Fender American Professional II Precision Bass Left-Hand

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The Fender American Professional II Precision Bass Left-Hand takes the familiar Precision Bass formula and refines it for players who want a professional instrument without unnecessary controls or complicated electronics.

At its heart is the classic P Bass arrangement: a solid alder body, 34-inch scale, single split-coil pickup, master volume and master tone. Fender then adds details such as its 1963 C-shaped neck profile, rolled fingerboard edges, graphite neck reinforcement and a HiMass Vintage bridge. 

For a left-handed bassist who prefers an instrument that feels substantial, simple and immediately familiar, there is very little here to distract from actually playing.

Why it works for bass players

The Precision Bass has always been built around simplicity, and the American Professional II keeps that idea intact.

There is one V-Mod II split-coil Precision Bass pickup, one volume control and one tone control. No pickup selector, active EQ or bank of switches sits between the player and the sound. 

That straightforward layout is useful in practice because small changes make an obvious difference. Roll the tone control back for a rounder, softer character, or open it up when you want more attack and definition.

The 34-inch scale is the traditional full-size Precision Bass length, so the instrument feels like a proper P Bass rather than a shortened interpretation. Fender also uses 20 narrow-tall frets and a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius. 

This is not a bass designed around endless tonal options. Its strength is having one very recognisable foundation that can work across rock, pop, soul, blues, country and plenty of other styles.

What it feels like to play

The neck deserves particular attention.

Fender uses its 1963 C Precision Bass profile, with a maple neck, rolled fingerboard edges and what Fender calls a Super-Natural satin urethane finish on the back. 

That satin surface should feel smoother and drier under the hand than a heavily glossed neck. The rolled edges also help the fingerboard feel less sharp along its sides, giving the neck a more settled-in character.

The nut width is 1.625 inches, which keeps the familiar Precision Bass spacing without making the neck excessively broad. 

Fender has also reshaped the neck heel to make access towards the upper register less awkward. That does not turn a Precision Bass into a slim modern double-cut instrument, but it is a useful refinement for players who regularly work higher up the fingerboard. 

Inside the neck are Posiflex graphite support rods designed to reinforce it against movement caused by changes in temperature and humidity. That is a particularly sensible feature on an instrument likely to travel between rehearsals, studios and stages. 

The V-Mod II split-coil pickup

The American Professional II keeps the classic single-pickup Precision Bass layout but uses Fender’s V-Mod II split-coil design.

Fender describes it as retaining the warmth, punch and clarity associated with the traditional P Bass sound while increasing articulation. 

The appeal of this type of pickup is not complexity. It is consistency.

There are fewer variables to manage than on a bass with multiple pickups and active electronics. Once the amplifier is set, the instrument itself can be adjusted quickly with the volume and tone controls.

That can be particularly valuable in a band mix. A Precision Bass tone tends to occupy its own space rather than demanding constant adjustment.

Players who use their fingers, a pick or a mixture of both should be able to get noticeably different textures simply by changing right-hand technique and where the strings are attacked.

Hardware built for regular use

The bridge is Fender’s four-saddle HiMass Vintage design.

It can be used either string-through-body or top-loaded, giving players some choice in how the strings are installed. Fender uses a cold-rolled steel baseplate with a high-mass brass backstop and chrome-plated brass saddles. 

At the headstock are lightweight vintage-style tuning machines with tapered shafts. The taper helps guide the string windings downward, producing a more consistent break angle across the bone nut. 

These are not dramatic features that change how the bass looks from across a room. They are the sort of details that matter more after months or years of regular use.

Fender also supplies the American Professional II Precision Bass Left-Hand with a Deluxe Molded hardshell case, which is appropriate for an instrument intended to travel rather than live permanently on a stand. 

The drawbacks

The biggest drawback is also part of the Precision Bass philosophy: there is only one pickup.

That simplicity is wonderful if you like the P Bass sound, but it offers much less tonal variation directly from the instrument than a bass with two pickups or active EQ.

A player who constantly moves between bright bridge-pickup sounds, scooped modern tones and deep neck-pickup textures may find the single V-Mod II pickup restrictive.

The controls are equally minimal.

One volume and one tone knob mean you cannot make detailed onboard EQ changes. If you want to shape bass, midrange and treble independently from the instrument, this is not that kind of bass. Much of the tonal shaping will come from your amplifier, pedals, recording setup and playing technique.

The full 34-inch scale and traditional Precision Bass proportions also mean this is not a particularly compact instrument.

Players with a smaller reach, or anyone accustomed to short-scale basses, may initially find the distance between frets and the overall physical size more demanding.

The neck profile is another personal matter.

Fender’s 1963 C shape has a substantial, traditional feel. Players who prefer very thin, flat modern bass necks may find it fuller than expected. The rolled fingerboard edges and satin finish improve comfort, but they do not fundamentally turn it into a narrow modern neck.

Weight can vary from one alder instrument to another as well. Anyone particularly sensitive to instrument weight would ideally want to check the actual example rather than assume every American Professional II Precision Bass will feel identical on a strap.

Then there is the sound itself.

The split-coil Precision Bass pickup has a strong identity. That is one of its greatest strengths, but if you simply do not enjoy the fundamental P Bass character, buying a more expensive version of it will not change that.

The HiMass bridge is designed to add sustain and attack, but players seeking an exact vintage-specification recreation may prefer a more traditional lightweight bridge.

The American Professional II also remains a passive instrument. There is no onboard battery, which many players will see as an advantage, but it means there is no active boost or EQ available when moving between very different amplifiers or rooms.

For a left-handed buyer, availability can present another practical issue. There are naturally fewer left-handed instruments in circulation than right-handed versions, so trying several examples side by side before choosing one may be more difficult.

Finally, this bass makes the most sense for somebody who genuinely appreciates simplicity. If a large part of the enjoyment comes from switches, pickup combinations and active tone shaping, the Precision Bass layout may actually feel too restrained.

Those are important considerations because this is not a bass that tries to satisfy every possible player. Its appeal is much more focused.

Who it suits best

The Fender American Professional II Precision Bass Left-Hand is best suited to a left-handed bassist who already understands the appeal of the Precision Bass format.

It should work particularly well for players who want one strong fundamental bass sound rather than constantly changing pickup combinations.

Its passive electronics also make it attractive for musicians who prefer uncomplicated instruments that can be plugged into an amplifier or recording chain without worrying about batteries.

The comfortable neck refinements, reinforced maple neck and supplied molded case make it especially appropriate for regular rehearsing, gigging and studio use.

It could also be a logical long-term instrument for someone moving up from an entry-level left-handed bass and wanting something they can grow into rather than quickly outgrow.

Is it worth the bass-guitar space?

The Fender American Professional II Precision Bass Left-Hand succeeds by refining a very familiar design rather than reinventing it.

The alder body, 34-inch scale and single split-coil pickup keep the traditional Precision Bass foundation intact, while the 1963 C neck profile, rolled fingerboard edges, graphite reinforcement, HiMass bridge and tapered tuners add practical improvements for regular players. 

It is not the bass for someone seeking maximum onboard tonal flexibility. There are simpler ways to get multiple pickups, active EQ and modern switching options.

But for a left-handed bassist who wants the direct, uncomplicated character of a Precision Bass in a professional instrument designed for years of regular use, the American Professional II has a very clear purpose.

Explore more bass guitars in our Bass Guitars section.

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