Mine is about 10 years old now. When bought I put in CTS pots immediately, Fender CS pickup and put a Thomastik Jazz Flats on it. Never changed a thing since then. Love it, It's my main bass.
I have the same bass and absolutely love it. I find the easiest way to adjust the truss rod is to remove the pickguard. Loosen the strings, unscrew the pickguard, and you don't even have to remove it. Just slide it back an inch or so to allow access to the truss rod. My neck has been shimmed properly with a hardwood shim and I don't like mucking around with taking the neck on and off. I do agree, this particular neck needs adjustment twice a year with the major changes in humidity and temperature.
You don't have to take of the neck,if you take the pickguard off Stew Mac make a small cheapish tool to adjust the truss rod without taken it off...if MIM it should have an angled semi route just in front off the truss rod,if not worth getting it done when neck is next off it or try the Stew Mac vintage body end truss rod angled key/screwdriver...it does fit into old style Fender truss rod's.. their's a video on UA-cam by Dan Erlewine from Stew Mac using it, i think he invented/designed it.......nice P bass,great pickups...a slightly flatter board would suit me but I've played 9.5cm Fenders for years...great punchy bassy tone.....
Nice honest review, Bob. I bought one of these around the time you dropped this video and agree with your findings. The Nate moves more air on the attack than my active basses. The neck is both the best and the worst; the best feel and the worst maintenance. The dings are a little cheesy but I don't worry about whacking a cymbal or a light truss. I had a set-up done with a re-cut nut, fret dressing and, of course, neck relief. This is a good value for what you get.
An interesting video, I enjoyed watching it... I picked up my Nate bass back at the end of 2011. It is my main practice bass, and the bass I use most often when recording. I have an actual 71 Precision but prefer playing the Nate over it. BTW, I drilled out the pickguard just in front of the truss rod adjustment screw that allows me to get a wrench in there to do minor adjustments.
Just a suggestion but you may be able to cut out a small notch in the pickguard to access the truss rod. Like they do on the pickguards of the professional series with heel truss adjustment wheels.
@@BobBlackBass I just bought a mint 2012 American Special P that has the same neck heel adjustment and that’s what I’m planning to do. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I totally dont get that truss rod adjustment thing either. Why make it so difficult when it could be so easy. Having to take the neck off is just insane and I just would not buy a bass for that reason. Even the Mexican player series can be easily adjusted at the headstock end. Great review!
When you mention the tone on stage wasn't remarkable compared to what you heard in the audience, what qualities are you referring to? Was it middier? Grittier? Or muddy/boomy on stage? I'm asking cause that's a topic I'm quite interested in acoustically... Bass frequencies are quite peculiar in that regard. Does the SPB3 ever risk being too boomy at times? It's something you can see mentioned when people talk about the quarter pounder. I personally have a SPB1 on mine, I think it's a well balanced versatile one.
Yes, the bass out front had great mid range . It hit you right in the chest is the best way I can explain it. On stage, it sounded like a p bass sounds in your practice room if that makes sense. I havent found the quarter pounder to be too boomy.
@@BobBlackBass thx That's why I usually end up tilting the cab 45 degrees (if feasible) and stand back a bit... I often prefer standing by the other side of a small/medium sized room too and face the amp, like a wedge monitor. If the room gives a boomy sound, cutting a bit around the 300hz mark usually does the trick with a P bass IME. BTW, yes, I have 50s RE P basses and the old-school rod is a bit of a pain. Luckily (at least for this) mine have the 50s baseball-bat style neck unlike the Mendel and it's rather stable, so no prob. If you are referring to new-ish US models (Am. Standard, Pro...) they have the graphite bars, so that's probably why they move less. Not really sure about the period-correct US reissues vs Mex necks. Unless of course we are talking about quarter sawn Custom Shop necks.
I have not found neck adjustment issues with my MIM VS my American or CIJ basses. My late 80s Ibanez 5string EX bass has them all beat it ,Never needed a adjustment after 30+ years
Mine is about 10 years old now. When bought I put in CTS pots immediately, Fender CS pickup and put a Thomastik Jazz Flats on it. Never changed a thing since then. Love it, It's my main bass.
Thanks Frits!
you should consider swapping out the bridge to some vintage one
I have the same bass and absolutely love it. I find the easiest way to adjust the truss rod is to remove the pickguard. Loosen the strings, unscrew the pickguard, and you don't even have to remove it. Just slide it back an inch or so to allow access to the truss rod. My neck has been shimmed properly with a hardwood shim and I don't like mucking around with taking the neck on and off. I do agree, this particular neck needs adjustment twice a year with the major changes in humidity and temperature.
Forgot to mention, mine is an earlier version with the Leo Quan Badass 2 bridge.
Thanks for the info!
You don't have to take of the neck,if you take the pickguard off Stew Mac make a small cheapish tool to adjust the truss rod without taken it off...if MIM it should have an angled semi route just in front off the truss rod,if not worth getting it done when neck is next off it or try the Stew Mac vintage body end truss rod angled key/screwdriver...it does fit into old style Fender truss rod's.. their's a video on UA-cam by Dan Erlewine from Stew Mac using it, i think he invented/designed it.......nice P bass,great pickups...a slightly flatter board would suit me but I've played 9.5cm Fenders for years...great punchy bassy tone.....
