VINTAGE vs. MODERN P-Bass: 1966 vs. 2015 Precision Bass Comparison

In this video, I compare a modern 2015 Precision Bass with a 1966 P Bass. I talk about the value of vintage instruments and what makes a bass special for the musician.

BASS COURSE:

Sign up for my newsletter for channel updates and course sales:

[xRyuzakii]

hey, Philip. I just wanted to let you know you've become one of my favorite bassists on this platform... I've been playing bass for over 12 years by now, and I've watched thousands and thousands of videos, know pretty much every other bassist content creator around and whatnot, but there's something really warm about you and your channel. about the way you talk about the instrument. about the feel. the art. I really like what you're doing with these kind of videos, sharing your experience, thoughts and input towards the bass community coming from a humble, zero bs dude like you. sorry if this sounds too cheesy but I felt to say it out. keep doing what you love, hugs!

[ToddBrittain]

Philip, you're a good man sticking with that '66 Precision. I love the stories associated with older basses too.

[conorlarkin]

They both sound great! I totally agree about the neck comfort being vital. You can always change the pickups or strings, but if it doesn’t feel like home while you’re playing it then it’ll always be a compromise.

[BadAssWartHog-A]

Love Philips reviews, opinions, and analysis. The dude is real. Much respect!

[jamesmarkham]

The vintage bubble popped for me when i starting trying older basses. I played a 70's era jazz that was great but the action was a mile high. I played an early 80's p that had an uncomfortable neck and a wonky tone. I picked up a squier bronco modded the electronics polished the frets and rolled the board. I liked it so i went out and found a 60's mustang. And i have to say the bronco's tone and neck to me are far better overall.

Vintage has a vibe for sure but i agree when you say that people need to beware of lemons.

[LX]

Hi, in the early 1970's I owned a 1966 Precision. It had a such great neck that it almost "played by itself". I could let the fingers just gently slide over the very low positioned strings. The neck and frets were so well adjusted that there were no conflicting rattled sounds from other frets, despite being set so low over the fretboard. I heard then, that until 1966 all the necks and frets were individually inspected and manually adjusted before leaving the factory.
I own some newer Fender basses, but no one is so easy playable as the 1966 Precision I once owned. I am still regretting that I sold it in mid 1970's when I needed money.
And the sound, yes, when played hard it was making barking, almost farting grungy sound. Just a one model and year of its kind...

[tedbrookins]

There’s something poetic and just right about a good P bass.
That bass is YOURS, and it knows it! I can see by your expressions while playing it and handling it, that you know it knows that you’re it’s dad. May you continue to play that fine, fine instrument for a good long time. Looks great, sounds great, and it’s gotta feel great too! Old bro did you a solid! Thanks for the inspiring video!

[richardgudino]

Yup, it's all about the neck. A big shoutout to my own recent discovery, the Aerodyne Precision. It has a modern C shape, satin finished neck AND 12” radius fingerboard. LOVE it!

[samlelowitch]

I think your observations are on-point. Both basses sound and play great. I have a 2009 Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass with the double-J pickup in the bridge position, which is all-active electronics. It’s a real delight to play. I say to other bassists—find a bass that you personally bond with, whether that’s a Squier, an MIM, MIA, MIJ, whatever.

[j_drichmond]

As you mentioned lemons, I was indulging in some warm bread with lemon curd—lemon is so very wonderful.

[teacher-sean]

I can understand that worn-in feel and how it adds to the comfort and inspiration of playing. I don't have anything even close to the value of an old P bass, but I bought a Squier Mustang bass that has gotten tons and tons of play since 2013, but still treated moderately nice. There's a smoothness to that neck that I don't get from any of my other basses. This wood has stories and I imagine I can feel that history in my hands when I play. Maybe there's some magic that the wood soaks up or something. I feel like it makes me play better. That's worth it to me. Anyway, I like the videos I've been seeing from you lately. You are able to deeply articulate a lot of things that a lot of other people kind of gloss over lightly. Great vibe and chill conversational tone. I'll follow.

