Fender American Series Precision Electric Bass (Maple, with Case)

Feature:
no features. this bass is more desirable because there is nothing to distract from the raw look, feel, and sound. unless you consider a plywood case a feature,(i wouldn't buy one without it).

Quality:
from experience it is made well, and roadworthy. im on my second hard shell case, but my ax is in the band trailer(where it stays) and will be used tomorow nite at a local gig. we play 6 to 8 times a month. i have a back up bass, but i never use it. ive even stopped bringing it to the gigs. my bass is so reliable i trust it to do the job. you might want to backup yours. im also a tech, im on my second stock pickup, and third set of pots. the guitar was retired, iplayed and liked my charvell, for a while. when i refurbished and played my percision the choice was clear(soundwise) this is the only bass for me. plus it is versitle(moreso then more expensive modles) it sounds great playing rock, country, jazz, metal,anything it is the most versitle ax on the planet, and sounds like the sounds you hear on the record, cd, juke box, raido, whatever.

Value:
i hate this part. but yes it is worth what ever the going price for this modle sells for, but lets just keep that between us.

Desirability:
last week there was a girl pole dancing. rubbing on everyone in the crowd. next thing i know she is on stage rubbing on me, and im no sex symbol.

Sound:
in the pocket tone is the way it is being described today. that still dosen't quite describe the quality of the sound. a tingling in the rafters might best describe the overtones. i've been playing my p bass for 34 years, i use the tone control to go from a flat mud all low sound tipical of a horn band or 9 piece band sound. a turn or the tone knob and add some highs to add to the lows for that 3 piece sound. plenty lows and plenty highend bite. the s1 switch is not helpful nor is the addition of the single coil pickup in the bridge position. it's one thing to add highs to the lows but there is never an ocation to cut the lows compleatly out, without creating a transistor radio sound, witch is almost never a good addition to a bass players repitoir of sounds.

Ease of Use:
the sound almost takes care of itself. a little equilization is all unless you like to dial in a little distortion. i do in three piece bands a little distortion gives your band another rithem section, and sounds great if you like that. i do and use it every chance i get, but remember only a little. too much distortion on bass sounds terible to some people.

Support:
i give them a5 because i never used them. a new p bass will do fine for years. in my case i liked it so much i learned to work on it myself. after about 6 to 8 years it needed the action reset. after unretiring my ax all new electronics including the pickup were replaced. that is the extent of the service of my ax and it is 34 or 35 years old. the secret to long life on the road is old english furnature polish, and keep it in a hardshell case,stupid.

Overall:
if i retire it i will replace it with one just like it. but i'll never sell it at any price.

Feature:
S-1 switch is really a waste of time. I just don't use it. Good improvements over the original P basses; better bridge, graphite reinforced neck, neck contour and width at the nut that accomodate more modern styles. I would have liked nickel plated hardware.

Quality:
frets are rough at the edges. rosewood board has a flaw at the butt of the neck, pickguard was not well cut and was scratched, strap screw pulled out of body. That said, I still trust it to be road worthy.

Value:
worth it because of tone, playability and resale. Just feels correct in my hands. I am old school.

Desirability:
It's a Fender. I still think it's one of the best sounding basses, even compared to much more expensive instruments.

Sound:
very organic, good punch. Not at all "electric" sounding. Suitable for most types of music from jazz to rock. My #1 go to bass without question.

Ease of Use:
plug and play. Tone control allows for good variation of the p bass sound.

Support:
never could get the correct replacement pickguard. Fender is just too big and one hand does not know what the other is doing.

Overall:
I have other instruments but the Precision is still my "go to" bass.