Fender American Standard Precision Bass

Familiar Fender P-Bass with upgraded tuners, bridge, finish, etc. Lots of nice case candy, and a GREAT plastic hardshell case included (airplane cargo-hold worthy).


The new 2008 American Standard Precision Bass is a total triumph for Fender. This is from a 30-year P-Bass player for whom, till this point, nothing but vintage was good enough.

From the time I bought a new ???78 off the rack at Sam Ash (that bass was a real POS, by the way) through to the joyful generation I spent playing a spectacular fly-weight ???61 (now returned to it???s original owner), nothing stood up to the feel, sound, physical solidity, and downright rightness of a vintage P-Bass (and by vintage, I do not mean mid-to late ???70s, that now-bygone era stunk for Fender). Any gaps in my vintage P-Bass ownership I filled with a 1982 G&L L-1000 (another one-PU masterpiece by Leo F., naturally), and, surprisingly, $200 P-style Danelectros, which - probably by total accident - caught the right vibe.

Like many of you, I???ve be exposed to tons of Fender-corporate-generated hype about ???upgrades??? made to the new Fender American Standards. Well, after trying one out at length at the local Guitar Center, I soon found myself on Musician???s Friend eagerly plunking down a grand + for a Charcoal Frost & rosewood bass. I am thrilled to say that this bass is a natural; it???s not a reissue in any sense and has with a feel completely different from a vintage Precision, but every bit of that unmistakable Fender mojo is intact, and the many little upgrades are indeed improvements.

When you???re right, you???re right ??? and Fender has gotten it right once again. Try, buy, and believe. If I could do it, I think anybody can.

Sounds good, like a Fender bass should. Ripping middy growl, tight, focused bass, twangy treble. That's the beautly of hte P-Bass: just about all the tone is there, and you can let your amp bring out what you want.

Really a wonderful job -- tight neck pocket, flawless finish, smooth fretwork, good action, and right-on intonation right out of the box -- a very classy build, worth the extra $$$.

I imagine it's a little more fragile than my old '61 (which went under a taxi and remained in tune), but you have the feeling you are holding a rock-solid instrument when this baby's in your mitts.

Never dealt with them, cause I never had a problem with a Fender product. Hopefully, I'll never find out!

Limited lifetime warrantee.

2006 precision you know the deal 1 pickup 1 tone 1 volume just the way it should be.... low on features big on sound

this is the sound i have been looking for......had a ibanez srx 700.....looked like a killer but sounded like a dud ...the term MUSICAL instrument was incorrect ,it was an instrument with not a musical sound in it.....I HATE ACTIVE EQ...... i like tone and this fender has buckets of it.... in a 3 piece band this thing filled the bottem perfectly this guitar sounds like a bass should sound

every thing was good ..just fine tuned the intonation and string height to suit me ...i love the BIG chuncky neck...this feels like a mans bass ...not some bass that thinks its a guitar with their skinny narrow necks and active eq......

this is build like a brick shithouse ...this will last my life time .....

never needed any support from fender ....never had a problem with any of the 8 fender strats or teles i have owned

been playing guitar for over 40 years ...dabbled with bass on and off but now playing bass in a 3 peice (blues/jazz/rock)...i never liked the look of the precision ..much prefered the look of the jazz bass ....but that was when i was playing guitar...now i am playing bass the first time i hit the open E on this bass it blew me away ....this is the sound ....its got this grand piano ring to it that is so musical that it makes you play better ....i am starting to like the look of it ...it does look cool....a bit vintage

This a 2000 Fender American Standard. Made in the USA. Black w/White Pickguard Maple neck and Maple Fretboard. This is 1st Maple necked (fretboard)that I have owned. I have to tell you that there is no greater feel and sound than a P Bass with Maple neck. 20 frets, 4 strings. Strung with D'addario Chromes flatwounds. Body is very light for a P Bass. I traded a 2003 Ernie Ball Stingray for this Bass. It's the tone I have inside my head. String through body and one great neck, feels like a B style Fender neck. Smooth as silk and lighting fast. It has improved my playing dramatially.

It the perverbial Classic Rock and Roll tones from the 60's and 70's. A rich full Thundering, building filling, wall shaking, bowel rumbling, foudation cracking, Leo Fender got it right the first time Tone to the Bone Tone. Good for stage or studio. I previously made a reveiw of a 97 American Standard but traded it for a Stingray. That was a dumb move. I liked the playability of the Stingray but not real happy with the active electronics tone. Some like it and some don't. I have come back to my roots with this Bass.

Bass was well set up from the guy I traded with. He did a great job. Pickups adjusted perfectly and have a nice output with some growl and a ton of low end. Punchy too. I like it. Bass has some nicks and scratchs but it is a used instrument used professionally.

Of all the Fender Basses that I have owned I have never had a problem.
A very dependable Bass.

Never needed them.........

Played stringed instruments since 1963. Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, etc. Own just this P Bass. Would buy it again. Love everything and hate nothing about it. Overall, Leo got it right the first time. I feel sorry for all the young smucks who go out and buy 20 different Basses in search of a Fender P Bass. Of course they don't know it's a P Bass that they desire but they know when they finally find it. God I love this bass. Please don't let anything happen to it. I'll take care of it and use it to bring you Glory on our Church's Worship Team. Amen!

