I played a few basses from Fender, Ibanez, Warwick and copies. I keep coming back to the Precision bass. It's just the perfect bass that sits in the mix so well. Simple, effective and plain awesome.
I think it's really hard to talk value when it comes to this bass. Fender could add features if they wanted, but then they would lose the purists. There are plenty of more versatile P-style basses on the market - including Fender's own Performer Precision. But players who want a classic P want a classic P.
I love plane old P-basses, I have a moded-out Mex-P and it's a great bass, but whenever I see the US-made ones I always like them more that being said the price is hard for me to justify, but it's definitely on my vanity item list if I ever come across money to burn.
I just bought one of these in the Mercury silver color and put some low tension Labella flats on it and I am loving this bass!! It is a very tight build and worth every dollar!! No regrets whatsoever!
Just picked one up....and I love the tone of the instrument. Nearly 5 decades of playing bass, and this is my first Fender, and I love it! I have many other basses, but I think this one will be my gig supreme. It just has a voicing that none of my other instruments can touch, even with the passive.
My American Standard have done the job great - since 7 years now. The graphite reinforcement seams to work - I don't have to tune it during a gig. I prefer the US models to the mexicans - but perhaps I'm just a victim of marketing. However, I love these US Fenders. Thanks for the review!
I agree with your main contention that although the American Pro II is a very nicely made bass, the $1,600 price tag is a bit hard to justify when that amount of money buys a LOT of bass these days-maybe even two very good basses.| You are no doubt aware of the endless number of threads on Talkbass debating whether the “quality control and craftsmanship” at the Corona, California factory is really better than that of the Ensenada, Mexico factory and I won’t try to further that argument here. I have heard that the factory in Mexico makes its instruments from a slightly lower grade of wood than does the USA factory, so there’s that.
Great video, Lobster--I really value your reviews! I just bought myself an AP II after watching many video reviews and trying out trying out the bass (and other models) numerous times at my local music shop, and thought I'd make a comment on my experience. As a gigging musician, I disagree with most of the comments about the price of this bass on this video--after owning both an American Standard and a Mexican Standard, this new incarnation of the American Professional is worth the extra $800. I've played gigs with all three models, and the new AP II feels better under the hand, to the ear and is more inspiring to play than others (especially after a 3-hour show)--it's truly greater than the sum of its parts. The way a bass makes a player "feel" counts for something--the previous American Standard P-Bass was great, but it could have used the tweaks and there was always something lackluster (to me) about the Mexican Standard P-Bass. I know the price is steep, but if you love the Precision Bass like I do, you'll keep this one for life. Like I read in a comment before I pulled the trigger: "buying quality only hurts once."
Another great review! A little surprised at first by the 3-claw rating, but your logic is sound. It does lead me to wonder how you believe the design could be improved upon-- as a traditional P-bass layout. Frankly, I can't think of any one thing that could be changed to make it a better example of a P-bass. Naturally I would like to see a lower price point, but considering the cost of manufacturing in today's California and the quickly rising inflation rate, the only direction future pricing will be going is up(!) The G&L L1000 is a fantastic bass, however despite it's single pickup I don't regard it as a P-bass; it's simply one iteration of Leo evolving the electric bass design.
After getting my FGN Mighty Power, it would be hard for me to spend double on a Fender for what could be considered equal or perhaps inferior build quality, along with materials, parts, etc... But in the music instrument world, the general public knows Fender, and much less about any other brands period and their name allows them to jack up the price.
I have this exact bass and a ‘98 American Standard P bass. I had both of them modded with the blower mod to give me a jazz-ish bass tone when I engage the blower mod. I had my luthier install a push/pull volume pot that bypasses the capacitor when I pull up on the volume pot. It sounds killer for slap bass and when I want to add some more pick attack in my tone.
I have the 5 string and idk how they can make that thing sound so good with only 2 knobs. The craftsmanship is great and a joy to hold it and it’s also the lightest out of all my basses. I will respectfully disagree with 3 claws. I’d go with no less than 4 claws. Great vids lobster keep them coming.
Here in Australia, I bought the Fender Mexican 75th Anniversary Precision Bass. It was better quality finished than the Player Series, and half the price of American Pro 2. Maybe one day.... ❤️🎵🎸💕😊
Love this bass! The weight is amazing and it's so comfortable to play. I did find the pups were OK, but ended up swapping them out for EMG GZRs for a bit more bite. Regardless, probably my fave instrument.
