Yes, Ensenada is in Mexico. It's the location of Fender's factory in that country. I like to buy USA Fenders on the used market. For me, that gets the most value for the dollar.
@@UnitedRedDevil13You aren’t missing much. I checked out a Player II at Guitar Center. The neck was slightly smoother but I could still feel every fret going down. I still love my Player I. Didn’t feel much difference.
I`d take the Player for 900 less. I`ve had vintage Fenders with that stupid truss adjustment and I am done. Since I`m now old I just record at home with short scale (light) basses and I have better sound than ever. Nice job on that sir.
One of my favourite guys who reviews basses! I've been looking at the Professional II from a Player P for a few reasons after having a player P for a few years,and thought I'd just post for anyone also maybe looking to make the jump. (I previously have also owned a 2001 I believe P bass in midnight wine), and I do own an American Jazz Professional I to compare sort of the Mexi and American. I played a mexi jazz from 2005 - 2017, so the little annoyances I had with the jazz before jumping are very similar to the P bass. I think everyone has to individually decide if it's worth the price difference. I like to record and take a bass out once a week for band practice, (play in a local big band) and we gig a few times a year to pay for more charts and our rental space. So I'm not this super traveling, touring pro bassist. Typical user. Going over thoughts on the Player P: -MIne definitely doesn't feel like 9 pounds- maybe 8 and change - can't say notice any neck dive on it either The buttercream in person is stunning. The neck (maple) is one of the most gorgeous looking necks. Super comfortable! -The input jack and the tone pot both come loose constantly! -The pickups feel off, and too muddy, or too harsh instantly. I don't tend to go past 1/2 way on this beauty. Given it's a P, not the worst thing in the world) but the top-end is super harsh, and hum a LOT with the tone rolled all the way up. They just feel on, and not as much blend options for those subtle tweaks. I ended up putting nylon tapewounds on, which masks a lot of this -The bass is never NOT in tune -Neck is super solid - no issues with needing major adustments and plays like a dream -I know the bridge isn't as nice as the American, but I can say they are so much better than the early 2000's P MIM p basses -This bass has amazing sustain -When I bought this NEW from an authorized dealer new along with a tort guard, the certified tech couldn't replace it, because the standard P bass pickguard Fender noted would work would've left me with a large gap of the body routed out near the knobs - the standard pickguard just doesn't fit this "standard bass" at all! I think it's so light because maybe they routed it funny. So I'm stuck with the ugly white stock guard which is reallly a first-world problem ;) . I think you really will either just want that next level of instrument, can afford it, jump to the Pro level. If you can't justify the price like I couldn't when I bought the player P, just know a used American or another year of American will always be waiting down the line. Keep jammin, Bob!
I have owned a couple of Pro II basses. There is nothing wrong with them. Great craftmanship. But I sold them. I now have a MM player II with a Lollar pickup and it really is a great bass. My bass is flawless, it plays great and sound amazing.
HI Bob! I have a 75fifth anniversary Professional series PBass built in the middle of the pandemic. This feels like a handmade bass! It kills with flats or round wounds. I would say the The American will over time and now be the best choice.
Have both. Pickups can be changed so the only real difference is the support rods and better tuners and bridge. Oh and the colors. I have an olympic white am pro II P bass and a Player II P in black with maple. Both work and many bands have used both live. Truss rod adjustment is important. That’s why I sold my Vintera series and Road Worn. Truss adjustment had to be done removing the neck which is inconvenient while traveling or playing shows.
I just bought American Pro 2 V string P Bass, rosewood neck, sunburst body tortoise shell pick guard. Got it new in box just under $1500. Played the Player II MIM. It really did nothing for me. For me it was worth the extra $$
Hey Memphis Mike, sounds like you got a great deal! It's all about the connection you feel with an instrument. I've heard it said that the instrument chooses you. I think that there's a lot of truth to that.
@@BobBlackBass yes sir i have heard that said as well! Strangely guitar center has same Bass different color…they wanted $1499 Used. I almost bought it, but if spending that much, it had to be the color combo i wanted. I felt very lucky to find the base at the price i did from a dealer!
Another great demo video Bob thank you. I actually got the American pro11 in exactly the same colour black also with the maple fret board last year before that I had and still have a mim player not the 11 in tide pool colour also with a maple fret board in my opinion the American pro11 is a far superior bass, I suppose that iis reflected in the price but I now intend to do a few different modifications on the mim player just as a hobby, project.I do agree about the truss rod being a bit awkward on the American pro11.
@@BobBlackBass yeah Bob I feel now that I have the American pro11, it will be a bit of fun to file the edges of the frets a little, maybe put in new pick ups and possibly changing to flats, I would have more confidence working on the player now that is a pretty much my second bass after seeing some bass modifications on TH-cam. Thank you for taking the time to reply to my comment.
