Fender USA Performer Mustang Bass | Tone Demo
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- This is my tone demo of the Fender USA Performer Mustang Bass, in collaboration with Langley Guitar Centre, UK.
Link to the bass in this video:
www.langleygui...
Langley Guitar Centre Website:
www.langleygui...
Signal Chain:
Bass - Avalon U5 - Steinberg UR824 - Logic Pro X
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What’s your favourite ever Mustang? What’s your favourite setting in this demo? T
Sounding good. Nice and punchy on the video.
I have both the American Performer Mustang and (mexi) PJ Mustang. Honestly, they both sound great, but if I had to chose only one, it would definitely be the American Performer. I'd have to say that "overall" the American Performer sounds better (but as I said, they both sound good if set up properly). Of course, the AP is a bit better build quality, although there is nothing wrong with the PJ. The AP just has a bit better hardware and workmanship.
As for the necks, yes the AP is a little bit wider (1.625 inch as opposed to 1.5 inch), BUT the AP has a thinner profile front to back whereas the PJ is a bit chunkier front to back. To me, they both feel very comfortable. But... the AP again feels slightly better to my hand.
I think the biggest difference and what originally prompted me to buy an American Performer Mustang Bass is that the pickups are SO much better balanced than the PJ pickups. The AP pickups are also a bit more "alive" and "modern" sounding to my ears. Very punchy with enough high end on both the neck and bridge pickups for definition. As I said, the AP pickups are very BALANCED. The split pickup is not way overpowering the J pickup. Both sound good soloed and the levels are very close if you have them set up correctly. I will say that the PJ pickups are a bit hotter in levels (the P WAY hotter) and you can (for the most part) get the PJ pickups to be balanced by raising the bridge pickup WAY up and the P neck pickup WAY down. But you don't have to do that with the AP--the AP pickups are just great sounding, well balanced, and just about right for low freq vs high freq. Very versatile. I've owned many single-pickup Mustang basses over the years, but I probably will never own another. The American Performer and mexi PJ Mustangs have spoiled me. They are just so much more versatile with those two pickups.
So... overall the American Performer Mustang Bass is a winner, IMO. Is it worth over double the price of the mexi PJ? To me, yes. To you, maybe. It really depends on what sound and feel you want and how much you are willing to pay to get it. The PJ sounds great too. That's why I still have one along with the AP. It has it's own sound that the AP does not have. But the sound the AP does have, to me, sounds a bit better overall, more balanced, and the pickup voicings makes it more versatile. It definitely sits in the band mix better and I never have any trouble cutting through and never get muddy sounding. Sometimes that is a problem with the PJ. Fender got this one right. And oh, I like the look of the AP pickups ( the small split and J) better than the PJ pickups (big p-bass split and J), too. I know some people say the smaller pickup looks "funny" with the j-pickup. But I think it looks better than the bigger p-pickup.
My dream bass😍
Kurt Cobain got me into Mustangs. He played one on MTV Live and Loud in 1993, Sonic Blue with a red tortoise pick guard. As a teen it was the most beautiful I’d seen. Still is. That’s why I bought a mint ‘95 Sonic Blue with red tortoise just like his a few years. I love that beauty.
Brilliant - really love that AP Mustang !!! Took one for a test drive and had to take her home !
My favorite is my Fender 60s Vintera Mustang Bass.
I have only played the JMJ, the American Performer and the Vintera Mustangs. Not a big fan of the roadworn look of the JMJ and not a big fan of rosewood fretboards either. The American Performer feels really nice, although again, I prefer Pau Ferro to Rosewood. It is pretty versatile with the added J pickup. Although I do think the added J pickup looks better on the PJ. Now, that's just looks, the Mustang and J pickup together sound pretty well together.
Of the three, I liked the Vintera the most. Now, I know the Vintera is a bit of a one trick pony with just one pickup, but it does that trick really well. To quote Paul Simon "He’s got one trick to last a lifetime
but that’s all a pony needs"
Haven't had a change to play the PJ but I think it is hard to beat that one. Good price, easy to find used and a lot more parts that are easy to upgrade if you'd want to. They even make one with a maple fretboard, that might be the one for me.
