Fender: Older or Newer?

UnclePsychosis

Greetings

I find myself seriously regretting not having a P bass. And it probably needs to be a Fender because I'm funny like that. 

Now, one of the interesting things about P basses is that, give or take, the specs are basically all the bloody same. 

So---how do, say, a slightly older US standard (there's a late 90s one thats caught my eye) compare to a more modern Mexican or US offering in terms of quality? I had a Player Precision for a while and whilst it was a very nice bass it just didn't have the mojo, man. 

(obviously I know the neck profiles vary a bit. I had a Vintera P that was awesome but the neck was stupid big). 

Stratavarious

Play ‘em, you will then know.

UnclePsychosis

Stratavarious said:

Play ‘em, you will then know.

Yeah, easier said than done in Scotland these days... 

Funkfingers

The necks of the more recent "modern" American models with graphite reinforcement are more stable than those with the traditional truss rod.

I have known MIM Fender and Squier instruments that, with pickup upgrades, have been just as satisfying as American instruments.

JezWynd

UnclePsychosis said:

Greetings

I find myself seriously regretting not having a P bass. And it probably needs to be a Fender because I'm funny like that. 

Now, one of the interesting things about P basses is that, give or take, the specs are basically all the bloody same. 

So---how do, say, a slightly older US standard (there's a late 90s one thats caught my eye) compare to a more modern Mexican or US offering in terms of quality? I had a Player Precision for a while and whilst it was a very nice bass it just didn't have the mojo, man. 

(obviously I know the neck profiles vary a bit. I had a Vintera P that was awesome but the neck was stupid big). 

You might find a P bass with a J bass style neck would suit you better. Although the Jazz bass still has the same (or very similar) string spacing at the bridge - 19mm iirc. It's the principal reason I find P basses difficult to play, esp when playing chords at 12th fret. The string spacing on my Hofner 185 is 14mm, much more comfortable to play and chords are a breeze.

stickyfiddle

Player or Standard should have a middle-sized neck which is lovely imo. Avoid the vintage reissue stuff if you dont' like the stupid huge neck (I don't!). That's why my Ps are home-made - partly because I enjoy building stuff but also because it's the only way to get something that feels a bit vintage that doesn't have a nut the width off the English Channel.. 

If in doubt chuck a really good pickup in a cheap-ish one and you'll be very happy. And flat wounds....

Funkfingers

stickyfiddle said: 

If in doubt, chuck a really good pickup in a cheap-ish one and you'll be very happy. And flat wounds....

Until I invested in an AV63, my go-to flatwound P Bass was a Squier Silver Series with American pickup and electronic parts.

maw4neu

I recently sold a 2023 Fender Pro II Stratocaster in favour of a 1988 Fender Stratocaster Plus . . . The Strat Plus plays the socks off any other Strat I've had . . . It just feels and sounds right, and thats the most important part . .  If it feels right and sounds right, its a winner, regardless of age/ patina/ cost /country of manufacture etc . . . 

Secret_Sam

If you are thinking older includes late 70s up to the 90s, be aware that quality was very variable on the US products in that period.  I am charitably assuming that they have invested in some CNC machines since then.

Fenders really do need to be tried before you buy.  They make some good ones, but there are a lot of turkeys out there.  The country of origin, model and year by themselves do not give you a fool proof guide to quality. 

The most recent one I had was a late 90s model.  It needed a lot of work to get rid of fret buzzes and a strange resonance if you played a B natural.  It was a high-end US jazz 5 string with carbon fibre rods in the neck.  If you are used to Ibanez, Yamaha or PRS, be prepared to have your expectations challenged. 

Keefy

Modern Fender Precisions are probably more consistently well made. I have an original ‘73 and a 2016 RI of a ‘63 (iirc). The ‘73 has a dubious neck joint but sounds lovely; the RI is immaculately built and punchier sounding overall.

Horses/courses.

UnclePsychosis

Thanks folks.

I was really thinking late 90s/early 2000s US.

All that said, hilariously having asked about US Precisions I've gone and bought something that isn't a Precision, and isn't American... 

Might update when I get home and unbox it... 

Funkfingers

Pick tease!