I have the Pro 2. It sounds much better simply due to more higher-end components IMHO, however, the Player 2 would be just as good especially if you are looking for a great sounding bass at a bargain price. Both are great basses!😀🤙🤘🤘🤘
Made in USA has a warmer tone. Player II has a twangy tone which makes it sound cheaper. I have an American Professional II Precision Bass V in the Dark Night color on the way and I think it will last me forever.
I think there may be a bit of unconscious price tag bias going on here. I’ve seen blindfold comparisons of these two instruments with professional players not being able to differentiate between American and Mexican Fender basses.
Hey Rollo, yes, the sound difference is subtle. More noticable is the feel and the quality of construction. I found in my experience that the necks of the American basses are more stable.
Hey Stephant, I'm going to review an American Ultra P bass. I think you can get a good and versatile sound but find them too heavy. Is that why you changed?
Yes, Ensenada is in Mexico. It's the location of Fender's factory in that country.
I like to buy USA Fenders on the used market. For me, that gets the most value for the dollar.
Hey Sam, thanks for the info. Yes, that's a good way to get a high quality instrument at a good price.
I played one in GC, and I have to say that I liked the feel of the neck on the Player II. Thank you Bob for the comparison 👍🏻
You're most welcome! I found the neck to feel the same on both.
@@BobBlackBass I have a Player l, so when I played the Player Il with the rounded edges on the neck, it felt alot better than mine.
@@ThomasTill-l7ji just bought a 2022 player 1 from someone for $400. Gonna refrain from playing the player 2 so i don’t know what I’m missing. 😂
@@UnitedRedDevil13You aren’t missing much. I checked out a Player II at Guitar Center. The neck was slightly smoother but I could still feel every fret going down. I still love my Player I. Didn’t feel much difference.
I`d take the Player for 900 less. I`ve had vintage Fenders with that stupid truss adjustment and I am done. Since I`m now old I just record at home with short scale (light) basses and I have better sound than ever. Nice job on that sir.
Thanks Barack!
One of my favourite guys who reviews basses! I've been looking at the Professional II from a Player P for a few reasons after having a player P for a few years,and thought I'd just post for anyone also maybe looking to make the jump. (I previously have also owned a 2001 I believe P bass in midnight wine), and I do own an American Jazz Professional I to compare sort of the Mexi and American. I played a mexi jazz from 2005 - 2017, so the little annoyances I had with the jazz before jumping are very similar to the P bass. I think everyone has to individually decide if it's worth the price difference.
I like to record and take a bass out once a week for band practice, (play in a local big band) and we gig a few times a year to pay for more charts and our rental space. So I'm not this super traveling, touring pro bassist. Typical user. Going over thoughts on the Player P:
-MIne definitely doesn't feel like 9 pounds- maybe 8 and change - can't say notice any neck dive on it either
The buttercream in person is stunning. The neck (maple) is one of the most gorgeous looking necks. Super comfortable!
-The input jack and the tone pot both come loose constantly!
-The pickups feel off, and too muddy, or too harsh instantly. I don't tend to go past 1/2 way on this beauty. Given it's a P, not the worst thing in the world) but the top-end is super harsh, and hum a LOT with the tone rolled all the way up. They just feel on, and not as much blend options for those subtle tweaks. I ended up putting nylon tapewounds on, which masks a lot of this
-The bass is never NOT in tune
-Neck is super solid - no issues with needing major adustments and plays like a dream
-I know the bridge isn't as nice as the American, but I can say they are so much better than the early 2000's P MIM p basses
-This bass has amazing sustain
-When I bought this NEW from an authorized dealer new along with a tort guard, the certified tech couldn't replace it, because the standard P bass pickguard Fender noted would work would've left me with a large gap of the body routed out near the knobs - the standard pickguard just doesn't fit this "standard bass" at all! I think it's so light because maybe they routed it funny. So I'm stuck with the ugly white stock guard which is reallly a first-world problem ;) .
I think you really will either just want that next level of instrument, can afford it, jump to the Pro level. If you can't justify the price like I couldn't when I bought the player P, just know a used American or another year of American will always be waiting down the line.
Keep jammin, Bob!
Hey Amanda, thanks for the input! I'm enjoying your videos! You rock!
@@BobBlackBass Thanks so much, Bob! I love what you do in showing people the true value of instruments trying to get into playing at any budget!
Great video Bob. Just got the cheaper player series and good to know the difference between them. Many thanks.
Enjoy!
I have owned a couple of Pro II basses. There is nothing wrong with them. Great craftmanship. But I sold them. I now have a MM player II with a Lollar pickup and it really is a great bass. My bass is flawless, it plays great and sound amazing.
Thanks for sharing!
HI Bob! I have a 75fifth anniversary Professional series PBass built in the middle of the pandemic. This feels like a handmade bass! It kills with flats or round wounds. I would say the The American will over time and now be the best choice.
