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Fender California Series Question

J

JiveMagillicudy

Jan 29, 2011
7
0
www.thepilgrimsblogress.blogspot.com
#1
Hi all, glad to have joined the community here. I used to be a bass player years ago and have recently felt the urge to pick it up again. Problem is I don't own a bass. I've been searching various sites trying to track one down and found this one on eBay.

Fender California P Bass

I had been watching it because it was actually being bid on at around $300 until today. Looks like they ended it and changed it to a Buy It Now that is obviously much higher. (Wish they hadn't done that...)

I like the P/J configuration quite a bit but wasn't sure if this was still worth getting this one over the newer Deluxe P Specials. Found one of those for around $300 used on Craigslist. I don't want to buy a crummy bass because I'm just picking it up again. I plan on playing this a long while playing gigs and recording.

My eyes and ears are ready for you collective wisdom! :-)
 
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#3
In my opinion, it's very much a better bass than the MIM Precision Specials I've played. The California series (they had several Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars as well as the Precision Special in the series) were bodies that were machined in the US, finished in Mexico, and assembled in the US. The bass had a Jazz-bass style neck without being too skinny (with the truss rod adjustment at the head), the body was alder with vintage style hardware and P/J pickups. The controls were the typical Jazz bass style volume/volume/tone, but they used an anodized P bass pickguard so the output jack was on the rim of the body.

The original MIM version had the same specs, but the fit and finish, especially the fret work wasn't nearly as good on any of the MIM ones I found around here in central Illinois. Another huge difference in my experience is the quality of the rosewood used on them- all the California ones had very smooth-grained and well sanded and buffed rosewood boards, while all the MIM ones I've touched had very rough and open-pored rosewood.

IMO the tuning machines on them weren't up to snuff, either. Too rough which made tuning a bit of a pain. I had a California P Bass Special and I changed the machines to Hipshots before I did my first gig with it (including the Bass-Xtender, which I have on all my 4-string basses). I bought it for two reasons. First, as a stage bass to augment my others. My main bass at the time was the Vintage Series '62 Precision I'd bought in 1983 which has flats on it, and I wanted a very similar bass with rounds, and the added versatility of the Jazz PUP in the bridge was very useful (I think a P/J with both pickups balanced is the perfect passive slap bass sound). In addition my fretless was a P/J so that gave me another bass on stage with the same electronics. The other reason I got the California is because it was so ugly I had to have it. We recorded a local radio show at the store, and the whole time I'm playing I'm looking at this yellowed finished bass (it was a butter yellow, like an aged white finish) with the anodized guard and a maple neck. It was ugly but appealing so I had to have it...

The only reason I got rid of the California is that a week after I got it, I discovered my first Lakland for a price I couldn't resist- and a few months later a friend of mine needed a P/J so worked out a swap. That bass got away from me when he traded it for a G&L, and I didn't have cash to buy it back right away. There are only two basses I've gotten rid of over the last 30 years that I want back and the California P bass is one of them (the other's a '79 StingRay).

John
 
#4
I own one and it's a great bass. Tuners are a little weak, like others have mentioned, and I put in a hot dual coil Fralin in the bridge to even the balance of the pickups and reduce noise. I bought mine new in a local store, not a GC, for $499. I also have the vintage white/yellow finish with a maple neck, and I think it's beautiful. It's the last bass I would sell.
 
#6
I think, but don't quote me on this, the newer ones are active. The Californias are strictly passive. I think they they use a gold ano-look pickguard, where the Cals use actual aluminum.

Those cowpokes have their fans, too, I've never tried one but love the look and the stacked pots.
 
#8
The one you listed on eBay? I wouldn't pay $700 for it. The only way I would pay that much is if it was new old stock, came with a nice new tolex case and shipped for free. Even then, it would have to be the color and fretboard wood I preferred. I'd offer $500.
 
#10
If you want the P/J combo, I would suggest looking around for an old MIJ Jazz Bass Special. It's the one that the Duff McKagan signature bass is modeled after. They can be found for less than half of what that California is listed for. It's pretty much the same thing as the other Fender passive P/J models.
 
#11
eaaa410 said:
If you want the P/J combo, I would suggest looking around for an old MIJ Jazz Bass Special... It's pretty much the same thing as the other Fender passive P/J models.
Click to expand...

The controls on the MIJ jazz specials are different and the jazz pup is pretty weak and noisy IMO. They have a TBX tone control which acts as a treble cut in one direction (like a standard tone control) and a mid/bass cut in the other direction. They're great basses, super light from the basswood body, and pretty good quality. I'd definitely agree that you could find one cheaper than a california - probably easier too, the california series weren't produced in very high numbers as far as I know.
 
#12
I own a Precision Special (MIM, passive) from the late 90's. It was the replacement for the California Special. It is the most versatile and one of the best sounding basses I own. Workmanship issues: there are none, & never have been. I've seen the passive Specials sell on ebay for 300 - 400, much less than the bass you're considering. The MIM Special passive is one of the best values on the market, IMO.

BTW, I own a Cowpoke also, in sunburst, identical to the one on ebay. Interesting bass, & certainly a unique look, or at least less common than your standard P-J. But the standard passive p'ups in the MIM Special sound better than the active setup in the Cowpoke, & no battery hassle.

All in all the P-Special, MIM passive is the better choice, if you're only going to buy 1 bass.
 
#13
If you're looking to spend in that range, here's my recommendation:

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$699 is a steal!

When I buy a new bass, I am considering one of his. Dan is also a TB member, and is very helpful. Do a search on TB for Atkinson, and see for yourself.
 
#14
Or shop the TB Classifieds - there is a beautiful ATK there for only $450, and you can get to know the person you deal with. I've bought stuff on TB before, it's my favorite place to shop for used gear. Last purchase was September, a Fender '57 American Vintage Reissue P bass - plays like a dream and looks stunning, and with a bargain price!
 
#15
THanks everyone. This is allreally helpful! I have been watching the classifieds here on TB for the last few days and haven't seen anything just yet that has grabbed my attention. I'm thinking that the California will be a no go for now.

I'm really torn between the Cowpoke and a MIM Precision Deluxe Special. The main thing that makes me nervous about the Cowpoke is the neck. If something went wrong with it I would be kind of out of look without modding where the bridge is. I would like something that is going to last awhile and easily modded in regards to pickups and such.

I'll probably head up to GC on Monday to try some basses out. Truth be told, I absolutely fell in love with a newer MIA Fender P Bass at the local music store and felt an immediate connection. Just can't afford $1,200 right now.:crying:
 

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