The Best Bass for the All-Around Musician | Fender Player Mustang PJ Bass

[@sd3falco]

I'm a bass player for 45 years now. I play a Fender American Performer Mustang Bass. These basses are for anyone that plays bass.....even bass players. I actually love mine.

[@HyperCupcake88]

Does the sound quality suffer due to shorter strings?

[@sd3falco]

@@HyperCupcake88 Not at all. If anything it has an even deeper low end. And with the added Jbass pickup you can get those highs as well. I don't have this one. Mine (American Performer) is a step up from this one. I'm sure these are great as well.

[@BigBri550]

I used to have a 1970 Mustang with tapewound strings. Nothing else sounded quite like it: very low-mid and throaty.

[@sd3falco]

@@BigBri550 That's got to sound great. My first real bass was a 1973 Mustang. Wish I still had it.

[@BigBri550]

@sd3falco Yes, I kick myself whenever I remember getting rid of that little jewel. Irreplaceable

[@brucelawson3132]

I’m a bassist, and I’m now using a Mustang after many years of playing a P-bass. It’s a comfortable bass to play, and it puts out great tone.

[@bobstranzenbach4700]

Some of us that play full size Basses are thinking it might just be nice to have a light, more comfortable Bass. 🙂

[@sgcr9223]

Ive fully downsized all my basses lol. I was a 5 string 35" scale player for 10 years and now I only play short scales. Way easier on my shoulder and wrist

[@Hyperplaterine]

Sg Cr can I ask your advice? I'm 59, female, and 5.'4". I've never played before. What would you recommend?

[@sgcr9223]

@@Hyperplaterine you could use a standard size, but I would still recommend a short scale. A good bang for your buck is an epiphone eb-0. About $250. If you are looking for cheaper, i like the Ibanez starter short scales. If you think its something you want take seriously and have the money, music man sterling short scale ($550) or squire classic vibes mustang ($420) are cool.

[@lapdawg60]

Indeed. Also, there are some playing environments with stages that are so cramped, a bass that's more in line with the size of a guitar than a regular scale Fender bass make more sense. They also have more of a fundamental 'thump' do to less overtones of a longer scale that's really cool. I definitely will pick one up at some point.

[@BassedInVegas]

Me, a lifelong pro player, I recently switched over to short scale bass’s (Music Man Sterling and Ibanez Mezzo series 32”), I’m selling of all my 34” scale bass’s and not going back to them, short scale bass’s totally rock and are so much more fun to play. I had a Player Mustang and loved it but ended up returning it because of the no contoured back, the Mustang would be so much more comfortable with a contoured back instead of the flat back design,,, Hello Fender !!!

[@sgcr9223]

Same here bro 😆

[@bilojedavno3240]

Better tone. More warm. More bass. More vintage passion.

[@TheTurbopropsMusic]

I have a 70s Mustang bass with a contoured back.

[@geoffreymerrifield5666]

Went short scale due to preferring smaller size and lighetr weight, but the Low E string's tend to be flabby, especially if you try to tune them a bit lower... Because of that I'm considering a 5 string which I don't really want to do. Many of them seem gto have a dead feeling & sounding Low B string... PLaying few decades.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

I have played bass since the '70s (and guitar since the 60s). For me, it'll always be the Mustang. I currently play the Mustang PJ and it's awesome!

[@rashadmoss3991]

Hey dude, Which pj do you have?

[@Bassboy1987]

I've been playing bass for years and started off on a normal scale 5 sting with 24 frets and these days I play a fender mustang PJ. I love short scales!

[@bflo1000]

Playing starts at 4:50.

[@shohamhalfin6181]

this one isnt only for guitar players that would like a bass too. its an amazing bass for bass player too. i love short scales more than regular scale and the mustang is in my top 3

[@manuele.itriagom.728]

Since I stopped playing in bands and just produce at home. I'm always searching for instruments that can do many things because now I don't stick to any genre. Awesome bass.

