Feature:
Very good all around features. I replaced the bridge on this just like I did on my Fender Standard Jazz. I put on a Leo Quan BADASS II bridge. This is just my personal preference nothing is wrong with the standard bridge. I wish it was available with a maple fretboard.

Quality:
Very sturdy,finish great, it will last me a long time, if anything breaks(which I doubt)I would replace anything on it to keep playing it.

Value:
Would suggest this any picking bass player.

Desirability:
AWSOME, I get complements on it all the time and no other p bass I've played has as great a set of pickups-one in a milliion.

Sound:
This bass has a very good sound you can get the deepest of lows,awsome brights and some really nice mids. The pickups don't buzz. I have played P basses before but the minute I plugged mine in it just hit me with sound, this bass has got a nice punch to it. The volume and tone controls were very responsive. You can play just about anything on here.

Ease of Use:
Slight modification done replacing the bridge. One of the easest basses to play. Very playable perfect for pickers.

Support:
Have not dealt with them.

Overall:
Great. If you can BUY IT!!!

• User: a customer from aol.com
• Submitted: 6/18/2008
• Style of Music: Punk,grunge,and bluegass.
• Location: Moantague,Virginia

Feature:
this bass has an alder body, maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. i dont know how different wood would effect the sound, but it sounds great as it is.im a simple guy, so i love just the two knobs.

Quality:
this bass is perfect. I bought it used, and there was still nothing wrong with it. no blemishes, nothing. the fret ends wernt sharp at all. the one thing i can comment on is the fact that the knobs fall off easily, but i like the look of it without the knobs better anyways.

Value:
the best bass you could ever buy with this price tag

Sound:
i love the sound of this bass. classic p-bass sound. I dont have a very high-end amp, but it still gives a great tone through it

Ease of Use:
first day i had it, i was able to play extremely easily

Overall:
this is thie first bass ive ever had, and its all i could ever ask for and more. i have it in brown sunburst, and it works for everything. I am origionally a drummer, but playing this bass is so fun and easy to use that i may switch! If you are a beginner looking for a first bass or a intermediate or pro looking for a backup bass this is the one for you!

• Submitted: 3/15/2008
• Style of Music: alternative, funk

Feature:
Pretty basic set up, which is nice. I like the simplicity of it. I usually tweak my amplifier for tone settings and leave my tone and volume knob wide open anyhow.

Quality:
Here's where it gets iffy. When I first got the bass, I thought it was perfect then I really noticed a major problem with it: The fret ends were sharp and protruding. When I slid my hand on the neck, it would cut my hand. This impeded my ability to play it, so I had to get it fixed. I've come to understand that this can be a common problem because of the wood on the neck drying out (especially in the climate where I live,) but this was a huge hassle. I've never encountered this where I previously lived, but I also live in a more humid enviroment. The bridge is not that great, also. I might be able to live with it, but I may upgrade to a Badass bridge in the future. The tuners seem to be fine, so no problems there. The pick ups sound excellent, to me. Of course, sound is relative to one's taste. Another thing I should point out is most instrument that you buy in a shop or online are often not set up correctly. You may have to have this done, but this is not usually a reflection on the instrument itself. Fortunately, the place where I recieved mine must have set it up prior to being sent, so I had no problem with that.

Value:
It's about average value. Sometimes you may find something cheaper that you like better. It's really one's own taste. How much do you want to spend?

Desirability:
In spite of the problem I had, I still love this instrument. Maybe with a bridge modification, it will only get better. I don't regret owning it and enjoy playing it.

Sound:
If you want a classic Fender P-Bass sound, the best instrument to use is a Fender P-Bass. I've played copies and other instruments with the P-Bass pickups, yet they still don't sound like the original. It has this certain growl to it went cranked that you'll know when you play it. To me, it's the best when equipped with Fender flatwounds. It is also a very versatile instrument. You can play anything from country to metal and sound good.

Ease of Use:
If you can play the bass, you can play this instrument. It feels just right to me, although if you have smaller hands you may want to consider a Jazz Bass, since the neck is thinner on those. If you do, it won't have that P-Bass sound, though.

Support:
When I first contacted Fender they just played the blame game with the company I got the bass from. When I contacted the company, they just blamed Fender. It was an issue of how the instrument was stored, apparently. Needless to say, it did not resolve anything and eventually I just took it to a local shop and had it fixed.

Overall:
I wanted a Fender P-Bass and this is exactly what I have. Of course there are others out there that may be better and some worse, but this is what I wanted. It might not be for everyone, but it's right for me.

