Reviewer Craig Boeker (3 yrs off and on over 12 years)
Manufacturer Fender
Model American Deluxe Precision '98
Price traded for mint Stingray 4

Neck Type Bolt-on Maple (jazz spec)
Fingerboard maple fretted
Body Type looks like alder
Finish translucent red
Pickup(s) 1 vintage P, 1 bridge humbucker
Controls 3-band eq, volume, blend

This bass provides a nice range of tones from Precision to almost Stingray-like. The jazz neck feels very nice with the exception that the finish can feel like it is almost "catchy" - the oil/wax finish on a Stingray neck is much more to my personal liking. Can be strung either through the body or the bridge.

I find that the Precision tone can't get quite the traditional warm P-bass/Jamersonesque tone - probably a combination of the active electronics, maple board and either roundwound or groundwound strings I've used. The bridge pickup can add snarl/growl but doesn't quite achieve the punch of a Stingray. Don't get me wrong though, there is a nice range of tones available. I usually play with the blend at 50/50 or 25/75 in favor of the P-pickup.

The graphite-reinforced neck has been very stable - the only truss rod adjustments I've made have been for changing string gauges.

The only real improvement I'd like to see Fender make is an active/passive switch. I wish I'd been able to find one with a rosewood board when I originally traded my Stingray for it. Also, if you crave a different pickguard the screw pattern is not the standard Precision pattern (not to mention the control differences - I don't know if the pickup position is the same).


Construction 90%
Playability 95%
Appearance 85%
Sound 90%
Value 90%
Overall 90%

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