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early post CBS vs modern fender quality??
- Thread starter TheBassHorse
- Start date
Basses are like cars. A vintage car from the 1960s, that history has decided is a "classic," will sell for a far higher price than a newer car that might drive better and require less maintenance. From a strict, rational, player's point of view it wouldn't be worth the money, but to someone whose playing experience is a combination of the look, feel, sound, and general immersion in the appreciation of the art form, the price may be worth it. Calling it "hype" to spend a lot of money on a 68 Mustang is one person's opinion not taking into consideration the value system of the person writing the check.
Getting into the whole "70s Fenders" argument is a path to misery on this forum. Some in the "anti" column will broadly and loudly decide that ALL 70s Fenders are terrible, and defenders will throw statistics into the bin and say that their particular lightweight, playable 70s Fender completely disproves the theory altogether.
Ultimately the prices 70s Fenders are earning these days has as much to do with aesthetic appreciation for the look, feel, and general "mojo" of the guitars and the era with which they are associated. And that's just fine.
If you have no regard for these things (and not saying that you shouldn't) - look at the 70s Classic Jazz. I have one, and I prefer it unplugged to my Sadowsky 4. Plugged in, they're about neck and neck. Blows my AVRI 62 Jazz out of the water completely.
Getting into the whole "70s Fenders" argument is a path to misery on this forum. Some in the "anti" column will broadly and loudly decide that ALL 70s Fenders are terrible, and defenders will throw statistics into the bin and say that their particular lightweight, playable 70s Fender completely disproves the theory altogether.
Ultimately the prices 70s Fenders are earning these days has as much to do with aesthetic appreciation for the look, feel, and general "mojo" of the guitars and the era with which they are associated. And that's just fine.
If you have no regard for these things (and not saying that you shouldn't) - look at the 70s Classic Jazz. I have one, and I prefer it unplugged to my Sadowsky 4. Plugged in, they're about neck and neck. Blows my AVRI 62 Jazz out of the water completely.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
i'd take one of these 70's american cars:
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here's my '76 911. i drove this car for 15 years and put a zillion miles on it:
Is that granny apple green? Looks close, though there were a couple of different metallic greens (love the 70's colors, with signal orange being my fav). I almost bought a '78 that was granny apple w/cork interior.
As long as your head studs didn't pull out on the '76 you'd be stylin'
Eh. That bass is ok. It plays and sounds alright, but weighs a ton. The fit and finish are good, but in the end it's nothing special. I keep it because it's the only "vintage" Jazz I have at the moment, and I'm one of those collector jerks.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
it was called ice green metallic and that was it's original color, which happened to be my favorite color on them.
Want want want!!!
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Yeah, I figured it was one of the other ones. Here is granny apple - almost bought this car...
I'm with Harry. I started playing in 1974 and never came across a new Fender I thought was worth buying until I got my Elite (83?). I did have a chance to try out some pre-CBS basses and was amazed how light they were as well as their much livelier tone.
I've played a few 70s basses recently sitting in and felt the same way, too heavy and dead tone.
The weight issue seems to be due to the ash bodies...my Elite is heavy as was my Mary Kay VRI Jazz...both ash rather than alder. And it was the type of ash they were getting, the lightest Fender I have ever played is my 53 P-bass which is ash, but is lighter than my 61 alder P.
My sunburst 70 (my first real bass) which has been the standard by which I gage basses for the last 35 years or so, has a great feel, tight neck pocket and finish wise, aside from wear is great.
It is ash and weighs around 1 and a half pounds more then my 09, not much but noticeable.
My 09 isnt built or finished any better than the 70, but has features like the string through bridge and flatter neck profile which I like.
For what its worth they dont sound alike, but alder/rosewood shouldnt sound like ash/maple.
I spent a week trying out Jazz basses in every music store around here and the slightly abused 70 felt, played and sounded much better than the new 75/76 Jazzes I tried out which is why I bought it.
Funny in 09 I also played every Jazz in all the stores around here again, and the one I bought was also the one that stood out from the crowd to me.
MM
It is ash and weighs around 1 and a half pounds more then my 09, not much but noticeable.
My 09 isnt built or finished any better than the 70, but has features like the string through bridge and flatter neck profile which I like.
For what its worth they dont sound alike, but alder/rosewood shouldnt sound like ash/maple.
I spent a week trying out Jazz basses in every music store around here and the slightly abused 70 felt, played and sounded much better than the new 75/76 Jazzes I tried out which is why I bought it.
Funny in 09 I also played every Jazz in all the stores around here again, and the one I bought was also the one that stood out from the crowd to me.
MM
1) Dig the handle. Metal Mariachi! Woo hoo!
2) Well, when a company does MASS production of anything, there will be variation - I learned that years ago, so sure - some just as some pre-CBS fenders will be awful, some post CBS fenders will be dandy... But I think it is willing suspension of disbelief to say that CBS, in their years of ownership, did not cause Fender's to drop in quality, period. Did some basses get out the door that were good? Sure - but that's not how you gauge quality, is it? I contend that on average any given bass made by Fender before 1966 and after CBS sold out is better than any given bass made in by CBS (particularly when the REALLY started dorking things up, from about '73 on).
Now, as far as new fenders... Well, given that they are more consistent, it does seem reasonable that there will be less "personality" in any given instrument, if you know what I mean... and I am a guy who likes some "personality" in an axe (I have bought several factory-second basses over the years and been VERY happy with them!). I will say this: Today's USA stanard J & P basses are all well and good, but the current p-bass deluxe is the freakin' bomb - at least based on the few I've played. They just seem to beg to be played... Maybe it's just that I like a P-J...!
Metal Mariachi... that still cracks me up!
I contend that the CBS Fullerton reissues are on average as good as Any instruments Fender has ever made. As for the the 70s Fenders, those of us who like them must just be dumbasses, because your dislike of them proves they are all poorly made instruments. Perhaps you will be available to help me make my next purchase so I won't continue to make bad decisions.
Look, you dig them - that's GREAT. Some folks actually WANT to drive Pintos - I'm cool with that. But if you do need some guidance on your next purchse, I'm available... for a fee!
Look, you dig them - that's GREAT. Some folks actually WANT to drive Pintos - I'm cool with that. But if you do need some guidance on your next purchse, I'm available... for a fee!
I guess not. I've read enough of your posts on TB to know that would be a bad idea. No offense.
Sorry just calling like I see it. You have constantly gotten Fender information wrong in post after post. And as far as I can tell you had one late 70s Jazz bass you didn't like because it was too heavy. Which begs the question, why did you ever buy the damn thing?
