Fender American Vintage 57 P-Bass Reissue

As far as the "Features" category, there really is not much to be said is there? I mean a Precision has tone, volume potentiometers a split pickup designed to allow the two lower strings to have a slight edge toward the neck and the two higher strings slightly toward the bridge for a bit brighter sound. As far as I am concerned, I would give it a "10", others after stereo and separate outputs to different amplifiers may feel otherwise. As a Precision it is undoubtedly a "10". By the way, the "tons of features" which accompany a "10" rating clearly is not appropriate for a P-bass.

This white, gold anodized pick guard and a maple neck sounds as it looks. Draw your own conclusion. Details follow.

I have no idea how this bass could be improved in terms of finish or fit or both. It simply glistens.

To be honest, I have not used this on a gig as yet so an honest opinion cannot be offered. That said, at home the tone just sizzles and sparkles.

Not required.

o the story is.... Years, many years ago before I even picked up a bass, I was in a junior high school garage band where I "sang", though did demonstrate remarkable prowess on tambourine. Having a professional drummer for a father no doubt provided a certain genetic predisposition.

Nevertheless, our bassist had a 1957 P-bass: White, gold anodized pick guard and maple neck. I simply developed a serious jones for the instrument even though I did not as yet play. It looked too good to exist!

Over the years I learned theory and bowing technique and bought an upright that I still use. I also picked up a 1963 Jazz with ashtrays in college for $150 (American). No gloating intended and no this candy-apple red beauty is not for sale.

Eventually I learned that Fender was re-issuing the '57 object of my Jr. high school lust. With a list price of approx. 2300.00 and a street price of roughly 1400.00 I simply decided too rich for my blood and anyway, I had/have ten other basses to rely on. However my love and lifelong dedication to the '57 goddess never was truly far from my mind.

Roughly a year ago I was casually browsing e-Bay, usually a junk repository although my Gibson RD Artist was found there, and what should I see, but my long, lost, actually never possessed love, even though it was the reissue. The seller claimed it had been unplayed was new with hang tags, thank you Nigel Tuffnel and awaiting a home where it would be used. I saved a photo of the instrument in the case and labeled the .jpg, "MINE". I was not to be denied.

The seller was an extremely affable fellow and for $500.00 (U.S.$) I now own my love, my object of desire and lust. Five hundred, extraordinary. And very close inspection including serial number verification removed any residual doubt of authenticity.

I am quite pleased. This, my '63 Jazz and '51 Precision happily share living space with two Gibsons, a Danelectro, an Epi Casady Signature, a Rob Allen, a '67 Guild Starfire II and two Carvins a fretless five-string and a fretted six string. Not to leave out the 19th century German or Czech upright.

N?o sei o ano de fabricac?o mas e uma americano genuino, com 20 trastes, pick ups Precision vintage, passivos, ponte vintage com um case de tweed.

Sou um baixista rock/pop e um instruemnto muito versatil paa essa "praia". Eu uso um set GK 800RB com duas caixas 2x10 e 1x15 da propria GK. O som e cristalino com aquela sensibilidade medio-agudo caracteristicas dos precision. Tanto para apicac?es ao vivo e no estudio e perfeito.

A ac?o pode ser regulada a gosto do cliente, e claro respeitando-se o trastejamento normal dos baixos, mas no precision com os trastes standard (originais) vc n?o consegue as cordas muito coladas. Ha um suave "hum" do pick up que n?o interfere na qualidade so som.

Vc tem um pequeno problema se as mudancas climaticas s?o bruscas, um ajuste no tirante e obrigatoria. mas nada de anormal como o braco n?o e de fibra de carbono e normal que trabalhe.

muito facil de se conseguir pecas para fender mesmo aqui no Brasil.

Eu acho que os fenders apesar de serem bem antigos desde sua concepc?o tem timbres unicos e exclusivos so deles. Eu ainda acho que os music man e os G&L da era fender, s?o os melhores baixos do mundo, mas n?o se pode em hipotese alguma ficar de fora de qualquer bagagem de um baixista. E equipamento indispensavel.

This is a 2000 production year '57 Reissue that is remarkably accurate in most respects. Mine has the two tone sunburst finish on an alder body with very nice woodgrain. The neck is an amber finished maple with 20 frets and reverse tuners. The bridge is a vintage style top loader and it has a gold anodized aluminum pickguard with a finger rest below the g string. It includes the retro style tweed case and covers for the pickup and bridge, should you want to cover them up for some reason. The pickup is the usual split coil p bass pickup with raised pole pieces for the a string. I'm giving it a 7 only because the old p's didn't have many features - not in comparison to more modern instruments. But as far as features for a retro copy of a classic bass, I'd give it a 9. If it came strung with flatwounds, it would get a 10.

I play a lot of retro rock and blues. The stock strings from the factory were some decent Fender rounds, which I left on it for about a month. But this bass really cries out for some good flatwounds. I play through an Ampeg B-100R combo which is another retro styled bass unit. These two match up about as perfectly as you could imagine. I play in small clubs and restaurants with a four piece band and volume isn't a problem. It's not like I need an SVT. But when I'm gigging with this setup, I feel like I'm playing with Buddy Holly or Chuck Berry. It's the most fun I've ever had. The sound is pure gold. Thick, smooth, and pleasing.

Very well made. I think that Fender basses are just about indestructable, anyway. And the American Vintage series of guitars and basses is kind of their pride and joy. I had to make some adjustments on the bridge saddles when I changed to flatwounds, but that's to be expected.

Solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. I put straplocks on it, but other than that I have no concerns about it being able to last a lifetime.

If you buy from a good dealer, you'll get all the support you'll need.

I started playing bass back when I was a HS kid in 1978, and was in band playing rock for a number of years. After getting married, I gave up gigging for a few years but recently got back into it and since I'd long since sold my good gear, I had to re-equip myself. I've owned basses by Peavey and Yamaha as well as other Fenders. I can't say that this a versatile bass, but what it does, it does so well that it doesn't leave you wanting anything else. Best I've ever owned, by far.