Cool review Lobster! I would give it 5 claws though, excellent fit and finish, tone, and classic looks. Great thing about the USA P Bass is that there is a quality level for most budgets, and they are all well built. USA made will always gain in value! I guess to some this doesn't matter, to me it does....
I purchased a 2020 in Olympic white from GC in 2021.They must have found it in the back because they said they just put it out. I agree it is nice but pricey and has a slight compressed sound to it. Not a bad thing at all! I love the neck, it is just like my 60’s but a little smaller. The round wound strings sound good but I prefer Labella flats. And after installing them it did not cut through rehearsal with my band as well as the rounds. Both strung through body. I switched the pickups out for a new set of 63’s and ran the flats through the bridge and it changed everything! More clarity still slightly compressed but tone all the way on sounds perfect. I decided to add a red tortoise pick guard and installed blue luminlay with black walls piping. The finishing touches to mix the old and the new for myself. It is now my main bass and the 60’s AVRI is the backup at gigs!
I bought one this past Sunday, when my 6-string music man bounce malfunctioned at a gig. Gotta love passive electronics, and the P-Bass tone is impeccable!
You are the man! Great reviews and playing. I was on the fence between the pro 2 and the wunkay. I ended up with the wunkay. I was glad that you specifically mentioned the wunkay opposed to the pros. Thanks for doing what you do
Great review, Lobster. I was shopping for precision basses, and I tried the American Pro II vs. the player series. While I appreciate the features of the bass, I could not justify the extra $800 when the player series counterpart played and sounded so good.
I am primarily a guitar player and I would say that the Player Series is probably Fender's best value across the board (if you want to stock with Fender). In the case of the Stratocaster, the Player Series is largely what the old American Standard was.
Went down the same path with Fender/Squier Jazzes recently and 100% agree - the Player Series was the sweet spot across the board for me. Money not an object I still would have taken home the Player Series. I was pleasantly surprised.
Thanks Neil! I really need to check out the Player series. I have a '13 MIM P which is a really good example. Plays and sounds great. I know I started the channel treating that as the 'benchmark', however after playing hundreds of basses.... my MIM P is a really really good one. Got it for like $400-450 used too last year.
@@LowEndLobster I second the Player Series! I bought a Player Series P-Bass about a year ago and it continues to impress. Although I don’t have a MIM bass, I do have a MIM Stratocaster and the quality on the Player Series is head and shoulders above the older MIM.
@@LowEndLobster Nice! That is good to know (considering how many informative reviews you've made). PS I love the channel, and thanks for transcription Tuesdays too!
3 Claws, good call!! Fender should be the leader but it follows the the manufactures who came after Fender. Worst of all, Fender keep that high price just for its name. I’d never buy a modern Fender, even Sire is doing a fantastic job. Great vídeo Lobster👍🏽
Had to hit like immediately after hearing the Temple of Time theme. Good review. I have owned a Mexican P-Bass since ‘07 and it has always been my favorite bass. Now I’m considering buying another P-Bass to have one strung with flats and the other with rounds. 👍🏼⚡️
Hey Vini! Thank you :). I have a '13 MIM P that's also a REALLY good example. Dead quiet and sounds great. Adding a second P to your stable for some flats is a great idea! Flats on a P is buttah!
I tried the G&L L-1000 and thought it was nice but I prefer this P-bass with a maple neck. It does one thing really well and that’s my personal preference. The price hike to $1750 certainly doesn’t help so I’ll be looking for a used one of these in the near future.
I have two of these and I really like the way they play but I am less enthusiastic about the sound. I'm not really sure why, but the pick ups lack character to my ear. I have a 75th anniversary mexican, and I think the 75th has vinta pick ups in it. It sounds a lot better to me. More throaty mids and less sterile. Anyway, good review. I think the Am Pro II is a really good bass. I probably would have given it 4 claws. If the pick ups sounded a little more distinctive, it would probably get 5. I just think the build quality and playability is great.
I love all your reviews! Informative, relaxing and fun. Gotta say with the tone all the way down this is (in my opinion) one of the best, thickest and awesome sounds. It's truly the standard. Keep doing reviews, so good!
Well, i bought a Player P, put some Thomastik Flats on it, a Gotoh 7 hole bridge, Schaller tuners, a new pickguard and some solderless EMG's. For around €1,050 i have an awesome bass now.
