Fender American Original '60s Precision Bass Review

Great bass with that classic feeling!

I actually own the Olympic white, the green was not available yet. Fantastic bass, chunky neck, thicker than normal but I easily adjusted to it and enjoy it now more than the thinner ones. The satin neck finish along with a nitro body finish give that smooth feel along with that woody sound. Add a 63 vintage bridge and the same year pickups brings out that classic pbass feeling… read more without breaking the bank! Add a bone nut and the rosewood fretboard and you are going back in time. I put on a set of Labella flat wounds strings and keep a sponge handy for that James sound and feel. It has a double bass sound to it that I have not experienced with the other pbass's I own. If you want to get that classic sound and feel this is the ticket! The nitro finish is easily susceptible to chips, dings and scratches. I actually enjoy seeing it getting that worn look because they are from my experiences with it.

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Killer Bass

Been playing north of 35 years, got plenty of cool basses in my stable but did not have one Fender... Had been on the lookout for a P Bass in Surf Green for a LOOOOOOOONG time. Only way I could get one is go through the Custom Shop and pay the Custom Shop prices... which I wouldn't have a problem with if I had that kind of $$$$... Then Fender puts this color in production again,… read more and a '63 reissue to boot! Well, I turned 50 this year so my wife surprised me with this on my birthday. Absolute stunner of a bass! Gorgeous craftsmanship, flawless fit and finish! And that sound... that phat p bass sound! Heavenly! This bass will be played into the ground! The cons are few and petty for me; ever so slightly neck divey and tone control seems a teeny bit over-aggressive when maxed out. A good wide non-slippy strap has balanced out the neck dive for me and a slight tone roll-off mellows things out nicely. I see this improving as the strings wear out (personal preference). Thanks to my Sales Engineer, AJ Becerra. He is the most helpful salesperson I've ever dealt with when needing help making a decision. Super Kudos!!!!! Hope this helps someone. :)

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The Search Is Over

There is always that bass we have on our bucket purchase list and if you are like me it changes about every two-weeks. Last week it was an American Precision bass and the 60's 3-Color Sunburst has always been on my bucket list. Sweetwater gave me a great deal on a demo model (25% savings) so I pulled the trigger. I own a MIM Precision, Geddy Lee Jazz (Japan) and have owned an Aerodyne… read more Jazz (not a fan) and a Marcus Miller Jazz. You can't compare a Precision to a Jazz bass because they are two different and distinct animals, but you can compare a Mexican Precision to an American. Based on my playing there is no comparison and paying the extra cheddar for an American Precision is both an investment into my music and into my collection, where this bass is superb in every way! With the larger neck and the wider nut/wider string spacing, I am going to have to get more comfortable with this, but that shouldn't take long. Overall great bass and I am very satisfied with this era-specific instrument.

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Like butter.....

This bass did exactly what I wanted to do. A quick set up with some deep talkin' flat-wounds and first use was a motown/R&B joy! Looks great, feels great and give me the real deal in sound and vibe.

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Definitely has a vibe to it

I decided to sell my American Standard P Bass and upgrade to this. I actually really liked my Std but wanted the nitro and thicker neck. I definitely think it was worth the upgrade. There are a few things that annoy me, like the reverse tuners (I know, its period correct, but I'll for sure be switching these out) and the nitro is pretty sticky on the neck so I'll be sanding that… read more down and doing an oil finish for sure. The super wide nut took some getting used to. I recorded a track with it and it definitely sounded better than my old Std, but it wasn't night and day. Next step is to put flats on it. All in all this is a good bass. Without going Custom Shop Its probably the best you can do for that classic P sound.

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WOW

I just purchased one of these and I must say, I'm impressed. I currently have a 51 reissue precision, a 57 reissue precision, a Mexican standard precision, and a Custom Shop 59 Relic precision. I'd easily put this basses build quality on par with my Custom Shop. It just feels and plays perfectly. It came with a pretty decent setup. I made minor adjustments to the neck relief, saddles,… read more and filed the nut slots a little more. Strung it with flats and was pumpin out Motown jams in no time. These things are no joke.

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Deja Vu Bass

My trusty 1963 Fender Precision bass needs to go the shop. My band has suddenly booked gigs galore. What to do? Order a "replacement bass" if that's possible. It IS possible. Fender's "Original 60's Precision Bass" is just what I'd hoped for. Beautifully finished, it plays with ease and (hey, it's a P-bass) stays in tune; the split pickups put out that big, fat sound to hold down… read more the bottom or get melodic and flutey up the neck. If you've got the hands (I have large ones), this long-scale bass is the classic, the standard, the original. The band hasn't heard it of this writing but I know they'll be as happy and impressed as I am at next rehearsal. Thinking of getting one? DO IT. You won't regret it. Caveat: you'll have to wait 24 hours to open the box to acclimate the instrument (protects the finish)! (imagine the waiting!!! - But well worth it!). Thanks to Ryan once again for his pro assistance.

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