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Adam Clayton Jazz

Can you believe how much Fender wants for that Dusty Hill slab of beat up wood? (love to have one but...) So I made one myself....
 

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Except, Adam is one of the richest musicians in the world and Dusty is not. I mean I don't think Dusty is going hungry, but the money Adam is getting for this isn't even going to be noticable when thrown on the enourmous pile he receives every week in royalties.

I'm not following your logic here. If you're inferring that Clayton, who receives royalties as co-writer on a large body of U2's recorded work (and which Dusty Hill, who is co-credited as writer on an overwhelming portion of ZZ Top's work no doubt shares a similar status with) and as a result of this personal fortune therefore discounts his percentage of endorsement royalties on an instrument that bears his name manufactured by a large multinational corporation...I'm afraid that dog doesn't hunt.
I certainly don't begrudge either artist the slice that they make from sales of their endorsements (whatever that may be), but for various subjective reasons I will not be a contributor to the pile. Again, YMMV.
 
I like it. Nice color, nice bridge, I dig the blocks… have no info about scale ratio but seems to be flatter than a 63.
Looks like a "vintage" J with some improvements.
Don't understand why Fender still use those heavy tuners instead of a lightweight one.
Hipshot makes a lollipop version of their Ultralites models. It wouldn't be difficult to use them.
 
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Having started the other thread on this bass, I feel the need to chime in.

So does this *LOOK* like a cool bass? Actually, yeah. It' got some nice cosmetic appointments: Sherwood green (something of a scarce/cool color), moto pickguard, block inlays and a matching headstock. I'd actually be interested in checking one out if the opportunity presents itself. I like Jazz basses, and I happen to like Sherwood green.

Does my interest in this have anything to do with Adam Clayton? Not really. He's laid down some hook filled grooves for U2 over the years. "With or without you" may have a pretty straightforward bass line, but it's the heart of that song. And that song was HUGE. Do I consider myself a U2 fan? Not really.

I suspect that the critics of this particular bass are also those who generally criticize signature model instruments in general. To which I say "Don't judge a book by it's cover". Judge the instrument on it's merits: playability, tone and build quality.

As for this instrument as a business decision? I suspect that there's a lot of marketing value for Fender to be associated with an act like U2. Let's face facts: U2 is one of the biggest bands in the world. And for Fender to be able to offer a signature instrument for a member of U2 is a big deal for them. Fender is in business to make money. If Adam Clayton's name helps them sell some basses? Then they probably see that as a sound business decision.
 
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