Fender American Design Experience

[ModuMan]

That gap might just be the neck shifting during mailing. Sometimes happens with bolt on necks, and you just need to loosen the bolts at the neck plate and adjust it back and re-tighten.

Wouldn't that introduce a space on the treble side? The pics I posted don't show that area but it is flush. I'll see if I have any pics when I get home.

 

[Fletz]

I love Fender and they are all I play but if you piece together an american standard bass on the ADE then it should reflect the same price. That is where my negativity for the program stems from. Also, they should offer the options of an American deluxe neck and body since the ADE basses are the same price as the American Deluxe.

With all due respect, no it shouldn't because it's no longer an "American STANDARD Bass." I don't think anyone has picked up on the word "Standard" in the phrase "American Standard Bass." Once something isn't standard it's custom. Custom always costs more.

 

[Mastermold]

Wouldn't that introduce a space on the treble side? The pics I posted don't show that area but it is flush. I'll see if I have any pics when I get home.

Possibly but you won't know until you try. Sometimes it's more of the heel angle being slightly off. I've adjusted a few Fender necks that shifted (either during shipping or the bass fell over) and had a gap on one side but after adjusting both sides were even.

EDIT: If you have a vintage style bass (not sure what yours is) that requires neck removal to adjust the truss rod you'll want a little bit of gap so you don't chip the paint when taking it on and off. Too much gap is unsightly but too little can result in finish cracks or chipping.

 

[ModuMan]

Possibly but you won't know until you try. Sometimes it's more of the heel angle being slightly off. I've adjusted a few Fender necks that shifted (either during shipping or the bass fell over) and had a gap on one side but after adjusting both sides were even.

Interesting! I'll have to wait to see how this shakes out but that's good to know.

 

[Slpbass81]

Does anyone know if the binded/block 70's jazz neck on the vintage model option is the type of neck that you need to remove to adjust the truss rod?

 

[60bass]

Does anyone know if the binded/block 70's jazz neck on the vintage model option is the type of neck that you need to remove to adjust the truss rod?

If it's a true 70's style it should have a bullet truss rod at the headstock.
Does it show that in the picture of the neck?

 

[petrus61]

I used to work at a few different Guitar Centers. That is the last place I would take any instrument to. If I paid that much for basically a glorified American Standard I would have them pay for it to be sent back to the Fender shop and correct their mistakes. At least companies like Ampeg do their research and only certify quality repair shops (at least where I am, and GC is not one of them lol).

Fender will not have warranty work done by a non certified service center. Anyone doing warranty work on a Fender has been trained and certified by Fender to do so, regardless of locale. They aren't going to hand all of their warranty claims over to someone whose idea of a "tech" is someone who adjusts a truss rod and changes strings once in a while. I think I remember hearing that Fender had implemented certified warranty service centers at a few select GC's, in which case the claim would likely be in good hands.

 

[Matt R.]

If it's a true 70's style it should have a bullet truss rod at the headstock.
Does it show that in the picture of the neck?

1975 and later had the bullet. Early 70s have the adjustment at the heel.

 

[Slpbass81]

Hmmm so which are they using. The whole take the neck off to adjust the neck has always been a deal breaker.

 

[peterpalmieri]

You need to take the neck off if you have the right screw driver. I've got a 57 and 64 reissue and I've never had to remove the neck.

 

[petrus61]

Every tech I know has simply loosened the strings and secured them close to the nut with rubber tubing or bungee, carefully loosened the neck bolts, slightly tilted the neck and adjusted. It's a little more work, but there's no need to remove the neck at all. It kind of goes with the territory if you want a vintage styled instrument.

 

[JoeWPgh]

You loosen the strings, then the neck screws. You knock the neck into position, then tighten the screws. Tune the instrument and you're done.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I've ground down the head of a large screw driver so I can make quarter turns without chewing up the pickguard. It's never been an issue. If your worried about scratching the pickguard it may not be the best idea.

 

[Addison]

It kind of goes with the territory if you want a vintage styled instrument.

I kind of disagree with this.