IMO it's all about the vibes. The P-bass is that vintage classic - as lobster said: "the benchmark". The L-1000 - and that's what Leo and George aimed for - is a P-bass on steroids, mixing the best of both worlds: the P and the Stingray. They created a monster.
I think that the US makers are pricing themselves out the market. In the UK these retail just under £1700 and a Musicman Stingray runs to about £2200. I`m a guy working a normal job and I could not afford to spring for either of these basses. Especially a P bass, how basic can you get? Save your cash and get a nice Squier, a G&L L100 Tribute or if you have to have the name a Player P.
With the prevalence of Sire, Harley Benton and other well made “budget” options I find it amazing that Fender can keep justifying these price tags. You don’t need to pay that much for a nice bass with decent shielding. They could at least throw in a pre-amp for the money.
Great demo brother , I love the P bass body and neck but personally my choice is to take a copy and replace the Bridge ,Tuners , Electronics including adding a J pickup near the Bridge , and sometimes even the pickguard & strap buttons . I have done this many times over the years for myself (I kept two , one maple fingerboard & 1 rosewood fingerboard) The others I sold to friends. I am not a cheap skate but with a little skill and a lot of care , it is very satisfying to create a truly unique to personal taste Instrument for a fraction of the price of a factory made name brand .
That's what I did! Being left handed, I gotta take what I can get. Bought a fender p bass copy but it does have a fender body. Payed $399.00. Then just did up grades - pick ups, bridges etc.
nice short review! yesterday i bought a squier cv 60s p bass in sunburst for our rehearsal room! mine is a very nice Instrument i have to say! tested a player series fender p bass, a cort gb 54 p bass and a fgn boundaries jazz and surprisingly the squier came out to be the best! fgn was build a bit nicer but the squier sounded better for my taste....the player series fender was a huge disappointment! the squier was build better: neck sits very tight in the neck pocket, frets polished very well, sounds great(quiet when not touching the strings!) resonates very nice...nothing of these points were better on the fender even worse...the cort was ok but nothing special....damn these modern squiers are nice!( i think it depends on the series and the particular model and unique piece you get...mine is superb;))
@@LowEndLobster hi thanks for the reply! also my contemporary squier was super nice, but i ended up selling it only due two reasons: tuners were "meh" and mainly: it was HEAVY! first charge of these..mine was 5kg! for a four string...but besides that it was an amazing Instrument! the new ones are not as heavy i think, about normal... also i think personally that most of a basses sound( i think at least 60%) came from the pickups! the player fender i tested was overall not a good bass...in german we would say :" das war eine gurke".... which basic. translates to : it was a cucumber☺️😉... fender( even US mades) can be hit or miss in my opinion...if (!)you caught a squier that is superb i think it can beat a " meh" fender in a blind test no time... take care and keep the videos coming! i am in my holidays right now...😅
I had an American Professional I Precision and it was really good, however I kept gravitating towards my cheaper instruments. Also, I’m glad they seem to have fixed the pickups. The original V-Mod pickups on the Am Pro I was just horrible.
To me the original V-Mod pickup on my P5 sounded good through a small rig playing with acoustic instruments but awful through a big rig with a loud electric 6 piece band. I had to switch out the P/U for a Nordstrand with good results
Great review as always!! I really want a P !!!the closest I have to a P is either my jazz or the front pickup on my HH stingray lol I’m working on my pic playing to, we’re breaking the rules lobster lol
I got a used American Pro I in mint condition at 1k USD, not really sure what the main differences are between the I and the II but by what I’ve seen, I don’t think there’s a lot of difference and 1k seemed pretty reasonable for an American made P Bass. Strung it with some flatwounds and the tone I get out of it is GORGEOUS…
Heck yeah I'd agree that's a really Great buy!! I could be totally wrong but if I'm not mistaken the main difference between 1 and 2 is they changed the Pickups in the Pro 2.. I would also with No Doubt have bought the Bass you got for that price!! If you look on Reverb you'll run across that same deal pretty often it seems. Congrats on the New Bass Man!! 🤘
I just watched a video explaining the Main differences between 1 and Pro 2.. Yeah the Main difference is different Pickups in the Pro 2. Also He said the Neck has more rolled edges, and the neck has a Satin finish... That was it.. Hope that helps 🤘
I have a 2012 AM Standard Jazz Bass (pretty much the J equivalent to this P, except that I got the maple fretboard). Now don't get me wrong... I love this bass. I played it exclusively in two bands, but... back in 2012 the AM Standard was at 1300 EUR. I think that pricing was ok. The pricing for the Pro version is just too much. Let's be honest... It's a P Bass, nothing super fancy.
