Fender P-Bass: Japan, US, CS or Limelight

[Owen]

1 hour ago, Reggaebass said:

 I’d still like the Sean custom if one came along at a reasonable price, especially if it made me play like him 😁

I have some bad news for you. In 1987 I inadvertently bought a 66J because it looked like Jaco's. You can guess the rest......

[peteb]

3 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Ah get what you mean, well I’d say all were of similar - pardon the pun - standard.
 

My ultimate faves are the 12 - 15, playability wise I just gel with the necks the best which are chunkers, but no standout points on build, with playability being down to the individual. Given you’ve a 2015 Jazz I’d say look at this series for Precisions too as I find the Jazz necks on this series quite chunky.

 

Again if pushed I’d say 08 - 12 my least fave on playability as necks quite flat/shallow, which isn’t my thing.

 

Funnily enough, you are selling me a bit on 08-12 period basses - I quite like the idea of a P bass with a relatively flat / shallow neck! I do like the 98 jazz bass that I have (that I originally thought was a 09), so I wouldn't mind trying a same period P bass. I know that the 12-15 series are just well made, good basses -  I remember playing a 2012 one once and it was great, a really well put together P bass, top notch. 

 

The thing is, I grew up on mid to late 70s Fenders and most of the best ones that I have played come from that period. Unfortunately, the worse ones I've ever come across come from that period as well! I know that this is an age thing as I am too young to get too misty eyed about vintage 60s ones (not that I could afford them), but a lot of the newer models just don't feel quite the same to me! I suppose that I would ideally like to find something with a bit of that feel about it, but with a more modern level of consistency / finish. I wouldn't rule out another 70s / early 80s P bass, but I would have to really try it out to be sure about it. The last time I got one for what seemed like a decent price, I ended up a bit disappointed and losing a fair amount of money on it. 

 

[peteb]

On 22/08/2025 at 08:08, Reggaebass said:

Hi pete, I’d keep an eye out for an AVRI 62 or 63 P, they are exceptional basses, I’ve got a 62 and I believe the difference is the 63 has a fuller neck profile where mine is slimmer from front to back which I find comfortable, they also hold their value and are pretty sought after, I can’t comment on Japanese I’ve never had one 

 

Has anyone got an idea what the going rate for a decent condition AVRI 63 P bass (2014) from a private seller should be? 

 

[vincbt]

32 minutes ago, peteb said:

 

Has anyone got an idea what the going rate for a decent condition AVRI 63 P bass (2014) from a private seller should be? 

 

 

These don't really come up often for sale. Last one I saw was from a dealer who was looking at close to £2,000. I would have thought for a private sale it would clear somewhere in the £1,600-1,800 allowing for some inflation.

 

It really depends however on how much you want it, it's definitely a bass that you want to snap up when you come across it if it feels right. I have been keeping an eye out myself for a faded sonic blue one and they just don't seem to get sold! 

Edited 8 hours ago by vincbt
typo corrected

[Reggaebass]

1 hour ago, peteb said:

 

Has anyone got an idea what the going rate for a decent condition AVRI 63 P bass (2014) from a private seller should be? 

 

I’d agree with vincbt Pete, £1600-£1800 is right in the ballpark 

[peteb]

Just now, Reggaebass said:

I’d agree with vincbt Pete, £1600-£1800 is right in the ballpark 

 

I've just talked to my mate / guitar player / BL, who trades guitars quite a lot. He's close but not quite as generous as you lot - he reckons £1,500 to £1,600, which is pretty much what the guy is looking for! 

 

Having a think about it... 

 

[Bass Direct]

Loads of great options out there from Fender and a whole host of other manufacturers, just get them in your hands and see which fits best

[Eldon Tyrell]

Coincidentally, a cool looking AV 63 P has come on Reverb just a few hours ago. £2k.

The seller is the current bass player in Ocean Colour Scene - Ray Meade.

Man, I would love to buy it, but don't have 2k 😞 

 

https://reverb.com/uk/item/92046590-fender-american-vintage-63-precision-bass-2013-2017-faded-sonic-blue 

 

[Beedster]

2 hours ago, vincbt said:

and they just don't seem to get sold

 

The AVRI '63s do have a very good reputation and by comparison with the other 20,000 varieties of Fender Precision, you're right, they are rare birds

[Beedster]

4 minutes ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Coincidentally, a cool looking AV 63 P has come on Reverb just a few hours ago. £2k.

The seller is the current bass player in Ocean Colour Scene - Ray Meade.

Man, I would love to buy it, but don't have 2k 😞 

 

https://reverb.com/uk/item/92046590-fender-american-vintage-63-precision-bass-2013-2017-faded-sonic-blue 

 

 

That's a very nice bass and the seller's inviting offers so given the rarity I'd go in with a cheeky £1800 if I was in the race for one of these 👍

[Reggaebass]

Just had a quick look and the 10 sticker would concern me that it didn’t leave a mark when removed , depending on how long it’s been there, not the original case either , but it does look nice 

[Eldon Tyrell]

2 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Just had a quick look and the 10 sticker would concern me that it didn’t leave a mark when removed , depending on how long it’s been there, not the original case either , but it does look nice 

Cools sound too

 

 

 

 

[Eldon Tyrell]

Just now, Eldon Tyrell said:

Cool sound too

 

 

 

 

 

[wateroftyne]

53 minutes ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Cools sound too

 

 

 

 

I wonder if you can see the side dots on this one? It's a big flaw on recent Fender RI's, IMO.

[skej21]

1 hour ago, wateroftyne said:

I wonder if you can see the side dots on this one? It's a big flaw on recent Fender RI's, IMO.

The Am Original series basses are definitely marmite - Personally, I’m firmly in the fan club. The neck profile/radius in particular (and the clay dots) sold it for me. I have a 60s P and J from the Am Original series now and they’ll be the last ones out of the door. Got both for less than £1300 each second hand too, so not as steep as the AVRI. People who are considering buying should definitely try them out though. I have a 2003 AVRI Precision and it’s a wildly different feel to the Am Original!

[Beedster]

2 hours ago, skej21 said:

The Am Original series basses are definitely marmite - Personally, I’m firmly in the fan club. The neck profile/radius in particular (and the clay dots) sold it for me. I have a 60s P and J from the Am Original series now and they’ll be the last ones out of the door. Got both for less than £1300 each second hand too, so not as steep as the AVRI. People who are considering buying should definitely try them out though. I have a 2003 AVRI Precision and it’s a wildly different feel to the Am Original!

intrigued, how do the AVRIs and the Am Originals differ?