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Custom Shop Jazz

#7
Dr. Cheese said:
I was way off in a good way! BassCentral is selling that model for about $1,885.09 or so! I wouldn't even look at a used ebay bass when it costs more than a new one from a reputable dealer.
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Hey Dr.,

I had no idea that CS basses were in that price range. I thought there was more of a premium involved.

Maybe I should have ordered my ADPV from the CS so I could wait an extra 6 mo. (sorry SamJ) :)
 
#9
I looked at Basscentral's website again, and I see the that the Fender Custom Shop Classic Jazz V is $1,947!:hyper: That may be the boutique bass that I end up getting afterall. I confess that all the talk of Sadowskys has really tempted me, but I know from experience that Jazz Deluxes are fine. The Custom Shop version must be a couple of steps above that. I don't doubt that the quality of Metros and NYC Sadowskys, but given my lack of paying gigs, even a MIA Jazz V is a bit of overkill for me!:p Therefore, a Custom Shop Class will be just fine.
 
#13
I bought my Fender CS Custom Classic Jazz V from MF/Private Reserve Guitars in May (see my avatar). I paid $2059 for it. Mine is similar to "bassconbeatz's" ash/trans bing cherry finish/pearloid pg, but I have a pau ferro board. MF has a trans cobalt blue w/ rosewood board due in any day for the same price. Go to MF's web site and search for "custom classic."

btw, these Fender CS basses kill! The quality of materials, and the workmanship is second to none (and much better than a production MIA Fender, IMHO). As I've said in other threads, I own a Sadowsky Metro and two Pedullas. The Fender CS bass easily hangs with them.

Cheers,
Kevin

Edit: Dr. Cheese, one of the reasons I tried the CS Custom Classic Jazz V was MF's 45-day return policy. However, when I opened the case, I knew within minutes that this baby was not going back!
 
#14
Dr. Cheese said:
If I buy from reputable dealer with a return policy, why not check out the Fender? I have had good luck with Fenders, and I wouldn't mind saving $200-700 dollars getting the Custom Shop Classic instead of Metro. It makes sense to me.
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You certainly can.. but a friend of mine that plays with a big name headliner bought two custom shop jazz basses for touring .
he had them both for about a week and the fret jobs were really unacceptable for the money he paid..or for what is expected in a pro instrument…
even though he is with a big name he paid street price for them.. he took them both to Roger Sadowsky to have the necks re trued and re-fretted... I know that the custom shop has some good stuff come out of there but to be sure i would get a metro.. .. the custom shop in my opinion is not what it is all cracked up to be and is mostly hype. Imho
I have a NYC Sadowsky and love it.. from what I have seen the fender custom shop does not come close to my Sadowsky… but some folks have been lucky…but if im dropping a few grand I like a sure thing..
 
#15
I wonder if I am a completely inept bassist. I have played Fenders that badly needed setups. I played a Jazz V Standard that had an absolutely flaccid B string, and I have played Fenders that needed fret dressing. That said, most Fenders I have played were quite decent, many were fine playing instruments. As I said before, I have absolutely no doubt about Sadowsky superiority, for that money, they have to be better or so many players would not use them. I just have hard time believing that Fender is that bad.:(
 
#16
SVT15... maybe your friend lives in a very dry climate, as I've never heard of any "defects" in any CS basses.. even the less expensive "Team Built" production models. For this to have happened to two basses, leads me to think it's climate, and I've yet to see a bass (unless it's shrinkwrapped in poly finish) that doesn't react to moisture change.

Now, the bass above is a "Team Built" Custom Shop "Series production", i.e. not a "one of" or custom ordered instrument. BASE STREET PRICE of one is about $1890.. this one has a finish that carries a $150 premium, so that puts it at $2140 or so "Street" price, or about $3000 retail. Considering how hard to find these basses "IN STOCK" it is, the ebay auction is probably accurate. Keep in mind, just because every dealer shows a "CS Classic Jazz IV" on his site, doesn't actually means he has it, you'll have to wait 4-6 months.

As for comparing a CS to a Sadowsky, I would say they are comparable in quality (at least to the NYC), don't know much about skyline.. The Sadowsky NYC line has some very nice stuff for sure.

Keep in mind however, Fender's CS isn't the "King" it's their "Master Built" CS that takes that spot, and those start at about $6000 and go to $60,000+! before discounts :D

I've got a Dennis Galuszka "Master Built" on order now and it's loaded with a few customizations:

-2 piece light weight/tight grain Ash Body
-Ebony Fret board on 1/4 sawn (either AAA Flame, or Birds Eye) Maple neck
-Clear (barely viewable grain) Ebony or black NitroCellulose (for now) finish on the body
-Poly urethane on the neck headstock, and oil (matte) finished on the back of the neck.
-Natural abalone block inlay's and pick guard
-Initials "SJS" inside block inlay #7 to be made of a light color wood.
-ZERO Fret right in front of bone nut (you can see an example of this idea on Fender's website under the "Zero Fret Jazz Bass"
-9.75" custom radius neck
-1.5mm at 1st fret custom reduction on neck thickness at tapering to .5m at the 21st fret
-9v Dennis Galuszka custom designed pre-amp
-2 "Jaco" classic jazz, Dennis Galuszka hand wound J-pickups (over wound).
-Schaller light weight turning machines
-Roscoe Beck style 3-string string-tree (ADG coverage)
-Custom Shop G&G hand made "Tweed" case with red interior

And so far (at last check) it's at about $7000 retail and I'm getting some 33% off that! The price will change as you add and subtract stuff along the way, or change your mind, which I've done a 1/2 dozen times already.
 
#18
svtb15 said:
you can get a sadowky metro and not have to refreet it as soon as you got it.. i would get a sadowsky metro
Click to expand...

im looking at the custom shop fender basses in my local store and i have got be honest and say that the frets look and play just fine....now there are other basses in the store where the fretwork is total rubbish. Now if its a case the fret work not being right for you personally is another matter like if your after some real low action...but I really fail to see the issue.

I was talking to a tech in a certain japanese guitar workshop not a million miles from sadowsky in what they do who also said that the custom shop basses where ok apart form the necks....they keep twisting and warping...but i just dont see it .

sometimes at this high level and price of bass workmanship small issues and one off events might be taking on legendary folklore status.
 

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