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Buying a Fernandes?

M

MiraiHikki

Apr 4, 2010
34
0
#1
So today I stumbled upon what may be a Fernandes jazz bass. After searching through the forums, I have a few questions about it.

1) I wanna confirm that if it's a "Fernandez" (not a "Fernandes"), it's a no-go.
2) Is there anything I should watch out for in the brand?

Yeah, I have more questions too, but for the life of me, I cant remember them now, so I'll update later.
 
#2
Fernandes-LEB Jazz and P series. Here is some history

Invalid Link Removed

I know for a fact that local stores were warned by the "Big Boy" sales reps to stop selling them or they would lose or have trouble receiving future Fender shipments. I was able to snap one up for $250.00 new! I added active EMGs and Badass II bridge and graphite nut and black pearl pickguard. I love the neck and the tone is what I and my audience have liked for various styles of music. I only made one neck adjustment since I got it almost 10 years ago and I record and play out regularly.
Here is a photo next to my custom Sabre/P

107_0106.jpg


:hiding:
 
#3
I was on the hunt a few months ago for some Fernandes guitars. I have one of those LEB-2 basses (until tomorrow that is). In all of my searching for information on both the basses and guitars, I have not come across any spellings with a Z on the end. I've seen listings pop up a couple of times on my local Craigslist. These ads never had a photo to confirm the spelling, so I've always assumed it was a typo, since the surname of Fernandez is quite common.

My LEB-2 bass survived shootouts with every Mexican made Fender Jazz and Precision bass I brought home. In fact, if I didn't want to scrounge up money to get my wife a Fender Mustang, I'd be keeping the bass. The neck feels absolutely incredible and the bass seems to be about as heavy as a Gibson Les Paul...light compared to other basses, IMHO.

If you have the chance to pick one up, especially for a couple hundred, I'd say to do it...if mine, and one beat-to-hell one I played at a local Guitar Center are any indication, they will beat any comparably priced used Fender...hands down. There's a good guide on eBay that you can find with a google search that gives a decent guide on identifying a range of years that it was likely produced.
 
#4
Well, after going back to the shop, I looked it over in detail. Though a few decals were missing, It was likely an old Fernandes bass with the decals they started using from 1987 and it was made in Japan. The problem was that the bridge, jack, and pickup poles were covered with green corrosion; and all of the pots were pretty much frozen. With a little work, I got one volume and the tone pots to move if great effort was applied. Even worse, when I plugged it in, there was a ton of hum, not sure if it was the pickups or not. Given the amount of problems with it and the price they wanted ($280), I decided that to just save up for an American Fender.
 
#6
Given what I said earlier, what would be the price range to refurbish it? Likely though, I could probably hold off on the bridge. It's in rough condition, but should do its job. I'm also a little worried about the actual body of the bass, as it seemed to be stored in a humid area for quite a while.
 
#7
MiraiHikki said:
Well, after going back to the shop, I looked it over in detail. Though a few decals were missing, It was likely an old Fernandes bass with the decals they started using from 1987 and it was made in Japan. The problem was that the bridge, jack, and pickup poles were covered with green corrosion; and all of the pots were pretty much frozen. With a little work, I got one volume and the tone pots to move if great effort was applied. Even worse, when I plugged it in, there was a ton of hum, not sure if it was the pickups or not. Given the amount of problems with it and the price they wanted ($280), I decided that to just save up for an American Fender.
Click to expand...

Yakob said:
Actually, that price is excellent for a MIJ referb project, and I'm sure we've got members here who could hook you up with the parts and stuff you need. I know for a fact that I have pots you could use...
Click to expand...


In my experience (limited, I admit) Fernandes basses tend to fly under the radar. For $280.00, or less, you can score a Fernandes bass in very good condition cosmetically and electronically. OTOH, Fernandes basses aren't common.

FWIW, my Fernandes LE-2 (MIJ statocopy) is a fantastic
guitar--the fit, finish & overall build quality is excellent.
 
#8
Actually, for a bridge, there was a member who passed one from a MIM Fender on to me that I ended up not using. If the bridge on that bass is one of the 5 screw varieties, then I'll be happy to send it your way.

I'm not sure what kind of jack they use, but I have an extra one that goes on a strat. If that's the kind of input it calls for, I'll include that too.

$280 is a good price, even for a refurb, if you're looking for one now. The LEB-2 I got rid of was a great bass. I miss the neck.

Send me a PM if you're interested in those. I'll mail them off on Tuesday.
 

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