1997 Fender American Standard. Black with White Pickguard. Passive, one pickup does it all. Volume and tone controls. Fat neck. This is a Man's Bass. Grab hold of that Fat Neck play it. Rosewood fretboard. Simple but what a Bass. Not many features. All the case candy was included. Tuners are schaller and solid. String through body. Great sustain.

I play on our CHurch's Worship team and it suites the style of music perfectly. By itself it does not sound great but when it sits in the mix with all the other instruments it can't be beat. My amp is an SWR Workingman's 15, 160 watts. I do have the option and capibility to go to sound board if needed. All I need for 200 capacity Church. Thundering Tone is the best way to discribe it's sound. You can add treble if you like to slap and pop and all that, great way to tear up the frets. I'm a groove player and like to key in on the drummer's foot and keep it simple. Find the pocket and enjoy the ride. I'm not a showboat, it not about me, it's about the music and the worship. Never had it in the studio but on stage it's gets the job done really well. Nothing sounds like a P Bass but a P Bass. A little heavy but worth it's weight in Tone. I use no effects.

Bought used so needed a setup along with some D'addario Chromes Flats. These Chromes make this P Bass really sond great. Bass was used but in mint condition. What a deal.

It will forever withstand live playing. A rock solid Bass for all occasions. Try one buy one. Every Bass player should own a P Bass. I always gig without a backup.

Never have used them. Never had a problem with Fender Guitars...

Been playing since 1963. Bass for the last 13 years. I play a number of stringed instruments but all I own is this P Bass. I would buy it again. I love everything about it. Worth every penny I paid for it. My favorite feature is the split coil pickup, it's a great pickup. I chose the Fender P Bass because I've played all the brands and the P Bass had the Tone I desired.

This review is for a 2001 American Standard 4-string P-Bass, made in USA with a candy apple red finish, black pickguard, with a rosewood fingerboard with 20 frets and passive electronics. This bass in retrospect looked a little nicer than it actually played. Featured the standard split pickup found on all P-basses, very simple layout with single volume and tone controls.

I play mostly classic rock and some funk in two different bands. I have owned many of these P-Basses throughout the decades (I have been playing for 42 years) and with the exception of my first bass that my Mom bought me new in 1965, a real Leo Fender P-Bass (he sold the company to CBS in late 1965), most of the dozens of P-Basses I have ownd and played since then have been crap, with this 2001 version falling into that group. The sound is fairly weak and honky, with the single tone control not doing too much as far as shaping a usuable sound. I guess I have been spoiled by my "real" Fender basses, which are Leo Era Music Mans and G&Ls, which totally blow away the CBS era P-Basses in EVERY category of sound and quality.

Most P-Basses I have played have wide and uncomfortable baseball bat necks and this one was no exception. I am a big guy with a big hand and still, this bass does not allow you to play "risky" riffs, but I feel holds you back to playing more standard and safer passages. It is a difficult bass to play and needs to have one more fret to give you the high "E" and a three octave range. On the other hand, my Music Man Stingray and G&L L-1000s and SB-1/SB-2 axes encourage you to take risks because of their unique playability.

The American Fender P-Bass has some quality, fit and finish, and parts matching issues. Also, the cheapo bridge is a joke and looks like it cost $1.95 to make it. Compare that to the massive saddle lock bridge of a Leo Fender G&L bass and there is NO COMPARISON. A G&L is more Fender than any post 1965 Fender.

The neck was very sensitive to temp changes on this 2001 P-Bass requiring frequent adjustment, but the candy apple red finish was fairly well done. The bass had a very annoying tendency to be top heavy, and fell forward toward the tuning keys every time you took your hands off the neck. This told me that the body was too light and that the bass was out of balance.

Never had to call them.

I have been playing 42 years professionally and have owned many Fender basses (over 25). This will be the LAST Fender bass that I buy, simply because Leo Fender would have had nothing to do with this bass, which in my opinion, is a mockery of his name and legend. My preference is to play REAL Fender basses, like the Music Man Stingray and the G&L basses from 1980-thru-1991, when he was running the show there. For more info, see my L-1000 and SB-1 G&L reviews. I sold this bass to someone who was looking for a P-Bass in good condition. I wish them luck, as there was NO compelling reason for me to continue to own or play this USA P-Bass. Life is short. If you want a Fender bass, get a G&L, period.

I own a 1996 American Standard Precision Bass. It is the same as everyone else's American Standard P-Bass. Passive electronics, string-through body bridge, thick neck, one volume control, one tone control, single split-coil pickup, and so on. There are not a lot of knobs, dials, and other crap with which to deal on this instrument--just the way I like it.

It came with a traditional hardshell case. One problem with the case is that when putting the bass back in the case, the way the case is made, it pushes on the G-string tuning key, putting it out of tune. This isn't a big deal because I tune up before playing each time, but it just seems sort of weird to have a case like that.

The sound is very pure. Even though it does not have a lot of variety, it covers a lot of musical styles really well. The first time I plucked the E-string, I thought to myself, "Sounds like a grand piano" and I haven't changed my opinion much since I bought it. It is a rich sound without a lot of high-end.

I play many different styles: pop, rock, hard rock, blues, punk, funk, and even contemporary christian. I primarily play with a pick and it sounds great that way. Fingerstyle is fine, too. This bass covers them all really well. In my opinion, if you are looking to play "lead bass" this probably wouldn't be your best choice. When I play bass, I support the guitarist and vocalist and I look to be the rock bottom foundation. This bass gives that to me.

