If you’re wondering if Fender Duff McKagan Precision Bass is a good guitar or not, look no further! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that signature model. Surely, it looks awesome, but does it sound good and is it actually worth the money?
The truth is that Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass is an absolutely amazing guitar. It looks, sounds and feels absolutely great! Surely, it’s one of the best signature basses made by Fender.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this bass guitar so good and so popular among the bassists all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications of that model. Additionally, we’ll investigate the main pros and cons of that model. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass is a high quality 4-string bass guitar which exceeds all the expectations. This is a signature model of Duff McKagan, the bass player of Guns N’ Roses.
What makes this bass so special? Well, the guitar features an alder body, a comfortable maple neck and an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard. Unlike any other P Bass, it has a simplified controls – there are just the master volume, TBX Tone Circuit, and 3-way pickup selector.
What’s important, the manufacturer equipped this model with two really good pickups:
- Vintage Style Split Single-coil (Middle)
- Seymour Duncan STKJ2B Jazz (Bridge)
Both of these pickups give you access to a really wide range of different bass tones. This is a huge advantage, because it makes that P Bass extremely versatile. You will really enjoy playing with these pickups, especially if you like the drop tunings.
It is also worth mentioning that this Deluxe Precision Bass looks absolutely amazing. There’s something really special about that black body with a black matching headstock and black hardware. What a beauty!
When it comes to pricing, just like any other guitar from the Artist Signature Series – it’s pretty expensive. However, in comparison with other high-end Fenders, the price is actually not that high. That being said, it’s definitely worth the money!
Here’s the official sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Fender Duff McKagan Precision Bass is suitable for bass players of all levels. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re an advanced musician or not – you will definitely appreciate the high quality of that model.
However, since it’s a pretty expensive model, it’s mainly recommended for more intermediate bass players who know what they’re searching for.
Just like any bass guitar of that type, it’s extremely versatile. This is a really important, because it allows you to play any kind of music with that bass. Whether you’re into rock, metal, blues or funk – this guitar will do the job.
Undoubtedly, this bass will also be perfect for all bassists who are fans of Duff McKagan and Guns N’ Roses. If Duff is your favorite bass player and you want to play on his signature guitar, this model is designed for you.
Since it’s a high quality guitar, it’s perfect for live performances and studio sessions. I’m sure that all working musicians will really enjoy using that model on a daily basis during gigs.
Overall, the vast majority of bass players will fall in love with that bass guitar. There’s just not much to complain about. It sounds, looks and feels amazing. How can you even argue with that?
Here’s an another sound demo.
Pros & Cons
Although Fender Duff McKagan Precision Bass is a fantastic instrument, just like any other guitar – it has its own advantages and disadvantages. Don’t worry though – the cons of that model aren’t too serious anyway.
Pros
- Great Tone
- High Versatility
- Beautiful Finish
- Comfortable Neck
- Usually Comes With A Case
Cons
- Quite Expensive
- It’s Not Made In The USA
Undoubtedly, this signature bass has a lot of advantages. Apart from the great tone, it also offers a killer look. It’s very comfortable to play and it usually comes with a gig bag, so that saves you a lot of time.
However, this is a pretty expensive guitar. In my opinion, the high price is the biggest disadvantage of that model. Additionally, you have to bear in mind that it’s manufactured in Mexico, not in the USA.
Still, I’m positive that the advantages of that model outweigh the disadvantages of that bass. It doesn’t really matter whether it comes from Mexico or United States – it’s still a great guitar. The price could be lower, but I’m sure that it won’t be a problem for real fans of Duff McKagan!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Cheaper Alternatives
If you don’t like the sound of this Signature Precision Bass or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s not a big problem! There’s still a lot of other fantastic guitars out there which are far more affordable.
Of course, it all depends on what kind of music you want to play and how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few more bass recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, you should definitely check out the Fender Player Jaguar Bass. This is a fantastic and really versatile bass guitar suitable for the most bassists out there. In my opinion, it’s really underrated. Everyone knows about the high quality of Jazz Basses and P Basses, but Jaguars tend to be overlooked. The truth is that it’s a fantastic guitar and it’s actually quite affordable!
Alternatively, you can also consider getting the Fender Geddy Lee Signature Jazz Bass. This is an another fantastic 4-string guitar from the Signature Artist Series. In comparison with the Duff McKagan P bass, it’s a bit cheaper. Still, it offers a great value – it’s very versatile and it has a killer look too.
If your budget is a bit lower and you’re searching for something very special, you can also check out the Squier Contemporary Active Jazz Bass V HH. This is a 5-string bass, so it’s a bit different than the Precision Bass reviewed in today’s article, but it definitely deserves a lot of recognition. In my opinion, it’s one of the best basses of this type that are available at this price level.
FAQ
Where is Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass made?
Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass is made in Mexico.
Is Duff McKagan a good bass player?
Yes, Duff McKagan is one of the best and the most popular bass players of all time! He’s extremely talented.
Where can I find out more about Fender bass guitars?
If you want to learn more about this legendary manufacturer of guitars, check out the official website of Fender.
Summary
As you can see, Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass is an absolutely amazing guitar. It’s really tough not to fall in love with that instrument. Whether you love Guns N’ Roses or not, you will definitely appreciate the uniqueness of that signature model!
What do you think of that bass? Would you add it to your own bass collection or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful! If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
