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Bloody yr2000 Fenders!

T

Tobybassplayer

Apr 6, 2011
10
0
St Albans, UK
www.tobynewcombe.com
#1
I'm not overly convinced with the quality of Fenders made after the year 2000. I have a 1966 jazz bass that I've owned for nearly 10 years now, and apart from the neck pickup needing a re-wind, it has never put a foot wrong. I also have a 90's P-bass and Strat and again, they have never put a foot wrong.

My latest Fender is a 1962r/i P-bass which I bought direct in about 2006. It didn't come very well set up. So far, it has needed a new bridge, a fret stone, and many intonation adjustments. The volume knob keeps coming loose too. Obviously it's a great bass overall, but it's always the one I have to break out the tool kit for.

(By the way, all are US models.)

Has anyone else noticed a fall in the build quality of US Fenders after the year 2000? Are companies like Sandburg now the way forward?
 
#2
Tobybassplayer said:
I'm not overly convinced with the quality of Fenders made after the year 2000. I have a 1966 jazz bass that I've owned for nearly 10 years now, and apart from the neck pickup needing a re-wind, it has never put a foot wrong. I also have a 90's P-bass and Strat and again, they have never put a foot wrong.

My latest Fender is a 1962r/i P-bass which I bought direct in about 2006. It didn't come very well set up. So far, it has needed a new bridge, a fret stone, and many intonation adjustments. The volume knob keeps coming loose too. Obviously it's a great bass overall, but it's always the one I have to break out the tool kit for.

(By the way, all are US models.)


Has anyone else noticed a fall in the build quality of US Fenders after the year 2000? Are companies like Sandburg now the way forward?
Click to expand...

I bought a 62 AVRI brand new earlier this year. Either a 2010 or 2011. Anyhow, terrible electronic crackling meant I had to pay to get a professional shielding and new jack input for good measure. Sorted the problem, beautiful bass but not what I would expect for the $$ these cost. On the other hand, I own CS basses and recently bought a 2009 NOS American Standard. The Standard was great - no issues but I thought its output was a little week compared to the CS and AVRI basses.
 
#7
I don't know, maybe I got lucky. I have a 2000 american series P Bass and I've had no issues with it at all. Well, I did have to put a washer in behind the truss rod nut, but that was all. And after I added that washer I have an almost flat neck with very low action, and no crackling issues of any kind
 
#8
Some of the problems you are having might be because the bass is so new and still settling. Once you get the intonation worked out and the sharp edges taken off of the frets, you should be good to go. Your '66 has had 45 years of playing to smooth things out a little bit. :)
 
#12
BIGEJ2 said:
Understood. Sorry to hear the bass wasn't up to par - I found the newer ones are much better quality than ones made just a few years ago. But like all mass produced instruments, they can be hit or miss.
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Thanks. I wouldn't (and don't) intend to diss Fender at all. The AVRI had a small issue and once resolved it was wonderful. I would personally go the Fender route by choice 10 times out of 10. I agree with the quality on the new ones being improved - numerous posts here sing the praises of the 2008 and later in particular.

I've tried other brands, but the journey leads me back to Fender every time.
 
#13
The output on my AM ST Precision 2002 seems weak in the d & g strings compared to my MIA 2010 Precision V in which the tone just jumps out all over. I am sure I can correct the 2002 w/the right strings.

The P-V has the thinner finish which scars easier. Both have good build quality...we are talking Fender here. I am happier for buying new instruments...out of the box purchases.

2002-r/w board
2010- maple...fwiw.
 
#18
I'm in the opposite camp, I'm really disappointed with my 2010 American deluxe jazz, don't get me wrong it's a beautiful bass and the workmanship is fantastic but it has serious shielding issues and in active mode is so noisy as to be useless in a live gigging situation.
Also I'm not particularly fond of the sound, it seems to lack a bit of "bite", I have a 78 jazz which blows it out of the water tone wise ( then again this is my own preference, what's one mans meat is another mans poison or something haha)

Overall I've been so underwhelmed by the 2010 deluxe jazz I haven't gigged it In the past few months (I'm using a second hand status stealth instead which is absolutely incredible and my 78 jazz)

I'm gutted to be honest because I really really wanted to like it but between the shielding issues and tone I've gone off it completely
 
#20
Tobybassplayer said:
My latest Fender is a 1962r/i P-bass which I bought direct in about 2006. It didn't come very well set up. So far, it has needed a new bridge, a fret stone, and many intonation adjustments. The volume knob keeps coming loose too. Obviously it's a great bass overall, but it's always the one I have to break out the tool kit for.
Click to expand...

Why did you need a new bridge? Also, what is a fret stone? The other things you mentioned are minor issues.
 

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