I have done a little studio work and the P-Bass records well.

All in all, it has a nice sound with good sustain. It is solid and grooves nicely.

I bought the bass as new old-stock. I purchased it new in 2001 and it is a 1996, so I can't give much of an evaluation of the factory set-up. I was able to set it up without any major problems.

I have the action set at 3/32" at each string (measured at the 17th fret, without a capo at the first fret) and I get just a slight buzz on the E-string if I hit the string moderately hard. I may eventually raise the action on the low E slightly to eliminate any trace of buzz, but I really like the action where it is now. I play with 45-105 strings (medium gauge).

The truss rod adjustment is a little stiff, but it moves. The stiffness of the truss rod worries me just a little bit, but so far I have had no problems with the neck. I like the fact that the neck has graphite rod reinforcements. I will never buy another bass without this feature. With the amount of tension on a bass neck, I like the security (real or imagined) of having the rods in the neck.

The pickup was fine and easy to adjust. The volume and tone controls are fine. The little internal screw on the volume knob like to come loose every so often though and I have to tighten it down otherwise the volume knob could slide off. This is not a big deal though. I cranked it down the last time I needed to adjust it and it has stayed.

The saddles were fine, but the saddle height adjustment screws have sharp edges. I have caught my hand on these edges and it didn't tickle. I need to file them down, but this would be the worst aspect of the fit and finish on the guitar. The screws stick out quite a way because I have the saddles low to get the action down to 3/32".

The frets seem to be really well finished and the overall construction is fine. It is not the best bass in the world, but it is solid. I am sure that Spector, Sadowsky, and others make a better quality bass, but not for the same price as the Fender. I did the best I could with the budget that I had.

Again, this is a solid, professional-level bass.

This bass withstands live playing just fine. I take very good care of my instruments though. I have owned it for three (almost four) years now and it is doing fine. The hardware is fine. The finish is wearing slightly, but I gig with this bass a great deal.

The bass came with strap-locks. Strap-locks are essential, so get them unless you are a chump and don't mind watching your bass fall to floor in the middle of a performance.

The truss rod needs a seasonal adjustment and that's it.

I would never go to a paying gig without a backup, but I would prefer to play this bass instead of my backup. I keep using the word "solid" and that is just what this bass is all about.

The Fender company is hit or miss. Sometimes you can get great help, other times they are enormous dork-monsters. If I could get an endorsement deal from any company, I probably would not sign with Fender. I would probably go with a smaller company like Sadowsky, Wal, or somebody else.

Overall I would recommend this bass. I bought it at a time when I was really struggling (personally, emotionally, and financially), so I have an emotional attachment to it.

If it were stolen again, I might buy something different, but it just depends on how much money I had to spend. When I found it, it was sitting lonely and dusty on a stand in the back of the store. It was a bass that the music store had "forgotten they had in stock" (whatever that means). I think what that means is none of the younger players who frequented the shop thought it was hip enough for them. It worked for me though and I still really love it (emotional considerations aside).

I compared it to other basses. These included Ibanez (I use an SRX-400 as a backup), Fender American Jazz, Fender Standard Jazz and P-Bass, Fender Mark Hoppus, Fernandez, Gibson Nikki Sixx Blackbird (way too neck heavy and too focused on rock/metal only), Warwick, and other much more expensive brands. In the end, the Fender Standard P-Bass worked best for me. It may not be the very best bass on the planet, but it is pretty good, and was the best choice for me at the time.

A Candy Apple red finish with a maple fingerboard,and S1 switching.Also a black pickguard.You know all of the rest.This bass is a real shoemaker bass in the constuction department.

Your typical P bass tone.The S1 option is a real joke.This is no big deal as far as I'm concerned.

Action was too high,intonation was horrid,cheap looking maple neck.A real shoemaker of a bass.Everything else was passable.Just a real cheapy looking bass for an American bass.I'd buy a Squier and save money,just as good as this.

Didn't purchase but it would last cheap looking or not.

Played this and a jazz bass both on the same day and I told the salesman at the Guitar Center in Mays Landing,N.J. that I felt Fender basses aren't what they used to be.He told me to try the Spector basses but as usual in the Guitar Center supermarket of stores they never go that extra mile to pull one off the rack for you to try.Never deal with them again.I don't know why I even bother with them,there are other stores who have better customer skills.

I have been playing for 28 years on and off and I know a good bass when I see and play it.

It's a basic American Precision bass, factory everything. String-through.... Maple neck, probably Alder body, and a kinda sickly looking, but bearable, glossy turquoise color. Came with nothing: no case, strap, cable...

Too many features would probably just get in the way, so it's fine with me.

Can't rate it high for feaures because it doen't have many!

I've just picked up bass after years and years of not playing anything. I played a little in high school but got sidetracked and finally picked it back up. I bought a Squire P-Bass, which was a big mistake. The sound was so bad on the Squire that it really discouraged me. But I found a great deal on a American Precision and the difference is amazing. Duh.

Warm sound, no noise. Playing through a Berenger practice amp and a Peavy TKO 80.

Used bass, but the finish was almost perfect. The only thing that was loose was the plug, the nut won't stay screwed on.

