Carbon rods in Fender AmStd line

[N. Kentucky Bass]

To install carbon fiber rods you have to remove a fair amount of wood from the neck. I found them lifeless and to stiff.

Every neck I've played has felt stiff as a board. EB and double basses alike. Wood is like that unless your bass is made from balsa. Every one of them sprung to life the instant I plucked or bowed the strings.

 

[Phaidrus]

I only own a 2008 and a 2017 American-made Pbass so whatever difference these rods make they are all I know. And I'm quite happy with them.

 

[godofthunder59]

Every neck I've played has felt stiff as a board. EB and double basses alike. Wood is like that unless your bass is made from balsa. Every one of them sprung to life the instant I plucked or bowed the strings.

I have owned hundreds of basses, and have a sizable collection. I have been playing since '71 in music retail since '76. I have done consulting work with US and European manufacturers, custom builders, guitar techs for the famous, and authors. I know how wood behaves. I went to college for industrial Arts, also served a two year apprenticeship with a prestigious restoration shop in Boston, have my own restoration shop, make my own instruments etc etc etc. I don't like reinforcing rods, you may. I have had dozens of examples in my hands of both.

 

[Doug Parent]

I thought they started using the carbon rods with the American Series line. '95 would definitely move the timeline a few years earlier.

Fender is famous for starting new "lines" at different price points with varying features. The American "Standard" Series is not the same as the "American Series". Very confusing.

 

[Kro]

*Looks at thread title* Good point!

 

[Tim Skaggs]

View attachment 4169263

1995 is correct. I was there They did a complete reworking of the bass line during 1994. Resulting in the 1995 "Daddy's Home" campaign. First time, the new Fender company really listened to their customers.
Just imagine: you couldn't buy a US Fender that looked like a REAL P or J bass before 1995. With the exception of the US Vintage series and Custom Shop instruments. But these were financially out of reach for many young players.
They gave up all the pseudo-"innovations" many players didn't want and the Js and Ps looked very traditional again. But - as you mentioned - added the strings-through-body feature and the graphite reinforced necks.

From the 1995 catalogue:
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The change might have occurred mid-year ‘95, but I owned two Am Standard with ‘95 serial numbers (N5xxxxx), neither of which had the features of the serial number ‘96 I acquired as a third try to get out of the dead spot ‘95s.

Carbon rods in Fender AmStd line