Fender ABG Club

[B-Mac]

I _may_ have seen that, too. I was A/B'ing the listings for the Burst and Black, and I think they were updating it while I was checking. Looks like the body and neck construction are different, too. They have burst listed as "Auditorium" and Black as "Concert".

See if this works:
Invalid Link Removed

Looks like both size and shape are same.

Neck wood and body wood is different
Mahogany vs Nato
Mahogany vs Sapele

Solid Spruce top on both

FB is walnut on both

Electronics both Fishman Presys+

Black
BODY

• Body Back
  Laminated Mahogany
• Body Sides
  Laminated Mahogany
• Body Top
  Solid Spruce
• Body Finish
  Gloss Poly
• Body Shape
  Concert Bass
• Body Binding
  Aged White
• Bracing
  Forward Shifted Scalloped X
• Rosette
  2-Ring B/W/B

NECK

• Neck Material
  Mahogany
• Neck Binding
  Aged White
• Neck Finish
  Satin Urethane
• Neck Shape
  Slim "C"
• Scale Length
  30.3" (770 mm)
• Fingerboard Material
  Walnut
• Fingerboard Radius
  12" (305 mm)
• Number of Frets
  20
• Fret Size
  2mm
• Nut Material
  Graph Tech® NuBone™
• Nut Width
  1.5" (38.1 mm)
• Position Inlays
  White Pearloid Block

HARDWARE

• Bridge
  Modern Viking
• Bridge Pins
  Cream Colored with Black Dots
• Hardware Finish
  Nickel
• Tuning Machines
  Open-Back Geared
• Pickguard
  3-Ply Gold

MISCELLANEOUS

• Strings
  Fender® 8060 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Bass (.045-.100 Gauges), P/N 0738060400

Burst
BODY

• Body Back
  Sapele
• Body Sides
  Sapele
• Body Top
  Solid Sitka Spruce
• Body Finish
  Gloss Poly
• Body Shape
  Auditorium
• Body Binding
  Aged White
• Bracing
  Scalloped X
• Rosette
  2-Ring B/W/B

NECK

• Neck Material
  Nato
• Neck Binding
  Aged White
• Neck Finish
  Satin Urethane
• Neck Shape
  Slim "C"
• Scale Length
  30.3" (770 mm)
• Fingerboard Material
  Walnut
• Fingerboard Radius
  12" (305 mm)
• Number of Frets
  20
• Fret Size
  2mm
• Nut Material
  Graph Tech® NuBone™
• Nut Width
  1.5" (38.1 mm)
• Position Inlays
  Pearloid Block
• Truss Rod
  Modern Heel Adjust
• Truss Rod Nut
  4 mm Hex

ELECTRONICS

• Controls
  Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, Notch, Brilliance, Phase, Integrated Electronic Tuner with On/Off Switch, Low Battery Indicator Light
• Special Electronics
  Fishman® Presys Plus, Side-Mounted Preamp with Built-In Electronic Tuner

HARDWARE

• Bridge
  Modern Viking
• Bridge Pins
  Aged White with Black Dots
• Hardware Finish
  Nickel
• Tuning Machines
  Open-Back Geared
• Pickguard
  3-Ply Black

MISCELLANEOUS

• Strings
  Fender® 8060 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Bass (.045-.100 Gauges), P/N 0738060400

 

[LoveJackBruce]

Well, I found an opportunity to try out up to 3 good Acoustic Bass Guitars. Free Shipping and Free Returns. So I'm thinking a Takamine GB30CE Jumbo and thereby get my chops wet on this large ABG and than I believe I'd be able to make a decision on all jumbo body basses just playing this one for an afternoon and evening. I'm assuming a jumbo is a jumbo when it sits in your lap. It always seemed that way at the clubs.

Next, I could try a Fender Kingman V2. The opinions really vary on this one, so it'd be fun. A little bigger than the CB-60SCE but smaller than a Jumbo. Should learn a lot if I go this direction.

And lastly, I shouldn't need to check the last one available but, it could be my last change too. And there's still lots of others like Spector and Warwick. Ovation, Breedlove, Alvarez. This could be a long autumn.

 

[StevenC56]

I bought a Black Kingman from Adorama in May when they had the big price reduction. I liked it pretty well, but plugged in the E string had considerably less output than the other strings. I found that the factory had chamfered the hole in the bridge where the piezo pickup comes through so much that the pickup wasn't making enough contact with the saddle. Fender said to take it to a Fender Authorized repair center. Adorama agreed to an exchange, but they were on backorder. I returned the bass and waited a bit over a month for the replacement. When it arrived the box wasn't factory sealed. Adorama said that's how their warehouse received it from Fender. There were several blemishes and somewhat sloppy finish in a few spots, but the neck had fret sprout so bad you could feel all the sharp edges on every fret. It really should have been sold as a blemished or second. I tried the humidify in a large plastic bag procedure and it improved only a slight bit, so I decided there were just too many issues with it. I should have kept the first one and figured out the pickup issue on my own. Anyway, I'm looking at the new Kingman or possibly the FA-450CE. The new Kingman still comes with a deluxe gig bag, but not the FA. Why did Fender supposedly discontinue the FAB-610 bag when it still comes with the Kingman!? You can't find them anywhere right now.