[@aarondavis4341]

So I bought a fender bed set,it has a Pbass,jazz bass,mustang bass,a strat and corona on it,so I rest my head on a mustang every night,which in turn is making me want one

[@aintnothinbutdablues]

I'm a simple guitar player, I won't buy a bass... I could become addicted!

[@lafemmeparallel]

It already happened to me haha

[@E_MZ_]

I started on guitar. Switched to bass 10 years ago and never looked back.

[@thommeyer6356]

Great info...thanks! This is just what I needed to hear about opening up to bass possibilities, without going full-on P, or Jazz bass.

[@bobgreen623]

I've played long scale P and J type basses for 50+ years, and recently changed to a Mustang identical to the one Cooper is playing here. My hands are on the small side anyway, but recently I've developed a dupuytrens contracture in my left hand as well as a bit of arthritis which makes stretching that bit harder. Making the switch to a short scale and fitting flatwound strings has made all the difference! I can play comfortably again, and I get a great range of usable tones from the P/J pickups, playing through a Fender Rumble combo. Plenty of punch, plenty of bottom end and the tones sit really well in the mix. My only slight gripe is that I've been used to playing a J which allows you to blend the pickups, whereas with the Mustang the volume control affects both pickups, so it's either the P, the J, or both together, but by backing off the volume and/or the a little it increases the range of available tones. In short, I love this bass, and I've since bought a Squier CV model, which has a thump and twang not unlike a Precision.

[@Blend42]

I do love my Squire Bass VI. Once set up correctly its great for guitar players but a bit of a niche. The mustang is the better bass but the VI is such a unique and versatile instrument

[@analog.moondog]

This video sold me on this bass, and i couldn't be happier!

[@GravityBoy72]

I think Bill Wyman was a full time bass player. I bought a Mustang because of Bill. Made in Japan and fantastic.

[@mkrj2576]

Late to the party.... Thanks for the good advice. Primarily a guitarist/singer for maybe 30 years. Tried a friends standard 34" bass and felt pretty foreign and tough to use. Decided to go full in and get my own but after some research and advice like yours got a 30" bass. My Player series Tele is a favorite of mine so decided on this Mustang Player. Wow, it felt so much more familiar to my hand and not nearly as challenging to play - at least basic stuff. So, you are spot on with your advice, except I've heard plenty of dedicated bass players who are cool with a short scale bass. Thanks again for the great advice.

[@longsnapper5381]

Long time bass player here. Kudos for not using a pick. Nice thing about a short scale is the lesser string tension here. Easier to fret a note for a beginner. I own one short scale bass and it has a beautiful tone. Im a big guy, though, and I feel like a circus bear playing a tiny guitar when I play it. They definitely hold some magic for the right set of fingers.....

[@cursedforanovice1072]

Nothing wrong with using a pick on bass.

[@longsnapper5381]

@@cursedforanovice1072 Nothing wrong with just using your fingers on guitar.....

[@McDoinky]

First rule of playing bass: less is more

[@DavideDondiMusic]

Actually that should apply to every instrument, but yes I remember a young virtuoso bass player from Italy, on TV, showcasing Teen Town at high speed etc., then the TV host asks: what's your favorite bass line? Answer: Walking on the Moon. Best example of Less is... best!

[@McDoinky]

@@DavideDondiMusic i love walking on the moon

[@henryfreeman7748]

@@McDoinky me too!!

[@hammies.]

Except for bands like NoMeansNo, DFA, royal blood, Joy Division etc

[@alanshewitt]

Definitely a guitarist. But he said as much.

[@chrismcclary466]

Thank you! This was very helpful. I am a guitar player wanting to play bass in another band. Everything you said makes perfect sense..