[PerezBroz-po]

The sound comparison has everything to do with the pickup differences and not much else. But the feel comparison was very well expressed here, it felt like I could feel what you mean. Great video, thanks!

[fishbert]

I am sure they are both great instruments with subtly different properties. but there’s something very cool about having such an old bass because it has lived a life. I have a few different guitars and whilst they all essentially do the same job, different ones inspire me in different ways on different days

[trevaudio]

Those 2015 (2012-2016…if I remember) American precisions are stunning, Custom Shop 62 pickups, string thru body or bridge, hi mass bridge, graphite rods in the neck. One of the best !

[kevincothron]

Nice instruments. Both sound great. P bass is a classic. Hard to beat and a recording engineer knows what to do with them in a mix.

[RossCampoli]

Had a chance to play a ‘60s P-bass for a few minutes once. Can’t remember the exact year. Good god it was wonderful. The neck felt like a different level than anything I’ve played before or since

[Cliffswanson]

That '66 P bass certainly landed in a great new home with good hands. Your admiration and connection to it are obvious in this video. There is so much hype over "vintage" instruments these days...all part of a nostalgia craze among people of my demographic (I'm 72). I think it poisons aspiring younger musicians, some of whom will get out of the basements and garages and be the great players of the future. Good on you, Philip, for making the point that art is created by people using tools and not the tools all by themselves. Both the '66 and the '015 bass sounded musical to my ears in your hands.

[petset]

Nice video, thanks. I always played my '64 Dakota Red Precision with the pickup and bridge covers... always. I got it in '72 when I was in high school, from the original owner that just got back from Viet Nam. $125. It had the best neck ever. Flat and wide with a rosewood fretboard. It still has it's very worn original frets. I got a '68 Telecaster (the original Fender re-issue of the '51 Precision), and it had a thicker baseball bat feeling maple neck, so I never liked playing it much. I got a '72 later when I was playing on the road. Maple neck, but shaped more like the '64. I put a set of the covers on it. I've had quite a few other basses over the years, but the first one is the best. It's output is more deep warm mids, rather than full bottom like the '72. They're different than each other for recording, but almost play themselves on stage. Playability is paramount to me. I had a '76 Jazz and the nut is too narrow. Same with the two Ricks I had. Same with the Thunderbird. Nothing beats a good Precision neck. I liked the Ovation Magnum I had, but it was a heavy beast on stage. Someone stole that one. Anyway, tone can be shaped with EQ and effects as long as the instrument is decent. I still have a '66 Gibson EB-0 and it's all big muddy bottom because of where the big humbucker is positioned. Forget recording with it. I'd take it on the road to challenge the sound guy. I still have the '72 and EB. My son has the others. I almost always played Rotosound Swing Bass 66, 45-105. I'm playing my first gig in almost 20 years this May at a major festival. It should be fun. It would be more fun if I could get my '64 from my son, but he won't give it up. Thanks again for your video.

[TerrenceThorn]

To my ears, the '66 seems to have a richer tone but that's just my old ears. The '66 neck may feel more comfortable because it's more of a U or deep C shape which would feel more natural in my hand but I'm only listening and observing. I've played the drums professionally for more than 50years and have picked up more than a few Bass Guitars of all designs and brands but my personal bass is a Fender P Bass with the "modern" C shaped neck and it's very comfortable. This is a very honest and relatable comparison in my own experience but again, I'm only a drummer. Thanks !

[phunkybasstard]

Hey! Good comparisons on the two! However, please consider other variables for a finer, fairer and accurate tests such as:

1) Set up specs like string height, which make differences in tone

2) String thru or top load. Make a choice. They sound different due to differing string tensions

3) Pickup Heights

4) String radius

5) Neck Relief (makes a whole difference)

Cheers!