Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass Ash V [2004-2006]

Play small ensemble, small venues, prolly not your typical P-Bass player, but it's not my only bass. We play American songbook, blues, yaydayyada ...

This ax had a major clearance price drop, and I never had a real P-bass, so I figgered WTF and played it. Turns out it's one of the very few basses that sounded good to me with it's factory RW strings on it. Usually, I hafta mentally project how a bass will sound with my flatwounds.

It's your basic sunburst finish, with maple FB and uglee PG.

I didn't buy it right away cuz I really didn't need it ... but I did really like it. Then came the "20% Off All New Fenders" sale, and "clearance" is still "new", so at the combined priced drops [20% below clearance price] I finally took it home. So I give thanks for GC's crazy corporate mentality !

The neck is large and comfy, and the edges, including the fret ends, are flawless. Has good balance and not too heavy. Tuners work better than most. Better than on any of my EBMMs or GnLs, or most any other "large peg" tuners I can recall. These are Hipshot UltraLights, a sort of hybrid between small precision tuners and big open gear tuners.

The 3-band EQ is cool. I set the bass and treble for whatever limits are right for the room and the speaker cab, then I use the midrange as my variable from tune to tune, to set the mood, etc. Really easy. No other 3-band I've tried works out that simple for me.

Seems quite immune to electrical noises.

Output jack is on the body instead of on the plastic PG. Much safer that way.

The tone is generic, yet versatile. For me thaz good, cuz I wanna sound good and do my job. I don't need an attention-getting bass tone. I don't need applause ... I need zero complaints from the Diva, and like to make the people dance.

Without the multiple discount programs it would be more than I can afford.

Maybe it could weigh a bit less.

Has a pair of stack knobs. Never liked that idea, on any bass.

Bridge PU is not adjustable, and too loud on the bass side. I will hafta mod that, to lower the bass side. Prolly easy mod, but it should be built to be adjusted.

Construction quality seems similar to a MusicMan, but there's less switchgear, fewer PU coils, simple little bridge, alder instead of ash, etc, compared to MM ... yet Fender costs more ?? But it's really is a cool bass, and some players just gotta have a Fender.

An interesting change from my more usual MusicMan tone, two different but equally usable voices ... yet for features and price, I'll be staying with MM. This one-time impulsive bargain purchase was not a bad move, but I am NOT really converted to Fender. I'm in a sorta "no strings attached" romance with it, for now.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this bass on eBay.com (you guys must go there to buy anything).Anyway it was the first time I was going on the site.I saw the bass half price (1100$).I immediatly bought it.

Well, I like everything. If you have money just buy it.The neck is so comfortable the active humbucker is really powerfull so you can play any kind of music.The slap sounds great.The sound quality is great.I was used to saying that I always wanted a MusicMan bass, but now, I have the best bass ever.I won't even try to look another bass (except Fender FMT maybe).The day before I receive the bass I tried a MusicMan, and I didn't like it at all.Trust, me if you can buy it just do it.

If I really have to say something it would be about the maple neck.There's a kind of lack of warmth with it but it makes you have a great slap sound.

The quality is just great.It's so pretty that I sometimes lay it down somewhere and just look at it.
Yes, maybe I'm in love.


I think I said everything about it.
I can't say anything more. I love Fender for what they make.

If you guys wanna talk about gear I'll be happy to do so, here's my email adress:
francismckagan@aol.com

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I can't acquired this 5-string P-bass, due to the extremely high-price, and I don't have the intention to buy one yet.

The American Deluxe P-Bass V had received some good improvements and updates, since his introduction the past 3 years. Although the first model had 9-volt power supply for the active circuitry and a notorious 5-in-the-line headstock, the new version is much better than the previous one, with two batteries powering the 3-band EQ and the tuners now configured in a regular 4+1 layout, giving to this 5-string mojo superior tonal flexibility and more tightness and growl for the low-B string.

The only weaknesses found on this bass was the fact that a double Jazz pickup was installed near the bridge instead of a regular Jazz single-coil and there aren't available as a fretless version, like her big sister, the American Deluxe Jazz Bass. I prefer that the American Deluxe P-Bass V (and her 4-string sister, too!) will be fitted with the regular P/J pickup configuration (with a Noiseless Jazz pickup at the bridge position), like Custom Shop Reggie Hamilton Jazz Basses and an active/passive push-pull button to play normally without the EQ, like a good passive P-Bass, when the batteries drained, or simply, for power preservation. It's so sad for many traditional players, but I've the conviction that Roscoe Beck fans will love this terrific ax, the fact that Roscoe played himself 4 and 5-string P's and J's through the years.

Good construction and flawless quality. Recommended for professional bassists only.

No comment. I don't have a particular thought to summarize yet. However, due to its extremely high-price, the American Deluxe Precision Bass V wasn't recommended for anyone.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

See above (or below)

UTILIZATION

The handle is it fun?
So there it was love at first sight. Just tried it, I have adopted. I have small hands and I was very surprised at the ease of this handle 5C both in width (because it is wider than the stick shift). I had a musicman stingray 5C 20th anniversary between the fingers and surpasses this bass!

The handle is it fun? Access to acute (recent freight) is it easy? Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)?
Rather low light that does not sting the nose, that's a point mégafort.

Access to acute (recent freight) is it easy? Gets it easy to sound good? ...
access to acute, No problem. The pair of precision micro / Jazzbass is excellent and offers a versatility that I had no idea. I play with everything.

SOUNDS

They are suitable to your style of music? With what (s) amplifier (s) or effect (s) do you play? What kind of sound you get and with what settings ("crystalline", "bold ",....)? What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?

Low frequencies! T want you in here. I was afraid that the active side of the lower pukes but is not. With some settings, I get a sound close to the liabilities. For the soul and funk, is paramount.
Whether to play Dub, all microphones background, we get a depth and fat as I do.

short, nickel.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for several months. I got it after an exchange against a boner Jazzbass 1989. We tried the bass respectively on the other and it was a revelation for us both. at first I was scared because this has a double precision preamp with separate power: So two 9V batteries. In general, the criticism I could do to the fenders is active low diffuse prominence. But this accuracy is known to remain "clear" and clear in all frequencies.

Do I (or I have had several bass)? Yes. I will not compare it to musicman (which I'm addicted), but this bass offers playability and sound that was missing in my "collection" in a single instrument.

Quality / price ratio excellent albeit a bit expensive.
I did not know if I would keep it but today it is unthinkable to part with it. If you have one, keep it!