Fender Custom Classic vs MIA Standard?

[wengr]

Hello, I see these fender custom classic jazz basses come up for sale from time to time, and i like the blocks with no binding look. But for about twice the used price of an MIA standard Jazz, what else is different? Can someone characterize the quality difference? I am not someone who is really satisfied with the overall quality and feel of the modern MIA fenders. I wonder if the CC would be much different? Thanks in advance.

[MrBonex]

I am an owner of a Custom Classic JB. It's not only the best bass I've ever owned, but it's the best bass I've ever played.

One piece light ash body. Gorgeous nitro finish. Quartersawn maple neck with lovely rosewood fingerboard. Perfect shape. Quiet and musical preamp. Superb fretwork. Ultra-tight neck pocket.

Really. Fender just nailed it. I like to look at the Custom Shop as being sort of what Leo imagined when he created Fender. Small-ish, super high-quality, production guitars. Like a big boutique shop.

I imagine that there are examples of CCJBs out there that are not awesome, but that's the nature of a production shop. In general, my experience is that the CS has some great wood and some great people putting them together. The perfect Fender formula. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a CCJB. The above is IMHO.

[Gougedeye]

I also own a Custom Classic Jazz Bass. The construction is top notch, very well put together, but at roughly 2.5 times the cost, it should be. Also, the CCJB has active electronics, so there is a noticable difference in tone, to my ear. But, I feel my Custom Classic is the superior bass, by a long shot.

[nepee]

I own a custom classic and it' best playing, sounding bass I've ever play . Play lot better than my standard JB, MIA Deluxe JB, G&L Asat and MIA standard Precision... That's my opinion, some people don't like Fender...

[RexNFX79]

I've owned a lot of Fenders and own a couple of Sadowskys and I'd put my custom classic up against any of them. The custom shop built a great bass with this model. It's light, well made, and plays and sounds awesome. I don't think Fender has an active bass that is better. Mine is a 5er and that is maybe the only thing I'd complain about but I don't think Fender makes a bass with a really killer B string including the new deluxes.

[wengr]

Thanks for all the replies. I like the fender jazz idea, just not the modern fender execution I guess. It sounds like the custom classic might be just what I need. If the build quality is at least on par with a nice G&L or EBMM then I will be satisfied. I'm going to try and check one out.
And that trans red one in the pic looks awsome!

[Gougedeye]

Found a pic for you. I'd say the Custom Shop stuff is nicer than any stock G & L or StingRay, but thats just my opinion.

[wengr]

Thanks for the reply and the pic. What's with the prices of these? A quick google shows quite a disparity. Ebay guy @ $2k, basscentral @ $2.8k, Sweetwater@ $3.2k etc. Are there differences or something that I'm missing? I'm leaning toward trans black or burst but I have an ebmm I'll have to move first.

[brndn123]

Clearly there is a lot of love for the CC's around here...

No doubt they are top notch instruments. However, I have a few suggestions. I would surf the classifieds, the bay, and CL for actual vintage Fenders. They can be had usually upward from $1500 and are some of the most desired instruments in the business.

As for CC's, If you are spending that much $$ on a Fender, I reccommend saving a little more and custom ordering one. They are no doubt more expensive, but you get a custom instrument made to your specs. Other than that, I know Sweetwater offers many payment options which may benefit you if you decide to take that route.

[Danimal00]

Originally Posted by wengr

Thanks for the reply and the pic. What's with the prices of these? A quick google shows quite a disparity. Ebay guy @ $2k, basscentral @ $2.8k, Sweetwater@ $3.2k etc. Are there differences or something that I'm missing? I'm leaning toward trans black or burst but I have an ebmm I'll have to move first.

As a Custom Shop Custom Classic owner myself, I can say that the build quality and tone are top notch. The pickups used in the Custom Classic are the active Samarium Cobalt Noiseless, which Fender no longer makes. IMHO, the new N3 actives that they have in the current American Deluxe JBass do not sound as rich.

As for the pricing disparity, Fender discontinued the Custom Classic, so any new one that is out there has been hanging on a wall, or sitting in a case for a while. Fender Custom did not replace it with anything, so Sweetwater set out to do a Fender Custom Shop Special run, and I am quite pleased with the results.

The upgrades on our Custom Shop Special from the discontinued Custom Classic are:
• Badass III Bridge
• "AA" flame neck
• Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickups
• Bound Fretboard (parchment on RW, black on MAP)
• White Pearl Inlay on RW, Black Pearl Inlay on Maple (the black pearl looks amazing in person!)

We also had these made in some fun, non-traditional colors from Fender, like Mercedes Blue, Violin Burst, Sunset Orange Transparent and others.

Dan

[Rusty the Scoob]

Originally Posted by MrBonex

Really. Fender just nailed it. I like to look at the Custom Shop as being sort of what Leo imagined when he created Fender. Small-ish, super high-quality, production guitars. Like a big boutique shop.

Sweet bass! But IMHO Leo designed his instruments first and foremost for ease of manufacturing and to hit a price point... that's originally why he went with bolt-on necks, big pickguards that hide quick & dirty routing jobs, etc.

[Waterhead]

I pretty much feel exactly the same way as the rest of these folks about my CC. It 's the best Bass I've ever laid my hands on. I thought my old 65 Jazz was special. It is, but in it's own way. The CC is probable the only Bass that could ever turn my eyes and ears away from my old Jazz Bass. In a sense, it's the only one that can replace it, so to speak.