Seems built like a tank. Everything looks good. I kept my Squire bass just in case the other was stolen!

Bought used, so haven't talked to Fender.

I think I got a good deal on this bass, so I'm pleased about that, being a cheap bastard and all.

I've only been playing a year or so, not counting the year or so I played in high school. I would definitely buy the same again. I like the solid feel of it, which is a good thing for a bass! I think I need a thumb rest for it.
Tried Peavy, Yamaha, old Music Man (1978, I think), bunch of others. Always wanted a decent Fender bass. Thought about a Mustang bass, but decided against it.

'95 American P-bass, 3 tone vintage sunburst, 1 passive humbucker, etc...

Makes one sound, and does it well. It has a low-mid bump that's woody, warm, and dark sounding. Deathly quiet p/u. Records well, but can't be beat with a live band- sits full in the mix, unlike other basses i've played.

When I bought it new, it was set up very well, but I always make my own adjustments. Solid fit, everything's tight.

This is the Hummer of the bass world. Big and solid like a tank. Very solid, no problems, ever.

Been playing for over 15 years semipro level. This bass has been my go-to since I bought it. I love it, there's nothing on it to mess up, and it always sounds great.

1997 Fender American Standard. 4 string black P-Bass with white pickguard. Has stings through body bridge...gives it excellent sustain! I had my own hard case to put this bass in.

Sounds great at any occasion. Has the classic Fender thump when the groove is hot. I have no dislikes toward this bass.

I got this bass used and it was setup fine. The action and finish is perfect...no fret buzz at all.

This bass will be used as my main bass when I don't feel like playing my American Deluxe Fender Jazz 5 string bass. It feel just as comfortable to me as my "expensive" jazz.

Have never has to call Fender, since I've never had a problem!

If this bass was stolen I'd be devastated! I love it like it's one of my children...it's priceless.

My p-bass is a 1974 fender p-bass made in the USA. Its got 21 frets and it use to have a volume and a tone knob. I took the tone knob off because I always run it rully open so I figure there was no need for it. Plus the origanl black pick guard is chipped where the jack is so it was either take the tone off or buy a new pick guard. I am a broke college student so I chose to remove the tone knob. The paint job is a sunburst but it is worn down to the wood in some areas. And on the bottom a small chunk is missing. I won't give it a super high rating for featurees because it's basic. That doesn't mean that I don't like what it does, because I love this bass.

I have never heard a better bass. I traded an 83 fender jazz bass and a G&L L2000 for this. I have also had a samick jazz bass, an OLP MM4 and an American 91 fender jazz bass. None of the basses I have owned have come close to sounding as good as this bass. I probably did get ripped off but I don't care this bass sounds amazing. I am currently using it with an Ampeg SVT III pro and a Goliath II 4 10. I also use to have an Ampeg 8 10 but I don't have a way to transport it so I sold it. I also have a digitech BNX 3 board. It has a really amazing bright and warm sound I have found that the D'addario strings are the best for this bass. I have always found that different strigs seem to suit different instruments. I can't complain about the sound and it is good for both live and studio.

The action is great, I like my string low and I can do that with this bass. For being just under 30 years of age and considering the wear on the body the neck is in great shape. It seems like a pretty thin neck for a p-bass and it is fast with a few minor dings but that is expected.

It's a fender what can I say. It's built like a tank and has and can take any amount of beating. I sold the rest of my basses so I would say I think this bass is reliable I couldn't ever see there being any problems with it.

Don't know this is way beyond warrentee

All in all i love this bass. I have never been so attached to a bass. I have been playing for 10 years and this bass jsut seems to play itself. If this bass was lost or stolen I would be very upset. I don't really see anyway to replace it because over its 30 life span it has had its own unique experiences which has had ahuge impact on the sound of this bass.

I don't know if mine is actually a "Standard" P-bass, so I just put it here - It says "Made in USA" and has N7 at the begining of the serial #, indicating 1997.

It has a solid "Chrome Red" body, but I don't know what kind of wood it is (it's probably Alder, but this bass is much heavier than my old Alder Yamaha). It has one split single coil pickup and a string-thru body bridge.

The neck is all Maple (with the slab-type Maple fretboard), has double graphite rod reinforcement, 22 frets and very nice, beefy open tuners.

I came with a molded hardshell case.

It suits my style perfectly - I suck. I bought it to put some low end on my guitar oriented solo projects, and don't know much about bass (so don't ask me about variety). I do know that it has warm/bright sound and, since it only has one pickup, there are less decisions and more music making. I'm using it through a Korg multi-effects box (PX3) and sending it right to my computer.

There is a gap in between the neck and the body (on both sides). I don't know how Fender basses where built before, but I also own a 2001 USA Strat in which the neck pocket is so tight, it's practically a set-neck (no gap whatsoever). It must just be cosmetic, because the bass still resonates like crazy.

I know there is a ton of tension on them, but the tuners make a bit of a grinding sound when I turn them.

Does this section pertain to Fender USA P-basses?

Excellent website - all the product info you would ever need. I've never delt with the company in person, but I can't imagine a huge company like Fender would be very attentive.

I've been playing bass for about 3 months. I have a couple of 6 strings I've been playing for a couple of years.

If it were lost I'd get the same, but maybe not in metallic red.

