Fender Custom Shop Club

[DavidBassista]

Couple Q’s for the CS crowd here.

Background is that I have a Fender parts 5 string, which is pretty great. It has a 2007 5’er US Jazz Deluxe neck on a 2014 US Jazz Deluxe body; which required routing the neck pocket an additional 3/8” to accommodate the 22 fret neck. I generally like neither the stock 2007 design, due to the shortened body, nor the stock 2014, due to the more limited scale. OK, I admit the single fret difference isn’t all that big; but I do use the extra fret from time to time.

Anyhow, I’d be willing to fork out the coin to get a 5 string Jazz that met my needs; IF they could do one or two things I haven’t seen discussed.

First, can you get them to pick a lighter swamp ash body? I like my basses around 9 pounds; and that takes a pretty light body to get there on a 5. Will they do that?

Second, I would really like the 22 fret neck on the standard body. They did it for the Victor Bailey Signature; but, I want a painted bass and not a signature.

These seem like reasonable custom specs. But, my experience with the CS in the past is that they just seem to be mainly focused on cosmetics vs more functional custom work. Any comments? Thanks.

There is a "sort for lightweight" option that I chose for a recent swamp ash P bass build. The bass weighs about 8.5lbs. There is no 22 fret standard option - but you can often order off the menu if you get your dealer to ask. Whether that bumps you up into the master built strata, I don't know, but doesn't hurt to ask. You tell them what you want and they will give you bid. I suggest you download the build sheet from the CS website and familiarize yourself with the options on it.

 

[Ace Of Bass]

I watch a lot of these guy’s videos…they’re kinda silly, but they do excellent videos on FCS ordering, options, and general talk..tons of good info..worth checking out….even though they never really talk about basses

 

[muggsy]

Got to find a 13-hole Fender Gold Anodized PG.....Not easy, as the OP said.

If it has to be a Fender PG, true. If you want to get one made, it's easy. I had Mike Quick (Quick Guards) make an anodized guard for my Lakland Bob Glaub P and it came out great. I sent him the original guard as a template.

 

[projectapollo]

Need a quick consult. Just purchased a Fender CS light relic Jazz from Reverb. The instrument arrives with some undisclosed denting in the neck, near the third fret, a place that your left hand travels quite a bit. The seller has initially responded that this is part of the fender relic'ing. Does anyone know if Fender relic jobs intentionally place dents in the neck surface that you can feel when you play? Pic attached...

 

[Ace Of Bass]

Need a quick consult. Just purchased a Fender CS light relic Jazz from Reverb. The instrument arrives with some undisclosed denting in the neck, near the third fret, a place that your left hand travels quite a bit. The seller has initially responded that this is part of the fender relic'ing. Does anyone know if Fender relic jobs intentionally place dents in the neck surface that you can feel when you play? Pic attached...

View attachment 4608580

I e never seen neck indentations…the neck relicing usually refers to the finish being worn off…to what degree depends on the level of relic…I kinda doubt they would dent a neck…most don’t like that kinda stuff..

 

[SJLee]

Need a quick consult. Just purchased a Fender CS light relic Jazz from Reverb. The instrument arrives with some undisclosed denting in the neck, near the third fret, a place that your left hand travels quite a bit. The seller has initially responded that this is part of the fender relic'ing. Does anyone know if Fender relic jobs intentionally place dents in the neck surface that you can feel when you play? Pic attached...

View attachment 4608580

Absolutely not. Depending on what has been ordered, the Custom Shop can sand the back of the neck such as what you see here on the Dusty Hill Tribute bass. But it's smooth to the touch and without dents or distraction in feel. Also you sometimes see wear marks on the maple fretboards as shown in the last photo. But once again, everything is smooth to the touch and not in any way like a dent.

In your case it appears the seller is trying to pass off player wear as CS relicing.

 

[JLY]

I would have to agree with Ace and SJLee, I can’t believe reliving would include dents on the neck. That would bother me every time I felt the indents

the only neck relicing on mine is the finish being worn out.

Here is mine

 

[SJLee]

I would have to agree with Ace and SJLee, I can’t believe reliving would include dents on the neck. That would bother me every time I felt the indents

the only neck relicing on mine is the finish being worn out.

Here is mine


View attachment 4608630 View attachment 4608631 View attachment 4608633

This^^^^^

Any relicing on the neck would be for both aesthetic purposes but also to make it feel worn in and comfortable. I don't think the CS would every introduce a dent in the neck because that could be distracting while you play.

 

[murphy]

If it has to be a Fender PG, true. If you want to get one made, it's easy. I had Mike Quick (Quick Guards) make an anodized guard for my Lakland Bob Glaub P and it came out great. I sent him the original guard as a template.

View attachment 4599878

That is one fine and beautifully made bass

 

[Rickles]

... The seller has initially responded that this is part of the fender relic'ing. ...

Malarkey!

 

[muggsy]

That is one fine and beautifully made bass

Thanks! It really is amazing. I traded a Sadowsky NYC that I had custom ordered for the Glaub plus cash and have never regretted it for a second. US Laklands are top notch and still a great value. Build quality is equal to my CS Hurley.

 

[marchone]

The seller has initially responded that this is part of the fender relic'ing.

An email to Fender to see if Relics come with dents will get a quick response. My guess is no.

 

[projectapollo]

Need a quick consult. Just purchased a Fender CS light relic Jazz from Reverb. The instrument arrives with some undisclosed denting in the neck, near the third fret, a place that your left hand travels quite a bit. The seller has initially responded that this is part of the fender relic'ing. Does anyone know if Fender relic jobs intentionally place dents in the neck surface that you can feel when you play?

Once I sent the PIC, the Reverb seller readily agreed to refund my purchase. Hopefully the return goes smoothly.

 

[porterbass]

Can't a dent like that be filled easily with CA glue? (Was just thinking that if you like the bass otherwise, perhaps it could be repaired easily.)

 

[projectapollo]

Can't a dent like that be filled easily with CA glue? (Was just thinking that if you like the bass otherwise, perhaps it could be repaired easily.)

If I ever sold I'd have to disclose the repair and that would decrease value.

 

[PizzaFiend]

Can't a dent like that be filled easily with CA glue? (Was just thinking that if you like the bass otherwise, perhaps it could be repaired easily.)

If I were to repair something like that, I'd use clear ColorTone Touch-up Marker - StewMac instead of CA. Several thin layers, let it flow/melt in, sand smooth with 800+ grit, polish.

 

[Hillsidebass]

I can stomach nicks, dings, scratches and dents on a bass body but never on the neck. If the back of the neck is not silky smooth and the fret board nice I won’t own it.

 

[Rickles]

^

Second that.

 

[porterbass]

If I were to repair something like that, I'd use clear ColorTone Touch-up Marker - StewMac instead of CA. Several thin layers, let it flow/melt in, sand smooth with 800+ grit, polish.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[WoodyJ]

I finally got a correct gold guard thanks to fellow TB'er E Buzz.

It's a Charcoal Frost CS '61 Sean Hurley that came with what might be the ugliest tort guard ever. I am very happy with the gold guard.

Thanks. Bob!!