Which P bass should I buy right now? Vintage '62, '63 or Original 60's?

[JnKlm]

Dear friends,

I am torn between three possibilities.
Today I would like to decide whether to buy a

a) Fender Precision Bass American Vintage '62 (used)
a) Fender Precision Bass American Vintage '63 (mint)
b) Fender Precision Bass American Original 60's (new)

I found all of them on-line, so, unfortunately, I cannot try any of them personally.
Prices are more or less the same - all quite good.
All I know is that I like the color on the Original 60's the best (lake placid blue).
However, somehow I think the Vintage '62 or '63 will be better.

Is that a superstition?
All I am after is tone, and I think the '63 sounded best in videos.
Please, help me decide!

 

[Goat of Ball St]

I mean honestly on tone, you can always swap pickups on any of them. I don't recall which pickups come in which model if they're at all different. The only difference of the top of my head worth nothing is the fretboard radius. The AVRI's are both 7.25 and the Original is 9.5. If the radius doesn't matter to you and colour on Original appeals the most I'd go for that, you can always swap out electronics. I personally like the AVRI's more though being a fan of the vintage radius but the jump between the two is barely noticable.

 

[xroads]

Feature-wise, the previous poster has already pointed out the difference in fretboard radius; also
there is a difference slab- vs. laminated board.
Some of the 62 ad all of the 63 have very thin nitro lacquer. Other 62s have thick poly
over nitro (or the other way round). I don't know about the 60s on this.

I have played 62s and 63s, and could live with any of them. I chose the 63 because of the
finish.

 

[JnKlm]

Thanks to all of you for the insights and votes!
Please, keep them coming.

So, would you say that, tonally, the AVRI '62, AVRI '63 and AO '60s are more or less the same?
Or does anyone else have the experience preferring one over the other two?

 

[999Brent]

The 63 has a very thin nitro coating if you like a worn bass then cool, the paint wears off pretty easily, but it would be my favourite tone wise.

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

I'd get the '63

 

[scyzoryk]

I have the '63. Was close to selling it about three times because I didn't love the neck, but played it live recently and my bandmates told me "YOU CANT SELL THAT BASS!" I realize I could put the same pickups in another P bass that I'd find more comfortable, but I sucked it up, practiced a ton with the bass, and now it's grown on me and it's not going anywhere. Plus, the colours (mine's sonic blue) are gorgeous.

 

[Jim Carr]

Which has the poly under coat below the nitro, the 62 avri or the 63 avri? Both?
Here's an extra 'h': h

 

[russellh86]

I currently have two ‘62s, an AO 60’s, and I’ve owned two different ‘63s. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the three.

For my money and playing style the ‘62s are by far my favorite of the three. The neck is thin front to back, 7.25” radius, and a 1.75” nut are just perfect for me. The output of their pickups is borderline excessive too, I’ve had active basses with less oomph.

The ‘63 and ‘60 are remarkably similar sound wise and frankly both are stellar in that regard. I didn’t care for the chunky neck when combined with a 7.25” radius in the ‘63 though. The 9.5” radius on the ‘60 makes that chunky neck more playable for me. That being said, I’d trade my LPB ‘60s P for a black, or even better, a fiesta red ‘62 in a heartbeat.

 

[Jim Carr]

...All I am after is tone, and I think the '63 sounded best in videos.
Please, help me decide!

If it was a single video comparing the basses which held the audio production variables fixed, you could probably trust your impression of those particular individual instruments.

However, as you said "videos" (plural), need I suggest that differences between video sound production can be profound?

Don't forget the difference strings make. If you are considering purchasing something new from a shop, keep in mind that fresh Fender nickel plated round wound strings are pretty zingy, and in the past Fender has used the .045-.100 ML weight in the factory, and at other times the .045-.105 M weight sets.

Have you investigated which pickups are on each bass you are considering? Are they all stock? IIRC, the '62 has a pickup that is no longer available from Fender, but still sought after, for what that is worth, lol.

This may help, if you have not seen it already: AVRI 63 vs 62 P Bass

Full disclosure, I sought out a 62 AVRI because of the neck. It is the closest thing I have found to an actual vintage early 60's P-bass, of which I have played quite a few. One in particular stood out, and the '62 has that same neck. Very wide. Very thin.

 

[mikeswals]

Which has the poly under coat below the nitro, the 62 avri or the 63 avri? Both?
Here's an extra 'h': h

That would be the 62RI

The 63RI will have the newer thin skin nitro finish so it purposely wears like the old ones.

I just got a 58RI which was out at the same time as the 63, and I gotta say these are better recreations: the body edges are very rounded like originals. And on the 58 they use a paper-in-oil tone cap like the originals. Also the fret dot markers are done correctly too, and chrome covers have the correct bend profile.

 

[Jim Carr]

That would be the 62RI

The 63RI will have the newer thin skin nitro finish so it purposely wears like the old ones.

I just got a 58RI which was out at the same time as the 63, and I gotta say these are better recreations: the body edges are very rounded like originals. And on the 58 they use a paper-in-oil tone cap like the originals. Also the fret dot markers are done correctly too, and chrome covers have the correct bend profile.

Very interesting. I wonder how the poly under coat on the 62 would affect the wear? I don't doubt it does, as R&S guitarworks said they would have to refinish a 62 before doing any relic work on the finish.

I'm certain the 62 nitro will wear, it just seems that it will look different from the 63 and other thinner finishes. I'm wondering what that will actually look like.

I have a 64 AVRI Jazz, and wow, is that nitro ever thin and soft! I presume that is the finish that was found on the 63 and 59. Am I right about that?

 

[mikeswals]

Very interesting. I wonder how the poly under coat on the 62 would affect the wear? I don't doubt it does, as R&S guitarworks said they would have to refinish a 62 before doing any relic work on the finish.