• User: a customer from gmail.com
• Submitted: 1/16/2008
• Style of Music: Electro-rock
• Location: Newport, RI

Quality:
I've had several issues with this bass in the first year of owning it. First, there's a bad ground somewhere in the electronics which causes it to buzz. I've taken it to the shop twice to fix this, but they haven't been able to. Second, after a long night of playing, the bridge pieces that support the strings worked all the down the screw, causing the strings to 'fret out' constantly. it was unplayable until my repair-guy set it up (again) and put some 'lock-tite' on the screws. Third, the tone knob just fell off. It's just a simple screw that holds it on. It was easy enough to fix, but obviously a poor design. i'm lucky i didn't lose the knob in a dark bar.

Value:
i can't complain too much, because i got a pretty good deal on this. it was on clearance. by buying an amp and a case also, i was able to talk the guy down to $300 for the bass.

Desirability:
i have the black and white version. i like the design. it's an attractive instrument.

Sound:
the sound works well for me. coupled with my Galien-Kruger Amp, it's got a nice aggressive bite. I'm also a big fan of Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) and Mike Dirnt (Green Day) who play Fender P's.

Overall:
overall, it's an attractive instrument with a good sound (when it's not buzzing) at an affordable price. i've played guitar for years, but this is my first bass, so i wasn't too picky. it gets the job done. i'm just a little disappointed in the quality issues i mentioned above.

• Submitted: 1/8/2008
• Style of Music: rock, punk, metal

Feature:
Simplicity. One tone, one volume. I can focus on my playing and not fuss over settings on the guitar. The contoured shape is comfortable and the instrument is well balanced. The stock tuning machines are heavy duty and solid. With four on a side alternate tuning (and tuning back) is smooth and easy.

Quality:
Not a fan of the stock bridge but it is basic and does the job. The neck joint is tight and the finish is beautiful. Tone pot was a little loose but an easy fix. Mine has a rosewood fretboard on a matt finished maple neck. It plays well up and down the neck. The tuning machines are heavy duty. Not like some of those scrawny little things. I've had tuning pegs strip out before. Not likely that will happen with these bad boys.

Value:
Well worth the price at $425. I would have liked to see an upgrade on the bridge though.

Desirability:
This is a standard quality bass guitar. If all you're needing is quality sound and comfort to play. This baby is ready to go to war! It's look is conservative and classy.

Sound:
The stock pickups provide warm full bottom, groweling mids and bright highs. No need to switch them out unless your really out for something specific. This bass has an all around "do anything" sound.

Ease of Use:
Just strap it on, plug it in and play. Very easy to use.

Support:
Not needing any support is the best kind!

Overall:
This could easily serve as the first and last bass a musician would ever own. Easy on the wallet and quality that will last. You may want another bass, but if you own one of these, you'll never need another bass. This instrument lives up to it's reputation and serves the "Fender" name well.

• User: a customer from hotmail.com
• Submitted: 12/27/2007
• Style of Music: Rock
• Location: North Dallas Texas

Feature:
okay it's a bear bones bass, nothing more than what you need, it's simplistic, which I enjoy greatly, you dont need more than one volume and one tone for one pickup, but then people complain beacuse it dosent look like something outta star trek, you dont need more knobs than you can shake a stick at, just bear bones is fine with me

Quality:
okay it's a FENDER 'nuff said, (Amazing guitars/bass comfortable reliable if treated with respect, people who throw they're instruments around and treat them like garbage should be shot)

Value:
okay my whole schtic is that I've wanted one from the get, but when I got my pay check from working the state fair, it was just enough for the guiutar and I couldn't affor the shipping ensurance polocy and it would have been my luck that the neck would have wound up breaking durring shipping and I wouldn't have been abel to send it back to get a replace ment, but now I see it here for this price and I'm kicking myself and will be until I get a steady job and can afford to by one

Desirability:
okay P-basses are world renoun beacuse of guys like Mark Hoppus, who I look up to so mutch, but look it's a bear bones nothing more than you need and it sounds so beautiful, it's my dream bass, when I buy it all I'll need to be complete will be my dream girl, and I'll never be happier

Sound:
okay I've always had a thing for Fenders dont ask me what it is but they make some of the most beautiful guitars/basses I've ever laid eyes on, I had never played one, up untill a couple of weeks ago, but I had always been very familliar with the tone of a P-bass, that growl and thumping low end stand out in the crowd, and the single/split coil pickup has a very unique tone in and of it's self

Ease of Use:
okay another reason I love fenders is beacuse of the C shapped neck, they are the ultimaye gigging bass, so comfortable you could play a four hour gig and really not get to fatuged

Support:
never had to deal with them though I did own a squier Telecustom for a short while before I took it back, (it just didnt sit well with me, "It wasent me")