The simplicity is a great feature (for me). I also love Maple fretboard (it's not all dark and depressing like Rosewood) and the string-thru bridge, because it increases resonance and adds to the quality look/feel of the guitar. The tuners are super heavy-duty and look great. The imitation bone nut is sweet (hate plastic).

I much care for the cable jack facing straight forward.

1990, maple neck, two knobs, a switch, a button, a jack, two pickups. Classic pbj. I give it a five here not because of the simplicity but because the switch and the button are pretty noisy when touched.

It sounds like paul jackson, james jamerson. People call the sound "warm or "brown" but its much more complex than that. In the neck its full and flabby, but it still purrs in the bass and sings in the highs. In the bridge its slightly more biting and focused, but not as much as a jazz bass would be - I think this has to do with the neck size and body materials.

Looks real nice - something about fender headstocks that make you feel like a badass. I got it used, it needed a setup and the nut will need replacing eventually. The action on mine is pretty high, but I like it that way. The electronic switches were noisy, but I'm going to go in there and do something about it. The frets are still intact but the fretboard is showing some signs of chipping around the edges. I find the guitar is slightly unbalanced and pulls down, probably due to the oversized tuners, which look too cool to change out.

Its 12 years old, and all it needed was a truss rod tweak. Looks and feels like a tank, cuz all it is is a two-by-four with strings. The electronics are shaky though, prolly just one wire thats slightly loose.

never dealt with fender - you can find info about setting them up at the website though.

I play funk, jazz, fusion, gospel, R&B, hip hop on this beast. It is not just for rock. The main thing to think about before you buy it is whether you can deal with its beefed up neck and the substantial weight. Also you gotta consider this is an instrument for grooving, not showing off. The reason I like the huge nexk and higher action is prolly because it forces me to back off my technique and focus on laying it down.

all right. I finally have time to sit down and write about my "wife". She has been with me since college in 1984, and the bass is, by serial number, a 1983. It originally had a cherry burst finish and white pickguard, but I added Seymour Duncan actives in 1988. About four years ago, I had the incomparable luthier/tech John Carruthers in Venice, CA (who is, by the way, as much a gentleman to a hack like me, as I am sure he is to his other clients like Lee Ritenour) put on a MOTS pick guard and paint the bass a dark metallic blue from some paint I cajoled from a BMW repair shop (I read that Clapton did this with one of his Strats, so ever the unoriginal faddist. . .). It has a maple neck and fingerboard. I give it a 10 because it is loaded with the all features every P bass should have (knob heads - pay attention here): volume and tone. End of story.

the maple fretboard adds a touch of brightness, but I usually play with the tone on 3 (1 being panned to bass; 10 to treble) so we are talking some deep low tone. I play through a Mo Bass and Goliath III but can't wait to add a Son of Bertha 1x15 to the arsenal. The active pickups are really quiet, but not too boomy. They add a bit of mid-low and are active, so they come out a bit hotter than the stocks, as I recall. I have dead round wounds on it now that are definitely too light, but am thinking to changing to flats or halfs, so I can further capture the depth. This bass is so resonant unplugged (my own test as to how its fundamental will sound amped) that I often practice this way. It is warm, full and heavy with unbelievable unplugged sustain. All I can ask for.

well, let's see - since she is my wife. . .going back to the days of Genesis, The Jam, The Clash, and Bowie-lite when I bought this thing. . .I seem to recall Fender setting this up with the action higher than I have it now, and with a bit of buzz on one of the strings. Probably got knocked around by the Spicolis at GC in Hollywood before they sold it to me. However, I have since had it set up the way I like it, and it is just perfect. The details and workmanship were and are top notch. It actually came with a 30 watt Sidekick amp (that Fender was throwing in for free "while supplies lasted") and damn if I haven't used that thing on a session or two to warm up my sound. Amazing.

18 years and counting. All together now, "Longer than most marriages". It is just such a classic in every way, even with the tweaks I have added that may seem sacreligious to the purists. Warm, heavy, punchy, funky, I mean, what can I say that hasn't been said already. I feel that this bass is really starting to come into its own now - maybe it's how it sounds through better, higher end equipment. But it still sounds just beautiful through that cheap little sidekick amp, so it has to be the bass. It will outlive me, and I just hope that whoever I leave it to, hopefully my kids will have an interest, that they will come to know joy like the great joy I have had in discovering James Jamerson and Rocco Prestia bass lines on it. There simply is nothing like it.

never ever had to - Fender built a winner this time

She has been with me all over the world. Got me through lonely times, poor times, the Bar exam (thankfully only once). So much history and a truly special instrument. Enough gushing. You get the point. Whether it's a P Bass or whatever you buy, I hope you find that one axe that you value above all others. This is it for me, and probably always will be.

2001, Black w/black pickguard, maple neck, and all the other standard precision features.

I'm with the crowd on this one, great for low-end rumble. Played through a Mesa Bass 400 and Mesa 4x10 it sounds just awesome. I love Roger Waters sound and sure enough, this is exactly it.

Beautiful finish and excellent hardware.

Like the other person said, if there was a nuclear holocaust there would still be Fenders and cockroaches, however I think Keith Richards would still be around too.

It's a piece of art. It looks awesome and sounds awesome, what more could you want?

2001 American Standard P-Bass, black with rosewood fretboard. Same as all the other ones since 1950-whatever. Does have the strings through the body mind you, unlike most of its predecessors-this was a big selling point for me, as it distinguishes it from its lesser mexican made bretheren.