[@juanjan__]

I know you are selling a product, and I know this video is 3+ years old, but for anyone reading comments I'd recommend the Sire Marcus Miller U5. Much cheaper and, in my opinion, better sounds (and nicer colours!) 🙂

[@compucorder64]

Agree, the P5, V5, V5R too, especially the P5R in blue is awesome looking. Or if someone was dead set on Mustang, the Squier CV, and spend 200 on pro setup and upgrade electronics and pickups. If choosing Fender, better to skip over the Player and save for a Vintera.

[@juanjan__]

@@compucorder64 i would also add the Sire D5, my first bass, and an amazing one, especially with LaBella flats

[@compucorder64]

​@@juanjan__ Definitely, yes, that's another reason why it's worth just getting a Sire/Squier/Ibanez. To save $50/50eur for really good flats. If that's your thing. As it happened I ordered La Bella Hot Talkin' Bass flats for my Squier Mustang just today. And, a very funky bass octave pedal, the KMA Queequeeg 2. Best way to morph your Bass into a Moog, and pairs well with a good fuzz ;) That's why, I think it's best to decide a budget, and what sounds you want to make, and then divide the budget down. If it's purely going to be direct to DAW, then spend the money on a Fender Vintera or Sire 7 series, or great Ibanez Yamaha. If it's for live, need to spend more of the budget on the bass than the amp. If it's for producing and you need to design a wide variety of bass sounds, need to spend more on pedals. But, I feel like the Fender Player is in that middling no-mans land. It's not cheap, but it's not very good either. Their not bad, but the main box they tick is having Fender on the headstock, and classic styling. Whereas the Sire V7s are really good, and better value. And the V3/V5's are cheap, and still as good as the Fender Player.

[@rondeakin8876]

Nice one Cooper as always !

[@E_MZ_]

Came here bc I’m shopping for a new bass, but let me just say that this man has a BEAUTIFUL head of hair. Wow. So flowy.

[@Joetime90]

I'm just short. I look like Tina Weymouth on stage 😂 but she and I can play full scale but short scales are fun, lighter, and more comfortable for us little people. I own the special edition all black version of this and it's fun!

[@atquinn1975]

Awesome! Just the video I needed. I'm a guitarist, but I recently bought a peewee acoustic bass for my daughter and I looking to get a bass for myself.

[@noboundaries8981]

You are intimidated with bass????? I've been playing bass for roughly 12 years or so, and you blow me out of the water!!!!

[@bassblom]

got me the sienna/maple one today, love it!

[@IndigoJo]

Do they do a Precision at Player level with PJ pickups? (They do in the Performer series.) If you are ever likely to have to go into a studio with it, producers have a habit of preferring Precisions because it's the bass they're used to. And most bass players get used to the long scale; there doesn't even seem to be a preference for short scale length among female players who you might expect would prefer a shorter bass.

[@m.o.n.d.e.g.r.e.e.n]

i think everyone gets hung up on playability, but for me i prefer a shorty (with flats) purely for sound reasons cuz i dont want a bunch of overtone in the music im personally making and shorties focus the sound on fundamental more. depends on the style though. cant imagine playing jazzy solos or slapping on my mustang

[@henryfreeman7748]

I have the exact mustang I always have good time playing it. It does have little neck dive thing going on other than that no complaints. 😎

[@compucorder64]

Love my Mustang bass. Unless it's for recording direct to DAW, could be worth getting a Squier or Sire over a Fender Player. Then spending more on the amp and especially cab. At the lower end, a $300-400 bass can be plenty good enough, with these, Sire Marcus Miller V5/P5/P5R or Ibanez. But for a satisfying sound, especially for rehearsal or even a small pub gig, I'm not convinced by the amps around $300. Rumble 100 is ok, at an absolute minimum. But for someone looking to start out with a serviceable bass rig, and a budget of say $1000 - a Sire/Ibanez/Squier with a Rumble 200, or better yet Ampeg RB-210, Markbass CMD JB Players, or even MicroVR or the Venture V3 with an SVT-210 would be better than a Player with a smaller, weaker 1x10/1x12, sub 100w combo. With a Squier, Sire, Ibanez, can get started cheaper. Then save up money, to later pay for a great setup, and on re-wiring, switching out pots, electronics, maybe pickups like Lollar or Novak. Maybe getting a nice but affordable optical compressor that has tone control, and can blend dry/wet and also give a healthy boost. Something like the Keeley Compressor Plus. Would be a nicer sounding rig, where the amp could last. And could closer to Vintera spec and skip the middle of the road, slightly overpriced Player series.