Overall:
look if you dont gte this bass I'm gonna find you and kick you in the ass bacuse I didnt buy it I'm kicking myself in the ass, and will be until I get one, I'm primarilly a punk bassist, but I do my fair share of hardcore, metalcore, and blues stuff as well and I cannot find an instrument better suited for any of the genres than this instrument, buy it you will not regret it and if you think about buying it and dont your gonna be hateing yourself, take it from me

• User: a customer from hotmail.com
• Submitted: 6/13/2007
• Style of Music: punk, metal, punk-metal, hardcore, metalcore, blues
• Location: Salem Oregon, USA

Feature:
Mine was already modified when I got it. The original owner put on a 62 reissue tortoise pickguard. I decided that since the vintage pickguard was already there I would vintage it out cosmetically I put vintage reissue pickup and bridge covers on it when I restrung it. The frets are smooth with no rough edges. Tuners are smooth. The rosewood board looks and feels good. The pickup is nothing special but typical which is what I wanted when I bought it. The bridge is the Fender stock bridge which is just good enough. Surprisingly the strap buttons haven't worked loose yet which seems to be a common complaint on this model, but I'm staying alert for it. I like the gold headstock logo script which looks better than the all-black "Fender" on other Mexican Fenders I've had in the past.

Quality:
Good and bad here. Fit and finish is outstanding. This one is in white and it was flawless when I got it. Neck pocket really tight. No imperfections in the finish, hardware and everything was tight. F&F alone would be a 10. The electronics are really quiet and the pots are smooth and noiseless while the pickup sounds exactly like a P-bass should, so a 9. The Fender stock bridge is a lightweight but no more so than on any of the other Fenders with the stock bridge design so an 8. Since I've covered the bridge with a vintage style cover it is out of sight and out of mind and I'm not going to worry about it. The ONLY issue is the neck which just doesn't want to adjust right for me. I loaded Thomastik-Infeld IN344 strings on it which are below average tension and yet I can't get it to play as well as my number one. Don't get me wrong, it is playable. It just isn't as buttery as the action is a tad higher. I'm going to get it to a real good tech I know and see what he can do to improve it, so it gets a 5 on the neck since I have to spend money to get a real good luthier/tech to make some adjustments. I figure an average of 7 overall on quality. Instruments vary and yours could be better or worse.

Value:
For the money you get a Fender that looks great and sounds predictable without spending a whole bunch of money. I've spent lots more on USA Fender basses that I didn't like as much. If you MUST have a Fender P-bass (and for certain things you need one) this one will do just fine.

Desirability:
No denying that Fender basses are appealing. The history is there. Lots of top players play Fenders, but most of those top players are playing vintage Fenders which cost more than my car or Custom Shop Fenders that are out of most people's price range. The problem is that Fender isn't mass producing those instruments. They are mass producing instruments that look great but tend to vary wildly in their playability. I've had four USA and Mexican Fender basses over the past two years. I've owned 22 basses or so in all and all but three were Fenders. My opinion now is when I want to buy another Fender I'll buy a Mexican or Japanese because the USA instruments are no longer worth the extra money for an average player in a local band. The Mexican and Japanese instruments are real quality basses. You can customize a Mexican to make it uniquely yours without worrying about messing up the "collector value." Frankly, no Fender basses currently in mass production, including the USA basses, are going to be "investments" as they are turning out so danged many of them. I can no longer justify buying a USA Fender by saying it is an "investment." It is like buying a Lincoln instead of a Ford and calling it it an investment. The Mexican bass has really arrived.

Sound:
Mine is a 2006 model with the anniversary medallion on the back of the headstock which I bought used from a guy with way too many basses. He had three of these same models alone. For a passive bass it has a strong output. I am not going to fool with the Quarter-Pounder or any other pickup modification as I've played this same model with the Quarter-Pounder and frankly I like the smoother stock pickup voicing. The other electronics, including the tone control are clean sounding, tight and very linear. My usual set up is to feed my two basses to a Whirlwind Selector A/B switch which feeds an Aphex Bass Exciter that feeds an Aphex Punch Factory compressor that goes either direct to a mixer or to an Ampeg B2RE head or a Peavey Century 200 head depending on what I'm doing and I use different cabs depending on the situation but the usual gig stack is one 2x10 Delta Avatar and one 1x15 Neo Avatar cabs. This bass sounds very professional and you could easily mistake it for a 70's model except for the rosewood fretboard which was an option back then.

Ease of Use:
Well it couldn't get much easier to use unless you broke off the tone & volume knobs. It is a tad heavier than my number one player. But it has better balance and settles into a good playing position and stays there. There isn't a lot that can go wrong unless you break a string, which I in fact have already done on this bass. I think the last string I broke was in 1972.