I was looking for that classic, P-bass sound, and I got it... I'd fallen in love with Music Man Stingray basses in my youth, and had persisted playing rock with one for 10 years until I finally broke down recognizing that it wasn't ideally suited for what I was doing. The P-bass is perfect for hard rock. Really, you don't need any more. It fills out the bottom, and with new strings through my vintage Ampeg V-4B, it gets that awesome, almost piano-like attack.

Action was set too high as standard, but with supplied truss rod tool, was easily rectified. Finish was really nice until I ruined it by wiping it with a brillo pad-yeah, I know, I'm a freakin' moron. Oh well, you learn. The rosewood fretboard is beautiful, and the neck is SOOO fast after my Music Man, which has a massive neck. I can't say enough about the neck. It really feels nice. It's nice and thin without being flimsy, thanks to the graphite reinforcement.

Yesterday at a drunken open-air show, my guitarist fell on me and the P-bass which bent the cord in the jack.. if this had happened with any other bass I've ever owned, the jack connection and pickguard would have snapped. I couldn't believe that the 3/4 inch jack had bent, but the bass was fine. I believe that if there were a nuclear holocaust, the only things that would survive would be cockroaches and Fender P-basses.

N/A

I love it to death... I wish I hadn't so bone-headedly ruined the finish, but these things happen. I really can't play it enough. I bought it about 7 months ago now, and I still trot it around the house with me, just noodling on it at every opportunity. It makes me want to upgrade the rest of my gear to really do it justice... I lie awake at night dreaming of SVT heads. I held out for the longest time against breaking down and finally buying a P, believing them to be just too common and generic, but you know, when something is as common and popular as a P-bass, you have to know that there's something to it. I haven't ever regretted buying this bass for a second, and I will probably own it forever. This is value for money.

I have just treated myself to ANOTHER p-bass..2002 model usa made p-bass..4 string..single volume and tone controls..maple neck and white blonde almost translucent finish..the neck has the most beautiful silky finish i have ever felt..your hand just glides over the fretboard..it came in quality fender hardcase with tools and a strap ! this is a basic bass but i prefer basic quality any day to cheap nasty add-on's to mask a poor instrument.Just cant give it a 10 though as it is just enough....but a 9/10 for sure for being so good at what is was made for.

well you either love this sound or you dont....i hate puffed up, hissy electronics to spoil the resonance of the wood....this bass is stunning and its the fat unmistakeable tone of a p-bass..you have heard it on a million tunes and i love it....cuts through no problem..deep and powerful...not fantastic tonal variation but it was not designed for that...a good honest sound...it was good enough for James Jamerson !! and it does not hiss!!!!! you can get a bit of variety by picking or fingering at different points....up near the bridge for more hi's or down by the neck for a room shaker !

it came set up a touch high for me..but 2 mins later..was perfect...intonation was perfect..pickups too....the p-bass had no flaws ..the finish is lovely..and i never preferred the skinny jazz bass neck..this neck is awesome and very silky..feels great. all in all beatifully made and set up..not a blemish.

it does withstand live playing..and it has never let me down...built like a tank..solid and reassuring...always feels and sounds great..the finish is FENDER!!! built to last..can take the knocks..i can depend on it 100%..i always take a 2nd bass gigging in case of string breakage...and guess what..i take another p-bass

never had to..probably never will

i played guitar for 12 years...in a few different bands..then my mate lent me his rickenbacker bass when he went on holiday..it sat there for 3 days and i never touched it..but i did eventually and i have been playing bass now for 9 years !!! dont play guitar much any more..in this time i have played many basses..some real quality axes like a lovely warwick thumb ( superb) and a jd supernatural...plenty of fenders...i try out as many as i can..but nothing beats the american fenders...jazzes are ok..but too skinny for me...p-basses are it ! I play in a band where we perform many musical styles and 99% of the time..this is the best...the odd song requires a little more tonal change..but overall for reggae..some jazz...punk..rock..blues the usa p-bass is my choice....they look superb..are well built..sound thick and fat..the latest fender maple necks have a rolled edge for a broken in feel..and its SOOO silky...you will not be disappointed....just go and buy one !!...its a no-nonsense long lasting quality you dont get everyday.

2000 American Standard P Bass (purchased 2002), Black with white pickguard, rosewood fretboard. I would have gotten the 50th anniversary P bass, or the steve harris p bass, or a different color one, but being that I found out a little too late about he latest clearance price drop, this was the only one left.

I have many flavors and many basses, but I didnt have a decent P bass, other than my late 80's/early 90's korean squire II p bass which had been cut up, hacked at, drilled into, sanded off, frets ripped out etc... that was my first bass. Well this P bass is a different world in its own, a real one. When I first started taking bass seriously, it was all about the Jazz bass, then went to warwick's, now I have a P bass for the most basic rock tone too. Its not a good bass yo have as your only bass, unless you play strictly rock, from the old school, or are extremely dynamic in your playing, in which case, you can coax many sounds out of it

I had to tighten the truss rod and raise the action a little, and lwer the pickup. It had a few scratches from being in a mars showroom, and the nut doesent seem to bee all the way down in its slot, but it plays and sounds fine