Hey Pine, you're probably right
I have it's brother... the 75th anniversary Jazz bass... Absolutely love it. I also have to agree with you.
Have both. Pickups can be changed so the only real difference is the support rods and better tuners and bridge. Oh and the colors. I have an olympic white am pro II P bass and a Player II P in black with maple. Both work and many bands have used both live. Truss rod adjustment is important. That’s why I sold my Vintera series and Road Worn. Truss adjustment had to be done removing the neck which is inconvenient while traveling or playing shows.
I agree with the truss rod hassle
I do miss my road worn p bass. Sorry I sold it!
I have 3 fenders bass's one usa 2 Mexican. I'd have to say I really like the Mexican better . Great video 🎉
Hey Cruiseangele, yeah, sometimes it works out that way! Thanks!
I as well. You can always add pickups and Hi Mass bridge and some LaBella 760 m flats.
I would have to play them both but I’m leaning toward the player ii as I’d have money left over for resolite tuners to combat the neck diving lol
The second one has a better sound . I think . Thank you
I just bought American Pro 2 V string P Bass, rosewood neck, sunburst body tortoise shell pick guard. Got it new in box just under $1500. Played the Player II MIM. It really did nothing for me. For me it was worth the extra $$
Hey Memphis Mike, sounds like you got a great deal! It's all about the connection you feel with an instrument. I've heard it said that the instrument chooses you. I think that there's a lot of truth to that.
@@BobBlackBass yes sir i have heard that said as well! Strangely guitar center has same Bass different color…they wanted $1499 Used. I almost bought it, but if spending that much, it had to be the color combo i wanted. I felt very lucky to find the base at the price i did from a dealer!
@@BobBlackBass 👍👍🎸🎶🎵
Own four Fenders, mim. I just would change the pickups and the bridge for tone. And flatwounds, LaBella 760 M .
True.
I think in 2024 every player should be building their own custom bass
Hey James, you're probably right!
Another great demo video Bob thank you. I actually got the American pro11 in exactly the same colour black also with the maple fret board last year before that I had and still have a mim player not the 11 in tide pool colour also with a maple fret board in my opinion the American pro11 is a far superior bass, I suppose that iis reflected in the price but I now intend to do a few different modifications on the mim player just as a hobby, project.I do agree about the truss rod being a bit awkward on the American pro11.
Hey Trevor, thanks for the comments. I agree, the pro II has a more refined sound
I bet you could do a lot of mods on the player for that extra $900!
@@BobBlackBass yeah Bob I feel now that I have the American pro11, it will be a bit of fun to file the edges of the frets a little, maybe put in new pick ups and possibly changing to flats, I would have more confidence working on the player now that is a pretty much my second bass after seeing some bass modifications on TH-cam. Thank you for taking the time to reply to my comment.
3:42 4:38prayer II
6:35 7:16professional II
Thanks!
I have the Pro 2. It sounds much better simply due to more higher-end components IMHO, however, the Player 2 would be just as good especially if you are looking for a great sounding bass at a bargain price. Both are great basses!😀🤙🤘🤘🤘
Hey Steely, I agree.
Made in USA has a warmer tone. Player II has a twangy tone which makes it sound cheaper. I have an American Professional II Precision Bass V in the Dark Night color on the way and I think it will last me forever.
Yes, I agree.
Are the electronics the same
Hey Chris, I'm not sure but I doubt it. The sound of the two is very close but the workmanship and quality of materials is quite noticeable
@@BobBlackBass ahh ok thanks 😊
the pro 2 has re-enforcement rods in the neck along with the truss rod.
Hey Robert, you're right and that makes a big difference!
Bob, how did you feel about the Player I vs. the Player II? Is it worth the upgrade?
Hey Nomoremrnice, , I didn't see or hear any difference.
9 lbs - luxury 😄. My 74 is 11.3 lbs. This old timer can’t gig anything that heavy even though it’s still a great playing and sounding instrument. 😎
8.5 is max for me!
Si Mexico 🇲🇽 MIM
I think there may be a bit of unconscious price tag bias going on here. I’ve seen blindfold comparisons of these two instruments with professional players not being able to differentiate between American and Mexican Fender basses.
Hey Rollo, yes, the sound difference is subtle. More noticable is the feel and the quality of construction. I found in my experience that the necks of the American basses are more stable.
I sold my American Ultra for a Player II. Then I changed its Strings, Bridge and Pups.
Hey Stephant, I'm going to review an American Ultra P bass. I think you can get a good and versatile sound but find them too heavy. Is that why you changed?
@@BobBlackBass No, I did not like the Pickups. When recording the Bass I had a teribble high frequency that was really annoying.
Spain in the neck literally
Neck dive is bad but i had a 335 with a body dive when sitting down , much worse.😅
The American sounds more full.
Haha yes it does.