• real thing!!!

  
  As reviewed by interpaul on 3/26/2007

  it is not only this bass but all vintage series of Fender that is the best recreation of instruments of the golden era of 50s and 60s. this 57 precision is light weight with crisp highs and round bottom end. best for rock, r&b and motown sounds it is a real classic. neck is slimmer than american series and more comfortable. apart of Jazz bass, every serious player should owe one

  18 of 18 people found this review helpful.
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• How good is the Fender American Vintage 57 P-Bass?

  
  As reviewed by Ron on 1/15/2008

  I've been playing a Fender P-Bass with active electronics for about 25 years and despite its abilities it never could fully replicate that classic Fender tone I wanted. So I decided I'd try out this 57 reissue, and after a few weeks of playing it virtually non-stop I'm pleased to report it's as good as Fender claims. The tone is warm and rich, from the low end all the way up the neck. The alder body is light, the two-tone sunburst is beautiful, and the gold anodized aluminum pickguard completes the "vintage" look. The chrome pickup cover and ashtray are included, but the screw holes on mine were not pre-drilled into the bass(just the pickguard) so that's something I'll do later. I guess Fender thinks not everyone wants them pre-drilled. The "C" shape maple neck is very comfortable and fast, and the overall quality of the bass feels solid and well assembled. It comes with Fender 7250ML strings (.045-100) which sound and play just fine but I put on Fender 9050ML flatwounds since that's what a 57 bass is supposed to have. The factory setup is okay, but I need to lower the action a wee bit. The tweed hardshell case is a nice touch. It's a brand new bass so if you'd rather have the "relic look" you'll still have to opt for Fender's Custom Shop time machine basses or buy a real vintage bass, but at a much greater price either way. But if you're not worried about that, this bass is a nice quality alternative to a Custom Shop instrument, and may be nearly as good for about half the price. (I should add that Guitar Center shipped this one to my door just a week after I placed my order, which I was pleased with.) Anyone looking for that classic old-school Fender tone should consider this bass.

  15 of 15 people found this review helpful.
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• GREAT AMERICAN P BASS

  
  As reviewed by Mike F on 8/23/2011

  I am a Fender guy through and through. I own a Geddy Jazz and a '87 Fender Power Jazz Bass Special. I was in the market for my 1st American made Fender and wanted to add a P bass to the arsenal. When I came across the '57 P bass with tobacco sunburst, gold pickguard, and maple neck...I was SOLD! I thought this neck may be harder to play since I've been playing the Jazz for years, well I was wrong. The neck plays incredibly easy and comfortable and the bass is considerably lighter that my Jazz. I actually prefer it now to my Jazz. The tone is to die for if your looking for that classic P bass sound! Very solid bass and AMERICAN craftsmanship really shows through. It comes with the classic tweed case which is solid, heavy, and provides great protection for your investment. I placed flatwounds on it, lowered the action, and adjusted the pickup height accordingly. It took me a few tries to get it dialed in, but it was definitely worth the effort! I would highly recommend this bass if you are in the market for a high quality solid AMERICAN Fender P bass!

  1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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