Fender Jazz and Precision, New American Standard (2009)

[Musicman20]

New American Standard Fender Jazz and Precision (2009) - Review.

Right, before I start, I would definitely believe the hype of these new instruments. The improvements take these instruments well beyond anything Fender has made for quite some time.

For a start, they have got rid of the, IMO, pointless S1 switching. I want a Jazz to sound like a Jazz, and I want a Precision to sound like a Precision. That's it.

The bridges are now much stronger, thicker, and also prevent the need to swap to a Badass style bridge. You can now string through the body, (was this an option before?). This gives a slightly tighter, deeper tone, but also increases the string tension a little. Some players like this. When I re-string, I think I will try through the bridge, and get slightly lighter strings.

The tuner pegs are lighter - tuner pegs are tuner pegs. I haven't tried the basses out enough, they look great, have great 'F' logos, and stay in tune just like a Fender does, (eg excellently).

SKB Cases - Excellent upgrade. Light, very solid, great stacking slots, very well constructed clasps that keep the case shut. In addition, they look great, and can be opened in customs with a universal key, so your case remains undamaged.

Neck coating - This is a big selling point to me. Both these basses have maple boards, and the necks feel incredible. I am used to P necks, so I became at ease with the P bass very quickly. The J neck is slim and quick! I am sure I will get used to it VERY quickly. The maple boards are glossed over, and are very shiny and slick! Excellent! Perfect necks to be fair. Even though the strings are fairly heavy gauge Fender standards, and they are strung through the body, the basses are great to play. I like lighter gauges, so once these strings go dead, ill get some RS's on them. Lovely vintage tint to the necks/boards. And….rolled edges. Perfect.

Sound...

P Bass sound - This was thicker and throatier than I expected! I didnt think it would be a massive difference to my MIJ...but it REALLY is! Even with a flat LM3, the P punches like crazy... in a very good way. Exactly the tone I wanted, and the maple makes it that little snappier. Classic P bass sound.

Jazz Bass sound - I've craved this for years. I love it. I love just putting the bridge pickup on and playing with my fingers. Very tasty. Both pickups is that classic growl....I cannot get enough of it. Much much better than the MIM Jazz's Ive tested.

I must add the Aguilar DB212s really brought out an aggressive, warm and punchy tone with tons of low end. Really cuts through. Back the tone down on either bass and you have low end thud heaven

Pickups - The pickup poles are now flat, which is quite a good idea!

Overall finish and style - Ok, I'm a little biased. I do not like crazy modern designs. I do not like tiny bodied basses with necks like a 6 string guitar. I like old school styles and designs. Fender has raised the bar on this one. None of these basses have the boring bland white s/plate. They both have a brilliant tort plate. The colours are FANTASTIC. The White with Tort is bright, classic and cool. The Sunburst was a massive surprise...I almost feel like Fender have matched the Burst I've got with the neck to make it look even more fantastic. The Burst is not massively dark; it has a lovely light centre, and the grain, especially on the back of the bass, looks very professional. The maple necks really do glisten in the light. I was worried the Precision maple board wouldn't look right with the Burst, but wow, this one is SPOT ON. The tint makes it match much better.

Extras - Usual bag of treats, cable, key, adjustment tools, strap. Nice to have.

I personally think, even with the higher prices, that these instruments definitely hold their own once again. I bought them both from Darren at the Bass Merchant (Colchester), and he made sure they were given a once over, setup, adjusted, tested, etc. I opened them to see them gleaming and ready! I highly recommend small specialist businesses over larger chain shops for buying gear. Not only that, they were price matched to great prices! I was told that these two are very good examples of high quality Fender basses; the neck pockets are spot on, trus rod is spot on, good clean finish, etc etc.

(Originally, PMT Leeds really messed me about and I had to cancel my order of a Jazz a while back. It has been used/tested etc, it was marked, unprepared for sale. They told me they would get another, yet they just polished it and tried to sell the same one to me. I knew this as I made sure I took down the serial number. Anyway, in my opinion, stay away from certain stores. If they start to mess you about, get Trading Standards involved).

Edited July 13, 2009 by Musicman20

[Raggy]

Nice review, how do they compare with the MIJ's?

Edited July 10, 2009 by Raggy

[Clarky]

Having owned both 2008/9 MIA Ps and CIJ Ps I can throw in my tuppeny-worth. Much as I like CIJs, the new MIAs feel much better in quality terms.

To be specific, the lightweight tuners and high mass bridge are both big step-ups and the rolled edge neck feels instantly comfortable. Its almost like the new MIA's are a half-way house to a custom bass in terms of finishing and quality of components.

[thedontcarebear]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='535891' date='Jul 8 2009, 06:06 PM']You can now string through the body, (was this an option before?).[/quote]

You could do before too, my S1 P has through body stringing.

[Raggy]

[quote name='Clarky' post='537087' date='Jul 10 2009, 10:34 AM']Having owned both 2008/9 MIA Ps and CIJ Ps I can throw in my tuppeny-worth. Much as I like CIJs, the new MIAs feel much better in quality terms.

