Fender American Professional II Jazz Electric Bass Maple in 3 Tone Sunburst, Open Box

Quick Product Summary

The Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass in 3-Color Sunburst takes the classic Jazz Bass formula and refines it for the demands of modern professional players, combining familiar Fender feel with thoughtful upgrades to comfort, stability, hardware and pickup response.

This maple-fingerboard version pairs an alder body with a Slim “C” maple neck, rolled fingerboard edges, a 9.5-inch radius and 20 narrow-tall frets. Fender's “Super-Natural” satin neck finish keeps the playing surface smooth and comfortable, while the sculpted neck heel improves access higher up the fingerboard. 

Two V-Mod II Jazz Bass single-coil pickups provide the punch, clarity and tonal flexibility players expect from a professional Jazz Bass, while the HiMass Vintage bridge can be strung through the body or top-loaded to suit your preferred feel. Offered here as an Open Box example, this is an excellent choice for gigging, recording, session work and players looking to move into a premium USA-made Fender bass.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	American Professional II
Model	Jazz Bass
Finish	3-Color Sunburst
Condition	Open Box
Body	Alder
Fingerboard	Maple
Neck Profile	Slim “C”
Scale Length	34"
Pickups	2 x V-Mod II Single-Coil Jazz Bass
Bridge	4-Saddle HiMass Vintage
Factory Case	Deluxe Molded Case
Main Appeal	Professional USA Jazz Bass versatility with modern comfort
Best For	Gigging, recording, funk, rock, pop, soul, blues and session work

Open Box Condition Report

Condition: Open Box

This Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass is offered as an Open Box instrument.

No specific cosmetic marks, faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing, so none have been assumed or added.

Please refer closely to the product photography when assessing the cosmetic presentation of this individual bass.

What's Included?

• Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass

• Fender Deluxe Molded Case – factory supplied with this model 

No additional Open Box accessories have been confirmed.

Condition Notes

No specific cosmetic defects, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this individual Open Box bass.

The photographs should be used alongside this description to assess the precise cosmetic condition of the instrument offered.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Before leaving Fair Deal Music, this American Professional II Jazz Bass will be checked by our team to ensure that its essential mechanical and electronic functions are operating correctly.

Our bass assessment includes:

• Neck and fret condition

• Tuning machine operation

• Nut and string path

• Bridge and saddle function

• Pickup output

• Individual pickup volume controls

• Master tone control

• Output socket

• General setup and playability

The bass will also be checked for comfortable action and correct basic operation before dispatch.

Service / Setup Work

This Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass will be checked and set up before leaving the shop.

As with any guitar or bass, setup can move slightly during transportation as wood responds to changes in temperature and humidity. Allowing the instrument to acclimatise after delivery before making further adjustments is recommended.

Why Choose The Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass?

Slim “C” Neck With Rolled Fingerboard Edges

The neck combines the naturally narrow Jazz Bass nut width with a Slim “C” profile, rolled fingerboard edges and Fender's smooth “Super-Natural” satin finish. It is designed to feel comfortable for everything from traditional fingerstyle playing to fast melodic lines. V-Mod II Jazz Bass Pickups

Fender voices the two V-Mod II pickups specifically for their individual positions, with slightly increased output while retaining the clarity and warmth associated with the Jazz Bass. Independent volume controls also allow you to blend the two pickups rather than simply choosing between them. 

HiMass Vintage Bridge

The four-saddle HiMass Vintage bridge uses a cold-rolled steel baseplate, high-mass brass backstop and chrome-plated brass saddles. It also gives players the choice between string-through-body and top-load stringing.

Sculpted Neck Heel

The rounded neck heel and bevelled neck plate reduce some of the bulk found at the body joint, making higher-register playing easier without dramatically changing the traditional Jazz Bass silhouette. 

Reinforced For Professional Use

Fender incorporates Posiflex graphite support rods beneath the fingerboard to help reinforce the neck against movement caused by changes in climate, making this a particularly useful feature for regularly transported or professionally used instruments. 

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass vs Player II Jazz Bass

The Player II Jazz Bass is an excellent route into the Fender Jazz Bass format, with a Modern “C” neck, rolled fingerboard edges and Player Series Alnico V pickups. The American Professional II moves further with V-Mod II pickups, a bone nut, narrow-tall frets, sculpted heel, Posiflex reinforcement, HiMass bridge and included moulded case. Choose Player II for strong value; choose American Professional II when professional-grade refinements justify the step up. 

Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass vs American Ultra II Jazz Bass

The American Ultra II Jazz Bass sits further towards Fender's modern-performance end of the range, with an even more contemporary feature set and noiseless pickup technology. The American Professional II is the stronger option if you want premium USA construction and modern comfort while retaining the familiar response and simplicity of traditional passive Jazz Bass single-coils. 

Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass vs American Professional II Precision Bass

The American Professional II Precision Bass uses a single V-Mod II split-coil pickup and straightforward master volume/master tone control arrangement. It suits players who want direct, fundamental P Bass punch. The Jazz Bass gives you two independent pickup volumes and a slimmer nut width, making it the more flexible choice for players who enjoy blending brighter bridge-pickup definition with fuller neck-position tones. 

Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass vs American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass

The American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass is aimed much more directly at period recreation, with a 7.25-inch radius, '66 “U” neck, round-laminated rosewood board, Pure Vintage pickups and nitrocellulose lacquer. The American Professional II is better suited to players who want classic Jazz Bass identity with contemporary neck feel, modern hardware and professional touring practicality. 

Who Is The Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass For?

This bass is particularly well suited to:

• Professional and semi-professional bassists

• Working gigging musicians

• Studio and session players

• Players upgrading from a Player or Player II Jazz Bass

• Bassists who value a slim, comfortable neck

• Fingerstyle players

• Pick players

• Funk and soul musicians

• Rock and indie bassists

• Pop and contemporary players

• Musicians needing a versatile passive bass

• Players who prefer maple fingerboards

• Bassists wanting a premium USA-made Fender without moving into a vintage-recreation model

The Jazz Bass remains a particularly strong choice when you want one passive instrument capable of moving between deep supporting tones and much more articulate, cutting sounds simply by changing the pickup blend and right-hand technique.

Suitable Genres And Uses

The American Professional II Jazz Bass works comfortably across funk, soul, rock, pop, blues, indie, alternative, R&B, fusion, contemporary worship, recording and general session work.

Blending both pickups produces the familiar balanced Jazz Bass sound, while favouring the bridge pickup adds extra articulation and midrange definition. Moving towards the neck pickup creates a rounder and more supportive response.

Because both pickup volumes can be adjusted independently, subtle changes to the blend can make a noticeable difference to how the bass sits within a band or recorded mix.

Jazz Bass vs Precision Bass: Which Is Right For You?

The Jazz Bass and Precision Bass share the same 34-inch Fender long scale, but they feel and respond differently. The Jazz Bass uses a narrower 1.5-inch nut and two single-coil pickups with independent volume controls, making it particularly good for players who value tonal blending, articulation and a slimmer feel near the lower frets. 

The Precision Bass keeps things simpler with a single split pickup and master volume/tone controls. Choose the P Bass when you want straightforward fundamental punch; choose the Jazz Bass when pickup blending and a narrower neck are more important.

Compatibility And Practical Pairing Advice

Bass Amplifiers

The American Professional II Jazz Bass works with virtually any quality bass amplification system, from compact combos to professional heads and cabinets.

A clean, high-headroom amplifier will reveal the natural character of the pickups clearly, while valve-inspired or driven bass amps can add extra thickness and harmonic character.

Recording Equipment

Its passive output makes it straightforward to connect to:

• Bass amplifiers

• DI boxes

• Audio interfaces

• Bass preamps

• Amplifier modellers

• Pedalboards

A quality DI or interface can capture the natural pickup blend directly for recording while leaving plenty of room for processing later.

Effects Pedals

The Jazz Bass works particularly well with:

• Compressor

• Overdrive

• Fuzz

• Chorus

• Envelope filter

• Octave

• Delay

• Bass preamp / DI pedals

Strings

Fender specifies USA 7250M nickel-plated steel .045-.105 strings from the factory. Different gauges, flatwounds or alternative materials can be fitted to tailor the feel and response, although a setup may be useful after a significant change. 

Looking for advice on choosing between a Jazz Bass, Precision Bass or another Fender bass? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context

Fender launched the Jazz Bass in 1960, positioning it as a more deluxe companion to the Precision Bass. Its offset-waist body, dual pickups and slimmer neck gave players a noticeably different feel and broader range of sounds. 

More than six decades later, those core ingredients remain recognisable in the American Professional II: offset alder body, 34-inch scale, slim neck and two Jazz Bass single-coil pickups. Rather than turning the design into something unfamiliar, Fender has concentrated its updates on areas such as neck comfort, upper-fret access, pickup voicing, bridge construction and neck reinforcement. 

