Fender American Vintage '63 Precision Bass - Faded Sonic Blue Reviews

This bass is perfect in every way. It looks, feels and smells like the 60s. I absolutely love the neck shape. It's wide but very playable and comfortable. Put on some La Bella flats are you're ready to go! Worth the money over the American Pro line for sure, although that line is really nice too. The sonic blue and mint combo is so beautiful. Pictures due the bass no justice. Mine is absolutely PERFECT. A keeper for life.

I have always played Fender Jazz basses and after all this time I decided it was time to buy a passive P-Bass! Being a fan of Fender and seeing the preview for this bass, I decided it was time to purchase a P-Bass. I have a Fender Marcus Miller 5 String that came from the Fender Custom Shop and it is the best bass I have ever owned. The quality of craftsmanship was outstanding. Every time I play this bass I get comments on the great tone. Since this P-Bass is from Fender's Vintage Shop, I had high hopes this bass would be at the same level.

Well... I was not disappointed! The craftsmanship on this bass is second to none. The neck is beautiful, the inlays and frets are well-crafted. The body of this bass is beautiful and the pick guard firs the vintage era. I love the "tight" sound of this bass and the punch I expect from a P-Bass. The tone is passive and I had that expectation versus my active basses that can really have that punch or edge. I love the tone of this bass! Clean...tight...snaps...beautiful.

The one downside I need to mention is having the pick-up cover and the bridge cover on. I find the two combined getting in the way of my playing. I am giving a bit more time before I remove a cover or both. Small issue.

I would like to give credit to Sweetwater for their 55 point inspection. When they state the instruments are ready to play right out of the box, they mean it! This bass was set-up perfectly and I have not had to make any adjustments. I highly recommend this bass!

I bought this bass from Sweetwater several months ago, and I can say I'm thoroughly impressed. First of all, every single time I look at this bass, I want to pick it up and play it for hours. Even though Sweetwater's photos are high-resolution, they definitely don't do this bass justice.

Moving past aesthetics, this bass is about as versatile as a P bass gets. It nails the thumpy motown tones, obviously, but it's also suitable for many other genres: punk, rock, jazz, funk. Play with the tone control and your amp's EQ and you'll be able to get pretty much whatever you want. I get good slap tones too, though I usually play fingerstyle.

All in all, get this bass if you want to make a lifetime investment in an instrument, because I don't see any future where I want to sell it.

The one issue I have is that on Sweetwater's site, it's listed as a urethane finish, but Fender's site says the '63 P is finished in a flash coat lacquer. Either way, not a big deal to me, because I just love this bass. If you're looking for a P, this is the one. I tried it side-by-side with an American Professional and this one had heaps more mojo.

I have owned so many Fender basses in my life. If you can find the August 2012 Bass Player magazine somewhere, the one with Wolfgang Van Halen on the cover, go to the "Dig my Rig" article and you will see my interest in Fender basses. This Vintage issue of the 63' P Bass is a beautiful recreation. It is light in weight overall and looks stunning and is so smooth to the hands. The sound is amazing and has that old Fender warm tone. I choose the Faded Sonic Blue..a color I normally would not have picked, but I love it. Its so vibey and so many people compliment me on it. On one the reviews mentioned the decal on the headstock seeming like it may come off. Fender in those days put the decal on almost last. It was not put under the finish from the onset...so it is really done period correct. I like it like that.
These basses aren't cheap in price. You'll need to get out some cash but its worth it. Owning an original 63' could cost you thousands, and a lot of worry....this gets you as close as possible.

I bought this bass as an road/travel replacement for my all original '73 P-Bass - needed something which sounded similar but was not a valuable vintage treasure that I worried about each flight.

Must admit, the bass sounds and plays amazing. In an in-store comparison with a few other modern P and Jazz basses it blew them out of the water tone-wise... far louder and bassier. I got it from Sam Ash and it was already set up and intonated as well, although I'll probably have it reset to my personal preference.

As most do, I immediately popped the ash tray cover off to enhanse playability. The bass is super light because of the alder body. The paint job and pickguard look amazing in real life.

Fender also hooks you up with a vintage style '63 hardshell, which includes a vintage style strap, a cable, strings, and even a reprint of fender's old owners manual. Everything about the experience of owning this bass is definitely geared towards those with a nostalgia for the old '63 basses.

My one complaint is that the "fender" logo on the headstock is simply a decal... mine has already begun to flake after minimal use. Not sure if this is how the original 63 decals were, but can't imagine so... at either rate it is a minor detail and does not affect playabilty. May still decide to have it painted or possibly replace the neck with a real vintage one later down the line if this bass serves me well.

Overall a great buy. Worth the money, and probably one of fenders few remaining quality p-basses.

This bass is about as close as you are going to get to a '63 P in all it's thumpy glory. Every detail is exactly like the original down to the cloth wires on the pick ups. I just recorded an EP with this bass and it came alive!!
If you are looking for the vintage look and sound of the classsic 60's P look no further!