 

[StevenC56]

Oh, and I was actually able to find a Fender ABG long scale gig bag for it (I may have already mentioned this). This place must have bought up a bunch when Fender discontinued them.

Where did you find the Fender long scale gig bag?

 

[Cullen G]

I bought a Black Kingman from Adorama in May when they had the big price reduction. I liked it pretty well, but plugged in the E string had considerably less output than the other strings. I found that the factory had chamfered the hole in the bridge where the piezo pickup comes through so much that the pickup wasn't making enough contact with the saddle. Fender said to take it to a Fender Authorized repair center. Adorama agreed to an exchange, but they were on backorder. I returned the bass and waited a bit over a month for the replacement. When it arrived the box wasn't factory sealed. Adorama said that's how their warehouse received it from Fender. There were several blemishes and somewhat sloppy finish in a few spots, but the neck had fret sprout so bad you could feel all the sharp edges on every fret. It really should have been sold as a blemished or second. I tried the humidify in a large plastic bag procedure and it improved only a slight bit, so I decided there were just too many issues with it. I should have kept the first one and figured out the pickup issue on my own. Anyway, I'm looking at the new Kingman or possibly the FA-450CE. The new Kingman still comes with a deluxe gig bag, but not the FA. Why did Fender supposedly discontinue the FAB-610 bag when it still comes with the Kingman!? You can't find them anywhere right now.

People look at the Kingman's small size and think "toy" bass, or beginner bass. It's actually Fender's finest ABG. So it makes since it comes with a bag. It is a VERY nice and thick bag too.

I must be really lucky! I have not purchased any basses with issues yet. My Kingman was perfect from the box.

Fender QC lacking?

 

[LoveJackBruce]

I bought a Black Kingman from Adorama in May when they had the big price reduction. I liked it pretty well, but plugged in the E string had considerably less output than the other strings. I found that the factory had chamfered the hole in the bridge where the piezo pickup comes through so much that the pickup wasn't making enough contact with the saddle. Fender said to take it to a Fender Authorized repair center. Adorama agreed to an exchange, but they were on backorder. I returned the bass and waited a bit over a month for the replacement. When it arrived the box wasn't factory sealed. Adorama said that's how their warehouse received it from Fender. There were several blemishes and somewhat sloppy finish in a few spots, but the neck had fret sprout so bad you could feel all the sharp edges on every fret. It really should have been sold as a blemished or second. I tried the humidify in a large plastic bag procedure and it improved only a slight bit, so I decided there were just too many issues with it. I should have kept the first one and figured out the pickup issue on my own. Anyway, I'm looking at the new Kingman or possibly the FA-450CE. The new Kingman still comes with a deluxe gig bag, but not the FA. Why did Fender supposedly discontinue the FAB-610 bag when it still comes with the Kingman!? You can't find them anywhere right now.

I ordered a FAB-

Where did you find the Fender long scale gig bag?

FAB-405 on Reverb. I received mine all rolled up tight in plastic so i haven't opened it, and I returned the Fender CB-60SCE i was going to use it for.
So I complained about the packaging and got a middle finger back and a return would costly, shipping borh ways and a min 20% restocking fee. $49.99, ZoZo music in San Antonio. There are other shops. I may just sell mine.

 

[StevenC56]

I ordered a FAB-

FAB-405 on Reverb. I received mine all rolled up tight in plastic so i haven't opened it, and I returned the Fender CB-60SCE i was going to use it for.
So I complained about the packaging and got a middle finger back and a return would costly, shipping borh ways and a min 20% restocking fee. $49.99, ZoZo music in San Antonio. There are other shops. I may just sell mine.

The FAB-405's are the standard long scale gig bag. It's the FAB-610 that's the deluxe bag and seems to have disappeared everywhere except the fact that it's included with the Kingman. (even the new Kingman model)

 

[StevenC56]

People look at the Kingman's small size and think "toy" bass, or beginner bass. It's actually Fender's finest ABG. So it makes since it comes with a bag. It is a VERY nice and thick bag too.

I must be really lucky! I have not purchased any basses with issues yet. My Kingman was perfect from the box.

Fender QC lacking?

