How much difference in build quality, craftsmanship, and tone are there between the American Vintage '75 Jazz and a Custom Shop 70's Jazz bass?
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Fender American Vintage vs Custom Shop
- Thread starter Russell Bergum
- Start date
I can't speak to the '75 Vintage and CS 70's Jazz models, but I've owned and own both the American Vintage '62 Reissue and and a CS '64 Jazz Bass. There is a big difference in build quality, sound quality, and in weight between the two. The CS basses are really well-made and sound fantastic, while I thought the AV was just average. Of course, YMMV, IMO, etc.
Thanks. Those are 2 others that I've been looking at. Be interesting to see if your experience is common, which I suspect it is.
I haven't owned any Custom shop basses but played a couple and this is my impression too. Much better.
Ahem. But remember to take your wallet to the Custom Shop...
The time machine reissues (59P, 64 J etc) are not THAT much more than a US Vintage series though..
bongomania
Commercial User
Says custom shop on the back of mine..!
They are production models made by the custom shop, so not custom, but made by the custom shop.
The "Time Machine" Models are built in the Custom Shop but they're what is known as "Team Built" which is different than having one Master Builder producing the whole thing. Tthe quality of the "Time Machine" Models is better than Vintage Reissues but they should be for about twice the price. I have a 51 Nocaster that's a "Time Machine" Model and it is definitely a cut about the 52RI our guitarist plays.
I have had both, the AV's are very good but the CS models (I had a NOS 64) are MUCH better. I sadly had to sell the CS 64 I had a while back. I will have another one, I will buy it used, it saves you a big chunk.
Try a CS model if you can.
Try a CS model if you can.
Honestly, I've played a number of CS basses, both Jazz and Precision, and while they are great instruments, I don't believe they are worth $1000 more than the AVRI basses, at least not my AVRIs. I wouldn't trade my AVRIs for CS models if I was given the chance. I think they're great instruments, especially for the price you can get them used or on sale for. Example: my 62 Precision I bought for $1000 (floor model at a GC), and my 62 Jazz for $1300 new in box from Sweetwater. The only CS models I'd contemplate are the ones not offered by the American Vintage series, such as a 51/54 style Precision, or a late 60s/early 70s BnB Jazz.
In a way the vintage reissue basses are more accurate to the original classic 50's and 60's Fenders in that they were assembly line instruments....no custom shop back then.
shrimpflea said:
Not really, no. The older assembly lines were probably closer to a small team working like the CS workers on a Teambuilt now, at least until they ramped up production after the CBS buyout.
Agree, the Fender Custom Shop is more like the 50's/60's production. They are doing a fantastic job of remaking the old instruments. Look at the headstock on todays CS VS the real vintage basses, they are really getting the details right.
Count me in the camp that there generally isn't much difference between that AVRIs vs CS. I've owned a couple RIs that sounded/I liked better than CS basses.
However, it all comes down to the individual bass.
However, it all comes down to the individual bass.
Not at all, back in the day it was assembly line all the way....low paid workers churning out the product for maximum profit, it was not a small team of custom builders by any means. That's the way Leo set it up....necks and bodies were thrown together, there was no concern for creating a custom made instrument with select woods and the attention to detail that you see now with custom shop models. All those revered old Fender basses were essentially parts basses made quickly to fill orders and keep the business going. Yes things got ramped up after CBS took over but that was more about quality control than anything else....it was still basically the same production method.
I've played a bunch of CS basses and didn't feel they were worth the boutique sticker price. I thought my AVRI's were just as good or better.
I'd love to get my hands on a CS Pino so I can see how it stacks up. I've heard so many good things about them, and have heard they are by far the best P bass out. But, I feel that my 57' AVRI is the best P I've ever played, so I'm curious.
I'd love to get my hands on a CS Pino so I can see how it stacks up. I've heard so many good things about them, and have heard they are by far the best P bass out. But, I feel that my 57' AVRI is the best P I've ever played, so I'm curious.
@Bassgod,... the CS Pino is PHENOMENAL!!!
that said, i love my AV62RI Jazz, BUT....
the CS64RELIC is on my "Bucket List"!
that said, i love my AV62RI Jazz, BUT....
the CS64RELIC is on my "Bucket List"!