I'm certain the 62 nitro will wear, it just seems that it will look different from the 63 and other thinner finishes. I'm wondering what that will actually look like.

I have a 64 AVRI Jazz, and wow, is that nitro ever thin and soft! I presume that is the finish that was found on the 63 and 59. Am I right about that?

I've had several 62RI Jazzes over the years including an old Fullerton era one. All had relatively thick finishes compared to the more current recreations. The old Fullerton had tons of beautiful checking and yellowed from age. The FMIC ones which would have the poly undercoats I couldn't get the finishes to check even when I would purposely during the winter try to by leaving them in the freezing garage and moving them into the warm house over and over again.

 

[Heavy Blue]

The FMIC ones which would have the poly undercoats I couldn't get the finishes to check even when I would purposely during the winter try to by leaving them in the freezing garage and moving them into the warm house over and over again.

You can tell it wasn’t a Gibson. I took my 2010 Lester out ONCE during the winter in the 6 years I had it and the finish cracked insanely.

Why anyone would want that to happen is beyond me.

 

[MichaelPatrick]

Another vote on the 63. Such an incredible sounding P.

 

[JnKlm]

Thanks to all of you!
I think it is going to be the 63.
It even seems the best deal-wise.

Thank you once again for the informative reading.

 

[Jinobass1]

Dear friends,

I am torn between three possibilities.
Today I would like to decide whether to buy a

a) Fender Precision Bass American Vintage '62 (used)
a) Fender Precision Bass American Vintage '63 (mint)
b) Fender Precision Bass American Original 60's (new)

I found all of them on-line, so, unfortunately, I cannot try any of them personally.
Prices are more or less the same - all quite good.
All I know is that I like the color on the Original 60's the best (lake placid blue).
However, somehow I think the Vintage '62 or '63 will be better.

Is that a superstition?
All I am after is tone, and I think the '63 sounded best in videos.
Please, help me decide!

Best Tone in order:

1)AVRI ‘ 63

2)AORI

3)AVRI ‘62


Due to da pickups!

Hands Down ‘63 has the best tone, Thanx to the thin finish(sounds dryer)& Pure Vintage ‘63 Pick ups (Best Pickups Fender Made in our present time) and
chunky neck = the thicker the neck :Mo’ Tone !!!
compared to 62 pickups and thin neck….
AO sound great chunky neck too but…….
9.5 Radius….
I just love Da Correct Period Radius 7’25 in my hands.feels like my all original May ‘63 vintage axe…
Round Laminated VS Slab (Can’t differentiate the tone…)

‘62 would be great if you swap the pickups to the true vintage ‘63…..but the sunburst finish looks better on ‘63 Compared to

‘62 & 60’s AO…..

Unless you have ‘62 Custom Color (Olympic White,Candy Apple Red,Lake Placid Blue…)

Then Just change pickups ,You can thank me later!


AO got the amazing colors Too!


Good luck !!!

I’m looking to buy ‘63 AVRI in Faded Sonic Blue and Seminole Red …..don’t want to bring the real deal to big tours and letting roadies handle them ,So been using AVRI ‘63 except Tour Final DVD’s (Blu-Ray)And Photo shoots! Good luck finding the right one that fits your Heart,Hands&your precious Ears!

 

[All_Thumbs]

I prefer baseball bat necks. I have large hands, and yardstick thin necks are more difficult for me to play. So 7.25” would be my preference.

 

[Jinobass1]

Best Tone in order:

1)AVRI ‘ 63

2)AORI

3)AVRI ‘62


Due to da pickups!

Hands Down ‘63 has the best tone, Thanx to the thin finish(sounds dryer)& Pure Vintage ‘63 Pick ups (Best Pickups Fender Made in our present time) and
chunky neck = the thicker the neck :Mo’ Tone !!!
compared to 62 pickups and thin neck….
AO sound great chunky neck too but…….
9.5 Radius….
I just love Da Correct Period Radius 7’25 in my hands.feels like my all original May ‘63 vintage axe…
Round Laminated VS Slab (Can’t differentiate the tone…)

‘62 would be great if you swap the pickups to the true vintage ‘63…..but the sunburst finish looks better on ‘63 Compared to

‘62 & 60’s AO…..

Unless you have ‘62 Custom Color (Olympic White,Candy Apple Red,Lake Placid Blue…)

Then Just change pickups ,You can thank me later!


AO got the amazing colors Too!


Good luck !!!

I’m looking to buy ‘63 AVRI in Faded Sonic Blue and Seminole Red …..don’t want to bring the real deal to big tours and letting roadies handle them ,So been using AVRI ‘63 except Tour Final DVD’s (Blu-Ray)And Photo shoots! Good luck finding the right one that fits your Heart,Hands&your precious Ears!

2023 update:
1)AVRI ll 1960 Precision
(best pickups, Mo’mids then ‘63)
2)AVRI ‘63 P (one of the best P pups)
3)AOR ‘60 P(Flatter Radius)
4)AVRI ‘62 P (Great Bass but the pups are out dated (1982 design)and Lacks the real vintage 60’s punchy sound.

 

[Rayjay]

2023 update:
1)AVRI ll 1960 Precision
(best pickups, Mo’mids then ‘63)
2)AVRI ‘63 P (one of the best P pups)
3)AOR ‘60 P(Flatter Radius)
4)AVRI ‘62 P (Great Bass but the pups are out dated (1982 design)and Lacks the real vintage 60’s punchy sound.

Can I ask your expert advice - how do you compare the necks of the ARVI II 1960's vs the AVRI 62 P? I own a 2008 '62 AVRI, best neck I've ever played. Very thin at the 1st fret, I think like 0.770"