are fender really worth it?

[MtManiac]

Plus $1000 - I just don't see doing a Fender when if you're going to spend this much you could get a new or used US G&L or a used Valenti or Sadowsky, etc.

The US reissues are pretty sweet, especially the '62 P bass reissue... oly white '62 RI is my current dream bass.

 

[MtManiac]

thats pretty much it but it was a straight Pbass not a jazz/P combo and the neck had black binding

is it some kinda custom shop thing do you think?

If it had binding and blocks, and was a recent model, I'd still have to say Japanese. Likely still a killer bass, but overpriced IMO. If they let you get close enough to note the serial number, if it is Japanese, it will say so at the back of the neck where it joins the body. If it is American, there will be a serial number on the back of the headstock. If Mexican, the serial number will be on the front, but I'm not aware of any American or Mexican P basses that have binding and blocks. The Japanese Fenders have a lot of variety though, so who knows what you might find in a MIJ model.

Regardless - that dealer sucks. Buy one off the internet, and then take it in to that dealer for service, and make the local dealer your bee-yatch. Tell them "I wish I could have bought yours, but I when I was on tour in the US and needed a bass, I ended up paying *way* too much for this one at a dealer in NYC, and besides, you wouldn't let me play yours last time I was in. No hard feelings, though. What do you have for strings?"

 

[chjohnst]

Lakland I hear are good also, very similar to the look and feel of a fender.

 

[dreadheadbass]

If it had binding and blocks, and was a recent model, I'd still have to say Japanese. Likely still a killer bass, but overpriced IMO. If they let you get close enough to note the serial number, if it is Japanese, it will say so at the back of the neck where it joins the body. If it is American, there will be a serial number on the back of the headstock. If Mexican, the serial number will be on the front, but I'm not aware of any American or Mexican P basses that have binding and blocks. The Japanese Fenders have a lot of variety though, so who knows what you might find in a MIJ model.

Regardless - that dealer sucks. Buy one off the internet, and then take it in to that dealer for service, and make the local dealer your bee-yatch. Tell them "I wish I could have bought yours, but I when I was on tour in the US and needed a bass, I ended up paying *way* too much for this one at a dealer in NYC, and besides, you wouldn't let me play yours last time I was in. No hard feelings, though. What do you have for strings?"

lol thanks for the help yeah that would be nice "this bass needs a service and while your at it slap some flats on it .... chop chop get to it!!"

its the only fender i've seen thats really jumped out at me and demanded i add it to my collection asap
the wood body black pickguard looked awesome and a maple neck with black binding.... well thats just downright pornographic!!!

whats the difference between the MAJ and the MIA bass's? i know the electronics differ but what about the wood?

 

[Hamrhed]

Imho, Yes... yes they are!

If you take boutique basses out of the equation, then you'll find that most basses are 'based' on either the Fender Precision or Jazz basses.

I personally have owned and played Fenders for over ten years- and have run gone from Mexican to US in build, and there is obviously quite a difference in quality and sound (dont forget that Im not even talking about Custom shop and high end Fender reissues). I'll take a US or Japanese Fender any day over anything else and be very happy (currently own both).

Lets face it- there are many great choices today that you can make, and you can go as far as your wallet will allow... but for the money Ill go with Fenders- accept no substitute

 

[spade2you]

Not worth the price they're asking.

Although, if many say that Fender is the industry standard, remember that "standard" implies that some stuff might be better.

 

[Jim Carr]

If it had binding and blocks, and was a recent model, I'd still have to say Japanese. Likely still a killer bass, but overpriced IMO...Regardless - that dealer sucks.

Buy one off the internet, and then take it in to that dealer for service, and make the local dealer your bee-yatch. Tell them "I wish I could have bought yours, but when I was on tour in the US and needed a bass, I ended up paying *way* too much for this one at a dealer in NYC, and besides, you wouldn't let me play yours last time I was in. No hard feelings, though. What do you have for strings?"

+1

Bill Mason is a genius. Oh, and I think he meant to say "What do you have for strings, ON SALE?"

 

[ProfGumby]

here's the thing the shop wont let me play it as it also sells piano's so it has this turned up nose attitude and if you want to demo a bass you have to ask then what happens is a member of staff takes you into a quiet room, plugs it in and plays it FOR you and tells you how great it is etc

i've tried a couple of others in other shops but then tend to be MIM and rattle for fun

I can understand a shop wanting their instruments to be in good shape and restrict access to serious buyers and the quiet room, but what they are doing is the same as a car dealer driving the car you want to test drive and then coming back and telling you how great the car is.

And even if you played a bass exactly like the one this snooty place has, then go buy the one from the snooty shop, it won't matter, it is a different bass!

Run, do not walk from that shop, and go find someone who will let a serious buyer play the bass they want to buy!