That makes the American Professional II particularly relevant for players who want a Jazz Bass that still feels unmistakably traditional but is engineered around regular professional stage and studio use.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	American Professional II
Model	Jazz Bass
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	3-Color Sunburst
Body Material	Alder
Body Shape	Jazz Bass
Body Finish	Gloss Urethane
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	Slim “C”
Neck Construction	4-Bolt
Neck Finish	“Super-Natural” Satin Urethane on Back with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face
Fingerboard Material	Maple
Fingerboard Radius	9.5" / 241 mm
Scale Length	34" / 864 mm
Number Of Frets	20
Fret Size	Narrow Tall
Position Inlays	Black Dot
Side Dots	Black
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.5" / 38.1 mm
Neck Reinforcement	Posiflex Graphite Support Rods
Bridge Pickup	V-Mod II Single-Coil Jazz Bass
Neck / Middle Pickup	V-Mod II Single-Coil Jazz Bass
Pickup Configuration	SS
Controls	Volume 1, Volume 2, Master Tone
Bridge	4-Saddle HiMass Vintage
Stringing Options	String-Through-Body or Top-Load
Tuning Machines	Fender Lightweight Vintage-Style Keys with Tapered Shafts
Hardware Finish	Nickel / Chrome
Pickguard	4-Ply Tortoiseshell
Pickup Covers	Black
Control Knobs	Vintage-Style Black Plastic Jazz Bass
Strap Buttons	Vintage-Style
Strings	Fender USA 7250M Nickel-Plated Steel .045-.105
Factory Case	Deluxe Molded Case

Specifications verified against Fender's current maple-fingerboard, 3-Color Sunburst configuration. 

Specification Note

Individual instrument weight, serial number and any Open Box packaging details have not been supplied and have therefore not been guessed or added to this listing.

Power Requirements

The Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass uses passive pickups and does not require a battery.

Connect it to a suitable bass amplifier, DI box, preamp, modeller or audio interface using a standard instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass is a superb all-round professional bass for players who want recognisable Fender character without being restricted by strict vintage specifications.

The Slim “C” neck, rolled edges and satin finish make it immediately comfortable, while the V-Mod II pickups retain the articulate, expressive character that makes a Jazz Bass so useful across very different playing styles. The HiMass bridge and reinforced neck add practical improvements without overcomplicating a proven design. 

Best suited for: Working bassists, recording musicians and experienced players wanting a versatile premium USA Jazz Bass.

Customers usually upgrade from: Squier Classic Vibe, Fender Standard, Player and Player II Jazz Bass models.

Most commonly paired with: Quality bass amplification, compressor, preamp/DI, overdrive, octave and modulation effects.

Our tip: Do not treat the two pickup volume controls as simple on/off controls. Small changes to the balance between the pickups can shift the bass from broad and balanced to noticeably more focused and articulate.

Showroom feedback: The narrow Jazz Bass nut combined with rolled fingerboard edges and the Super-Natural satin finish gives this model a particularly comfortable neck feel. Players moving up from a Player-series Jazz Bass should notice the refinement immediately.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps customers choose guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards, drums, studio equipment and much more.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned, Open Box and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Decades of experience with new and pre-owned musical instruments and equipment

Buying a premium bass and want to compare the American Professional II with another Fender model? Speak to our team by phone, online or in-store for friendly, practical musician-to-musician advice.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, bass, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the American Professional II Jazz Bass suitable for slap bass?

Yes. The Jazz Bass pickup configuration is particularly popular for slap because it can produce strong attack, definition and a naturally scooped character when both pickups are used together. Technique, strings, amplifier EQ and compression will also influence the final sound.

Is the maple fingerboard good for fingerstyle bass?

Absolutely. Fingerboard material does not restrict technique. The more significant playing features here are the narrow 1.5-inch nut, Slim “C” neck, rolled edges and 9.5-inch radius, which make the instrument comfortable for a wide variety of right- and left-hand approaches. 

Can I fit flatwound strings?

Yes. Flatwounds are a popular option for players seeking a smoother feel and a rounder, more controlled response. A setup may be helpful if the replacement set differs significantly in tension from the factory .045-.105 roundwounds.

Can the HiMass bridge be top-loaded?

Yes. Fender's HiMass Vintage bridge supports both string-through-body and top-load stringing, allowing you to experiment with the feel you prefer. 

Is the American Professional II suitable for recording directly into an interface?

Yes. As a passive electric bass it can be connected to a suitable instrument input, DI box or bass preamp. Many studio players also record a direct signal alongside an amplified or modelled bass sound for additional flexibility at the mixing stage.

What is the advantage of the 1.5-inch Jazz Bass nut width?

It gives the neck a narrower feel near the nut than Fender's Precision Bass design. Players who favour quick position changes or simply prefer a more compact lower-register neck often find the Jazz Bass particularly comfortable.

Do the V-Mod II pickups remove single-coil hum?

They are conventional Jazz Bass single-coil pickups rather than noiseless pickups. When the two pickups are used together at matching levels, unwanted noise can be reduced, but players who specifically require a noiseless design should also consider Fender's American Ultra II range.

Is this a good bass for professional touring?

Yes. The American Professional II is designed around working-player requirements, with features such as neck reinforcement, lightweight tuners, a sculpted heel, comfortable rolled edges and a Deluxe Molded Case.