Fender debuts American Special P and J Basses
(Dave Molter | Posted 2011-05-20)
Everything old is new again. Fender has just rolled out two new American Special basses -- one P, one J -- offering American-made quality with an affordable street price.
The American Special Precision Bass guitar features a slim neck profile, a high-gloss finish and the Fender Greasebucket™ tone circuit, which rolls off highs while maintaining low-end definition.
Features include an alder body and C-shaped maple neck, maple fretboard (Black, Candy Apple Red models) or rosewood fretboard (Olympic White, Three-color Sunburst models) with medium jumbo frets, split single-coil alnico pickup, knurled chrome knobs, three-ply pickguard (black-white black on Candy Apple Red and Olympic White models; parchment on Black and Three-color Sunburst models), vintage-style bridge and strap buttons, and deluxe gig bag.
I've been lusting after a CAR P Bass for more than 40 years, and this puppy may just be the one that makes me break open the money bag! With an expected street price of less than $900 (not including a case or gigbag), this new P is very affordable. Personally, I would have liked to have seen a 1.75" neck width (1.625" is the modern standard, and that's what this bass has) and the inclusion of bridge and PUP covers, but why nitpick? I understand that not everyone likes a wider neck, and the covers can be easily made with aftermarket additions. Oh ... and I'd change the stock B/W/B pickguard on the CAR body to white pearl. Lust demands satisfaction.
The American Special Jazz Bass guitar features a slim neck profile (1.5" At the nut, 9.5" radius), a high-gloss finish and the Fender Greasebucket™ tone circuit, which rolls off highs while maintaining low-end definition.
Features include an alder body and C-shaped maple neck, maple fretboard (Black, Candy Apple Red models) or rosewood fretboard (Olympic White, Three-color Sunburst models) with medium jumbo frets, single-coil alnico Jazz Bass pickups, vintage-style black plastic Jazz Bass knobs, three-ply pickguard (black-white black on Candy Apple Red and Olympic White models; parchment on Black and Three-color Sunburst models), vintage-style bridge and strap buttons, and deluxe gig bag.
Like it's brother the P Bass, the American Special Jazz carries an MSRP of $1,269.99USD) and should hit the street at leas than $900 without case or bag. As much As I like the sound of a Jazz Bass and the look of the body, I still prefer a wider neck, but the popularity of the J over the years proves that I'm in the minority here. If you want looks, speed and sound, Jazz it up.
