So my band will be going on tour early next year, and I wanted to swing by the local quality instrument shop to look around for a backup bass. I played a few of the fenders on the wall when my friend Ross walks up to me.
Introduction:
"You in a rush?" he asks. "We just got in a brand new fender model in the back. I'll go unbox it for you, if you've got the time."
I figured "what the hell, why not," and had him bring out the box. Straight out of the box, it was in perfect tune. Beautiful low action. Perfect intonation. Precisely what you would expect from a higher end bass.
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That's the bass in question.
Finish, balance, weight, hardware:
I was blown away right off the bat. I love basses with a bit of "mojo" to them, but something about this finish spoke to me. It was even, very nice looking, and felt smooth to the touch. Again, precisely what you'd expect from a higher end bass.
The hardware was all top-notch. The nut is synthetic bone, and the bridge--very solid--features quality brass saddles. The string tension was one of the best stock string feelings I've experienced. The frets were very well-worked, no gaps or buzz despite the low action and my heavy hand. It was a bit on the heavier side of the basses I'd tried that day, but no more than my '83 P-bass. On a strap, it was extremely comfortable, with no neck dive and a great feel.
Feel and tone:
This is where I was blown away. I A/B'd it to an American Standard and preferred it. That's not to say that it's inherently better, I simply didn't expect to prefer it.
The feel is unbelievable. I'd tried 20 basses altogether today, and not one of them was as comfortable to me as this one. The body, the neck, the spacing, the tension... it was smooth beyond belief. Tapping was a breeze, fingerstyle responded to the subtlest dynamics changes, and slapping was effortless.
The real shocker was the sound. This thing is fat, warm, but also distinctly modern. It's sort of like Fender can't figure out how to get rid of their historic sound, so they just slipped it some steroids and called its mother a whore. The only downside I can see is that softer styles of music may have a bit of trouble taming it.
Value:
Here's the shocker. I asked for the price, since they hadn't tagged it yet. Ross wandered off to print a tag, and I was making guesses in my head (having done zero research on these models ever). I finally gave the over-under at $650 to $800
$450
I was floored! This is a LOT of bass for the money. If there is an instrument that could ever buck the idea that Fender's items are overpriced, this is the one. There was not a single bass on that wall--from ANY producer--that could compete with it in its price range for my tastes.
I'll be ordering one as soon as I have the cash next month. I honestly can't say enough good things about it!
Introduction:
"You in a rush?" he asks. "We just got in a brand new fender model in the back. I'll go unbox it for you, if you've got the time."
I figured "what the hell, why not," and had him bring out the box. Straight out of the box, it was in perfect tune. Beautiful low action. Perfect intonation. Precisely what you would expect from a higher end bass.
Invalid Link Removed
That's the bass in question.
Finish, balance, weight, hardware:
I was blown away right off the bat. I love basses with a bit of "mojo" to them, but something about this finish spoke to me. It was even, very nice looking, and felt smooth to the touch. Again, precisely what you'd expect from a higher end bass.
The hardware was all top-notch. The nut is synthetic bone, and the bridge--very solid--features quality brass saddles. The string tension was one of the best stock string feelings I've experienced. The frets were very well-worked, no gaps or buzz despite the low action and my heavy hand. It was a bit on the heavier side of the basses I'd tried that day, but no more than my '83 P-bass. On a strap, it was extremely comfortable, with no neck dive and a great feel.
Feel and tone:
This is where I was blown away. I A/B'd it to an American Standard and preferred it. That's not to say that it's inherently better, I simply didn't expect to prefer it.
The feel is unbelievable. I'd tried 20 basses altogether today, and not one of them was as comfortable to me as this one. The body, the neck, the spacing, the tension... it was smooth beyond belief. Tapping was a breeze, fingerstyle responded to the subtlest dynamics changes, and slapping was effortless.
The real shocker was the sound. This thing is fat, warm, but also distinctly modern. It's sort of like Fender can't figure out how to get rid of their historic sound, so they just slipped it some steroids and called its mother a whore. The only downside I can see is that softer styles of music may have a bit of trouble taming it.
Value:
Here's the shocker. I asked for the price, since they hadn't tagged it yet. Ross wandered off to print a tag, and I was making guesses in my head (having done zero research on these models ever). I finally gave the over-under at $650 to $800
$450
I was floored! This is a LOT of bass for the money. If there is an instrument that could ever buck the idea that Fender's items are overpriced, this is the one. There was not a single bass on that wall--from ANY producer--that could compete with it in its price range for my tastes.
I'll be ordering one as soon as I have the cash next month. I honestly can't say enough good things about it!