I have a CS '64 NOS, two ADE's and have had half a dozen other Fender basses, old and new, and I've only had to do this out of necessity once that I can think of... and once it was done, I never had to do it again.

If loosening the bolts to straighten out your neck is some kind of regular thing on your instrument, it's in my opinion that there's something wrong somewhere.

 

[petrus61]

I kind of disagree with this.

I have a CS '64 NOS, two ADE's and have had half a dozen other Fender basses, old and new, and I've only had to do this out of necessity once that I can think of... and once it was done, I never had to do it again.

If loosening the bolts to straighten out your neck is some kind of regular thing on your instrument, it's in my opinion that there's something wrong somewhere.

It's only been standard practice since about 1952. I've had to do this on both my 63RI and 58RI Precisions, as well as 50's Classics and 60's Classic Jazz basses. Nobody should be having to do it once a week anyway.

 

[60bass]

1975 and later had the bullet. Early 70s have the adjustment at the heel.

Thanks for the clarification. I was thinking of my early 70's Tele II basses that had bullet tr and tilt necks.

 

[ModuMan]

I got my P-bass back from GC today. Fender authorized the work and everything is now good. I mentioned before but I want to say again that the repair tech at this GC is very good and he's worked on several other basses for me.

The neck was readjusted and a shim was added, from what I understand it is in the back of the pocket. The strings now have good alignment and the neck pocket gap was eliminated. Props to Mastermold, he called it!

The nut slot for the G was filed a bit and now that's fine as well. So, in the end I feel like I have the bass that I ordered. And now I can finally take the plastic off...

I don't think I'm an a big hurry to get another ADE bass at this point. I'd like to see more options and more attention to delivering the bass in stellar condition. It's a premium service (or so they would indicate) so expectations should be high.

 

[9mmMike]

With all due respect, no it shouldn't because it's no longer an "American STANDARD Bass." I don't think anyone has picked up on the word "Standard" in the phrase "American Standard Bass." Once something isn't standard it's custom. Custom always costs more.

Concur.

 

[Mastermold]

I got my P-bass back from GC today. Fender authorized the work and everything is now good. I mentioned before but I want to say again that the repair tech at this GC is very good and he's worked on several other basses for me.

The neck was readjusted and a shim was added, from what I understand it is in the back of the pocket. The strings now have good alignment and the neck pocket gap was eliminated. Props to Mastermold, he called it!

The nut slot for the G was filed a bit and now that's fine as well. So, in the end I feel like I have the bass that I ordered. And now I can finally take the plastic off...

I don't think I'm an a big hurry to get another ADE bass at this point. I'd like to see more options and more attention to delivering the bass in stellar condition. It's a premium service (or so they would indicate) so expectations should be high.

Cool, glad it worked out in the end. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been watching others' American Design Experience "experience" before deciding whether to take the plunge myself. It's a cool concept but not if poorly executed. Hopefully they are committed to working the bugs out.

 

[metron]

New bass day! My order came in about 45 days which was a pleasant surprise. An email with the tracking number would have been nice since I had a rep who emailed me when I ordered. It arrived last Friday and I wasn't home. Had it held at a Fedex location so I had to wait through the weekend. No biggie though. Actually it's my biggest complaint.

I ordered a black/black precision bass with an alder body and maple j neck. Basically an American Standard with a '63 pickup and 1.5" nut (it is labeled a precision bass ). I have short fingers and don't care for the factory spec p bass neck. I've had it for about 2 hours but I can say... finally a p bass I get along with!

I know some of you out there are a bit hesitant on this so I wanted to share my experience. I'm not going to wax poetic about it though. This bass is nice and I see no flaws in it at this time. My initial inspection shows a nice shiny finish, tight neck joints, very smooth feeling frets, crisp neck edges (which I love, not so much of that rolled edge thing), and a glossy fret board. It sounds bright but like a precision bass should. The neck feels like what I wanted. I'm happy with the whole thing. If you guys have any questions, please let me know. I want to get back to playing it.

Please excuse the flashiness of the pics.