eParrot Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I'm buying a Fender Precision. That much I know. I've played guitar for decades and am a recent convert to the joys of bass. Got myself a nice little Musicmaster to transition into the scale, had great fun lifting every Jamerson line within my means (haven't tried Bernadette yet) and now I just can wait no more. I need my precision. I was quite certain that an American Standard would be my 'saving up for' target and would have considered a Mexican one at the right price. All necks are C shape and all fingerboards have a 9.5 radius these days but then I saw this 'American Special' thing with a 'unique feature' in the form of a new 'slim', fast action neck. What is that all about? Is it really noticeable? Sounds interesting. Or is it just some go-fast-stripes marketing bull? Can you share any experiences? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Hi, I'd assume it's just a take on one of their other neck profiles - maybe a flatter radius and more shallow neck profile. I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of the big chunky necks and look for (what I believe is known as) A profile necks for 4 stringers. 70's P basses (and certainly the non-export CIJ/MIJ 70's RI's) have such a profile. It's far more like a Jazz bass neck, with a smaller nut width. Being on the skinny side, I find them faster to navigate. I've no idea if it's any help, but I have a Jazz Bass Special which I understand has the profile of a 62 Jazz Bass neck and my 70's CIJ P bass feels very similar - maybe the 'american special' also has a jazz-a-like neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Yep tried one a while back at Music Junkie in Leicester and loved the instrument. I really liked it, much slimmer than any other precisions I've used. Felt more like a jazz neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 On the other hand (or same if you are right handed) even with small hands I just love big chunky bass and guitar necks. As ever YMMV, try and then try again for some prolonged playing time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 [quote name='eParrot' post='1250804' date='May 30 2011, 09:14 PM']...but then I saw this 'American Special' thing with a 'unique feature' in the form of a new 'slim', fast action neck.[/quote] not sure how what would work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='1251017' date='May 31 2011, 01:48 AM'] not sure how what would work [/quote] Tell me about it! I've tried using slim fast as lube to speed things up a little but it just ended up smelling funny. Fortunately my neighbour who incidently used to be my physics teacher lent me some... And now my bike runs nice and smooth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmokebass Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 didnt feel like £800 worth to me but i have rich taste and quite often too picky for my own good. felt like the headstock has shrunk too O.o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 [quote name='bigsmokebass' post='1251035' date='May 31 2011, 06:04 AM']didnt feel like £800 worth to me[/quote] Exactly what I thought. Loved the red/black/maple, and the neck was a bit better finished than a MIM (though ironically I didn't notice it being any slimmer), but I'd only have put down £600 absolute tops for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmokebass Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 kudos i think if they stopped the highway one series, put the badass bridge on this series (imo). £600-650 would be more than worth it. if anything it feels like a real top end MIM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickIronWitch Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 i use a Sunn Mustang P-bass and the neck is far too wide for me. i love the bass, but its just too fat. dont the Aerodyne J-P basses have a slimmer neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmokebass Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 i believe so and that is a decent bass too. always foubd the jap basses better than the americans, par the classics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzzbass2000 Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 (edited) [quote name='eParrot' post='1250804' date='May 30 2011, 09:14 PM']..... all necks are C shape and all fingerboards have a 9.5 radius these days but then I saw this 'American Special' thing with a 'unique feature' in the form of a new 'slim', fast action neck. What is that all about? Is it really noticeable? Sounds interesting. Or is it just some go-fast-stripes marketing bull? Can you share any experiences?[/quote] The neck on the one I tried recently felt ever so slightly shallower than a normal P-neck. Probably a bit "squarer" if that makes sense. Have to admit though the (factory) set up didn't do it any favours. +1 on the "not worth £800" comments Edited June 3, 2011 by Fuzzbass2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 I had a Precision with a Jazz neck a while ago.....didn't get on with it.....something just wasn't quite right. I love my Jazz's neck, I love my Precision's neck.....but mix them and it doesn't gel with me for some reason...odd Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostromo Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 [quote name='Sibob' post='1256532' date='Jun 4 2011, 03:07 PM']I had a Precision with a Jazz neck a while ago.....didn't get on with it.....something just wasn't quite right. I love my Jazz's neck, I love my Precision's neck.....but mix them and it doesn't gel with me for some reason...odd Si[/quote] Its all down to personal preference isnt it ? I love my J/P mongrel as listed below . . . . what exactly is the model of this Precision with a slim C neck . . . at the moment I wouldn't know what to look out for . . . is it a specific model ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 [quote name='Nostromo' post='1256556' date='Jun 4 2011, 03:35 PM']Its all down to personal preference isnt it ? I love my J/P mongrel as listed below . . . . what exactly is the model of this Precision with a slim C neck . . . at the moment I wouldn't know what to look out for . . . is it a specific model ?[/quote] Oh yeah of course, I dunno what it is, I suppose for me, the sound and vibe a Precision emits, fits well with the chunkier neck.....makes me think about things differently than my Jazz, which is what I aim for when switching basses. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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