, btw. Congrats!

 

[Hillsidebass]

Yep, my Am Pro II P has been my go to since I got it. TI Flats, Arcane 65 and a perfect setup was all it needed to go to the top. 8lbs 5oz doesn’t hurt either.
The only thing I’d personally change now is the tuners….I’d rather have straight post.
The finger rest is just a nod to yesterday.

 

[P. Aaron]

Congrats. Hope it works well for you.

 

[JRA]

you've scored a good looking P-bass, @Kerem Koseoglu, and i can appreciate your take on the advantages. good luck with your pro II! congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[Moving Pictures]

Great bass and love the colour. Congratulations!

 

[MtManiac]

Well, I did it! Got my hands on a Fender American Professional II Precision Bass in mystic surf green finish. I couldn't let it go, so it had to come home with me.

Overall, this is a high quality no-nonsense P bass; which doesn’t have any dissatisfying properties. A good choice for customers looking for good looks, comfort and (alleged) USA quality. Especially if you are looking for a warm sounding bass.

Having owned an AO '60s Precision for a long time, I'd like to subjectively compare them; hoping that it would turn useful for some fellow bassists. Note that those factors might change from bass to bass as well.

• Weight: Pro II is much lighter than AO.
• Neck: Pro II has a narrower neck, which is much more comfortable on lower frets. AO has a moderate neck dive too, while Pro II does not.
• Sound: Pro II is a low-mid oriented instrument with a tight bass response, has more bark available but less treble. AO is more bassy, has more treble available but less bark.
• String balance: Pro II has better string balance. On the AO, D-G differs from E-A more.
• Color: Pro II has eye-catching sparkly options. AO has classic options.
• Bridge: Pro II has a modern bridge with string-through-body option. AO is through-bridge only.
• Wood resonance: Body of AO is slightly more resonant.
• High fret access: Pro II has easier high fret access due to its contoured heel.

Due to its weight, neck comfort and string balance; I prefer the Pro II over the AO at this time. But I don't want to sell the AO either. Hmm...

Anyway, here is the mandatory photo.

View attachment 4669054

Congrats! What do you mean by “bark” - mids? Low mids, high mids? I have no idea what most people mean when they use terms like this, or “spank”, or “sparkle,” or “bite”, or “growl,” so I have to ask clarifying questions.

 

[Killing Floor]

Great color!

 

[Silky Johnson]

Well, I did it! Got my hands on a Fender American Professional II Precision Bass in mystic surf green finish. I couldn't let it go, so it had to come home with me.

Overall, this is a high quality no-nonsense P bass; which doesn’t have any dissatisfying properties. A good choice for customers looking for good looks, comfort and (alleged) USA quality. Especially if you are looking for a warm sounding bass.

Having owned an AO '60s Precision for a long time, I'd like to subjectively compare them; hoping that it would turn useful for some fellow bassists. Note that those factors might change from bass to bass as well.

• Weight: Pro II is much lighter than AO.
• Neck: Pro II has a narrower neck, which is much more comfortable on lower frets. AO has a moderate neck dive too, while Pro II does not.
• Sound: Pro II is a low-mid oriented instrument with a tight bass response, has more bark available but less treble. AO is more bassy, has more treble available but less bark.
• String balance: Pro II has better string balance. On the AO, D-G differs from E-A more.
• Color: Pro II has eye-catching sparkly options. AO has classic options.
• Bridge: Pro II has a modern bridge with string-through-body option. AO is through-bridge only.
• Wood resonance: Body of AO is slightly more resonant.
• High fret access: Pro II has easier high fret access due to its contoured heel.

Due to its weight, neck comfort and string balance; I prefer the Pro II over the AO at this time. But I don't want to sell the AO either. Hmm...

Anyway, here is the mandatory photo.

View attachment 4669054

Great color on that, i agree and think the proii's are the best non custom basses fender is making, narrow tall frets are great, although I personally don't care for the vmod pickups

 

[Markyo]

I get the iss ue with the void pickups. Sound great but a bit..weak. I swapped mine on my am pro ii hazz foe seymour duncan quarter pounders. I love my am pro ii precision though. The sound is great, but it just feels perfect in the hand, weight, neck, balance etc. Never had a bass that fels so comfortable.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Congrats! What do you mean by “bark” - mids? Low mids, high mids? I have no idea what most people mean when they use terms like this, or “spank”, or “sparkle,” or “bite”, or “growl,” so I have to ask clarifying questions.

I mean the high mid content you’d expect from a Jazz bridge. Don’t get me wrong; this P won’t sound like a J bridge at all. But compared to my AO, my ears hear more of that.

 

[commonplayer]

Congrats! What do you mean by “bark” - mids? Low mids, high mids? I have no idea what most people mean when they use terms like this, or “spank”, or “sparkle,” or “bite”, or “growl,” so I have to ask clarifying questions.

You forgot gnarl

 

[Ian774]

I love my Am Pro II (in Mercury).

(Not my amp, it’s the practice room’s)

Only thing I changed since I took this pic is the pickup, replaced the Vmod II for a Delano PC-4AL and it’s great. Fantastic bass for sure, plays so well and sounds amazing.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

That green- if you see it in person it is amazing. I saw one at a shop and loved it.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Thanks for the comparison, however, except for fretboard radius, the AO is a replica of a ‘60s P-bass (you forgot about the clay dots in the AO which are not present in the Am. Pro., that do represent a very nice feature to me) and truly sounds like one.
The pickup of the AO is much, much more powerful than anything else I’ve played including the V-Mod of my Am. Pro. I series body, which sounded a little anemic to me (it went through a lot of replacements until a Klein Epic ‘59 was finally installed).
If one likes an overall vintage vibe, the AO ‘60s P-bass is the way to go.

These are the two guys I’m talking about:

View attachment 4670303

View attachment 4670304

 

[steveinohio]

Yep. Love my Pro II. One of my favorites.

 

[SleepyShark]

Yep, my Am Pro II P has been my go to since I got it. TI Flats, Arcane 65 and a perfect setup was all it needed to go to the top. 8lbs 5oz doesn’t hurt either.
The only thing I’d personally change now is the tuners….I’d rather have straight post.
The finger rest is just a nod to yesterday.
View attachment 4669111

Hey there, where’s that all-black pickguard from?

OP - great looking bass!

 

[MtManiac]

I mean the high mid content you’d expect from a Jazz bridge. Don’t get me wrong; this P won’t sound like a J bridge at all. But compared to my AO, my ears hear more of that.

Thanks! I’m odd, maybe, but I need specifics like that to get it, the names seem to change from person to person.