The American Professional II P Bass V: Upgrading Perfection

Leo Fender nailed the essence of a great instrument when he launched his Precision Bass in 1951. Today, the Fender American Professional II Precision Bass V draws on over six decades of innovation, evolution, and inspiration to exceed the requirements of todays working bassists; and adds the extended range of a tight, responsive low B string a must-have for theatrical pit work and many other contemporary musical contexts. The 63 C-profile neck feels just right, with its smooth, rolled fingerboard edges, Super-Natural satin finish, and newly sculpted neck heel that gives you effortless access to the upper register. Fenders new V-Mod II Precision Bass V split-coil pickup serves up classic P Bass punch and growl, with more articulation than ever before. A genuine bone nut and string-through-body or top-load 5-saddle HiMass Vintage bridge deliver solidity and sustain for authoritative tone, while lightweight vintage-style tuners with tapered shafts provide outstanding tuning stability and fast, hassle-free string changes. Rocking premium appointments, flawless playability, optimized electronics, and classic visuals, the Fender American Professional II Precision Bass V offers you a new standard of comfort, tone, and performance.

Session king

The Fender American Professional II Precision Bass V carries on the tradition of the first mass-production electric bass guitar. The Precision has driven the bass lines of some of the biggest hit records ever made. The 60s were a typically prolific decade, with the instrument in the capable hands of session bassists like LA Wrecking Crew stalwart Carol Kaye, who lent her Precision chops to countless iconic recordings such as the Beach Boys California Girls and Good Vibrations. Then there was Motown bass legend James Jamerson, whose 62 Precision (dubbed the Funk Machine) delivered the infectious bounce that buoyed a slew of Motown hits like the Temptations My Girl and Marvin Gayes Whats Going On. In fact, the Precision Bass was standard issue for Motown recordings. After bassist Bob Babbitt auditioned for a slot in Motowns in-house studio rhythm section (the Funk Brothers), he was told his playing made the cut, but was instructed to get a Precision before returning for his first session. He did, and remained a P Bass player for the rest of his career.

The industry standard

Producers and engineers know that the Precision Bass always sits perfectly in the track, with minimal processing and the ideal amount of punch and growl. Its the de facto industry standard. Perhaps thats why many of todays first-call bassists who had been playing exotic active instruments, such as LA session ace Sean Hurley (John Mayer, Gwen Stefani, Alanis Morissette, Robin Thicke), have come home to the Precision. Precision players often cite how balanced their instrument feels, whether theyre playing seated or standing; indeed, the P Bass is a supremely balanced instrument, from its playing feel to its fat, punchy, authoritative tone. The instantly recognizable P Bass sound is the end product of a number of factors, including scale length, tonewoods, its bolt-on neck, and of course, Fenders one-of-a-kind Precision Bass V split-coil pickup the latest, state-of-the-art update of which comes standard on the American Professional II Precision Bass V.

V-Mod II Precision Bass V split-coil pickup

The Precision Bass split-coil pickup bucks the hum, but its technically two single-coil pickups working in tandem, so it has the note definition and harmonic richness many humbucking bass pickups lack. Its placed in an optimal position along the string length to capture and deliver girthy low end along with midrange growl that cuts through thick arrangements. And it also makes a great thumb rest! The American Professional II Precision Bass V features Fenders latest upgrade to the 5-string version of their venerable split-coil bass pickup. The V-Mod II Precision Bass V pickup delivers greater note articulation than previous versions, while serving up the epic punch and growl the P Bass is famous for. The V-Mod II P Bass V pickup brings out the rich harmonic overtones that enhance the expressive nuances in your playing, while maintaining the solid fundamental that makes the P Bass perform admirably cross-genre, onstage and in the studio. Bass players at Sweetwater are blown away by the flawless playability and amazing tone of the American Professional II Precision Bass V and its V-Mod II pickup. Trust us: you will be, too.

Fender American Professional II Precision Bass V Features:

• Comfort-contoured body with gloss urethane finish
• 63 C-profile neck with Super-Natural satin finish
• NEW smooth, rolled fingerboard edges
• NEW sculpted neck heel for easy access to upper register
• NEW V-Mod II Precision Bass V split-coil pickup delivers classic punch and growl with enhanced articulation
• 5-saddle HiMass Vintage bridge (string-through-body or top-load) provides solidity and sustain for authoritative tone
• Bone nut; Fender lightweight vintage-style tuners with tapered shafts
• Quality crafted in Fenders Corona, CA factory
• Includes molded hard case