Could you do a review on the silver 75th anniversary p bass from fender please.? You do great honest reviews. And I’m really trying to decide on a p bass.
Hey Lobster! Keep up the good work. I love your videos. Two things: 1) I’d like to hear more of your opinions on ergonomics (including how the instrument feels standing with a strap). A lot of good basses don’t work for me because the strap buttons/horn are too close to the bridge. The P Bass could be a benchmark for economics that work. 2) Keep working on the pick! I’m a 95% pick style player (after years of playing mostly finger style or slap). I’d love to hear how your review basses sound picked. For me, that would add value to your reviews. Also, you will be surprised how funky you can be with a pick. Love your videos. Rock on. JD
'63 neck, not '62. Anyway, good review, and I agree on all of your points. There are so many great P bass options out there for less $, so you're basically paying for the Fender name here. And there's something about the tone of these that's lacking, IMO. Too sterile? I like P basses with a little hair and grunt to them.
Thank you for the correction! I agree about the tone, the vmod II isn't necessarily where I'd take a P bass if I was running things. I also agree about the hair and grunt!
Hi Lobster! You rated this bass 3 out of 5. Which series of fender american p basses would you recommend that is perhaps higher than 3 out of 5? Thanks! 🙂🙂
On the other side of the Atlantic this costs 2250 euros as of January 2024. The AV II 1960 costs 2500. A biiiiiiiiiiiit steep. They sound great (I think I prefer the sound of the AV II, but its truss rod access can...... leave) but they are crazy expensive unfortunately
Great review my friend! The new american pro 2 is a really well made and excellent quality bass but I agree with you ... at that price I expect something more and I don't seem to see anything particularly special in this instrument compared to other instruments of the same price. In my opinion it makes more sense to the American PJ performer who costs less and more versatile and has the same quality as the pro II but at a much more reasonable price!
Nice review! Just wondering how this compares in thickness to an American Standard P body. My 64 P is slimmer and the contours are sleeker. A Precision bass is for life and will always be cool so you can pass it on to future generations when you're done with playing!
Would love a commission between Pro 2 . Performer and player. Also compare Performer to Squier PJ. I'm tempted by a Performer as PJ and more versatile Or going all out for an Elite just some of the colours could be better Ideally would like from fender is a proper Jazz Bass with a PJ from America not an aerodyne. I guess could rout one out Probably will never do one as would take sales away from other models
I think this is the first bass that you have tested that does not hum! Lol Where's that cat? It's New Years Eve & I haven't seen the cat in months~ he only shows up when he REALLY likes the bass~
I'm glad that Fender is starting to put countoured neck joints on their flagship USA instruments. The old square joint isn't awful, but it's outdated at this point and seems more at home on more affordable instruments (where it makes sense as a cost cut) and "vintage spec" type stuff.
Not vintage spec. Unfortunately a lot of us are still stuck in the past when it comes to what we like on basses and guitars. Fortunately that mindset is dying off, and we might see more frets soon.
Well said, McShooty! I agree and absolutely love the evolution of the Fender design that we see out of shops like Valenti, Sadowsky, etc. Giving us the vintage vibe with the features that today's players want!
I think as a workhorse bass it would be a great choice. If you are gigging it regularly then you'll get good mileage out of it. I know people always go on about Squier, but while they might sound good they will fall to bits if you are on the road with them, and you'll be tuning constantly. I would still say it's overpriced and those vmod pickups sound a bit modern and sterile for my taste.
I loved my squier 60s jazz, but ate through the frets in six years (after 3 levels there was no metal). I'm not Stevie Ray Vaughan: they use softer frets.
100% Agree on all points. Walking around Nashville, the majority of the Fenders that you saw on stage were MIA. The Squier stuff can look, sound, and even play the part... but you're absolutely right. The metal bits on those basses are usually pot metal and are very soft.
Fantastic review as always. I'm eyeballing the 5 string version of this. From what I've read, it sounds like they've rounded the neck at the fret board similar to the newer Stingray Specials. True? I also dig that they shaped the heel the same way. I'd love to hear it with some flats on it.
Nice bass Lobster , I like that it is still a basic P bass . It may be odd but I think I like the p bass better without a bridge j pickup. I have a performer series P-J bass , I think I like my player series as much . The American basses do feel more modern then the player basses.
