Odd-Ball Fenders - Poste'em if you've got'em

[Fair Warning]

I have said it before, "I am a glutton for odd-ball basses". The limited run, "off the beaten track" models that have come and gone over the years.

Examples are "Precision Lyte", "Precision Extreme", etc.

Would love to see a post with all the lesser known Fender offerings over the years.....

[ggvicviper]

Owned this MB-5 once:



Didn't have the greatest sustain, but it was a really nice little bass.

[smcd]

Last year I picked up a grubby looking Fender HM bass for relatively short dough. A little cleaning and polishing, and it ended up looking like it was brand new. It has an odd, marbled finished like the bass below, but in olive green rather than red.

[Fair Warning]

What did the "HM" stand for?

[ggvicviper]

Heartfield Model, I believe.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by ggvicviper

Heartfield Model, I believe.

+1 on that.



Some say "heavy metal", but I see no heavy metal styling at all in the HM bass line.

[Ian Perge]

My first Jazz Bass and what has led me to become a nearly-completely bolt-on player was my 1992 Fender Jazz Plus V 5-string. Alder body, Maple Neck & Pau Ferro fretboard, and a "downsized" version of Philip Kubucki's preamp for his "Factor" Basses (4 Modes as opposed to 7... Active, Active with Mid Boost, Passive and Standby... aka "Off" ) I bought it in near-mint condition in 2002 right before the Used Prices for them jumped up several hundred dollars, and kept (and learned) from it for several years before selling it around 2007-8 (?) - while a great bass in many ways, its B-string was underwhelming from the D downward... I've heard and believe that most non-boutique/production line 5 & 6-strings didn't truly have Bs equal to the rest of the strings until the late '90s-early '00s.



(My Bass, but not my Truck... )


I also just purchased a 2005 Jazz 24 4-string two weeks ago from Bass Northwest, as it fits my criteria for the "base" of why I've termed my "Efx Bass" for several years. I'll be installing a Kahler Tremolo as well as a Bass Sustainiac, which when used on clean bass sounds slightly distorted, almost the way a bowed upright does... and when you add distortion and other effects to it, lead playing as well as certain techniques such as two-hand tapping become a completely new and interesting thing. I only know of one other person who came up with the same concept independently, and he does amazingly cool things with his!



(Not my *exact* Bass, but soon it won't look anything like the stock pictures... )

[DanNowhere]

would a Coronado II count?

[two fingers]

Great topic.

[P. Aaron]

Yeah! I think that Coranado II kinda fits the criteria.

[dasbusking]

I play MB-5 fender great bass 7 lbs and a sweet neck, it's my only 5er and my go-to bass when my back starts to act up.

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by dasbusking

I play MB-5 fender great bass 7 lbs and a sweet neck, it's my only 5er and my go-to bass when my back starts to act up.

Ahhhhhhh. Reading glasses and a pretty little girl who is fascinated by music toys. I'm that guy too.

Nice bass.

[dasbusking]

It's good to know I am not alone.... By the way and back on topic little 7 year old Dana in the pic is gassing for a Fender oddball, a P bass Jr. If I find one I will have to buy it....lol

[JimB52]

Roscoe Beck IV.
Recently discontinued, but a really great bass. Extremely versatile tone-wise, and the asymetrical neck profile is cool.

[msaone]

Originally Posted by smcd

Last year I picked up a grubby looking Fender HM bass for relatively short dough. A little cleaning and polishing, and it ended up looking like it was brand new. It has an odd, marbled finished like the bass below, but in olive green rather than red.

The bridge and knobs are the same as on my power jazz bass special. That bass must be from around 89.

[duff2]

Fender Performer





This one is not mine. It caught my eye a few days ago when I was browsing a local classified ad site.

Seller wants $1200 for it.

Duff2

[Darren Low]

Really cool thread.

[Transistor Bass]

Here's my Lyte. Bought it new in 1995. Still my No.1

[wolfmancharlie]

Here is my Fender USA JP90, recently back from a custom paint job.

[Daniel L]

I know this is a Squier, not a Fender, but I recon it deserves a place here, one of the more "extreme" Fender designs, MIJ, only made between 85 and 86 I believe