In retrospect I could have fabricated a solution with the piezo issue on the first one. Everything else was just fine on it. The second one was a total pooch screw unfortunately. Hoping the new Kingman model is well put together.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

This is hard work.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

The FAB-405's are the standard long scale gig bag. It's the FAB-610 that's the deluxe bag and seems to have disappeared everywhere except the fact that it's included with the Kingman. (even the new Kingman model)

You are correct.

 

[Queue]

@StevenC56 and @LoveJackBruce I'm pretty sure the gig bag that comes with the Kingman ABG isn't the same "deluxe" one you're seeing. It's nice, but not deluxe. But it is TONS better than the piece of junk that my MIJ SS Jazz came in. I was really surprised how lame that was. (Good thing both basses are amazing.)

 

[StevenC56]

@StevenC56 and @LoveJackBruce I'm pretty sure the gig bag that comes with the Kingman ABG isn't the same "deluxe" one you're seeing. It's nice, but not deluxe. But it is TONS better than the piece of junk that my MIJ SS Jazz came in. I was really surprised how lame that was. (Good thing both basses are amazing.)

Both of the Black Kingsman samples I received from Adorama came with the FAB-610 deluxe bag. The part numbers on the tag were:
UPC: 885978984848
Manufacturer #: 0991535206

The Fender website also shows the new Kingman model comes with a "Deluxe Gig Bag", and pictured is the FAB-610 bag.

 

[Queue]

Both of the Black Kingsman samples I received from Adorama came with the FAB-610 deluxe bag. The part numbers on the tag were:
UPC: 885978984848
Manufacturer #: 0991535206

The Fender website also shows the new Kingman model comes with a "Deluxe Gig Bag", and pictured is the FAB-610 bag.

What I'm trying to say (not very well) is that the gig bag you get with the Kingman V2 is NOT quite as nice as this one:
Invalid Link Removed

It is really close, but does not have the thick (rubber?) protection on the headstock and bottom corners, and the padding may be less than 10mm. That's all. It is a nice bag, but considering the V1 Kingman came with a HSC, it is definitely a downgrade.

Gone are the days when buying a quality instrument included a quality way to transport and protect it. It's all about cost savings, and I get that. Some people don't even want a HSC. Hell, some may not even want a gig bag!

 

[StevenC56]

What I'm trying to say (not very well) is that the gig bag you get with the Kingman V2 is NOT quite as nice as this one:
Invalid Link Removed

It is really close, but does not have the thick (rubber?) protection on the headstock and bottom corners, and the padding may be less than 10mm. That's all. It is a nice bag, but considering the V1 Kingman came with a HSC, it is definitely a downgrade.

Gone are the days when buying a quality instrument included a quality way to transport and protect it. It's all about cost savings, and I get that. Some people don't even want a HSC. Hell, some may not even want a gig bag!

Yeah-That FA610 dreadnought bag has the outside tread protectors that the FAB610 doesn't have, but unfortunately it's not long enough for any of the Fender basses.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

Both of the Black Kingsman samples I received from Adorama came with the FAB-610 deluxe bag. The part numbers on the tag were:
UPC: 885978984848
Manufacturer #: 0991535206

The Fender website also shows the new Kingman model comes with a "Deluxe Gig Bag", and pictured is the FAB-610 bag.

You did samples. Did they let you try out the basses?

 

[Cullen G]

Dunno about yours. My Kingman bag is 20mm thick. So are the Ortega and Rudy Sarzo bags. Best bags I've seen personally.

 

[StevenC56]

I used the word "samples" meaning 2 different new Kingsman basses. The word is used in this context where there's product that on paper should not vary from unit to unit, but the units actually vary in quality and construction a noticeable amount.

 

[StevenC56]

Dunno about yours. My Kingman bag is 20mm thick. So are the Ortega and Rudy Sarzo bags. Best bags I've seen personally.

The FA610 Dreadnought bag and the FAB610 Long Scale Bass gig bags are both listed with 10mm padding on both spec sheets. That's probably just the padding thickness-The inner and outer materials plus the padding are most likely around 20mm.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

I used the word "samples" meaning 2 different new Kingsman basses. The word is used in this context where there's product that on paper should not vary from unit to unit, but the units actually vary in quality and construction a noticeable amount.

Well, give me the old Websters response, lol. Very good.

 

[StevenC56]

Well, give me the old Websters response, lol. Very good.

To categorize "sampling" on production items such as musical instrument and many other things, there's usually 3 general classifications. (1) The "Golden" sample. One that is as close to perfect as humanly possible. That's the one we all want of course! Probably only 10% of production falls into this category. (2) The "Average" sample. One that may have some minor flaws, but is still a worthy piece and performs well. This is around 80% of production and what we normally expect and except. (3) The "Poor" sample. One that has noticeable flaws and performs below average. About 10% of production falls into this category, and of course we all hope this is NOT what we receive. This whole situation is referred to as the "Sample Lottery". Hope my rambling is helpful, or at the least entertaining.