To be specific, the lightweight tuners and high mass bridge are both big step-ups and the rolled edge neck feels instantly comfortable. Its almost like the new MIA's are a half-way house to a custom bass in terms of finishing and quality of components.[/quote]

Hmmm, cheers mate. I am gassin for a Black and Maple P Bass. Thing is I know i'll end up putting a black Badass and black tuners on it.!!

[Musicman20]

[quote name='Raggy' post='537083' date='Jul 10 2009, 10:28 AM']Nice review, how do they compare with the MIJ's?[/quote]

Overall...the quality and finish is much higher. Im most interested in the sound but still as yet I havent had a night off to really test them . In particular, the wood grain used on the P Suburst is VERY nice.

The bridges are great! They look so much more substantial.

The necks are the big selling point to me....great necks...and excellent new cases.

Thanks...will update soon!

[stinson]

The paint is very thin though! dents very easily. Supposedly helps with the tone, not sure how true that is. Nice basses all the same.

[Musicman20]

Update

[Musicman20]

I have now bought another 09 Precision, this time second hand from Clarky. I had to sell my old faithful MIJ P Bass though

Anyway, again, this 09 Series is great. Clarky as put TI Flats on the bass, and Im shocked at how nice they are to play.

Even with flats, the Bass sounds punchy and raw, but roll back the tone and you get perfect P Bass thump to match the flats.

The bridge/case are yet again brilliant.

I noticed just how tight and precise the tuners are today as well. Thats a huge plus for me.

This is a rosewood board, Olympic White with optional Fender black pickguard and the Tort stock as an option.

Got to say, the rosewood co,lour is fantastic, and yet again the rolled fingerboard work brilliantly.

Another top Fender!

[deaver]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='636136' date='Oct 25 2009, 02:20 PM']I have now bought another 09 Precision, this time second hand from Clarky.[/quote]

Clarky, your kidding. Your only going to have to buy another one. By the way I'm in complete agreement with Clarky and Musicman20 about all this.

[Clarky]

[quote name='deaver' post='638243' date='Oct 27 2009, 05:58 PM']Clarky, your kidding. Your only going to have to buy another one. By the way I'm in complete agreement with Clarky and Musicman20 about all this.[/quote]
Well yes, I do look an idiot on this (not for the first time) but on this occasion there was some method in my madness .... I sold to buy the exact same bass with one extra string! Check the link on my sig to my lovely Oly White P5

[GreeneKing]

It'd be interesting to compare an 09 P with my 09 AV P complete with bent tin bridge. I'm not tampering with it in any way because it's the dogs in terms of tone

Here's something I don't understand. People talk about increased string tension with through body stringing.

If you take a string the tone is set by tension between fixed points, the bridge saddle and the nut. The 'stretchiness' of an individual string is set by how springy it is in terms of how much it elongates when a force is applied. i.e. if there were no stretch in a string and it was rigidly mounted it would be bar taut. Given that the longer the string is between it's fixed points then the more it stretches for the same amount of force applied, which makes through body stringing lead to floppier strings.


Well that's my logic anyway.

[BB2000]

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='638333' date='Oct 27 2009, 07:03 PM']It'd be interesting to compare an 09 P with my 09 AV P complete with bent tin bridge. I'm not tampering with it in any way because it's the dogs in terms of tone

Here's something I don't understand. People talk about increased string tension with through body stringing.

If you take a string the tone is set by tension between fixed points, the bridge saddle and the nut. The 'stretchiness' of an individual string is set by how springy it is in terms of how much it elongates when a force is applied. i.e. if there were no stretch in a string and it was rigidly mounted it would be bar taut. Given that the longer the string is between it's fixed points then the more it stretches for the same amount of force applied, which makes through body stringing lead to floppier strings.


Well that's my logic anyway.[/quote]

You're right. Through body stringing has no affect on string tension - that's purely determined by the distance between the nut and saddle and the mass/length of the string. But the longer the distance between the fixed points (machine head and back of bridge) the floppier a string will feel. You'll notice this if you string a fender upside down.

[OutToPlayJazz]

Quite true, Peter - The main advantage I find with through body stringing is that you get a richer bottom end sound. But as you said, I wouldn't change anything on your 62 reissue. It plays and sounds amazing!

I'm also in agreeance with MM20 on the new American Standards. My previous 08 Precision was good, but my 09 Jazz is astounding. Finally a Fender I love!

Rich.

[Musicman20]

Basically the 62 Reissue is God. I am jealous! Although I realise I am a lucky chap.

[thebuckets]

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='639623' date='Oct 29 2009, 12:06 AM']Quite true, Peter - The main advantage I find with through body stringing is that you get a richer bottom end sound. But as you said, I wouldn't change anything on your 62 reissue. It plays and sounds amazing!

I'm also in agreeance with MM20 on the new American Standards. My previous 08 Precision was good, but my 09 Jazz is astounding. Finally a Fender I love!