Support:
I can't comment on Fender support as I bought this one used so it isn't covered. I've never used Fender support even on new instruments and I don't even fill out the warranty cards. By the time I think of it, the 10 day limit is past.

Overall:
This isn't really different enough from the USA model to justify the huge price difference. It yields the P-bass sound from a well balanced & playable instrument that is suitable for the Average Joe. All in all a lot of Fender bass for the money. When you go on your world tour spring for the USA edition and get your accountant to write it off on your taxes.

• User: a customer from ctc.net
• Submitted: 4/26/2007
• Style of Music: Old School R&B, Carolina Beach, Classic Rock
• Location: Badin, NC USA

Feature:
The one thing i dont like about this bass is the fact that it doesnt have very many feaures. But hey, if you want a crap load of knobs, buy a Jaguar bass, or a jazz bass.

Quality:
This cant be any more well put together. But, there is a lot of downfalls in the quality area. My bass came with an extra hole where the thing that holds the strap on goes, and the other one just fell off. Other than those, its a exceptional quality bass.

Value:
This works for the price.

Desirability:
Not too simple, not too complex. I like the sunburst.

Sound:
This magnificent bass sounds like a bass should sound. Its pretty much the perfect example. If you need punch, crank the tone. Its pretty much one of my favorite basses ever.

Ease of Use:
It may just be me, but my preference sound is pretty easy to get from this sucker. This is a pretty easy bass to handle.

Support:
I'll never know.

Overall:
Im going to be forever in love with it. If it ever gets stolen of broken, i would get a new one. I think fender made a wise choice in making this.

• Submitted: 3/6/2007
• Style of Music: Punk, Jazz, Funk, Rock

Feature:
Perfect. Now I have to upgrade amps. Oh, they're Fenders too. Fender stayed faithful when others took the low road of cuting costs to sell more. Features I wish? 2 for 1 sales. Its not parts it's all for one and...well you get it. I wish it had an automatic tuner.

Quality:
What?! I would never leave it on the road. Ibanez/active as backup. Astute construction. Theywent for power. It was THE Base. (Could Derrick Jeter steal second BASS)? Heard Fender, played Fender, got fender. Instantly THE Base. (Shoes, fish, beer...Base ale)?

Value:
Upper "public" end. Worth every buck and then some.

Desirability:
Wouldn't care if it was paisley. (But, it would get some heavy acrylic). Had four Bases before. Shouldn't count the acoustic. Itmoved right in, took the big office. My bride is the "slide". It's very cooperative--up and down all strings.

Sound:
From round tones to hard drive it fills all the spaces required or,when off on an adventure. Incredible action both sending out and coming back. Fender Jazz,accept no substitutes--well, maybe a Precision. I'll stay with the Jazz thank you.

Ease of Use:
It takes work. Its a relationship. It's confidence; It's in there. Like a woman, shouldn't be TOO easy. You do have to go in and find it'

Support:
Haven't had to,. Usual check-ups, new strings, like that.

Overall:
By the time I got to "most" and "Least", I forgot the rest of the questions.

• User: a customer from yahoo.cfom
• Submitted: 2/12/2007
• Style of Music: 16 Wheeler (R&R),plus ME. Love to play with sitar. Whatever moves me.
• Location: Oh, wouldn't you like to kinow? I'm here, not there.

Feature:
Pfft, has all the features I need.

Quality:
I've had no issues with mine. Other than the few finger smudges on the finish, of course. :) No complaints, though.

Value:
Very low price, comparitively. Great quality for a low-price bass.

Desirability:
Looks soo sexy. Hah. Sleek shape, and great selection of colours. What else could you want?

Sound:
Sounds great. Sounds like you'd want a bass to sound.

Ease of Use:
Simple, yet beautiful.

Support:
I'd say Fender is very reliable, and that we can trust their products. Well, I can. ;)

Overall:
What more could you want? Sleek design, great quality, low cost, reliable producer, even very easy to use. This works great for me.

• User: a customer from hotmail.com
• Submitted: 4/1/2006
• Style of Music: Anything.
• Location: Penhold, Alberta, Canada.

Feature:
it does everything that you could want from a bass

Quality:
Perfect condition from the moment it came throgh my door

Value:
worth every penny

Desirability:
Marvelous in black

Sound:
just plain amazing and the tone control is magnificent

Support:
Never needed to

• User: a customer from aol.com
• Submitted: 6/21/2005
• Style of Music: Punk rock
• Location: Wigan England

Quality:
lots of quality for the money.

Sound:
this bass has a real nice sound. i put new strings on it and it sound really nice. sounds like some expensive bass.

• Submitted: 1/26/2005