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Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass
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Playability
72
Sound
80
Build
74
Value
65
Score
75
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Playability
72
Sound
79
Build
74
Value
75
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logoFender logo
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Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass vs Nate Mendel P Bass Specs Comparison
Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Nate Mendel P Bass
General
Brand: Fender Fender
Year: 2022 2018
Configuration: Split S S
Strings: 4 4
Made in: United States United States
Series: American Vintage II Precision Bass
Colors: Sunburst, Black, Blue Red
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Ash
Bridge: Pure Vintage 4-Saddle with Threaded Steel Saddles Fender HiMass with Chrome-Plated Zinc Saddles
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Pure Vintage Reverse Open-Gear Fender '70s Vintage-Style Stamped Open-Gear
Fretboard: Slab Rosewood Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Clay Dot White Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 34" 34"
Shape: Bass 1960 C Bass Slim C
Frets: 20 Vintage Tall Nickel Silver 20 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 7.25" 7.25"
Nut: Bone Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 43.2mm (1.7'') 41mm (1.615'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups:
Middle Pickup: Fender Pure Vintage 60 Split-Coil Precision (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Seymour Duncan Basslines SPB-3 Quarter Pound Split Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup:
Switch: 0 Way 0 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Chrome Chrome

Reasons to Get
Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass over Nate Mendel P Bass

Release Year
2022 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Pickups
Split S vs S
Reduced interference, warm tone, and strong midrange presence for versatile bass sounds.
Nut Width
1.7'' (43.2mm) vs 1.615'' (41mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Avg. Weight
9.125lbs (4.1kgs) vs 9.313lbs (4.2kgs)
Tends to be lighter

Reasons to Get
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass over American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass

Pickups
S vs Split S
For twangy sounds and simplicity
Nut Width
1.615'' (41mm) vs 1.7'' (43.2mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Value Score
75 vs 65
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass vs Nate Mendel P Bass

Middle Pickup
Fender Pure Vintage 60 Split-Coil Precision vs Fender Seymour Duncan Basslines SPB-3 Quarter Pound Split Single-Coil
Different Middle Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Nut Material
Bone vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass vs Nate Mendel P Bass

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
4
Same Headstock
Strings
4
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
0
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
20
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Nitro
Thin finish that creates aging marks faster
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
34'' (863.6mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
7.25'' (184.2mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Vintage Tall vs Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Retainer Bar
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT
SET PRICE ALERT

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Hand Size Comfortability

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both favor large hands .

Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

Both meet 3 out of our 6 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first bass to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Fender Nate Mendel P Bass
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

Woods Used in the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass

Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Woods Used in the Fender Nate Mendel P Bass

Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Winner: Fender Nate Mendel P Bass.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass has an Split S configuration while the Fender Nate Mendel P Bass has S pickups.

A Split S, or split single-coil pickup, has a classic, warm, and punchy tone, characterized by a strong midrange presence and noise reduction. Its design cancels out interference, making it suitable for various musical styles and ideal for live performances and studio recording.

On the other hand, A single single-coil pickup is not a configuration commonly found in modern electric guitars because it lacks versatility. But if you only want a guitar that sounds very thin and twangy, this might be good enough.

Pickups Quality

Both come with some of the top pickups on the market. You can't go wrong with either of them. You'll probably never need a pickup upgrade.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Preamp Circuit

A preamp in an electric bass functions as an electronic circuit that acts as an interface between the bass's pickups and the amplifier. Its main purpose is to amplify and customize the bass's initial signal before it reaches the amplifier, offering enhanced control over factors like tone, volume, and sound attributes. Preamps typically come equipped with tone adjustments, equalization options, and sometimes built-in effects, empowering bass players to fine-tune their sound to suit their personal preferences and the musical environment.

Both basses have a Passive preamp.

Passive: A bass with a passive preamp lacks an onboard electronic circuit for tone shaping and signal boosting. Instead, it relies solely on passive pickups and basic tone controls, typically consisting of volume and tone knobs. Passive preamps don't require an external power source like batteries, making them low-maintenance and dependable. While they offer a simpler and more straightforward tonal character, passive basses are appreciated for their warm and vintage sound, often favored in genres like classic rock, blues, and funk. They are an excellent choice for musicians who value the simplicity and timeless appeal of their instrument's tone without the need for active electronic components.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
Pickups 100
Sustain 65
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 80
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass
Pickups 100
Sustain 65
Versatility 70
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 79

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass compares to the Fender Nate Mendel P Bass.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in United States.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your bass to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass has a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

On the other hand, the Fender Nate Mendel P Bass comes with a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's are Pure Vintage Reverse Open-Gear while the Fender Nate Mendel P Bass's are Fender '70s Vintage-Style Stamped Open-Gear

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a bass is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Active Preamp
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Active Preamp
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
Quality of materials 56
Features 70
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 74
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass
Quality of materials 66
Features 70
Quality Control 85
Build Quality 74

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a bass might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a bass feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Nut Width
Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Nut Width
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass Nut Width
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass has the wider nut with 43.2mm (1.7'') vs 41mm (1.615''). This is a 2.2mm (0.085'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass and Fender Nate Mendel P Bass's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 34".

This is a scale used for baritones and guitars with more than 6 strings. Since the scale is so long, the tension of the strings will be higher. This means that bending will require a lot more strength than with a shorter scale. However, it also allows you to use really low tunings without causing fret buzz and without needing to increase your string gauge too much.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Neck Profile
Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's neck profile
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass Neck Profile
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass and the Fender Nate Mendel P Bass have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most bass fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass and the Fender Nate Mendel P Bass have the same fretboard radius of 7.25". This type of radius is considered vintage because it's a lot shorter than what is used in modern guitars. It'll make chords easy to play without muting the strings because the curve will give more space for your fingers, and it adapts more naturally to your hand. However, this comes at a disadvantage. Bending the strings will be more difficult because you will have to adapt your bends to the curve. Also, you won't be able to set the action of the strings low because your strings will ''fret out'' and get muted when bending due to the curve making the string hit the other frets.

Fret Size

Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Frets Size
Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's Frets Size
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass Frets Size
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass's Frets Size

The Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass has Vintage Tall frets, which should be taller than the Fender Nate Mendel P Bass's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 90
Solo Playability 60
Playability 72
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 90
Solo Playability 60
Playability 72