Fender Upgrades American Standard Series for 2012

Fender has raised the bar for 2012 by upgrading their American Standard series of instruments, including the Precision and Jazz basses. The main change is the inclusion of Fender Custom Shop pickups for each model, while other slight adjustments and a new finish also help to update the line.

Fender American Standard Precision Bass

First up, the American Standard Precision basses now feature Fender Custom Shop ’60s Precision Bass split single-coil pickups. The four string Precision will now be available in the company’s new Jade Pearl Metallic finish. Both models are available as lefties, as well.

Fender American Standard Jazz Bass

Similarly, the American Standard Jazz and American Standard Jazz Fretless basses are now equipped with Fender Custom Shop ’60s Jazz Bass single-coil pickups and comes in Jade Pearl Metallic.

All 5-string versions of the American Standard basses will still carry the American Standard Series Alnico V pickups.

Fender 2012 American Standard Jade Pearl Metallic finishFender hasn’t yet issued a photo of the new basses sporting the new finish, but they have shared photos of the Strat in Jade Pearl Metallic (see photo to the right).

The Fender American Standard Basses range in price with MSRP listings between $1,649 and $1,859.

For more details, check out the Fender website.

Fender American Standard Jazz Bass Specs:

  • Finish options: 3-Color Sunburst, Olympic White, Black, Candy Cola, Jade Pearl Metallic, Charcoal Frost Metallic
  • Body Shape: Jazz Bass
  • Neck Shape: Modern “C” Shape
  • Number of Frets: 20
  • Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
  • Fingerboard Radius: 9.5? (24.1 cm)
  • Fretboard: Rosewood or Maple
  • Neck Material: Maple
  • Nut Width: 1.5? (38.1 mm)
  • Scale Length: 34? (86.36 cm)
  • Neck Plate: Standard 4 Bolt
  • Truss Rods: Posiflex Graphite Neck Support Rods
  • Truss Rod Nut: 3/16? Hex Adjustment
  • Pickup Configuration: S/S
  • Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop ’60s Jazz Bass Pickup (Bridge)
  • Neck Pickup: Custom Shop ’60s Jazz Bass Pickup (Neck)
  • Hardware Finish: Chrome
  • Bridge: HMV, High Mass Vintage, (Strings-Thru-Body or Topload)
  • String Nut: Synthetic Bone
  • Truss Rod Wrench: 3/16? “T-Style” Ball-End Hex (Allen) Wrench
  • Saddle Height Wrench: 1/16? Hex (Allen) Wrench
  • Case Gig Bags: Molded rectangular SKB case
  • Included Accessories: Molded rectangular SKB case, Cable, Strap, Polishing Cloth

Fender American Standard Precision Bass Specs:

  • Finish options: 3-Color Sunburst, Olympic White, Black, Candy Cola, Jade Pearl Metallic, Charcoal Frost Metallic
  • Body Shape: Precision Bass
  • Neck Shape: Modern “C” Shape
  • Number of Frets: 20
  • Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
  • Fingerboard Radius: 9.5? (24.1 cm)
  • Fretboard: Rosewood or Maple
  • Neck Material: Graphite Reinforced Maple
  • Nut Width: 1.625? (41.3 mm)
  • Scale Length: 34? (86.36 cm)
  • Neck Plate: Standard 4 Bolt
  • Truss Rods: Posiflex Graphite Neck Support Rods
  • Truss Rod Nut: 3/16? Hex Adjustment
  • Pickup Configuration: Single Split-Coil Pickup
  • Middle Pickup: Custom Shop ’60s Precision Bass Split Single-Coil Pickup
  • Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
  • Hardware Finish: Chrome
  • Bridge: HMV, High Mass Vintage, (Strings-Thru-Body or Topload)
  • String Nut: Synthetic Bone
  • Truss Rod Wrench: 3/16? “T-Style” Ball-End Hex (Allen) Wrench
  • Saddle Height Wrench: 1/16? Hex (Allen) Wrench
  • Case Gig Bags: Molded rectangular SKB case
  • Included Accessories: Molded rectangular SKB case, Cable, Strap, Polishing Cloth

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Leave a Reply to Alex Roberts Cancel reply

  1. that is a lot for a usa fender these days. shame you cant get a usa fender for under a grand anymore. usa fenders are fine instruments but not nearly worth that much money.

    • I agree. You can get a really good G&L or Musicman for that much.

    • yeah the american jazz bass is a solid instrument as far as neck and body but for 1800 i want schaller tuners a leo quan badass 2 bridge and emg pickups and emg eq

    • ^So basically more over priced, overrated equipment on an already over priced bass.

    • Alex Roberts wow your so clever i like that stuff and i put them on all my basses no matter what they cost because thats what i like. what i was saying earlier is that not much has changed in the USA J bass other then the price and for that much money that is what i would expect on my bass

    • It’s not terrible equipment, it’s just they’re all over priced for what they do, simply because they are a popular brand, and a lot of people praise said gear and claim it to be the end-all be-all of equipment simply because it’s expensive and sounds good in certain settings. I just hear a lot from people like that, hence the sarcasm at the thought of those brands. Nothing against you or your taste personally.