Thit bass will probably get beat up over the years, ive had it a few days and have allready bumped it a few times, but thats what fenders are for, it will probably last forever, and the graphite reinforced neck will probably not need many adjustments, I have had an american jazz for 3 years and its been a tank, so this P should be too. For the band im in now, I usually play a jazz bass with flatwounds, but I just put some 1/2 rounds on this P bass, and will probably switch back and forth, playing the P bass on the more punky and heavier rock songs

lifetime warranty, but fender is hard to get ahold of

been playing bass for the last 5 years, but started playing guitar about 12 years ago, and got my first bass about 10 years ago (the now ripped up squier II, but I had taken the frets out of it shortly after I first got it). Currently I also own an Am Std Jazz (98), Geddy Lee Jazz, Tacoma Thundercheif acoustic bass, 98 Warwick FNA 5 string, 2000 Warwick FNA 5 string, and 2000 Warwick FNA 4 string, SWR bass 350 (redface), SWR GOliath III 4x10 and Son Of Bertha 15, SWR workingmans 10 combo amp. In Bass350 rack I use a korg tuner and AKG platinum UHF wireless.

If this P bass was stolen, it would be fairly easy to replace because fenders are fairly consistent, 1995 and newer would work fine

The American Standard Precision Bass was not designed to be an All-in-One guitar. It was designed to be a solid, quality, fat sounding bass. My parents bought me the (Alder) American Standard for Christmas, and the guitar came with a Hardshell Fender case & key, truss rod adjustment tool, polishing rag, specifications book, manual, and Fender's classic lifetime guarantee. I am in a progressive punk band, and this guitar and my Fender Bassman 100 easily keep up and blend in with my partners' Ibanez RGs. I would give this bass a 10 if i could in this category, but since it's a simple workhorse, I have to give it an eight.

I have the tone knob up all the way, and the Bass EQ on +15. Bassman users, try this! It is a warm, outlining, smooth sound! This is what I believe the bass was designed for; an instrument that outlines the main guitar with a warm tone and keeps the beat, I dont think it should sound like the bass of Mark Hoppus from blink-182,(as much as I like them) because the sound is like tuning a regular guitar down an octave. Even though that is what a bass is, it shouldn't sound like that. The P-bass can overwhelmingly satisfy my needs for tone. The hum-cancelling pickups are great, and sound a lot better than those active ones! A 10 for Fender here, folks!

I think the guitar had miniscule dent, on the upper side by the nut on the fret board. Need a microscope to see it, literally! Didn't affect my playing at all. I got the Metallic Blue/Green finish, and I love it! Looks great with the black pickups. I had to re-adjust the pickups so they were just sticking up from the guitar, because that lets the sound have room to vibrate a bit more, and not producing that clanky sound! 10 for the set up!

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

The bass will withstand getting stepped on by a 250 pound man! The hardware WILL last! The finish can be easily touched up with paint if scratched or chipped, but since I'm CAREFUL, it hasn't happened to me yet! The strap buttons are very durable and versatile; I went out and bought the straplocks right away, so it wouldn't fall off while I jump or anything, wouldn't want to ruin that! Yes, I can depend on it, that's what Fenders were built to do! Give you a durable, lasting, rugged guitar, but sacraficing the features. I wish i could give the P-bass a 15 in this category!

N/A

I have been playing for nearly a year, and I have to say I am very good. I asked for this great guitar for Christmas, and sure enough I got it! I play this masterpiece through a Fender Bassman and a Rapco Int'l cable. I wish I asked before I bought this bass "Why is it so cheap?" because this is worth a lot more to me. If it were stolen, I would get another one. It wouldn't be the same, because this was from my parents on christmas, and that would have great meaning to me. Anyway, I would get another American Standard because it produces what I need, and puts it in a tank to output it. I dont hate anything. It could be a bit lighter though! It compares to other basses in this way: Nothing is in its league, except other Fenders!
I chose this bass because of its look, feel when I tested it, inviting price tag(for both me and parents), because my Ibanez broke down, and most of all, BECAUSE IT SAYS FENDER! Fender=Godliness. Look no further than Fender for your musical needs. If I could wish for anything to put on it, it would be a D-tuner, but the bridge is too far back to support one :(. THATS THE ONLY AFTERTHOUGHT! IT ISN"T HARD IN THE FIRST PLACE TO TUNE DOWN A WHOLE STEP! But anyway, it really isnt a flaw. It just would be a luxury to have the D-tuner. Otherwise, buy Fender. I love this Bass, and so will you.

Like any other post. Mine is black, rosewood fretboard yadda yadda yadda. It came with a case, straplocks, a strap and a bunch of other junk! Great features! The neck is great, as are the pickups which are completely noiseless!!!!!!!! All features are wonderful overall

Oh man this is where Fender shines! My first bass wasa Squier P-Bass Special. It was great, but I wanted something more. The day before I tried out for a band, my parents bought me this bass for my birthday. The sound on this thing was awesome! It was full and slappy with great sustain! It suits all my styles perfectly! I play Blink 182, to Iron maiden, to BB King to Slipknot and this thing rips!

AWWWWWWWWWW!!!! This thing kept up with me and took everything I could dish out! The finish is rich and shiny, as is the hardware! It was set up wonderfully for me, and was only a display model.

It's a Fender! What else can I say! It withstood live playing!