The more I watch these videos of the Fender & Squier Mustang Bass Guitars, the more I want to check them out.
The Squier Classic Vibe and the Player Mexican series would be the instruments in my potential price range. ❤️🎵
Those are the two I have and I love them!
Currently own a MIM PJ Mustang and love its awesome tone and versatility...BUT.... I just got my hands on a 1978 natural finish Mustang...can’t even begin to describe my love for that thing....
67 Fender Mustang Bass because it was my first and playing so well
I have both basses and while I think both are great there's really no comparison, the Performer comes out on top in every way. Maybe it's just me but the PJ bass can sound muddy and in some areas with the P pickup while the Jazz pickup lacks the punch and clarity the Performer has. As for favorite Mustang bass I'd have to go with the JMJ signature it's got thump for days and feels amazing to play.
That was FUN play along with
Great demo!
Ulisses Borges thank you for watching! I’m glad it was helpful!
Excellent to show how it sounds with a pick. 👍
Anyone have any issues with these pickups being susceptible to interference and grounding sound? I returned my first one and the second one is less but still there. Love the bass and have had it for quite a while now so I’ve decided to live with that issue. Just wondering about the pickups on the Fender Performer Series not the Mexican since they are different .
Im not sure, that sounds weird... Maybe if the internals cavity isnt properly filled in around the sides with coppertape then maybe you coukd further remedy this sort if stuff with that ?
Great demo
Thank you so much! T
I love the simplicity of the new Japanese Hybrid PJ Mustang -- just two control knobs and a pickup selector switch. (Why aren't more PJ basses like that? Even in this demo, you only had them on or off.) I also like the string-through body of the Hybrid for a little extra sustain. My favourite tone is both pickups on and the tone knob at about 30~50%.
is the pickup easy to rest thumb on as compared to pj mustang? Cuz Im only used to that
I have been looking at this bass. How does it balance when standing up. I am 6' 2" and have been playing a 94 Precision Deluxe which balance perfectly. I am looking at short scale basses because I want the center of the neck closer to my body. It makes it easier to play and sing at the same time. Guitar Center didn't have this on the wall when I looked.
Eric Reicher I am 6’2” and own this bass. I have a PBass, Rickenbacker, and two Jazz basses . However , this one has been my main gigging bass now . Very well balanced. Easy on the back as well. The sound in the mix is just fantastic . The short scale strings took a bit of getting used to but now I love them because they they have some rasp on the D and G string when you hit them a little harder and the fundamental PBass sound is in the E and A strings . Just a very very nice bass .
@@sackvegas I received mine last Wednesday and love it. I bought the MIM one because it has the toggle switch and the neck adjustment at the head stock. The J bass pickup is awesome. The P bass pickup is awesome and I love the way the tone control rolls off the highs. Very nuanced and so damn easy to play. I have a scratch pad on the back and a 4" wide Levi strap. I play it up high. I can eye the neck when I am singing backups and no longer have to do that long left hand stretch. At $675 a true winner.
I think it gets close enough to the full scale pj to make me happy, not sure about the old mustangs but this sounds great and for guy who plays ukulele this is excellent. I think while it doesn’t cover the sonic element it hits the nostalgic element and if need be a hollowbody short scale can deliver the bass
This sounds a LOT different to the Vinteras and other current Mustangs. I love mine-it can get pretty bright unlike some models so soundwise don’t miss full scale. In terms of everything else, SS is just better for me as I can pull of more ambitious fills and runs consistently.
I keep getting drawn to this bass on looks alone. How do you find the neck compared to the Mexican pj Mustang?
Hey Andy, I found the neck a little more substantial than the MIM. The quality of the wood looked and felt nicer with the satin finish in the hand. I just felt the Performer overall was a little more robust! I think this colour is great too, and much more red than the name would suggest.
Tyler Spicer - TJS Bass it is a stunner. I’ve never been too sure about the pj configuration on a Mustang, but both pickups on sounds incredible on your demo. Now, how do I sneak one home without anyone noticing? :-/
Just bought that exact one except 2023. Im hoping it was worth it.
