Fender American Design Experience

[noeinstein]

Too busy playing?

 

[9mmMike]

Too busy playing?

The only acceptable excuse!

 

[Mastermold]

Too busy playing?

Unless ... it had issues and he's sent it back!

 

[KyleSerlington]

Unless ... it had issues and he's sent it back!

haha that was my thought

 

[Slpbass81]

I'm guessing the review is going to be the same as an American standard bass but they bolted a jazz neck to it. Mind blowing advances by Fender. I'm still mad they don't offer all options they provide in other basses. Like the ability to throw an American deluxe neck on an American standard bass. Instead they give you the Mexican 70's jazz bass neck option. Also more custom paint job options instead of the same colors you can get on the standard American models.

 

[ale_vanlager]

Here's mine! I was going for a Geddy Lee vibe. Ordered mid December (before they announced the American Geddy Lee Signature, if I had known...oh well), arrived mid March. 70's U profile maple neck, sooo comfy. Nice that they include the ashtrays in the case and not bolted on. Very happy with it!

 

[noeinstein]

Dangerous to leave us guessing like this....

 

[boristhespider9]

Unless ... it had issues and he's sent it back!

Fellow TBers, I apologize for the delay. Overall, I was very happy with my initial impression of the bass. It looks great, the fretwork is top-notch, and it's exactly as ordered. I was getting ready to take the plastic off and do a review. However, I then actually did notice a relatively serious QC issue on the lower bout curve of the bass on the back. Without going into long-winded detail, I'll just post some photos below and you'll figure it out (it's not related to the neck plate message). I have some more detailed photos I can post later. The neck gap and "notch" aren't great either, but less serious than the other issue.

I emailed and called my ADE rep at Fender. I didn't think it would be fair to do a full review without giving them a chance to resolve it first. He got back to me today (apparently my first email with photos went to his Spam folder) and agreed that the bass was not to spec. He promised to get back to me shortly with a resolution. So, I'm going to wait to see what happens before I swear total allegiance to Lakland!

 

[EmptyCup]

Perhaps this was a faithful reproduction of a CBS era instrument! Does it weigh upwards of 11 pounds? Can you hear the ocean when you put your ear next to that neck pocket

Seriously though, really sorry to see this happen, that bass should have never left the regular production line let alone ADE.

Stuff happens, though that's no consolation when it happens to you. I hope they fix it quickly for you. Let us know what happens. Your design looked great BTW.


P.S. before I get flamed for the first comment I should disclose that I own several Fenders and I am very happy with them.

 

[Mastermold]

Fellow TBers, I apologize for the delay. Overall, I was very happy with my initial impression of the bass. It looks great, the fretwork is top-notch, and it's exactly as ordered. I was getting ready to take the plastic off and do a review. However, I then actually did notice a relatively serious QC issue on the lower bout curve of the bass on the back. Without going into long-winded detail, I'll just post some photos below and you'll figure it out (it's not related to the neck plate message). I have some more detailed photos I can post later. The neck gap and "notch" aren't great either, but less serious than the other issue.

I emailed and called my ADE rep at Fender. I didn't think it would be fair to do a full review without giving them a chance to resolve it first. He got back to me today (apparently my first email with photos went to his Spam folder) and agreed that the bass was not to spec. He promised to get back to me shortly with a resolution. So, I'm going to wait to see what happens before I swear total allegiance to Lakland!

Two quick comments:

(1) That contouring on the body is normal, I believe. CNC machines cut the bodies and I suspect they are pretty much all that way--I'll check mine later when I get home but that doesn't look out of the ordinary to me.

(2) Have you tried loosening and retightening the neck? Neck gaps on Fenders often happen during shipping, the necks shift a wee bit and just need to be adjusted back. That gap might close up entirely if you do.

 

[ModuMan]

If the neck pocket was the only issue then maybe it an be adjusted like mine was to come out perfect. I initially thought the lower horn looked wrong but I have to agree with Mastermold, it actually might be right.

 

[boristhespider9]

Guys, I promise you the contouring is not right. In person, it's like a big lump in the bout that clearly does not curve correctly. It wasn't sanded right or something else happened. I also have photos of it side by side with my Fender Am Std 2013 P Bass, my Am Std 2010 Jazz, and my Lakland USA Glaub and the difference is very noticeable. I've owned a number of American Std Ps and I've never seen anything like this "jagged" curve.

I have some clearer photos which I didn't post because they show my name in the "Custom For" message on the neck plate. You know, protecting anonymity and all. I will post some clearer photos in a bit which show that this clearly not normal. When the Fender ADE rep looked at those photos he said that this clearly is out of spec and apologized.

As for the neck pocket, it's not a horrendous issue. It is a fairly larger gap than on my other Fenders and other basses. The "notch" bothers me a bit more because it's a ding or finishing/sanding flaw. If the other issue wasn't there, I could have probably overlooked this.

Oh, and I cannot hear the ocean and the bass is quite light. No issues there.