[@innocentrage1]

This guy kinda looks like Jim from the office with long hair

[@Noah-xg9ld]

Awesome dude

[@Aniki82]

Mmm that's a bit far fetched xD Maybe you went into a binge of the offices best of 😂

[@stateofblitz]

It's a fun bass but can have some quality issues. The switch will probably need to be replaced on most of these.

[@DaveLIRL]

Great video, thanks! I’ve made my mind up now

[@christosfragias592]

That bass track at the end is up there with Stairway to Heaven. LOL! Seriously, good cool review.

[@jhefty123]

The section labeled "intro" is 60% of the video... :D. Great info though.

[@paulmarclalonde3834]

Love mine On the fence about getting one Just do it

[@geneciccone4196]

Great review thank you!

[@OOICU812]

That sounded good.

[@Kosthoms]

I like this bass, but is it possible to get a very deep low tone with this one? It always seems that there is this extra treble everywhere on the neck

[@bobgreen8142]

Put flatwound strings on it!

[@r.jlovely]

Is there any problem came on guitar When I put my guitar on air conditioned room ? I have fender cd60s

[@rikoflishas]

better to have it on a case, especially because yours have a solid top. nice guitar

[@edgryff]

Nice!

[@bonfireballads]

I'm not a bass player, so i'm wondering what would sound better on this bass...round or flat wound strings?

[@lothar34]

Depends on what you like. Flats have a more dull, old school sound. Rounds are brighter & sit more forward in a mix. Personally, I like flats because they are easier on the fingers

[@denishaberley2509]

@@lothar34 Slightly more string tension using flats also - not as floppy if you're used to long scale basses.

[@johnzane4610]

How much do these basses actually weigh ??? I recently had Lumbar-Fusion Back surgery and I am looking for something lighter than my P Bass. Please advise and Thanks!

[@robertking7681]

Mine is 7lbs, 11oz, but I've seen them a few ounces on either side of that. Either way, extremely comfortable.

[@jellyboy123]

why do bass companies make bass guitars so heavy and big???

[@scottsmith3593]

I own the bass featured here. After 30-plus years on both 34 and 35 inch scale basses I believe bass players have it backwards: 30 inch scale should be standard, play longer scale if you're quite tall or have large hands. I love this instrument.

[@SimonLaitFraise]

Am I dreaming or are you playing bass on a hot rod fender deluxe?

[@jameshunt8373]

Anyone know what Rumble that is, 40, 100?

[@rajatdabholkar6872]

You are the best 🤘

[@Rockandrollgeerage]

You said they are only $650, I can't find one new for less than $800

[@v2807]

He said that 2 years ago! I just paid $849. 😮

[@jayl5941]

Was this 90% talking? Just checking.

[@shawnadams1693]

If the guy behind the camera IS a bass player, why didn’t he play it?

[@McDoinky]

He doesn’t have long, glorious hair

[@shanemartin8904]

cuz he was operating the cam dopey

[@shanemartin8904]

@@shawnadams1693 Then WHY did you ask the question, dopey?

[@shanemartin8904]

@@shawnadams1693 I'm a lawyer. I can put together a few words or two, I can assure you. Now how about you go back behind the camera so that he can play the bass. Better yet...get my coffee!

[@shanemartin8904]

@@shawnadams1693 gotcha!!!!