Theres times I wish I had that extra J pickup, but I already got 3 jazz basses so I just wanted a classic P. A music man style pickup would be cool too
Now if you'd do the same review with the Player P-bass.Is it worth the huge jump from the MIM Player.Really think in of a black due to maple neck.My 2010 American Sprcial is a rosewood and is amazing. but would love a maple neck black one too.
This is what an American standard should be, but fender have to build to ten different price points... All this does is push down quality down the line. Look at the terrible mismatched woods on the cheaper sunbursts these days. It's not right. Bah humbug Edit: your slap tone is delicious here. I like the pickups.
Thanks Lobster - nice video. I agree that the G&L is a better value, however iconic this P bass might be. As a point of curiosity - do you know how Fender split the combination of alnico 2 and 5 magnets? Cheers for now!
I’ve always had issues justifying an American Precision Bass with just the basics. You wanna pay for the vintage neck and nitro finish for 2 grand? Maybe, but the players series is so good that at this price I’d want something a lot more versatile like the American Ultra, which has a PJ setup and a good preamp, or even another brand that offers more options.
I hear you - this bass doesn't even have a nitro finish. When it comes down to it I think people who buy American Fenders are set firmly enough on an American-made instrument that talking value misses the point.
I honestly believe fans of both Fender and Music Man would love to see an anticipated comparison. This Fender Precision Bass vs the Music Man Cutlass 🎶💯⭐️🎆 Huuuuuuuuu ⚡️🎶
I can't seem to find an FGN with the configuration matching yours, but did come across a brand new Aerodyne "jazz" bass at the local shop yesterday. Maybe the best neck I've ever felt. Have you done a review on that model before?
Sounds as good as the best P-Basses i have ever used, .......youll be able to sell it in 10 hears for $2,500.....American made has a great re-sale value (like with Rickenbacker, Gibson Firebird, Earnie Ball)
You're always going to be paying extra for that name on the headstock. Sounds very good. There are better deals on the P style to be had elsewhere though.
Ahhhh I’m starting to see how it works...you look a little younger here. On a completely different topic... You use to do something when you first started making videos, when you’d compare everything to the mim P bass, this would have been a great one to do that with....maybe you can do it on another video....jk But, that would be fun to revise. Anyway, I’m totally onboard the G&L bandwagon now, I’ve been told, for years, G&L is Fenders “Bad Ass cousin”, and I totally understand now. Since I got the Kiloton, I can’t put it down (and its the tribute. I’d love to try the U.S model), I play it against my mim P... and it wins battles every time. It already stole the P bass’s girl and car...I don’t know why I do it...but its funny seeing the P bass, trying on toupees now!!! Alright...anyway, hope you had a great weekend. Cheers
Thank you Tommy! You know I actually restrung my MIM just for a comparo video which has already been shot and is coming soon :). You're a freakin mind reader or something!
Great video thanks. I was just wondering if there is a knack to re-stringing with these tapered shaft tuners? I just purchased this bass and have really struggled to re-string it - I've never had a problem before. I found that because there is less shaft the lower down you go, there is nothing for you to hold the string against to ensure the wrap goes under, without holding the string on an extreme angle past where it’s actually going to be placed into the nut! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
The P-Bass neck is so uncomfortable to me. I’ve got a MIM version and I never play it anymore. My left wrist used to audibly pop and my wrist would ache terribly after playing for any significant amount of time. But that’s just me. I sure love the way they sound! My G&L just fits me better.
Lobster I was expecting you to rate this a 4 due to the high price, but really its an excellent bass to me just expensive. I realise that prices have gone up for everything, so who knows maybe this should be a 5. Not a 3. Thanks for the review....Dan
Thanks Dan! It's DEFINITELY not a 5 hahaha, not even close :). However it's my opinion and take that for what it is. I'm not here to tell you what to like, and plenty of folks are really into these basses.
Thanks Nigel! Honestly, that's something that I appreciate the effort of but I think the execution wasn't the best. It still essentially has the same footprint and squared off feel as the original heel. They should have rounded it off more if they wanted to make it a selling point (and maybe add a fret?).
Hello! Is that bass better than American Performer? I listened many videos and for me it sounds more precision'ally than my Am Perf PJ. Now thinking about this bass. Or maybe i should try to replace yosemite pickups for cs62+cs60jazz for example?
