Fender P Bass Review

By

Chris Ryan

9/29/2020 10:18 PM

E

Expert Score

10.0

Reasons To Buy

One of the most signature sounding bass guitars in all of popular music
The tone is deep and powerful and can move music and people

Reasons Not To Buy

It’s a big and heavy bass. Not ideal for travel and can be too big for kids

Overview

These absolutely deserve their reputation as the King of Basses. My first bass was a 70’s Precision that I got from my Uncle John – a beautiful instrument. But, probably because I was eleven years old, I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer size of the neck. Now of course, I wish I’d held on to it.

You simply cannot go wrong with a Fender P-Bass. Old ones are sought after, but the American Standard series is just as good in my experience. And you can take satisfaction from knowing that James Jamerson smiles down from heaven every time you thump around.

Critic Consensus

The Fender P Bass are known as the King of Basses, and best bass guitars for good reason. James Jamerson made the Fender P Bass famous on songs like My Girl. The opening bass riff is so recognizable that musicians and non musicians alike can pick it out within the first three notes.

Features:

Includes deluxe Gig Bag
Pj pickup configuration
Split-coil precision bass middle pickup
Vintage noiseless jazz bass bridge pickup
Three-band EQ
Active/passive switch
4-Saddle HI Mass Bridge
4-Bolt asymmetrical neck plate

The P Bass is a collectors item and the vintage models can be extremely expensive. Fortunately there are multiple versions made now, including the Fender American Standard Series P Bass, which is also an exceptional model and available for a fraction of the price.

In the Fender American Standard Series there is the Fender American Professional Precision Bass and the Fender American Performer Precision Bass. If you’re interested in Fretless, check out the Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass and other guitars by Fender.

There are also Ultra and Deluxe models.

10.0

EXPERT SCORE

Fender P Bass Review

Sound

10/10

Price

9.9/10

Look

10/10

Reasons to Buy

One of the most signature sounding bass guitars in all of popular music
The tone is deep and powerful and can move music and people

Reasons not to buy

It’s a big and heavy bass. Not ideal for travel and can be too big for kids

Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan is a musician and educator from Philadelphia, PA, an avid archivist of folk and country music, a disciple of Aphex Twin and a fervent supporter of Atlanta trap music. Chris can usually be found tracking keyboards, vocals and lap steel for the upcoming debut of his band The Cobwebs, or in FL Studio working on the next generation of trap sounds. He is conversant with, and writes about, hundreds of genres of music from all over the world.

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Chris Ryan

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