[@bflo1000]

Does anyone know how the Player PJ Mustang compare w the older and less expensive MIM PJ version called the Mustang offset bass?

[@T3L3cast3r]

Except for the name, nothing. Same dimensions, same pickups, same hardware, same crappy 3-way switch that will need replacing. Fender just decided to put it in the player series.

[@bflo1000]

@@T3L3cast3r Thanks, I couldn't find the difference anywhere. The Player Series about $100 more but w more & better colors. And that's interesting about the switch. I test drove a BRAND NEW PJ Stang (the 1 before the Player Series) and the switch didn't even work...at all. So I tested a 2nd model which worked but I still wasn't that impressed. It was better than a Squier VM Jag SS, but wasn't as good as the MIM P-Bass I had def not the Schecter NT Elite 4 & 5 string that I had. I could really shred cuz I could get the action as low as on a Premium quality bass (and because even the neck on the 5-string was thin (but more substantial than an Ibby neck). The Schecter quality for me is better than MIM Fender. So honestly, the slightly pricier Schecter Banshee Bass my be worth a look.

[@stateofblitz]

@@T3L3cast3r so it's not just my switch then 😂. It's never been good. Is it easy to replace yourself?

[@T3L3cast3r]

@@stateofblitz Depends on your skills with a soldering iron, but it is not a difficult job to do if you take it slow.

[@stateofblitz]

@@T3L3cast3r thanks 👍

[@Darryl6636]

Better than a Precision? Ah I don’t think so

[@Muppio]

Having a shorter scale for a man like myself at 6.6ft is really strange looking.

[@sd3falco]

I'm a foot smaller than you and the Mustang fits me well ;)

[@perryt8442]

A Bass for non Bass players????

[@aarondavis4341]

Everyone is wanting short scale basses then theres me thats wishing more companies made extra long scale bass..like 37 inch would be awesome....also i had a half ass guitar player say to me once...IF YIU LEARN GUITAR FIRST YOU LEARN BASS ALSO ...i just laugh when he says this stuff

[@geekwalker1]

Too much chat not enough demo

[@jyuke9955]

Size matters.

[@m-baka]

PJ barf

[@agork]

The best instrument for any musician is that which feels and sounds the best. For the poor kids it might be whatever they can get their hands on. For the more privileged it will be whatever inspires the most with great sound, look, or portability. let people decide what is best for themselves. Nice bass though.

[@mcd5778]

lol.

[@OldDolio312]

Your hair is so shiny

[@zairasmith1406]

A bass for a non-bass player?? It sounds so wrong.

[@Saxon-Jack]

Get a bass player to do the review next time. Nice bass though.

[@a.m.5439]

The problem with these reviews is they think experienced bassists might like short scale basses because they feel and sound different from long scale. Don't be so conceited Guitarists, it's not always about you..

[@creifschneider]

All Catholics are Christians. Not all Christians are Catholic. All Guitarists are bassists. Not all bassist can play guitar. Don’t sweat the small shit. Six stings are harder than 4. That’s why I’m a guitar player who loves bass!!

[@SiroccoetJohn]

I think that only a few guitarists are able to play the bass like a bassist. It's also a matter of the way you consider a bass line and its construction.

[@tz7207]

4:50 of annoying I like to hear my own voice ramble bullshit. Just play!

[@torreswindowcleaningmemo8210]

👎👎👎👎

[@richsackett3423]

Doesn't even sound like a bass guitar. Most of the sound is 8va, with almost no fundamental at all. You don't play it like one, as a consequence: lots of gratuitous string bending and not holding notes out, compounding the it-doesn't-sound-like-a-bass problem. Like to see it lock in with a set of drums when you're actually playing a bass part, not silly licks that don't connect with anything.

[@McDoinky]

It’s a shitty demo. The guitar is fantastic.

[@bflo1000]

He's obviously a guitarist.

[@richsackett3423]

@@McDoinky Thank you. That helps.