Ehhhhhhh lifetime warranty, I'm not a fender fan on customer service

This thing is great! I love my bass! I barely let the bass player in my band touch it! I am a guitarist in a little group, but nothing serious. I reall love bass! I love to play everything and this helps alot having a great bass! If any stole this its on my house insurance and I could get another one! hahaha! YES! Buy it, you won't regret it!

I bought this bass in 2001, so I assume it's a 2000 model or so...I don't really know. This is the real deal; American made, 20 frets, maple neck/fretboard, ash body, white blonde finish, signature split coil pickup, etc. You guys know all this stuff so I won't preach to the choir.
I won't give a rating for features b/c I don't think you should rate it on # of features. This bass has all the *needed* features and no more...so I'd give it a 10 for covering what was needed. Then again, some joker will come on here and expect 10 to mean it has 50 switches and knobs like a freakin' Vox guitar. So, I'll let you guys figure it out. It's got what it needs...and it's been that way since '57.

I love it! What can I say? It's a Fender P-bass!
First, the sound is very punchy. Lots of low end, but plenty of mids. I have to agree with the other guy, it may not sound great by itself, but it complements a set of drums OH SO WELL! You get zero hum from the pickup (but you guys know why). There's not much variety in sounds, but it's not active, so you can't just tweak the EQ on the bass itself. But the sounds are great. I still prefer a jazz, but I couldn't pass this up. The sound is beautiful. I play a lot of driving bass, kind of like Adam Clayton of U2, so it's right up my ally, but it will suit most styles. Look for other guys who play it and see what they can get it to do.

The bass was well set-up from Musician's Friend (although I don't know if they even touched it). The intonation is on, and the action was perfect up and down the fretboard. I really took it for granted at first, but now I realize that I didn't have to have it set up by a pro or try it myself and that saves time, money, and nerves.
I looked the bass all over and found it to be nearly flawless. They did get a *little* messy with the laquer on the neck at one point on the nut, but it could be scraped of easily. Also, I think Fender does a better job dressing the frets on the American series, but I'm not that picky; they still did a good job. The finish looks like a million bucks.

Well...it's a Fender. It may get war-torn, but it'll always play.

Oh, I forgot, it came from the factory w/ a faulty solder joint. I had to get it repaired (for free), but it wasn't a huge problem...just a little disappointing when I couldn't play it the day it came.

Anyway, back to reliability. The ash body is solid as a rock. It came w/ straplock-ready buttons, so it stays on. The hardware is solid; no problems here.
Gig w/o a backup? Well, I do, just because basses are big and I don't want to carry more than one around. But when I gig as a guitarist, I always have a backup. Even the best guitars can be dropped, break a string, or do something freaky. Always have a backup! Really though, as a bassist, I usually don't have a backup, unless I want to look cool bringing more than one instrument to a show! ;o)

I've never dealt directly w/ Fender; in fact, I have a fear of doing so. Lucky for them I can't really answer here!

I got this for $500 through Musician Friend b/c the new "American" series basses were coming out. This made the "American Standard" series old stock. It would normally cost about $950 (for the ash body upgrade). I laughed all the way to the bank on this one. It's been great...my new love. After playing 5 years on bass (7 on guitar) I think I deserve something nicer than a Mexican Standard.
Anyway, you guys want to know what I'd do if it were stolen, right? Well, after hunting the punk down and beating him to the point that he'd never walk right again, I'd find something else. The reason? I couldn't find a deal like that again. I'd probably go for the US Jazz Bass deluxe (which will probably be my next buy). But if I had it to do all over again, yes, this would be my bass. I love it. It looks great, it sounds great, and it feels great in my hands. I've never played a bass more comfortable than a Fender. It feels as if it were tailor-made to fit into my hands--like an extension of my body. See for yourself...

Mine is a recent 2001 make from the USA. Alder body, rosewood fingerboard. As for features, not much there really.. only really what you need: "vintage" Fender Precision pickups, string-thru bridge, tone and volume control.. that's it! You do however get lots of other goodies from Fender with the bass: strap locks, a hard case, all the tools you need to make adjustments yourself (ie. Allen key, truss rod adjustment tool), a Fender strap, polishing cloth, and a lifetime guarentee.

Very simplistic. But then, if you wanted a bass with loads of features you would not be considering a Precision.. I give it 8 because Fender made the effort to supply you with lots of other goodies to make up for an essentially simple bass guitar.

It depends of course on what kind of sound you need, but for me this is the best I could have. The Precision Bass sounds a bit ugly when it's played by itself, but when you put it in the mix with a drumkit and some noisy guitars, it fills out the bottom end beautifully.

The actual sound itself is DEEP.. a lot of lows and mids (very punchy), with a rounded off treble range. Being passive as well, it has that nice warm thick sound that active basses just can't achieve. I had been playing a Fender USA Jazz bass for about four years, and I was getting more and more irritated by its lack of punch and presence in the mix. The Jazz bass sounds great by itself or for heavy slap work, but it tends to get lost in the mix somewhat because it lacks the deep foundations the Precision has.

This bass is also surprisingly versatile. Fingers will give you all that classic punch and depth, whereas picks will give you that classic rock Precision "chunky" tone you hear on so many songs from the 60s and 70s.

So for those looking to play out front of the band, this bass may not be your best bet. But for those wanting to lay down the no-nonsense solid foundation to the overall band sound, regardless of music style you simply can't beat the Precision.