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Custom Performer/Supersonic bass

#183
Here's a before/after pic related to my early comparison (page 2) to the/my Jazz bass, which the Performer was to supersede as the "Elite" Fender bass of 1985. In retrospect I can't say one is 'better' than the other, but wouldn' this be a better take on the same-old, same-old Fender retro rehashing?

Their reversed Jaguar/whatever bass was the tipping point for me. :rollno:

abgGrkkG.jpg
 
#186
After a week w/the bass set-up/strung up and played, I took it back to Dan Ransom and he did a Plek fret-mill, dressing and set-up. Got it back yesterday and to say it plays like butter would be an understatement. Along w/it feeling wonderful, it just sounds better - more realized/focused. Never had this done before and decided to start this instruments life as close to ideal as possible. As Dan put it, the only drawback is that now I'll want all my basses to have this done! Frankly I'd go broke doing all my basses but it might be a long-term program to establish where I do one bass a year. Considering the result, I think this would be money well spent.
 
#188
jcorneli said:
Of course, this is about the most awesome thing, ever.
Click to expand...

Thank man! I play it most every day and absolutely love it! In live and recording situations it sits really nicely in the mix. I'm very happy w/the EMG-X system for clarity, nuance and a sweet vintage/modern tone-mix. And it melts in my hands - I've found it to be very conducive to creativity. What more could one want from an instrument?

Some people think it looks odd, (as they did and still think about the Fender Performer bass) but everyone has a different take on what's considered odd. I've seen odd, which can have it's own club-footed charm, but I only see and hear beauty with this one. Wish you could play it - you'd feel the same. :)
 
#191
JIO said:
Here's a before/after pic related to my early comparison (page 2) to the/my Jazz bass, which the Performer was to supersede as the "Elite" Fender bass of 1985. In retrospect I can't say one is 'better' than the other, but wouldn' this be a better take on the same-old, same-old Fender retro rehashing?

Their reversed Jaguar/whatever bass was the tipping point for me. :rollno:

abgGrkkG.jpg
Click to expand...

I like the 50's P-style pickguard on that jazz! Very classy.

Totally agree with you on the fender re-issues. Swingers, duo-sonics etc would be a much better idea for the line-up
 
#192
josiah goldfish said:
I like the 50's P-style pickguard on that jazz! Very classy.

Totally agree with you on the fender re-issues. Swingers, duo-sonics etc would be a much better idea for the line-up
Click to expand...

Thanks - I get love & hate responses to that pg (so I must be doing something right! ;) )

Just like I took on the Performer, I'm getting itchy for another "what if?" bass based on my favorite Fender guitar that was never put into production - The '66 Maurader. Fender did create the (well thought-out/designed) Jaguar bass which could be it's cousin. You can see I've already copped the cool natural/painted headstock concept for my SS. If Fender did an authentic re-issue of it, I'd be tempted to learn how to play guitar! :rollno: Meanwhile.., what if it were a bass...

acrUAlgF.jpg
 
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#194
Splods said:
Would you go 34 inch scale, or make it something closer to a Mustang?

I also wouldn't mind of on those for myself...
Click to expand...

Good question Splods - hadn't considered scale-length. It could be cool to do a 30" Mustang-scale w/Jag-type array of switches/knobs, binding/blocks and all as something like that doesn't currently exist (as far as I know anyway) Also, the Mustang was from '66. (my favorite year for industrial design)
 
#196
MysticMichael said:
It reminds me a bit of a Parker Fly Bass... :hmm:

IMG_3189.jpg


MM
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... you mean like my Parker Hornet 5'r? ;)

abx9d6wR.jpg


I thought I had acknowledged this in my write-up while building it, but I had Dan Ransom here in SF make the SS neck as a cross between a Parker Hornet 24 fret 4-string (at the butt) and a '60 Jazz profile (at the nut), and he nailed it! It also incorporated a Gibson-style set-back headstock like the Parkers also use. (very non-Fender)

I recently sold my Hornet 4-string (a killer bass!), which was one of my Gildaxe prototypes. Here's a pic of my friend Konstantine playing it at my Gildaxe launch party last year. What looks like a 'worn' area on the top-side is actually a reflection - the very glassy final-finish is the beautiful handi-work of one Pat Wilkins.

aczrC6Ns.jpg
 

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