Gear article
Fender American Professional II Precision Bass RW Dark Night
The Fender American Professional II Precision Bass is an American-built 4-string bass guitar designed for professional musicians, featuring the V-Mod II split-coil pickup and a 'Dark Night' finish. It combines classic P-Bass aesthetics with modern ergonomic enhancements like a sculpted neck heel and rolled fingerboard edges.
See live pricesBackground and Design
The American Professional II Precision Bass represents the evolution of Fender's flagship professional line. Drawing on over sixty years of innovation, this model is built to meet the requirements of the modern performer while maintaining the heritage of the original Precision Bass design. The 'Dark Night' finish offers a contemporary aesthetic, distinguishing it from traditional sunburst or solid-coloured models.
Features and Playability
Key technical updates in this iteration focus on comfort and ease of access. The instrument features a sculpted neck heel, which allows for easier access to the upper frets. The bridge is a HiMass Vintage unit that increases sustain and provides stability.
The neck is finished with a 'Super-Natural' satin urethane, designed to prevent sticking during performance. Additionally, the rosewood fingerboard edges are rolled to provide a 'broken-in' feel immediately out of the box.
Sonic Character
At the heart of the instrument is the V-Mod II split single-coil pickup. This specific electronics configuration is voiced to offer the classic 'growl' associated with the Precision Bass while improving articulation and clarity. It is designed to be versatile enough for various genres, balancing punchy low-end with crisp definition.
User Base and Comparisons
This bass is positioned as a professional-grade instrument, used by artists such as Daniil Leshchynskyi and Emily Green. While it remains a premium option compared to the Squier Classic Vibe or the Fender Player II series, it shares its higher-end specifications with its sibling, the American Professional II Jazz Bass. It serves as a more traditional, punchy alternative to active models like the Fender Player II Modified Active Precision Bass.
Artists who play it
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary pickup used in this model?
- The bass is equipped with a V-Mod II split single-coil Precision Bass pickup, designed for high-quality articulation and traditional P-Bass growl.
- What material is used for the fingerboard on this specific version?
- This specific model features a Rosewood (RW) fingerboard, known for its warm tonal characteristics and smooth feel.
- What does the 'Dark Night' finish look like?
- Dark Night is a contemporary Fender finish featuring a deep blue-to-black gradient effect that provides a modern aesthetic.
- How does the neck finish differ from cheaper models?
- The American Professional II features a 'Super-Natural' satin finish on the back of the neck, which is designed for a faster, non-stick feel compared to standard gloss finishes.
- What is a sculpted neck heel?
- It is a contoured area where the neck meets the body, allowing the player's hand more room to reach the highest frets comfortably.
- Is this a 4-string or 5-string bass?
- The American Professional II Precision Bass described here is a standard 4-string bass guitar.
- What makes the fingerboard 'rolled'?
- The edges of the fingerboard are slightly rounded off during manufacturing to provide a smoother transition between the neck and the fretboard, enhancing comfort.
- Where is this bass manufactured?
- As part of the American Professional II series, this instrument is manufactured by Fender in the United States.
- What bridge is included on this model?
- It features a 4-saddle HiMass Vintage bridge which allows for both top-load and string-through-body configurations.
- How does this compare to the Fender Player II series?
- The American Professional II offers more premium features like the V-Mod II pickups, a sculpted neck heel, and a hardshell case, whereas the Player II is a more affordable, Mexican-made version.
- What is the typical price point for this instrument in the UK?
- The typical retail price for this specific model is approximately £1,879.
- Which notable artists are associated with this gear?
- Artists known to use this gear include Daniil Leshchynskyi and Emily Green.