What do you think about it now?
I’d love to see you review the JMJ & vintera mustangs. Any chance you’ll be able to get your hands on either?
Andy T I may well be able to do so! I’ll see what I can do!
The 50 percent tone examples were especially useful. Slap at 50 percent tone would have been interesting to hear, but overall great demo of the sounds. What type strings were on it?
How is this bass for neck dive?
I love the mustang, my personal favorites have to be the Squire Mikey Way Mustang, The Fender Pawn Shop series and the JMJ RW Mustang. Also I had an idea for maybe a custom mustang that’s a 32” instead of a 30” and in the bridge is a MM style Humbucker and than a Mustang Split coil In the neck
That sounds pretty cool! I love 32” scales! T
Vintera or jmj for current stangs.
2 years late. But Venter II and JMJ are both amazing. But I think it's always good to try them if you can. I'm often super surprised by what I actually like when I go try guitars and basses. Also depends on my mood, so I don't always trust my first impressions
Thanks Tyler, this was a very helpful review. I like the way you played consistently throughout all the different pickup and tone settings. To my ear, this bass has limited tonal options (that's a comment on the bass, not on your playing). I heard some difference in tone as you went through the different settings, but not much. Even at the "bassiest" settings, it's still a very trebly instrument, to my ear. Again, this was a useful review. Well done.
Thanks John, much appreciated! I think that may very much be a characteristic of the Performer series in general - I think they’re all pretty bright. Thank you for the support once again! T
@@TylerSpicer Tyler, have you reviewed a Player Series Mustang? If you have, I'm wondering how you feel it compares to the Performer Series. Thanks in advance.
I like the JMJ but im a big fan of P basses and would love fender to offer and american version without the j pickup. Hoping to try the vintera but prefer a rosewood board. The rose wood board and Seymour Duncan pickup on the jmj is what sold me and i got it for $779 also it came with flats which id of had to buy and thats another $50 . This bass and Tyler sound good
Then why you want an american version of the JMJ ? The only diference between Mustang mim and mia are the custom Seymour pickups and the string thru-body option in the americans, and both features are included in the JMJ, so yeah, you pretty much have the same features in the JMJ than the americans.
Luis Calvo Asensio better quality imo. But doesnt matter because i bought a 1966 Mustang orig. and its killer
@@michaelmacisco2566 I dont think so, Mexicans signatures are nowadays at the same level than american standars imo. In fact, both factories are pretty close from each other, Fender is producing more mexican models these days because of the price competition with asian brands like Sire, HB, etc. Workers in Mexico are much cheaper but the quality in the components are pretty much the same : same electronics (in JMJ), same hardware, same woods...
Luis Calvo Asensio yes and no but i also know people that work there man. Some of what your saying is true. Anyway doesnt matter each his own. Take care
....And you know what they call Guitar Center in the UK? They call it Guitar Centre. What, why? Because they speak the Queen's English, they wouldn't understand Guitar Center.
😂😂😂 This Guitar Centre also doesn't have the terrible reputation the US brand Guitar Center does! 😂 T
@Tyler Spicer great review of this bass. I ordered one today.....and not from Guitar CentER 😆.
I have the Mexican mustang fender I love it I do, however this performer is the 💣🎂 can I make a trade? Jokey joke 😁 no really can I ? 😎
both pickups at 100% tone sold it for me. very surprised to hear such a punchy tone makes this bass stand out from the precision and jazz boys.
It’s a really punchy little bass - I’m a huge PJ fan so it works for me, it’s much more percussive sounding than the longer scale equivalents! T
@@TylerSpicer of course like the precision with PJ config i enjoy thoroughly
Totally! Every time I play a Mustang I edge closer to owning one! T
@@TylerSpicer hoping to try one in person
Sounds too much like the MIM PJ Mustang to justify the price.
Totally get that! Would definitely be a case of seeing which one felt better in the hands and that could vary from individual bass to individual bass to bass I reckon! Also ability to easily swap out the P pickup on the MIM would play into it for me too!
My Mustang PJ Bass sounds just as good for half the price. In my opinion Fender USA is way over priced