With tax, this bass cost over $1700 and supposedly was to have a higher level of QC. Sorry, not acceptable. I have owned and currently own a lot of basses, all USA made. I know the difference.

I'm actually not all up in arms about it, however. I'm going to give them a chance to resolve it or I'll simply return it. I'm just glad the ADE rep immediately agreed it shouldn't have been sent like that.

 

[EmptyCup]

boris, I meant no disrespect. I was just poking a little fun at Fender QC.

You're right, for the money you spent you deserve a better bass/experience.

 

[Mastermold]

Guys, I promise you the contouring is not right. In person, it's like a big lump in the bout that clearly does not curve correctly. It wasn't sanded right or something else happened. I also have photos of it side by side with my Fender Am Std 2013 P Bass, my Am Std 2010 Jazz, and my Lakland USA Glaub and the difference is very noticeable. I've owned a number of American Std Ps and I've never seen anything like this "jagged" curve.

I have some clearer photos which I didn't post because they show my name in the "Custom For" message on the neck plate. You know, protecting anonymity and all. I will post some clearer photos in a bit which show that this clearly not normal. When the Fender ADE rep looked at those photos he said that this clearly is out of spec and apologized.

As for the neck pocket, it's not a horrendous issue. It is a fairly larger gap than on my other Fenders and other basses. The "notch" bothers me a bit more because it's a ding or finishing/sanding flaw. If the other issue wasn't there, I could have probably overlooked this.

Oh, and I cannot hear the ocean and the bass is quite light. No issues there.

With tax, this bass cost over $1700 and supposedly was to have a higher level of QC. Sorry, not acceptable. I have owned and currently own a lot of basses, all USA made. I know the difference.

I'm actually not all up in arms about it, however. I'm going to give them a chance to resolve it or I'll simply return it. I'm just glad the ADE rep immediately agreed it shouldn't have been sent like that.

Sounds like they'll stand behind it so that's good!

 

[freedomryder]

Well, I'm about 2-3 weeks behind you. Hopefully mine won't have that issue. Sorry you have this headache. So far customer service has been very responsive which is great.

 

[Slpbass81]

Sounds like they'll stand behind it so that's good!

I bet you they will offer you some money back to avoid having to make another. My American p bass and jazz bass both had a messed up neck pocket. I worked at guitar center when I bought them so got them for cheap and just fixed it at home. The QC at Fender is terrible. I can't say enough bad things about it and the ADE program. Their prices keep getting higher as quality goes down. FYI before everyone jumps on me all I player are Fenders. If I was going to spend $1,700+ I would go lakland.

 

[extreme]

Guys, I promise you the contouring is not right.

I promise you that's how a vintage spec Fender body should be. I understand you're not happy about the gap, but it's really not that big of a deal and doesn't affect the sound of the instrument. The neck could probably be adjusted slightly by loosening and retightening the screws and you could get rid of the gap. It's a beautiful instrument!

 

[Slpbass81]

I promise you that's how a vintage spec Fender body should be. I understand you're not happy about the gap, but it's really not that big of a deal and doesn't affect the sound of the instrument. The neck could probably be adjusted slightly by loosening and retightening the screws and you could get rid of the gap. It's a beautiful instrument!

Even if it's not a big deal for $1700 I would not be happy with it. If they charged the same amount as he standard series then I would be more accepting of it.

 

[9mmMike]

This is all very discouraging. I actually do not mind that body contour as much as the neck gap. There is no excuse for that....unless it is simply out of adjustment.

I am a 70's Fender fanatic and I am used to seeing those awful gaps from the basses that were built by the bean-counters but a modern bass should not suffer from this sort of thing. What a shame. Whether they "do right" or not, I will never consider buying a bass from this program. I did enjoy the time I spent "designing" my own bass though.

 

[boristhespider9]

Ok, so the bass cost me 1781.99 to be exact - so nearly $1800.

I have not yet heard a resolution from my ADE rep at Fender, but hopefully soon.

I promised some better photos, so here we go:

Photo of bass as delivered. Plastic is still on pickguard which makes it look a bit duller. Ash body and Trans-Blonde color. Plenty of grain although you may not see it in the photos. Overall, I love the appearance of the bass. Note that it is an American Standard "Modern" body (not sure what the above poster was talking about with regard to a vintage body) and an American Standard Jazz neck (with a P-Bass decal).

This is my big gripe. Strange uneven "lump" on lower bout on back. I noticed it as soon as I turned the bass over. It's like a stretch of wood that was not sanded all the way to be properly contoured. ADE rep said it was not to spec when he saw the photos.

Let's compare the contour to my 2013 Fender American Standard P-Bass:

My Lakland USA Bob Glaub P Bass:

Neck pocket on ADE bass:

Neck Pocket on 2013 Fender American Standard P:

Lakland USA Glaub Neck Pocket:

I think these photos are helpful in making a comparison. Both the lower-priced 2013 American Standard P-Bass and my higher-priced Lakland USA Glaub P-Bass do not have the issues that the ADE bass has. It's not the end of the world, but I'd expect a lot more QC for an $1800 bass.