Rich.[/quote]
i have a 2008 p bass 3TSB and RW yet it has all the refinements that the 2009 has (HMV bridge, case etc Etc) what was the difference between your 2008 and the 2009?

[OutToPlayJazz]

As far as I know, they're the same, thebuckets. The current model came out about January 2008.

[Musicman20]

Well, just to finish off the review, I sold on the White/Tort Precision I bought off Clarky, as I was putting the money towards other basses/amps/cabs.

BUT, I then found another brilliant example of a 3 Tone Sunburst Precision w/Tort plate and rosewood neck. Same great features, 2009 model. This had been set up with stunningly low action by the store, and ive left it like that. Yet again the colour is excellent. The rosewood just has that extra softness when you are playing with an ever so slightly warmer tone.

[Musicman20]

Minor update - I have sold the two basses I reviewed here and just kept the one mentioned above (3TS/Rosewood P).

I found myself favouring (personally) the rosewood board, and I also found I just didnt need all of those Fenders!

After the honeymoon, id say the major selling points are: Flat pole pieces, the bridges, the rolled boards, and the case.

The gripes I had are: Buying them seems to have become a lottery again. You get amazing ones, (as per these reviewed and the one I kept) but you also get poor ones (I have played many in stores around me that I just didnt think were upto the standard).

In addition, I think the thinner undercoat isnt always fantastic. I much prefer the high gloss of a Musicman bass. That is down to preference though. Maybe the thinner undercoat does help with tone?! I have no idea.

Edited October 30, 2010 by Musicman20

[Lozz196]

I`ve just aquired a 2011 Precision. Olympic white/tort/rosewood. PMT had them at £786 - probably due to the 2012 Series getting such rave reviews.

Anyway, £786, I couldn`t turn that down, as although I`m very pleased with my MIJ Precision, US Standards are my fave. And have to say that these really are great basses. It is so easy to play, and the sound is all that I want from a Precision - just got to wait for the strings to die a bit, not keen on new strings.

The weight is also very good - over a 2 hour band practice it becomes noticeable as to how heavy it isn`t - much more friendly on those of us with bad backs.

So if the 2012 is an upgrade, I`d like to hear one, however this bass has the playability and tone that I want, so I`m sticking with it.

[Musicman20]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1353673747' post='1877221']
I`ve just aquired a 2011 Precision. Olympic white/tort/rosewood. PMT had them at £786 - probably due to the 2012 Series getting such rave reviews.

Anyway, £786, I couldn`t turn that down, as although I`m very pleased with my MIJ Precision, US Standards are my fave. And have to say that these really are great basses. It is so easy to play, and the sound is all that I want from a Precision - just got to wait for the strings to die a bit, not keen on new strings.

The weight is also very good - over a 2 hour band practice it becomes noticeable as to how heavy it isn`t - much more friendly on those of us with bad backs.

So if the 2012 is an upgrade, I`d like to hear one, however this bass has the playability and tone that I want, so I`m sticking with it.
[/quote]

Still very happy with my 2009 P Bass, it's a very nice instrument.

I managed to get a matching Jazz last year in 2011, and its stunning. Brilliant low weight, lots of growl, and very pretty!

I am contemplating picking up a 2012 P now to see how different it is. The 09 is staying though.

[Lozz196]

I`ve just got hold of a 2012 P. Oly white/tort/maple this time. Initial impressions are that it`s the same bass - dur - but with a slightly different sound. At home practice levels it seems to be more even across the tonal spectrum, with no particular frequencies standing out. Whereas the 2011 seems to have slightly more lows and highs. So probably a more vintage sound on the 2012 (and am anticipating a good thump from this bass), which figures given the new custom shop pickup, plus the reviews I`ve already read on these. Usually when I get a Precision with a maple neck/fretboard, I can detect a "twang" in the upper mids (home practice levels only, mind), but with this bass I can`t detect those at all, very even tone indeed.

Another major thing about this bass - it`s light. My 2011 weighs in at about 8.4 - 8.8lbs, but this one, well I reckon it has to be 8lbs exact, or maybe under. I`m really looking forward to trying this bass out at rehearsals next week, with both bands. Just waiting on a gold anodised scratchplate now - so i`ll then have two modern US Precisions that look like a 57 and a 62. I`m a sucker for the vintage look.

Edited February 22, 2013 by Lozz196

[gary mac]

Lozz I'm tempted to get one, not just because I love P basses but more the weight. Do you think most of them come in at that sort of weight now?

Was it from Coda?

[Lozz196]

Well this is the only 2012 I`ve tried Gary, and I got it unseen from the states. Even with shipping & customs, it only (only he says) came to £880. So I can`t really comment on them all being likely to be so light, although from user-reviews I`ve read they`ve all indicated how light and resonant the 2012 series are. May be worth a trip to Coda to have a play on a few to check them out. Annoyingly, I can see my 2011 getting less band-time now, as this one will really make a difference over a 3 hour practice to my bad back.

[gary mac]

Thanks Lozz.

Might have a trip over to Coda in the week and check them out.

Seems like you got your one for a good price.