fender av 62 reissue new or fullerton era

[pbass888]

I am new to the world of reissue jazzes but have been playing jazz basses. My main bass is a 96 am std jazz with sd sjb-2 pups and I also play a 74 jazz.
'
I want a jazz bass with a nitro finish after playing a close friends '64-65 ish jazz bass. Needless to say, it was very different in sound than my 74(maple neck) and my 96 rosewood neck bass. Much darker sounding, deeper, lower mids than the 96 (both with stock and duncans), more resonance of each note. Not sure if this was one of those special 1 in a 1,000,000 basses.

The worn neck felt great (way better than roadworns that ive played) and the bass was loud (even unplugged). I was also impressed at how light it was ( my 74 is just under 9 but this felt even lighter). It was a very easy neck and the nitro finish (greatly worn) was really outstanding.

So now Im looking for a 3rd jazz.... would like it to be nitro and am considering a new 62 reissue ( or a slightly used one from a fellow tb'er if it shows up on the classifieds), or a bigger purchase of a fullerton era reissue) or perhaps a used cs with nitro finish.

below is a link to the fender reissue:

1983 Fender '62 Reissue Jazz Bass - $2100 | The Fender Reissue Shop

and another for sale im my neck of the woods

http://austin.craigslist.org/msg/2419098180.html


Sorry for the longwinded post, but would love to hear peoples experiences with either av reissue 62 or fullerton era vs say custom shop.
I would like to stay under 2k and preferably under 1500 if possible. Also would love to play a few before taking a big plunge like this. Ive played a few cs and they(time machine series I believe) but they did not feel like this old 60's jazz or sound like it to me. That being said I am open to retry some of these now that I am actively in the market.

Thank you in advance!

[king_biscuit]

That guy at the Fender Reissue Shop has really backed off on his prices! If the neck is straight on the CAR Fullerton snag it and don't look back! $2100 is more than fair for that bass from a dealer.

[pbass888]

Thank you King Biscuit, I didn't know that. So he is very reputable? I will try to call him in the morning! I've heard those era basses are slightly more correct than the newer (say corona ones are)??

Thank you again for the info. I had no idea if this was a good price for a fullerton.

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

That guy at the Fender Reissue Shop has really backed off on his prices! If the neck is straight on the CAR Fullerton snag it and don't look back! $2100 is more than fair for that bass from a dealer.

[king_biscuit]

Six months ago he would have been asking 3k for that bass -- it's a sign of the current economy and the market I guess. I think he is pretty reputable and I have spoken to him on the phone a few times -- nice guy.

As far as being more accurate. The Fullertons are cut (deeper belly and forearm cuts) like Pre CBS basses, and the neck profiles are more accurate (whatever that means, as the Pre CBS profiles were all over the place). Fullertons certainly have more personality than the newer ones. The new ones are very fine basses too, though.

[pacojas]

i got mine new on 12.24.09 and it's a breeze to play! the GC in San Jose, Ca. has a used one for $1100.

[pbass888]

That is really cool of you! I have peeps in san jose.... thank you for finding that. Im getting encouraged and trying to do my homework up front.
Thank you again!

I just called them and they are sending over pics... its a 2003. I guess I will have to do some more research

Originally Posted by pacojas

i got mine new on 12.24.09 and it's a breeze to play! the GC in San Jose, Ca. has a used one for $1100.

[DTF]

you can buy a new one from MF, music 123, for 1275 when they have 15% off sales if you want to get a new one and stay under 1500, but No CAR . If money isnt an issue you can grab the CAR fullerton and sell it if it isnt your thing , I dont see you losing much at that price

[pbass888]

DTF thank you for the input.... your experience is that the fullerton are really that much nicer than a new one (or slightly used one)?.I guess Im asking if in your opinion they nail the vintage sound and feel closer? Thanks again appreciate it.

Originally Posted by DTF

you can buy a new one from MF, music 123, for 1275 when they have 15% off sales if you want to get a new one and stay under 1500, but No CAR . If money isnt an issue you can grab the CAR fullerton and sell it if it isnt your thing , I dont see you losing much at that price

[king_biscuit]

Let me say one more thing about the Fullertons. They were made using the same pin routers and jigs by some of the same employees as the Pre CBS basses. The new ones are cut out on CNC machines. There is nothing wrong with CNC machines, but the Fullertons feel more like PreCBS basses than the newer ones -- In my experience.

[pbass888]

That is kind of big for me in this decision as the feel of that old jazz bass was tremendous. I am really looking for something that feels right. Would you rank the workmanship of of fullerton close to that of a CS jazz bass?

here is a link to one for sale in my area (central texas)
Vintage Fender Jazz '62 reissue bass guitar "Fullerton" (1982)

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Let me say one more thing about the Fullertons. They were made using the same pin routers and jigs by some of the same employees as the Pre CBS basses. The new ones are cut out on CNC machines. There is nothing wrong with CNC machines, but the Fullertons feel more like PreCBS basses than the newer ones -- In my experience.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Let me say one more thing about the Fullertons. They were made using the same pin routers and jigs by some of the same employees as the Pre CBS basses. The new ones are cut out on CNC machines. There is nothing wrong with CNC machines, but the Fullertons feel more like PreCBS basses than the newer ones -- In my experience.

AFAIK, none of the employees that worked in fullerton in the pre cbs era were still building basses at fender in '82 onwards. they did use some of the same jigs though, but IMO, they donn't feel any closer to a genuine pre-cbs instrument than a CS does today.

[pacojas]

BTW, does anyone know if the newer ones are nitro or poly?
thank you,

[johnk_10]

all AV RI's and CS basses are nitro.

[pacojas]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

all AV RI's and CS basses are nitro.

thank you, John!

[DTF]

Originally Posted by pbass888

DTF thank you for the input.... your experience is that the fullerton are really that much nicer than a new one (or slightly used one)?.I guess Im asking if in your opinion they nail the vintage sound and feel closer? Thanks again appreciate it.

Never played a fullerton , whether or not they do ? People seem to believe they do , and they hold their value ive never seen one last long in the classifieds ,I know Id be happy with a brand new one of the AVRI's for 1275 , but thats me. Id buy a new one when there is a sale

[johnk_10]

IME, the very earliest RI's weren't all that good. alot of them had finish problems until they got that sorted. i used to know the guy (but i forget his name at the moment) that painted them at fender back then.

[Btone]

all AV RI's and CS basses are nitro.

The new ones (at least the AV, not sure about the CS) have, IIRC, a nitro coat OVER a poly coat.

[johnk_10]

basically, so did the vintage pre-cbs ones. they were fullerplast sealed, which is a catalyzed resin, then shot with nitro for the color and clear coats.

[One Drop]

My Fullerton has a very thick Oly White finish that has crazed a bit very nicely, but it chipped heavily around the ashtray screw-holes and a bit at the neck plate. It's also an '83. I've never played a really early (V00...serial) though I've played many '83s and later.

The general feel of the early ones reminds me more of many of the real vintage Fenders I've played, though, and the attention to detail is superb, really is Custom Shop quality. That said, I've played many later AVs that nailed the tone just as well and played as well, too.

[pbass888]

Thank you guys I really appreciate all the input and will share the 'results' when I find 'the one'. Much thanks for all your knowledge!