  2. My SX Ursa 4, short scale plays and sounds better than any Fender I’ve ever played or owned and it was a whopping $139.95. I play it more often than my Rick, Ibanez SR 3005, and Stingray combined.

    • Used to have an SX before and I definitely know what you’re saying. Fender needs to realize that their prices are way too high for the quality of the basses that they produce. Even with all these upgrades IMHO it is still not worth the price.

    • Joven Urriquia Tidon I know what you’re saying, Joven. When I pulled my SX out of the box I was absolutely shocked! It exceeds all Fenders in finish, sound, and playability. I’ll be the first one to admit that even though there is just something about playing a Rickenbacker, even it isn’t worth the price difference. I’ve been playing long enough now that the name on the head stock is not important.

    • Exactly. People are paying for the label printed on the headstock which is way too much. For example, I can see that you are playing a Squire VM Jag in your profile picture. I myself have a Fender Jag but in comparison to the Squire version the quality, playability and sound is pretty close. I bought my Jag because somebody sold it to me at a very cheap reasonable price. If it was priced at $900-$1k I wouldn’t even consider buying it. I’d probably pick-up a Squire VM Jag instead.

  3. I hear all your comments fellas and I understand where you are coming from. Bear in mind those prices are MSRP and should likely sell for lower. Fender has come up in quality a lot in the last five years. I also did not think much of Fender and played other bases in the 80’s and 90’s. Two years ago I picked up a USA made 5 string P Bass for $1100. It sounds good plays well and I am very satisfied with the quality. I also had the opportunity to play on one of their Bass combo amps at an open mike event recently. A 2x 10 combo that I think puts out 300 watts. Very nice also. You may want to take another look. I have never seen or heard of SX, but I will take a look at those as well.

  4. That Strat picture. needs to go. It is taking up valuable space.

    • Tell me about it. They haven’t released images of basses with the new finish, so we (reluctantly) added it so readers could see the new color.

  5. Fender isn’t getting anymore of my money. I own three of their basses and my recent Jazz bass is a Warmouth custom. Not too crazy but Fender wants $4000 for a US jazz bass with……(drum roll please)…….BLUE PAINT!

  6. I have a 12 year old american standard jazz bass that I have moded heavily over the years but it has been very faithfull to me and has taken a beating and has allways sounded great. with these upgrades I would def consider getting another one if mine should fail or get lost or stolen but for this price I would def cross shop a lot. I’m a die hard fender fan but even I will admit that for just the stock base model this is way too much. I know this mainly reflects the weak american economy right now more then a corperate conspiracy theory but like I said in an earlyer post for that much money I would expect more standard equipment. at least it comes with a case and some other accessories so it makes paying that much at least bearable. will wait for final judgement untill I play one myself.

  7. What a joke. I can’t begin to take Fender seriously, at all. You want a good, US made instrument you go with Music Man (irony), G&L, or Carvin. 3 companies I can think of right off the bat that are using (in my opinion) better materials, and actually seem what they’re worth. There are just so many better companies making basses, whether it’s overseas, or here at home, that are just…better. Not saying Jazz or P-Basses are bad…but are they really worth the price point Fender decides to set them? And what if you want other options? Different pick-ups? Better bridge? Gotta talk to their custom shop, and expect a price point that is absolutely asinine. When Fender can start rivaling companies in Quality:Price ratio, I’ll start playing them. For now, I’ll stick to my Spector.

  8. Fender is getting as bad as Gibson with their outrageous prices….who care that they put custom shop pickups in them…how about some aftermarket ones like aguilar or emg? And that stamped steel bridge has got to go!

  9. Ok so same as I did on Talkbass: where did you get the information that jazz bass and precision V come with custom shop 60’s pickups? cos’ when you read on fender website, it is well written: New for 2012, American Standard guitars and basses are now upgraded with Fender Custom Shop pickups* and other distinctive new features. Pure and simple, the latest U.S. – built versions of four design classics.
    *All except five-string basses <—- problem?

    • Hey Joachim – The information came straight from Fender in a press release, which specifically said even the 5-stringers had the 60’s CS pups. There’s definitely a discrepancy between the site and the PR. I’m guessing they changed it after sending the info, but I’ll get in contact with Fender to clear it up and report back to you.

    • Ok thanks a lot kevin for you fast reply !

  10. I own 2 FENDER japanese jazz bass specials , 1 fretless 1987 , 1 fretted 1988 in a very rare and hard to find razzberry color , and my last aquisition is a FENDER american standard 1998 u.s.a. in very good shape , without a case or bag in just 579 dollars , 8000 mexican pesos! , I love this bass sounds great , I also have a pair of kubicki ex factors , a pair of MM sting rays 4 and 5 string , a pair of Ibanez sr800 , one epiphone Thunderbird goth , one Cort Gene Simmons Axe2 , and one Yamaha BB414. the only bass I bought new was the Cort , if you go for USED gear , you pay less!