Thanks Christopher. I still wish they would use a different method to access the truss rod
Nice honest review, Bob. I bought one of these around the time you dropped this video and agree with your findings. The Nate moves more air on the attack than my active basses. The neck is both the best and the worst; the best feel and the worst maintenance. The dings are a little cheesy but I don't worry about whacking a cymbal or a light truss. I had a set-up done with a re-cut nut, fret dressing and, of course, neck relief. This is a good value for what you get.
Thanks John!
Just file the pick guard with a round file in front of truss head. Problem solved.
honestly, I think these are the best P basses Fender makes right now without going Custom Shop.
An interesting video, I enjoyed watching it... I picked up my Nate bass back at the end of 2011. It is my main practice bass, and the bass I use most often when recording. I have an actual 71 Precision but prefer playing the Nate over it.
BTW, I drilled out the pickguard just in front of the truss rod adjustment screw that allows me to get a wrench in there to do minor adjustments.
Thanks William!
Im really glad you got into the neck details. For that reason, I'm out.
Thanks Justin, I always try to be honest with my reviews.
I thought it sounded best with the tone all the way up. Great video.
Thanks Ewoe21
Glad to see you out here. Keep on keeping on.
Hey Flannel Joe, will do!
5:36 - That's the power of a good soundman.
Agreed!
Great demonstration Bob. The truss rod issue does sound like a pain in the rear.
Yes it does
Excellent review! Thanks!
Thanks Mike!
Thanks for the info! Was looking at one but don't want to deal with that moving neck!
Thanks Shari, I always try to be honest with my reviews.
Just a suggestion but you may be able to cut out a small notch in the pickguard to access the truss rod. Like they do on the pickguards of the professional series with heel truss adjustment wheels.
Thanks Derek!
@@BobBlackBass I just bought a mint 2012 American Special P that has the same neck heel adjustment and that’s what I’m planning to do. I’ll let you know how it goes.
@@BobBlackBass isn't it possible to just take off the pickguard instead of the whole neck? (still annoying tho)
Yes but even more time consuming than removing the neck!
Ok!
I totally dont get that truss rod adjustment thing either. Why make it so difficult when it could be so easy. Having to take the neck off is just insane and I just would not buy a bass for that reason. Even the Mexican player series can be easily adjusted at the headstock end. Great review!
I agree, Belman!
When you mention the tone on stage wasn't remarkable compared to what you heard in the audience, what qualities are you referring to? Was it middier? Grittier? Or muddy/boomy on stage? I'm asking cause that's a topic I'm quite interested in acoustically... Bass frequencies are quite peculiar in that regard.
Does the SPB3 ever risk being too boomy at times? It's something you can see mentioned when people talk about the quarter pounder. I personally have a SPB1 on mine, I think it's a well balanced versatile one.
Yes, the bass out front had great mid range . It hit you right in the chest is the best way I can explain it. On stage, it sounded like a p bass sounds in your practice room if that makes sense. I havent found the quarter pounder to be too boomy.
@@BobBlackBass thx That's why I usually end up tilting the cab 45 degrees (if feasible) and stand back a bit... I often prefer standing by the other side of a small/medium sized room too and face the amp, like a wedge monitor. If the room gives a boomy sound, cutting a bit around the 300hz mark usually does the trick with a P bass IME.
BTW, yes, I have 50s RE P basses and the old-school rod is a bit of a pain. Luckily (at least for this) mine have the 50s baseball-bat style neck unlike the Mendel and it's rather stable, so no prob. If you are referring to new-ish US models (Am. Standard, Pro...) they have the graphite bars, so that's probably why they move less. Not really sure about the period-correct US reissues vs Mex necks. Unless of course we are talking about quarter sawn Custom Shop necks.
I have not found neck adjustment issues with my MIM VS my American or CIJ basses. My late 80s Ibanez 5string EX bass has them all beat it ,Never needed a adjustment after 30+ years
Thanks Michael!
Nice review ,.... Thank you
Thanks Beatleman!
How were the fret sprouts? (I have a MIM Geddy Lee neck with annoying fret spouts and a generic maple MIM Jazz neck with minimal fret sprouts).
Not bad.
Thank you!
You bet!
Bob. Are you still playing this bass today?
Hey Chesterfield duke, no , I sold it regrettably.
Nice review 🎸🎸
Glad you enjoyed it
Just bought one. Quite a lot of hum from the pickup. Is this to be expected?
Hey Mr Stealy68. No! Shouldn't be any hum. Something is wrong. Maybe a loose ground wire.
Thanks.
Welcome!
its funny because look atv his around 3:17 in the video but great bass
i wish fender would stop with the ol school truss rod design on all the reissues and artist bass guitars
Me too!
One more thing I don't care for on the Nate.... 10.4 lbs vs my American Standard at 8.8. It gets pretty heavy for a long, long gig..
I agree! Mine was 8.5.